Air Conditioners & Global Warming

Older units emit greenhouse gases

Older and less energy-efficient air conditioners are contributing to global warming with greenhouse gases emitted in the production of electricity.

Energy Star is a voluntary partnership between the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, local utilities, product manufacturers and retailers that promotes energy efficiency above and beyond government standards.

A room air conditioner with an Energy Star endorsement will be at least 10% more efficient than the minimum government mandated EER rating. It will not only reduce your energy bill by about 20%, but will also help reduce the global environmental costs of high energy consumption.

Energy Star estimates that if everyone purchases air conditioners or other products that meet their superior energy efficiency criteria, the national annual energy bill would be reduced by about $100 billion over the next 15 years, and the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions would be equivalent to taking 17 million cars off the road for each of those 15 years