Whether you have recently purchased a home or are thinking about upgrading your AC unit, it’s important to understand how many watts an air conditioner uses during operation. With this information in hand, you can better determine how many watts your system will use in the future. If you want to conserve as much energy as possible to lower your monthly energy bills and protect the environment, it’s essential that the system isn’t using more watts than it should be. This guide takes a look at the average watt use for air conditioning units and what it means.
Total Watts Used by Air Conditioners
The average watt usage for an air conditioning unit depends on the type of system that’s installed in your home. In most cases, larger units will use more watts than smaller ones. The estimated watt usage for each air conditioner type is:
- Central air conditioner – 3,500 watts
- Central AC with no compressor – 750 watts
- Window units – 500-1,400 watts
Factors That Dictate Watt Usage
There are many factors that can play a part in the total watt usage of an air conditioner. For instance, the make/model of the system can determine how many watts it will use. As mentioned previously, the size of the system has a direct role in the number of watts that are used. If you’re using a central air conditioner to cool your entire home, the system will invariably use more watts of electricity when compared to smaller window units.
If you’re searching for the right air conditioner to have installed in your home, it’s recommended that you don’t conduct your search based on how many watts the unit uses. Instead, consider your monthly expenses and the size of the area that needs to be cooled. During the warm summer months, the expenses for cooling your home can make up nearly 70% of your monthly energy bill. To keep your costs low, you should consider purchasing an energy-efficient system. If energy efficiency is a top consideration for you, window units can be more efficient and use less watts than larger central air conditioners.
In the event that you’re choosing an air conditioner based on the watts it uses, you shouldn’t automatically get the smallest air conditioner available. If you attempt to cool a larger area with a small unit, the unit will need to work harder to keep your home cool and comfortable. You can determine which air conditioner is right for your home by calling Kahn Air Conditioning in Northridge, CA, and requesting our maintenance services.
How to Conserve Energy
All air conditioners receive efficiency ratings that can help you identify how energy efficient the system is before making a purchase. The main rating that’s used with AC units is SEER, which means seasonal energy efficiency ratio. The SEER rating for an air conditioner can be anywhere from 6-20. A higher number indicates that the unit is more efficient. When you see two air conditioners of the same size, the one with a higher SEER rating will typically use less watts when running at full capacity.
Energy-efficient units can also be outfitted with an ENERGY STAR label. Air conditioners that feature ENERGY STAR labels will conserve more energy than units that don’t have the label. Once you’ve purchased your air conditioner of choice, you can keep efficiency high by requesting routine service calls and regular maintenance. Properly maintaining the unit will allow it to last longer and cost less over the duration of its life span.
If you believe that your air conditioning unit isn’t as efficient as it should be, you can request AC maintenance services from Kahn Air Conditioning in Northridge. During maintenance, it’s possible that we will identify a problem that’s causing a reduction in efficiency. A couple of the more common issues that affect air conditioner efficiency include dirty air filters and air leaks.
Here at Kahn Air Conditioning, we aim to provide our customers in Northridge, CA, with premium air conditioning services. These services extend to installation, maintenance, and repair services. Whether you have just purchased a new air conditioner and need it installed or have recently noticed a strange sound with your current unit, our technicians can provide for all of your air conditioning needs. Contact Kahn Air Conditioning today to find out more about our services.
