Cool comfort: saving energy - report.(air conditioning)(Buyers Guide)

Can you stay cool this summer without breaking the bank? What's the best way to manage central air conditioning in this era of ever-climbing electricity prices and rolling blackouts? While there's no one money-saving strategy that will work for everyone all the time, there are a number of simple steps you can take to ensure that your air-conditioning system works at peak efficiency and that it isn't being asked to handle more cooling than necessary.

In some cases, you may be able to cut back on air-conditioner use considerably without seriously inconveniencing your family. The illustration at right highlights more than a dozen steps you can take.

The pointers below can help you find the right hardware and the right technician to install it, whether you're replacing an older air conditioner or installing one for the first time. The information comes from our own experts, from reader responses to our 2000 Annual Questionnaire, and from heating and cooling contractors we surveyed.

LEARN THE LINGO

Design. In a "split system," the typical design, refrigerant circulates between an indoor coil and a matching outdoor condenser with compressor. The refrigerant cools the air, dehumidifying it in the process; a blower circulates air through ducts throughout the house. A variation is the "heat pump," a type of system that functions as heater and cooler. When used as an air conditioner, a heat pump discharges heat from the house either into the air or deep into the ground. In the winter, a heat pump extracts heat from the ground or the air to warm the house.

Efficiency. This describes how much cooling the unit delivers for each watt of electricity. Efficiency is expressed as the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating, or SEER. At present, a SEER of 10 denotes a low-efficiency unit; medium efficiency is 11 to 14; high efficiency is above 14. New federal regulations scheduled to take effect in 2006 will set the minimum SEER at 13.

Size. A synonym for the air conditioner's cooling capacity, size is measured in British thermal units per hour (Btu/hr.) or in "tons." One ton of cooling equals 12,000 Btu/hr.