FPL | Energy Efficient AC Buying Guide - Business Energy Savings Resources
 

Shop with Confidence for a New Air Conditioning System

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Buying a new air conditioning system is a big decision. There are many things to consider during the purchasing process. Our A/C Buying Guide was designed to help you make the right choice. When you have the right A/C system, you'll enjoy a more comfortable space, lower electric bills, and confidence that you made the right decision.
Step by Step A/C Buying Guide

Buying a new A/C system can be very intimidating. We want to help make the buying process easier for you so we created a step-by-step guide to help you through the process.

Step 1: Determine if you need a new system.
Step 2: Evaluate your options.
Step 3: Choose the system that's right for you.



A/C Comparison Worksheet

When shopping for a new A/C system, we recommend buying a high-efficiency unit. It may cost more up front, but the unit will eventually pay for itself with the money you'll save on your electric bill. Print out this comparison worksheet to determine the estimated payback period.
A/C Tips

Air conditioning accounts for a significant portion of the annual electric bill. Here are some tips to start controlling your business's energy consumption.

  • Keep the thermostat at 78° with the fan switch on "auto."
  • Cool your business only while someone is there. A programmable thermostat can do this automatically.
  • Turn ceiling fans off when no one is in the room. Ceiling fans do not actually cool a room. They just make you feel cooler.
  • Clean or change your A/C filter once a month.
  • Maintain proper air flow through your system.
  • Keep sunlight out during summer months.
  • Check your duct system for leaks.
  • Consider buying a new A/C system. The older your A/C system is, the less efficient it is.
Glossary of Commonly Used Terms

Here is a glossary of commonly used air-conditioning terms.

Straight cool system - An air-conditioning system that includes a cooling cycle only. Gas, oil, or electric strip heating may be included in straight cool systems.

Strip Heating (or resistance heating) - A form of heating, where air is blown over electrically heated metal coils and circulated into the living space.

Heat pump system - Cooling and heating system that provides a cooling cycle during the summer and a heating cycle during the winter.

SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) - A measure of the average annual cooling efficiency of an air conditioner or heat pump. We recommend a minimum SEER of 14.0.

HSPF (Heating Seasonal Performance Factor) - A measure of the average annual heating efficiency of a heat pump. We recommend an HSPF of greater than 7.7.

The higher the SEER or HSPF, the more efficient the model.

These are units of measure that determine an A/C system's size:

  • BTU (British Thermal Unit) - Used to describe how much cooling capacity a business needs.
  • Ton - A measure of the size or cooling capacity of an air conditioner. One ton is equal to 12,000 BTUs.

Additional Resources

Find a Participating Independent Contractor (PIC)*

Looking for a contractor to install your new A/C unit? Review our list of Participating Independent Contractors (PICs)*.

Learn More

A/C & Ventilation

Air conditioning is often the largest part of a business's energy bill. Cool down your costs and heat up the savings with a high-efficiency unit.

Learn More

Online Brochures

We have plenty of helpful brochures with useful information and tips. Print out those that best suit your needs.

Learn More

  

 

*The list of participating independent contractors (PICs) is a compilation of businesses that have agreed to comply with FPL's Program Standards, and is not a recommendation by FPL of a particular independent contractor. The decision to select, hire and the management of the participating independent contractor is the sole responsibility of the FPL customer. THE PIC IS NOT AN AGENT OR JOINT VENTURER AND IS NOT EMPLOYED BY AND DOES NOT WORK FOR FPL. FPL DOES NOT MAKE AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY WARRANTY, GUARANTEE, OR PROMISE, WHETHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, THE AMOUNT OF ENERGY SAVINGS TO BE ACHIEVED, THE SUITABILITY OR QUALITY OF MATERIALS TO BE INSTALLED BY, OR THE WORKMANSHIP OF THE PARTICIPATING INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR SELECTED AND HIRED BY THE FPL CUSTOMER.