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New environmental laws are coming into effect in 2020 that will effectively stop the production of Freon – for years the main refrigerant chemical used in residential air conditioners and heat pumps. Although most air conditioning units produced in the last nine years no longer rely on Freon, if you have an older model or one that still uses this gas – regardless of when your unit was manufactured – now would be a very good time to think about upgrading your air conditioner.
Of course, there are many other reasons why upgrading an ageing air conditioning unit is a good idea. The filtration system in older units, for example, will not be nearly as effective in removing mould, allergens, air pollutants and bacteria from the air. This is because older air conditioning filters don’t actually clean the air, they just help to keep out dust. This is not good news for anyone, but it’s a particular problem for people with asthma, allergies or other respiratory issues. Modern filters also help to eliminate pollen and microbes from the air, making it easier to recover from colds and flu.
Old and dirty filters are not just ineffective at removing nasties from the air, they are also a perfect breeding ground for bacteria, fungi and black mould – thanks to all the moisture that accumulates from cool air passing through them.
So, if you’ve been thinking about upgrading your old air conditioner to a newer one, but haven’t yet got round to it, the time is right to do it now!
Benefits Of A New Air Conditioning Unit
Air conditioners consume a lot of energy and can be one of the major contributors to your electricity bill every month. New units are significantly more energy-efficient than older ones, and the savings generated over its life means it pays for itself several times over. However, do your homework on this first, and make sure to choose a reputable brand – there’s no point spending R20 000 on a new air conditioner if it’s only going to save you R100 a year. You won’t recoup your spend in the lifetime of the unit.
Saving energy not only saves you money, but it also helps take the pressure off our grid, which experts predict will be severely constrained for many years to come. In the long term, switching to more energy efficient air conditioning units will collectively save our country 400 000MW of electricity every year.
When buying a new air conditioner, look for the South African Energy Efficiency Label. This gives you important information on the energy efficiency rating of the model you’re considering, as well as an estimate of how much electricity it will consume over the course of the year. Remember that, in order to prevent consumers from buying air conditioners that are not energy efficient, there is a Minimum Energy Performance Standard in place. At the moment, only units with an Energy Efficiency Rating of Class B or better may be sold.
Smart Thermostats
You can retrofit a smart thermostat to an old air conditioner, but why would you want to? It would be like putting really expensive rims on your really old car! Most new air conditioners come standard with smart thermostats, and this gives you a host of great benefits:
- Advanced modulation technology means ultra-efficient, even maintenance of temperatures.
- Multiple speeds for air distribution means improved home comfort and consistent temperatures.
- High-efficiency performance facilitated by multiple stages of operation. This saves energy and improves home comfort.
The air conditioners in your home were probably cutting edge when you first bought them, but technology has advanced rapidly in recent years, and environmental regulations are more stringent.
If you’re looking to upgrade your air conditioner, why not take a look at the stunning AHI-Toshiba range?
Visit our site at www.ahi-toshibasa.co.za/ which offers more information on residential and light commercial air conditioning units. We look forward to being of assistance.
