January 1, 2020

Eneref Institute examines the benefits of variable refrigerant flow inverter-driven air conditioners.

“The average efficiency of air conditioners sold today is less than half the efficiency of systems available on store shelves.” 

Inverter-Driven Residential HVAC Helps Answer Peak Demand

Globally, air conditioning represents the fastest-growing energy demand in homes and buildings. Yet the average efficiency of air conditioners sold today is less than half the efficiency of systems available on store shelves—and only one third as efficient as the most efficient technology currently available, according to the International Energy Agency.

As a result, in the US alone, over 30 million metric tons of carbon dioxide are unnecessarily expelled into the atmosphere each year due to inefficient cooling systems installed in homes. Any number of efficient technologies could fulfill residential space cooling needs and reduce global warming, including ceiling fans, solar thermal cooling, venting skylights and hydrothermal and geothermal. This report looks at inverter-driven systems because they answer demand response programs without sacrificing cooling and heating capacity. Inverters are also the fastest option for upgrading or replacing the most commonly installed residential systems, and many companies offer systems for new home construction.

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