By Anne Fonda with expert review by Mark Woodruff, Senior Product Manager, Ducted Outdoor

Central air conditioning can be a blessing on a hot summer day. But eventually, AC systems wear out, and don’t keep your home as comfortable as they should. You’re smart to be investigating energy-efficient central air conditioners before your system breaks down completely.  

Learn how investing in an energy-efficient air conditioning system from Trane can enhance your home comfort and save you money on your cooling bills for years to come. 

There are 3 main benefits to purchasing a more energy-efficient central AC system for your home. 

1. They can reduce your energy consumption. 
2. Decreased energy consumption means cost savings on your utility bills. 
3. More energy-efficient AC units dehumidify better than less efficient units. 

Let’s explore each of these benefits. 

We can’t speak for other HVAC companies, but Trane air conditioners have energy efficiency built in, especially our multi-speed and variable-speed AC units. How energy efficient a central AC unit is depends on important factors such as the SEER2 and EER2 ratings, the number of cooling stages, and humidity control. 

An air conditioner’s Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER2) measures its average cooling efficiency over the entire cooling season, over a range of temperatures from 65°F to 104°F. A unit’s Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER2) measures its cooling efficiency at peak cooling need, when the temperature is 95°F. 

Replacing an old central AC unit with a low SEER2 rating with a new, energy-efficient AC unit will help save energy and save money on your cooling bills. Most of our central air conditioning units are also ENERGY STAR™-certified.  

This SEER2 comparison bar chart shows the difference in efficiency between cooling units with various SEER2 ratings. For example, the 20 SEER2 unit is 33% more efficient than the 13.4 SEER2 unit.  

An AC unit uses the most power when it cycles on. So, a single-stage air conditioner, or even a two-stage AC unit, can use a lot of power as they turn on and off more frequently. 

Multi-speed or premium variable-speed systems run for a longer time at lower speeds, using the minimum amount of energy to provide enhanced comfort. While a single-stage unit runs at 100% capacity whenever it’s on, our variable speed units can run at 30-100% capacity, depending on your set temperature and the temperature outside. 

Replacing an older, less efficient central air conditioning system with a newer, more energy-efficient AC system can lower your cooling bills almost immediately. What you save on your electric bill can be applied towards paying for the system. If you qualify for Trane’s 0% HVAC financing, you can pay for the system with 60 equal monthly payments.  

Learn more about your HVAC financing options.  

In addition to superior energy efficiency, our variable-speed and multi-speed air conditioners offer enhanced humidity control. This is important because lower humidity can make your home feel cooler, even at a higher temperature.  

Removing excess moisture from your home in the summer can allow you to set a higher indoor temperature and still feel comfortable. That can save you money on your cooling bills. In addition, maintaining optimal humidity levels can protect your indoor air quality (IAQ) from things like mold spores, which thrive in high-humidity environments. 

Think about those first hot spring days where the temperature is 85°F and the humidity is between 40% and 50%. Compare that with a summer morning where the temperature is 85°F, but the humidity is 90%.  

Your smartphone will tell you the “feels like” temperature is hotter than the actual temperature. According to the National Weather Service heat index calculator, even though it’s 85°F, it feels like 101.5°F. Like you could cut the humidity with a knife. 

The same “feels like” principle applies to your home’s humidity level. 

1. Keep up with regular air conditioner maintenance. 
2. Optimize your home to help your AC unit operate efficiently. 
3. Upgrade to a smart thermostat. 

Regular central air conditioning maintenance includes DIY maintenance and professional HVAC system maintenance. 

• Change the air filter every 1-3 months 
• Keep the area 2 ft. around the outdoor unit clear of debris and shrubbery. 
• Keep the indoor registers and return air vents clear. 

Schedule an annual AC tune-up in the spring before cooling season begins to help ensure your air conditioner operates at peak performance. Consider signing up for an HVAC maintenance plan to make heating and cooling maintenance more convenient. 

There are several things you can do inside your home to help optimize the energy efficiency of your AC system in the summer. 

• Keep registers and return air vents clear (don’t block with furniture or drapes). 
• Close curtains and blinds during the hot summer days. 
• Use ceiling fans to make it feel cooler (the windchill effect). 
• Limit use of your oven, stove, and clothes dryer to cooler evening hours. 

Long-term, you can plant shade trees to block the hottest afternoon sun. Read our Green Guide for more energy-saving tips. 

Smart thermostats are programmable thermostats connected to the internet. This allows you to control the temperature in your home from anywhere, at any time. While you can program an energy-saving schedule, you can also adjust the temperature if you left home on vacation but forgot to adjust the thermostat. 

Some smart thermostats can learn your habits and adjust the temperature automatically. They may also have geofencing capabilities to cool the house down as you’re nearing home, or raise the temperature when you leave. This ultimately reduces your energy consumption and can lower your cooling costs. 

According to the Department of Energy (DOE), 78°F is the optimal temperature setting for summer to maintain comfort while saving money. This may sound high, but it’s doable with an energy-efficient air conditioner that does a great job at dehumidifying the air. 

As we mentioned above, high humidity can make it feel warmer than it is, but optimal humidity (between 40-50% in the summer) can make it feel cooler. This allows you to bump up the temperature.  

You can adjust the temperature by 7-10 degrees while you’re away to help save up to 10% more on your energy costs. 

Our most energy-efficient air conditioner is the 20 TruComfort™ Variable Speed Air Conditioner with WeatherGuard™. It boasts a SEER2 of up to 23.6 and an EER2 of up to 14 for optimal comfort. If you live in a hot and humid climate, such as Florida, a variable-speed AC unit with high efficiency numbers may be for you.  

An affordable alternative is the 17 Multi-Speed Air Conditioner with WeatherGuard™. With a SEER2 of up to 18 and EER2 of up to 13 combined with an inverter compressor, this energy-efficient air conditioner maximizes efficiency and comfort without a premium price tag. It also offers enhanced humidity control. 

Lastly, if you live in an area with shorter summers that aren’t too humid, the 15 Single-Stage Air Conditioner with WeatherGuard™ might be a good choice for your cooling system.  

Work with your local Trane dealer to find the best energy-efficient AC system for your home. 

Anne Fonda, Content Writer

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A Content Writer with Trane Technologies, Anne Fonda researches topics and writes for Trane® and associated residential HVAC brands. She works in collaboration with Trane Technologies subject matter experts, offering easy-to-understand, informative content on complex topics. Her goal is to help consumers make informed decisions on the products and services they need.

She has written for HVAC and other service provider websites for over 16 years. Before transitioning to web content writing, Anne had a 14-year stint as an award-winning journalist. She graduated cum laude from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Journalism.

When she’s not working, Anne enjoys playing word games, reading, gardening, spending time with family, and visiting gardens and museums.