(Toronto, March 16, 2006) With warmer weather just around the corner, Peter Love, Ontario’s Chief Energy Conservation Officer, advises Ontarians to check out more than just the price tag when buying a new central air conditioning system.

He advises to also look at how efficiently it operates. This is reflected by the SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio), and the higher the number, the more efficient the unit.

“Home owners are thinking about air conditioning this time of year,” says Love. “It pays to buy the most energy efficient system, one with a 13 SEER or higher. The energy cost required to operate the unit is what we call “the second price tag”.”

New regulations introduced by the Provincial government, which came into effect February 15, require that all newly imported or manufactured AC units have a 13 SEER or greater. However, 10 SEER units are still available.

Love says that, despite the attractive sticker price of 10 SEER units, their higher energy consumption makes them less of a bargain than they appear.

With central air conditioner units lasting on average 15 years, and 10 SEER units consuming roughly 20-25% more energy than 13 SEER, Love stresses that buyers do their homework and understand that only part of the cost of a unit is the purchase price. He also reminds purchasers to ask their air conditioning contractor to recommend an ENERGY STAR air conditioning system to ensure the best in energy efficiency.

Residential cooling can add up to 50% of your household electricity consumption in summer. In Ontario, the last 19 record days for electricity consumption occurred during the summer for air conditioning, not during the winter for heating, so installing a more energy efficient unit really can make a difference in electricity use and your electricity bill.

Regardless of the SEER you have, Love suggests people rethink how they use their air conditioner. In most applications, for every ½ degree above 26 degrees Celsius you set the thermostat, there is an energy saving of 6 to 10%. And since air conditioning acts as a dehumidifier and makes the air feel cooler than it really is, we can set summertime thermostats higher and still feel comfortable.

Love also suggests closing your blinds and drapes during the day to keep the hot sunlight out, and to consider ceiling fans as an alternative to turning up the air conditioning.

Use a programmable thermostat to ensure your home isn’t being overly air-conditioned during the day when you are out of the house. (Although, Love cautions, that consistent air temperature may be required for anyone with breathing problems; in these cases, keep your air conditioning on at a reasonable temperature all the time.)

Use smaller appliances, such as microwaves, and enjoy a backyard bar-be-que, rather than heating the kitchen with your oven on hot summer nights. And, he adds, proper maintenance of your entire air conditioning system also saves money.

Make sure the unit components are serviced by a qualified technician and are in good repair, and remember to have this done before the weather gets hot.