About Cooling & Air Quality
Your home’s largest energy consumer is your home cooling system. Use our guide to learn about the most common types used in Hawaii and decide on the best option for your home.
You can download the PDF here.
Air Conditioners
Air conditioners draw heat out of the house, then replacing the hot air inside with cooled air. Their effectiveness will depend on choosing the right type and size of system.
Save Even More Energy with Inverter Technology: New inverter air conditioners are proving to be as much as 25% more efficient than even the ENERGY STAR® certification requirements. The key difference between traditional models and inverter types has to do with their compressors. Inverter (and dual-inverter) type compressors operate at variable speeds, making it easier to adjust as needed to cool a room’s temperature. Traditional non-inverter ACs can only operate either at full speed or must shut off when the desired temperature is reached. This constant on-off cycling uses more energy and it’s also louder. If you’re looking to save energy on cooling, keep the inverter technology in mind when shopping ACs. And don’t forget your rebates!
House Fans
Fans are an ultra-efficient method of cooling, and can even reduce the need for AC (yes, we said it!) when positioned well. Know your fan types and how you can maximize chill:
Check out our whole house fan resource sheet, download it here.
Dehumidifiers & Purifiers
These days, air quality matters just as much as cooling. Learn the difference in equipment:
When shopping, look for the ENERGY STAR for products, which are at least 15% more energy-efficient than standard models.
No matter what you’re using, aim for maximum efficiency.
Cooling equipment is only as effective as the space it’s in. Good habits combined with equipment will ensure you get the most cool for your buck. Here are a few simple ways you can prepare your home: