Have a Chill Summer: Understanding Your Cooling Options

 The summer countdown is officially on. And relaxing after a day in the sun is much better in a cooler home.

Whether you’re thinking about having a cooling system installed or contemplating whether its time to replace your existing system, we have options for you to consider that will save you money upfront and in the long run.

If you use fans and/or window A/C units but are considering having a cooling system installed check out a ductless mini-split cooling system.

A mini-split system is a type of air-source heat pump and is a very efficient way to cool your home. The outdoor unit pulls heat out of your home in summer time, cooling it down. No ductwork is required, making it a relatively easy installation while enhancing energy efficiency since energy loss is typically associated with leaky ducts.

A mini-split system has multiple air handlers installed inside, giving you zone temperature control—you can cool down the rooms you want and set different temperatures for others if you’d like. Finally, a mini-split system also heats your home in the winter. Given current fuel prices, using mini-splits is a cost-effective way to heat your home unless you use natural gas as your primary heating fuel.

The Sponsors of Mass Save^® offer up to $350 rebates on mini-splits per indoor unit.

If you have a Central A/C system that is broken or close to its end of life replace it with a high-efficiency Central A/C or Central Heat Pump system.

After 15-20 years, a Central A/C system will typically decline in performance. If your home fails to cool or seems humid, or if you see abnormal spikes in your summer energy bill, your system is inefficient. The solution is to replace your older cooling equipment with high-efficiency cooling equipment. Look for a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) of greater than 16, and you’ll stay cool while reducing your energy costs.

If you want to stick with what you know, or want to keep upfront costs low, then choose high-efficiency Central A/C equipment. However, if you want even greater efficiency that will save even more over the long term—while also providing an efficient heating solution in the winter—consider a Central Heat Pump system. The Central Heat Pump system will use your existing ductwork to supply cool air in the summer and warm air in the winter.

The Sponsors of Mass Save offer rebates of up to $500 on efficient Central A/C and Central Heat Pump equipment.

If you have a Central A/C or Central Heat Pump that is at least 12 years old, but still functioning consider an early replacement of your equipment and get an even bigger rebate.

Get ahead of declines in the performance of your equipment as it ages. Inefficient equipment costs more to operate and the earlier you replace it, the more you avoid in energy costs.

The Sponsors of Mass Save offer rebates of up to $1,000 when you replace cooling equipment that is at least 12 years old and still functioning with efficient Central A/C and Central Heat Pump equipment. To see if you are eligible, you need to schedule a no-cost home energy assessment.

For more information on selecting the right cooling equipment for your home, check out our electric heating and cooling systems guide.