Air conditioners, popularly known as AC units, are a costly investment and incur significant energy costs over their lifetime. In fact the Guyana Energy Agency [GEA] has observed by assessing over 100 energy assessments at public institutions, that inefficient AC units are responsible for a significant portion of energy cost.
However it has been found that energy star certified air conditioners have a higher energy efficiency ratio (EER) than standard models – which makes them about 14 percent more efficient.
As such GEA Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Mahender Sharma, is urging all Ministries, Government Agencies, semi-autonomous organizations, private sector entities and residents to procure ONLY energy efficient/energy star certified air conditioning units.
Dr. Sharma is cautioning entities procuring air-conditioners to not only look at the initial capital cost of the ACs when determining a supplier, but to also look at the annual energy costs for operating the units. If analysed over a two to three year period, the payback for investments in energy efficient air-conditioners is easily understood and the higher costs are justified from the payback analysis. GEA stands ready to provide technical advice on this and other energy-related matters.
The upfront costs for new energy efficient air conditioner are offset over time from the energy savings gained, through lower energy bills, by choosing a high SEER/EER unit. By making wise use of AC Units energy consumption can be reduced which in turn would reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions and contributes positively to the environment! To learn more visit www.gea.gov.gy.