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If you want to stay cool this summer, you may be looking for a new air conditioning unit. Whether you are looking for a standalone air conditioning unit or a central heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system, choosing one of the best solar air conditioning units can help you reduce your carbon footprint and save on utility bills.
In this article, we will introduce the basics of solar air conditioning units, including installation techniques, the benefits of solar HVAC, information on the best solar air conditioners on the market, and frequently asked questions.
Air conditioning and HVAC systems remove heat from the air in your home through cooling and recirculation, thereby releasing hot air and moisture to the outside. The working principle of solar air conditioners is similar-there will be no increase in electricity bills in summer.
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, air-conditioning costs account for 12% of American household energy costs, ranging from 5% in extremely cold climates to 27% in hot and humid climates.
Residential cooling systems can be used to reduce the temperature of one or several rooms in the house or the entire house. Central air-conditioning is used to cool the entire house, while independent air-conditioning units are usually used in smaller spaces. According to EIA, in 2015, approximately 60% of American households relied on central air-conditioning and 23% used air-conditioning; approximately 5% of households used both central HVAC and auxiliary air-conditioning devices.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the annual cost of traditional air-conditioning systems exceeds 29 billion U.S. dollars. In addition, the US Department of Energy stated that air-conditioning devices and systems emit approximately 117 million tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere each year. This means that although they are convenient, traditional air-conditioning devices can cause a lot of air pollution, especially in hotter areas.
The good news is that you can reduce your household energy costs and carbon footprint by choosing a solar power system.
Solar air-conditioning is a good choice for homeowners who do not need a complete solar panel installation, such as those with small roofs, living in apartments or wanting solar-powered RV cooling. However, for homeowners, installing a whole house solar air-conditioning system may be more cost-effective to obtain the best energy saving effect and a more substantial return on investment.
Interested in installing a complete solar panel system for your home? Fill out the free, no-obligation form below to get a quote from a trusted solar installer in your area.
If you are ready to switch to clean energy, you may want to know how to choose the best solar AC equipment for your home. Before looking at a specific product, it helps to understand the different types of solar technologies on the market.
The three main types of solar air conditioners are direct current (DC) solar air conditioners, alternating current (AC) solar air conditioners and hybrid solar air conditioners.
Direct current and alternating current refer to the way energy flows: direct current only flows in one direction, while alternating current often changes direction. These currents are usually used in different applications. The home grid uses alternating current, and the battery uses direct current.
Now that you know how these solar panels can cool your home, let’s take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of each option:
Currently, the following HVAC manufacturers and top solar companies manufacture the best solar air conditioning units and systems on the market:
Whether you want to completely off-grid or invest in a smaller solar air unit, SolAir World has some of the best solar AC solutions available. The company provides hybrid solar air conditioners and 100% off-grid systems. In addition to solar air conditioners, SolAir World also sells solar panels, solar refrigerators, ceiling fans and batteries.
Gree manufactures various traditional air conditioning solutions, including solar hybrid high-wall inverter air conditioners. This kind of heat pump is easy to set up and use, but you need to buy solar panels separately from the air conditioner, because Gree only produces air conditioners. This means you can choose the best solar panel according to your budget and energy needs. Moreover, because it is a hybrid device, it will pull the grid power at night or on a cloudy day, without the need for a battery pack.
LEZETi Hybrid Solar AC is manufactured by Thomas Edison Solar. Although it is a hybrid air conditioner, it runs directly on DC power from solar panels. This means that you do not need an inverter or charge controller, and the device is highly efficient because the power source does not have to be converted to alternating current. You also don’t need a spare battery, because the device is connected to your main power source for use in low light.
Lennox is a leading manufacturer of air-conditioning and HVAC, and also provides high-quality solar-powered air-conditioning units. The air conditioner and heat pump models in the Dave Lennox Signature® series are equipped with solar connection. These are some of the most energy-efficient models produced by the company, and by pairing them with one of the most efficient solar panels, Lennox says you can reduce your overall utility bills by as much as 50%.
HotSpot Energy sells various clean energy solutions, such as solar air conditioning units, chillers, solar pool heaters, solar cells and solar water heaters. In terms of home heating and cooling, the company has several hybrid models for grid-connected applications and pure DC models for off-grid applications. In addition, you can buy a hybrid inverter from HotSpot, which can turn any AC device (or other AC device) into a solar device.
The working principle of a solar air conditioner is very similar to that of a traditional air conditioner-it absorbs heat from the air in your home and releases it to the outside to cool your indoor space-but it consumes renewable energy. Solar AC power relies on sunlight to power the system. Solar AC systems use photovoltaic panels, also called solar cells, to convert sunlight energy into electrical energy, which is used to power air conditioners.
The number of solar panels you use to power AC installations will determine their ability to cool your house. In fact, the number of solar panels you need to use depends on your exact solar air conditioner and the power it uses (usually in watts). According to the Phoenix Sun, a 100-watt solar AC system requires one to five panels. According to the Easy Solar Guide, most AC systems rely on approximately 1,200 watts of power, which would require approximately five panels. Central solar AC power needs more—3,000 to 5,000 watts.
In short, the number of solar panels you need depends on your cooling needs. Larger AC systems will require more solar panels, while smaller AC devices will require fewer panels. Be sure to evaluate your cooling needs to ensure that your solar AC system has the right power source.
Compared with ordinary air-conditioning systems, the cost of solar HVAC systems is much higher-about $2,000 before the installation fee. Including the installation fee, the price has risen to about $5,000.
Although solar HVAC may be a huge investment, in the long run, the return in terms of saving utility bills and reducing carbon footprint is worthwhile. You can also check whether your region or state provides incentives to install solar AC power.
The solar cell system will ensure that your solar AC power can still work normally at night, on cloudy days, or when any sun is not directly shining on your panel. This is useful because your solar AC equipment can still run on backup batteries at night or in the event of a low-light power outage.
Yes, because the hybrid solar air conditioner can be used as a direct DC system (which can be used as a stand-alone unit for off-grid applications) or as a hybrid DC unit (to obtain electricity from the grid when there is no sunlight).
Whether it is worth investing in one of the best solar AC systems for your home depends on many factors, including your energy needs, local climate, budget, and whether your home is optimized for solar systems.
Solar air conditioners are most suitable for very hot and humid places, so a large amount of AC power is required. If your house is best for installing a complete solar system, it is best to install it in a whole house (you can get a free quote for the house below). However, if you don’t do this, solar air conditioning is still a good choice for clean energy in your home.