Solar-powered air conditioners offer innovative ways to keep cool by harnessing the natural energy of sunlight. These HVAC units may help reduce your carbon footprint and reliance on fossil fuels while lowering household utility costs. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, conventional air conditioners represent around 12% of home electricity usage in the United States. They also release around 117 million metric tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere each year.
Solar air conditioning can help solve this problem by eliminating emissions and using natural energy instead of drawing it from the grid. The reduced power consumption translates into financial savings and can also make homeowners eligible for tax rebates or rewards. Despite the available incentives, however, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed with the unfamiliar terminology and options. A comprehensive cost-benefit analysis of solar-powered air conditioning can help you make an informed decision on investing in this technology for your household.
What Is Solar-Powered Air Conditioning?
Solar-powered air conditioning is a process that captures and converts heat from the sun into energy for your HVAC unit. Instead of drawing or sourcing power from the electrical grid, these systems collect energy from sunlight in order to generate electricity for the household. Within solar-powered systems, the devices responsible for capturing sunlight are usually solar panels or solar water heaters.
After first harvesting the sunlight, the solar panels or solar heaters convert the energy from the sun’s rays into direct current (DC) electricity. For the vast majority of systems, the DC electrical charge then flows through a conductor into an inverter tool. The system then uses this inverter to convert the DC electricity into alternating current (AC) electricity.
Finally, the AC electricity travels to a switchboard for use in all household appliances. The extent of power depends on the size of the device and the amount of available sunlight. For example, a 1.0 square meter solar panel generates nearly 150 watts of power on a sunny day. If you live in a sunny region, this process is an excellent alternative for powering your indoor air conditioning unit.
How Does Solar-Powered Air Conditioning Work?
When choosing a solar-powered unit, you are likely to hear about two processing options. These two options include solar photovoltaic (PV) systems or solar thermal systems. A qualified technician can help determine which one is best for you.
Solar PV System
This type of system exclusively uses solar panels to generate electricity. Its structure resembles a ductless mini-split system with up to three solar panels, an outdoor compressor unit, and indoor unit. The compact style and flexible installation makes this option popular among smaller or one-level homes and offices. You can also ask your technician about a hybrid PV model that switches to regular-grid power at night for convenience or stores extra energy in a battery for use when the sun goes down. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the energy efficiency of photovoltaic systems may help small homes reduce energy usage by 45%.
Solar Thermal System
Thermal systems use the sun’s rays to heat water that then activates refrigerant in order to cool your home. Since water requires less energy than solar panels, this system can feel less obtrusive than installing panels on a roof. However, thermal systems do not have hybrid options for battery storage or switching to the regular power grid at night.
What Are the Types of Solar-Powered Air Conditioners?
Now that you are familiar with the terminology for electrical currents and the different types of solar-powered systems, it’s time to consider other labels on the air conditioner units themselves. Three types of solar-powered air conditioners you may encounter include DC solar-powered units, AC solar-powered units, and hybrid units.
DC Solar-Powered Air Conditioner
This is the most unique type of solar-powered air conditioner. While most units require an inverter to convert a direct current (DC) into an alternating current (AC), this unit uses direct wiring to run solely on DC electricity. This makes it ideal for off-grid living, but it’s often costlier than conventional solar power. And because it relies solely on direct current from the sun, this air conditioner does not work at night.
AC Solar-Powered Air Conditioner
This is the most conventional type of solar-powered air conditioner. Also known as an inverter air conditioner, this unit requires the standard inverter tool to convert direct current (DC) into alternating currents (AC). Since it’s much more common, this model is typically more affordable than other options.
Hybrid Solar-Powered Air Conditioner
As the name implies, hybrid units can run on both DC and AC. Due to their design, they can easily transition between solar and grid power for the most versatile management. Some hybrid units can even double as heat pumps for the home.
What Costs Are Associated With Solar-Powered Air Conditioning?
While solar-powered air conditioning requires an initial investment, experts estimate that the system pays for itself in energy savings within a few years. Upgrading can cost anywhere from $1,600 to $13,000, but the average price is $3,400. When choosing a unit, look for ENERGY STAR-certified models that help save on monthly utility costs. And remember that the U.S. Department of Energy offers an annual clean energy tax credit of 30% for energy-efficient ACs for eligible savings of up to $600. According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the installation of solar-powered units has risen an average of 37% per year as more homeowners take advantage of this annual tax credit.
What Are Benefits of Solar-Powered Air Conditioning?
There are several key benefits that make solar-powered air conditioning systems worth the initial investment. Top benefits include lower energy bills, reduction in carbon emissions, and the reliability of an independent power system.
Lower Energy Bills
Solar-powered air conditioners allow you to cool your home without consuming copious amounts of electricity from the main power grid. Electricity from the main power grid often comes from non-renewable sources that require fees for continuous production. The more electricity your household uses, the more power the grid must generate and the higher your energy bills.
In contrast, a solar-powered unit generates power from the abundance of the sun’s rays. This is a limitless supply of renewable energy that allows the system to pay for itself. And there is documented proof that using the sun as your power source can lower annual energy expenses. According to the Department of Energy, households that switch to solar-powered air cooling can save anywhere from 20% to 50% on energy use and lower energy bills by 40%. If you live in a sunny region or state, it’s smart to take advantage of the natural resources of your location and save money in the process.
Reduced Carbon Footprint
Using sunlight to generate electricity helps reduce reliance on burning fossil fuels for energy. Reducing the usage of fossil fuels can also help lower the amount of carbon emissions that otherwise deplete the ozone layer. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), the use of solar-powered technology in at least 36 million U.S. homes could reduce carbon emissions by more than 222 million metric tons.
Reliable Use
Solar-powered air conditioning systems are reliable and easy to maintain. Unlike traditional air conditioners that cannot work during power outages or blackouts, these eco-friendly units use the sun to remain independent of any problems with the main power grid. Units that store additional solar energy in batteries also help ensure that your household always retains power in reserve.
Advanced Technology
Installing a solar-powered unit can help your family stay current with the latest advances in technology. According to the IEA, solar power will represent 16% of the world’s power by 2050. Reports from Business Research Insights (BRI) also estimate that the global market for solar air conditioning will reach $625.6 million by 2028. Instead of falling behind the times, these systems help you use the newest developments to improve your home.
Contact Us Today
Solar-powered air conditioning is a practical investment for ensuring a comfortable home. But if the process for switching to solar still seems daunting, there is no need to panic. The experts are here to help. Sano Heating & Air Conditioning offers solar-powered AC services for homes in Anaheim, Orange County, and surrounding areas. We offer AC installation, inspections, and maintenance as needed.
If you are having air conditioner problems, we offer troubleshooting for your existing unit and can perform repairs. Our technicians can install corresponding heat pumps, zoning systems, or mini-split ACs. In addition to air conditioners, we can also implement smart thermostats and air purification systems for complete indoor air quality management. No matter the issue, we can assist you. Contact Sano Heating & Air Conditioning today for all AC needs.
