Is It Worth Investing Money In A Solar Air Conditioner?
Solar energy is one of the cleanest renewable sources of power used in homes and business establishments worldwide. For years, home and business owners have hoped that solar air conditioning would be a valid option, and now that it is, many are wondering if it’s worth investing in.
Does investing in solar air conditioner Philippines give users a reasonable return on investment? Do the energy and economic evaluation of a solar air-conditioner make financial sense?
Many home and business owners in the Philippines have been spending a lot on HVAC systems to maintain a sustainable indoor environment. Since the Philippines climate is hot and humid, it comes without saying that air conditioning is a necessity for all.
Does a solar air conditioner Philippines significantly offset the high electric bills many have been grappling with?
Let’s find out!
What’s Actually Being Powered?
When we talk about air conditioning consuming a lot of energy, what is actually being powered? Which components in a conventional air-con unit contribute to the high electric bills?
Every homeowner knows too well the amount of energy required to power a central HVAC system. But no one ever thinks about breaking it down, so let’s get to it.
Electric energy is usually applied to two main parts: the compressor motor and the fan motor. The fan motor doesn’t consume a lot of energy because all it does is keeps the unit from getting heated.
The compressor motor, on the other hand, consumes a lot of energy because, without it, an air-con unit is as good as useless. This is where most of the energy consumed by your HVAC system goes to.
In other words, the main component of an air-con unit that gets powered is the compressor motor. So when you install a solar air conditioner Philippines, the compressor motor can tap into the energy from your solar panels, so you don’t have to deal with high electric bills.
Note that the type of solar AC you purchase determines how much you depend on the main grid. If you install a solar air conditioner that only uses solar energy to power the fan motor, it means that you won’t experience a significant drop in your electric bill. In this case, the solar panels vs. the fuel savings won’t be incentive enough.
The Two Types of Solar AC
Currently, there are two main types of solar AC units to choose from. Making energy and economic evaluation of a solar air-conditioner before purchasing it allows you to make the right choice.
The first option is the hybrid solar air conditioner that uses electricity from the grid as well as from your solar panels to operate. They are designed with inverter technology to ensure they can capture thermal energy from an indoor environment. This energy is then transferred to the condenser to assist with the refrigeration cycle.
The second option is the chiller AC unit that operates by using thermal energy from the sun to keep your central HVAC system running. Chillers leverage heat generated by evacuated tube collectors and use glycol-water solution as an energy transferring agent.
Whichever option you go with, you’ll undeniably save money because both units consume less electric energy from the grid as compared to their conventional counterparts. In fact, for many households, it’s no longer a matter of if, but of when they can have a solar air conditioner Philippines installed.
What Does a Solar AC System Cost?
The answer to this question depends on quite a number of variables. To begin with, there is the cost of purchasing solar panels that have thankfully come down in recent years. Then there is the issue of getting the solar air conditioner Philippines, plus catering for the installation.
Traditional solar air-con units tend to be quite costly because they’re top-level systems that guarantee you years of value. So in the end, every cent you spend will be worth it.
Various factors impact the final cost of installing and operating a solar air conditioner. Some of them include;
- How often are planning to use your central HVAC system
- The actual size of your solar air conditioner
- The rate of electricity in your area
Thankfully, every modern AC product comes with a nameplate that shows you the amount of power it needs. The number is usually in watts to help you determine how many kilowatt-hours you will potentially use in a day.
To successfully save costs with your air conditioning unit, you have to determine how many solar panels you need to actualize your vision. Note that the number of solar panels you should buy will depend on the sunlight intensity and overall climatic conditions in your area.
Conclusion
Like any other emerging technology, the prices of solar air conditions will get lower in the years to come. At the same time, solar power technology itself will get more and more advanced, so be on the lookout for innovative improvements. In the meantime, you should make a choice from the options available. Solar air conditioners help you achieve a comfortable indoor environment without spending a lot on electric bills.
