While solar air conditioners will cost more than a standard inverter air conditioner or non-inverter unit, their benefits are immediate. While it may take some time to recover the initial investment from energy savings, there is no doubt that they are worth the investment.
Solar air conditioners are most certainly worth it from the moment they are installed; they eliminate energy consumption and energy costs associated with your air conditioning, start paying back the investment immediately, and immediately reduce your carbon footprint!
By looking at the savings and other benefits of installing solar air conditioners, you will see that while the initial investment for a solar air conditioner may seem high relative to non-solar units, the short and medium-term benefits far outweigh the capital cost.
Why Are Solar Air Conditioners Worth It
Air conditioning accounts for around 10% of global energy usage and, when used in the home, can be a major contributor to energy costs second only to water heating!
But, the very second you install a solar air conditioner from Solaeris, your air conditioning costs evaporate into the sun! Because solar air conditioners use direct DC from the solar panels or the PV system (if connected), you can run your air con units all day and NOT use a single cent of electricity!
To see what savings you would get factoring in the energy costs per kWh, as well as annual increases and power consumption, check out our article on How Much Money You Can Save With A Solar Air Conditioner.
Bottom line, whatever you are paying for power when using your existing air conditioner, you will NOT be paying once you connect and use your solar air conditioner!
Solar Air Conditioners Are Worth It Because They Save You Money
On average, and factoring in the ESKOM increases that average around 15% per year so far, most solar air conditioners will pay for themselves within two years, assuming that you would use your air conditioner for heating and cooling throughout the year.
And here is another reason solar air conditioners from Solaeris are worth it – you can keep your home warm during winter and keep it cool it during summer for free! Plus, there is a certain satisfaction knowing that you are staying cool without paying ESKOM a single cent to do it!
And that alone is why a solar air conditioner is worth it!
Solar Air Conditioners Are Worth It Because They Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
In terms of CO2, energy production in South Africa is not the most efficient, as one kW of electricity produced will yield about 1 kg of CO2 released into the atmosphere. So for every 1000 kWh you use, you are responsible for 1 ton of CO2 released into the atmosphere.
An average 12000 BTU air conditioner will use slightly more than 1kWh per operation hour. Over a year, with 8 hours per day of operation, this will result in about 3 tons of CO2 per year being released into the atmosphere.
Over five years of operation, that will be 15 tons, just for ONE 12000 BTU unit. With a solar air conditioner, the amount of CO2 released is ZERO. ZIP. NADA. F-ALL!
While you may not be actively conscious of your CO2 footprint, you will sleep better knowing that while you are keeping cool, you are helping to save the planet!
Solar Air Conditioners Are Worth It Because They Add Value To Your Home
With rising numbers of home buyers and investors preferring properties with energy-efficient solutions and products installed over those that don’t, they are willing to pay more for properties and homes that are energy efficient.
For a homeowner, adding solar air conditioners makes financial sense, especially if you are going to sell at some point. If you have had solar air conditioners for more than three years, they have paid themselves off.
Because you have them, you can increase your selling price on the home, which will double or even triple the return on your solar air conditioner’s initial investment.
Solar Air Conditioners Are Worth It Because The Maintain Their Cool In The Heat
One of the issues with conventional air conditioners is that they can struggle to keep cool when the heat outside gets too much. They will use more power and reach their capacity to keep up with the heat – while solar air conditioners don’t have the same issue.
When the sun is blazing down, it generates more energy for the solar panels that power the solar air conditioner, so effectively, the sun gives you the energy to remain cool and comfortable while other air cons struggle to keep up!
Solar Air Conditioners Are Worth It Because They Are Wifi Enabled
Being able to monitor your solar air conditioner and manage it from your smartphone using wifi is a great advantage, and Solaeris Solar Air conditioner enables you to do just that. So no more searching for remotes; use your smartphone!
Solar Air Conditioners Are Medium Term Investments
As South Africans, we tend to have a short-term mindset regarding energy saving, and this has to change. A solar air conditioner will have a short- to medium-term investment return of between 2-5 years.
Energy efficiency is not a short-term perspective but a medium-term one, and getting into this mindset when it comes to investing in a Solaeris Solar Air Conditioner is critical. Remember that the longer you wait, the higher the cost of electricity becomes.
Even if you can’t do all the rooms in your home at once, you can start slowly and add solar air conditioners as and when you can, or invest in a PV system and then connect your solar air conditioners as you get them.
Conclusion
Solar air conditioners are worth it as they save money, add value to your home while reducing your carbon footprint, maintain their cooling when other air conditioners cannot, and are smart technology enabled, all leading to a comfortable environment and peace of mind!
Aside from that, the best thing about a solar air conditioner from Solaeris is that you can smile knowing that you are not paying ESKOM a dime while enjoying a perfectly cooled home- and that should be enough reason to invest in one!