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Most
room sized refrigerative air conditioners are given an energy star
rating which enables their performance to be compared. They show a
cooling rating in blue, and if they can be operated to provide heating,
they will also show a heating rating in red. While less efficient
units may be cheaper to buy, they will cost more to run. On the other
hand, the additional cost of a more efficient system is usually offset
by reduced running costs. Larger and multiple outlet split systems
are not required to have star ratings, however suppliers should be
able to provide information on the performance of these larger systems.
To compare the energy ratings of various refrigerative systems, visit
the Australian Government's Energy
Rating web site. If the system has a low star rating for heating
in winter then heating with natural gas may cost less to run. However,
compared to other types of electric heating, a reverse cycle system
can give the same amount of heat for about one-half to one-third the
electricity cost.
Although evaporative air conditioners don't currently carry a star
rating, their energy consumption is much less than similar sized refrigerative
systems.
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