How Much Energy Does Air Conditioning Use?

Air conditioning has come a long way since its first appearance on the market as a cooling device for buildings and homes. In the year 2000, air conditioners used from thirty to fifty percent less energy than models manufactured in the 1970s. With newer models for air conditioning, makers have found ways to design them for better efficiency. Before talking about the amount of energy used up by air conditioning, it is important to know how they work. Air conditioning works in a similar manner to refrigerators, in that a pump and a circuit of tubes are responsible for the mechanisms that create the cooling system. Inside the air conditioner are a bunch of serpentine tubing, often composed of copper, that wind to two types of coils, evaporator coils and condenser coils. The cold, indoor evaporator coil cools the room while the hot outdoor coil releases heat outside. The collected heat that is expelled is a result of the energy running through the air conditioning as it does its job. ...  more