The summer season in Yavapai County, AZ, can be brutal. It’s hot and you worry that your energy bills might get too high while you’re fighting the heat. Then, you also have to think about the global temperature averages rising. Overall, air conditioners are crucial for everyone.
We know that homeowners want cost-effective and efficient ways to cool their living spaces. Air conditioners make the home feel more comfortable on a hot day. However, they can be expensive to run. You’ve likely compared the price of your energy bills during moderate and hot temperatures!
Therefore, you might be focused on getting solar-powered air conditioners for your home. They use solar panels and can cool the house down using sustainable and clean energy.
Is solar air conditioning right for you? It’s time to find out about the pros and cons of using a solar air conditioner for home!
Pros of a Solar-powered Air Conditioner
If you’re building a new home or remodeling your current one, it might be wise to invest in a solar air conditioning system. Let’s check out the benefits:
Solar-powered Air Conditioners Are Budget-Friendly
Solar-powered technology uses the sun as its energy source. Therefore, solar-powered air conditioning could save you about 50 percent on your energy bills.
While you might be skeptical about investing so much into solar PV air conditioners initially, the long-term savings you see offset that nicely.
[Related: How Much Does Solar Panel Repair Cost in Arizona?]
Solar Air Conditioners Produce Clean and Sustainable Energy
Carbon dioxide levels have increased by about 100 parts per million since 1950. Your carbon footprint matters, but so does air conditioning!
Solar energy is clean and sustainable, so you can “go green” and be kind to the environment. Unlike fuel-generated ones, solar-powered air conditioners emit fewer greenhouse gasses.
Solar-powered Air Conditioners Don’t Experience Power Failure and Have Minimum Disruption
With solar air conditioners, you don’t have to worry about power outages disrupting your comfort. You still have air conditioning, even if your Wi-Fi is gone for a while!
Solar PV Air Conditioners Don’t Require as Much Maintenance
Solar panels don’t need much maintenance, and the rain washes them perfectly. While a solar-powered air conditioner might require repairs periodically, it’s rarely as much as a fuel- or electric-powered AC unit.
Solar-powered Air Conditioners Are User-Friendly
Most users report that a solar air conditioner is user-friendly. Therefore, you get air conditioning without the hassle!
Solar Air Conditioners Often Feature Financing Solutions
Many local governments are trying to motivate people to switch to solar power. Therefore, you might get incentives for doing so.
Cons of a Solar Air Conditioner for Home Use
Now, it’s important to understand the disadvantages of a solar air conditioner:
High Upfront Costs for a Solar-powered Air Conditioner
Investing in solar power for an air conditioner or anything else in the home has a higher upfront cost than other options. Most of the investment focuses on batteries, inverters, and solar panels. You’re likely to need about 22 solar panels!
Solar Power Relies on the Weather
Weather conditions change all the time, and that can affect the efficiency of your solar power air conditioner. If the solar panels don’t get enough sun, you don’t get power to run the unit.
A hybrid system might work best because the AC charges your battery through the solar panels and can switch out of hybrid mode as needed.
Solar Panels Can Deteriorate
After a while, the solar panels of your solar-powered air conditioner might deteriorate or get damaged. That affects the efficiency of the solar-powered air conditioning unit.
Generally, solar panels have a lifespan of 30 years, but external factors could change that.
[Read: How Do Solar Panels Work?]
Slow Market Growth for Solar-powered Air Conditioners
Many people have never heard of solar thermal air conditioners or understand what they are, which leads to a disadvantage.
FAQs
How Much Does a Solar PV Air Conditioner Cost?
Compared to a conventional air conditioning unit, solar air conditioning costs a lot more. Pre-installation costs can run $2,000 or more, but installation fees ensure that you spend about $5,000.
A solar-powered AC system is a huge investment, but the payoff can be significant in the long run.
Can Solar Run an Air Conditioner?
Yes, solar power can run an air conditioner just as well as grid power in most cases. Many people look at energy savings and the minor inconveniences to determine if solar-powered air conditioning is right for them.
Overall, issues with solar power can lead to the unit not running in bad weather or at night.
[Related: How to Repair Solar Panel at Home – A Comprehensive Guide]
How Many Solar Panels Does It Take to Run an Air Conditioner?
The number of solar panels you need to power the indoor unit determines how much power it has to cool the home. Typically, it depends on the exact solar-powered air conditioning unit you have.
Most AC systems use 1,200 watts to run, so that means roughly five solar panels if it’s a window unit. Those who prefer central air conditioning need between 3,000 to 5,000 watts, pushing that number to 22 or so.
[Read: Solar Panels: Should You Buy, Repair, or Hire a Professional?]
What Types of Solar Air Conditioners Are There?
Your cooling system is important because you want to feel comfortable and experience the cool air in your home. Let’s focus on the types of solar AC system options you have:
DC Solar Air Conditioners
A DC solar air conditioner uses DC power produced by solar photovoltaic panels. Since the systems don’t need an inverter to change to an alternating current, they’re suitable if you have no grid power. However, a grid-solar air conditioner often needs more solar photovoltaic panels.
Solar AC Power Air Conditioners
Alternating current systems work with the home’s electrical grid power. Therefore, the DC power collected in the solar panels is converted to AC power to use in the solar AC unit.
Hybrid Solar Air Conditioners
This solar panel system uses solar power and grid electricity to reduce the cost of cooling the home. Solar energy runs the compressor.
Solar Thermal Air Conditioners
Solar thermal systems use a plate to capture the solar energy from the sun. It turns the electric generator to power the compressor within the cooling system.
Get a Solar-Powered Air Conditioner Now!
Air conditioners are a requirement in a hot climate like Arizona. However, you must think about the best option for you. Since Arizona often has tons of sunshine, solar-powered air conditioners are considered a good choice.
Are you ready to convert to solar air conditioning? We can help you install a full solar panel system to reduce energy costs! Reach out to our team today for a quote.
Jeff Brandlin is the founder of Assurance Electrical Services, LLC. He started in the electrical industry when he was 21 and had worked in several electrical firms before founding Assurance Electrical. Jeff is dedicated to providing the best quality service to his clients and always puts their needs first. Outside work, Jeff enjoys spending time with his wife and children.
