Yet the systems on the market today vary substantially in energy efficiency. Peak air conditioning demand could be reduced by an average of 20 percent if purchasers chose the most efficient models, rather than average performers. In commercial applications, the high-efficiency systems typically save enough in operating costs to pay for themselves in three to five years. Paybacks are similar for residential systems in warm regions of the country where the systems are in heaviest use, and slightly longer elsewhere. Both approaches are needed to help reduce demand.
Utilities can help promote efficient systems through outreach and incentives.
While consumers and commercial buildings can save money by choosing efficient systems, many systems are purchased by building contractors who have no concern for operating cost. Here, mandatory standards are the key. The U.S. Department of Energy is supposed to set new residential air conditioner efficiency standards in 2000 that will boost efficiency by 20 to 30 percent. Standards for small commercial systems expected by 2001 will likely increase performance 10 to 20 percent. New federal standards on residential and small commercial air conditioning and heat pump systems could eliminate the need for approximately 26,000 megawatts of peak generating capacity by 2010, and more than twice that by 2020.0 Standards for larger commercial chillers could add another 4,000 megawatts by 2010.0 The 30,000-megawatt total is equal to nearly 20 percent of planned generating capacity growth over the next decade.