AGENCY TESTIMONY
Air conditioner usage and associated energy costs
1:48:25
·
84 sec
Sarah Parker provides detailed information about the energy costs associated with running air conditioners and highlights potential issues with Intro 994 regarding energy efficiency and installation.
- Running a small, energy-efficient window AC for 12 hours a day costs about $130 per month
- An inefficient, oversized AC run full-time could cost over $500 per month
- Intro 994 does not specify energy efficiency requirements or appropriate sizing for AC units
- Year-round installation of window units can lead to increased heating costs due to air leakage
Sarah Parker
1:48:25
This strongly indicates that the availability of air conditioning does not necessarily mean a tenant will use it to cool their home.
1:48:35
Running a small energy efficient window air conditioner for 12 hours a day yields an increased electric cost of roughly $130 a month.
1:48:45
In comparison, an inefficient oversized window air conditioner run full time could cost over $500 a month.
1:48:53
In instances where the rent includes electricity, property owners often charge an annual surcharge for air conditioners.
1:49:02
This is applicable to rent stabilized units as well as public housing units and rental and market rate units.
1:49:10
I'd be happy to speak further on those.
1:49:13
Intro 9 9 9 and 4 does not require the air conditioners to be energy star rated or appropriately sized for the space, nor does it clarify if window units are to be installed outside the cooling season and who is responsible for storage.
1:49:33
Units left installed year round, unless they are specifically winterized, are a major source of air leakage during the heating months.
1:49:43
Heat more easily escapes out from around a window air conditioner, which means higher heating costs for the building.
