Are High-Efficiency Air Conditioners Worth It?

An air conditioner outside a home in the Cayman Islands.

If it’s time to replace your home’s air conditioning system, you might feel overwhelmed by the various options on the market. There are many cooling systems to choose from, and they all have advantages that make them appealing to homeowners in the Cayman Islands. As you may or may not know, these options include high-efficiency AC units.

But are high-efficiency air conditioners worth it? Before we answer this vital question, it’s important for you to know how these specific cooling systems work. In this blog, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about high-efficiency vs. regular air conditioners so you can make an informed decision that fits your needs.

What Is a High-Efficiency Air Conditioner?

What makes high-efficiency air conditioners different from traditional models? To answer this question, it’s crucial to understand what a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) rating is.

High-efficiency ACs typically have a SEER rating of 17 or higher. In fact, these systems can have a SEER rating as high as 26 in some cases. As you can most likely imagine, higher SEER ratings equal greater energy efficiency.

Additionally, when it comes to high-efficiency vs. regular air conditioners, it’s important to note that highly-efficient models tend to have more innovative features. For example, these ACs often include two-stage and inverter compressors, air handlers with variable-speed motors, zoning systems, dehumidification settings and more.

Although these cooling systems have various advanced features, you might still feel unsure whether you should install one in your home. If you’re still on the fence, let’s get into the reasons why many homeowners think high-efficiency air conditioners are worth it.

What Are the Advantages of a High-Efficiency AC?

Before purchasing anything for your home, you probably stop to consider how the device, appliance, or system will benefit you and your family. The same should be true for your HVAC system. Here are just a few of the ways you can benefit from a highly-efficient unit.

Energy Savings

When it comes to the energy savings of a high-efficiency vs. regular air conditioner, high-efficiency systems come out on top.

The higher the SEER rating of your air conditioner, the more energy you will save. As a result, you can end up saving money on your energy bills. Your specific energy savings will depend on your cooling needs and energy usage. If you use your air conditioner on a near-constant basis, like many homeowners in the Cayman Islands, you can slash air conditioning energy costs up to 50%!

Dehumidification

While high-efficiency HVAC systems are excellent at helping you maintain the perfect temperature inside your home, they can also help control high humidity levels. Air conditioners with higher energy efficiency are usually “variable speed” systems. Variable speed ACs allow you to cool your home at a wide range of speeds — including slow. Why does this matter?

When you run your air conditioner for a longer amount of time but on a slower setting, this can help remove humidity inside your home. On the other hand, an AC that runs fast and for a shorter period isn’t capable of removing humidity effectively.

For many homeowners, high-efficiency air conditioners are worth it because of these dehumidification properties.

Eco-Friendliness

If you’ve been looking to live greener, high-efficiency air conditioners can help you do that. These air conditioners waste less natural resources and can help you lower your carbon footprint.

Is a High-Efficiency AC Right for You?

Although many homeowners will say that a high-efficiency air conditioner is a good investment, it’s crucial to make a decision that meets your specific needs. Overall, the exact cost of an energy-efficient HVAC system will vary depending on your size and efficiency requirements.

Additionally, it’s important to think about your long-term goals. If you plan to keep your home indefinitely and go with installing a high-efficiency AC you know you’ll be around to reap the efficiency savings to overcome the high upfront investment. On another note, when you decide to sell your home, a high-efficiency system can add value to your home if you’re thinking of selling.

Upgrade Your Comfort With Polar Bear

There are various reasons why high-efficiency air conditioners are worth it. In general, the cooling system you install in your home will play a significant role in your comfort, and highly-efficient units can help you achieve comfortable, cleaner air on a regular basis.

If you need help choosing between a high-efficiency vs. regular air conditioner, turn to Polar Bear. We are familiar with a variety of air conditioning systems. Our team always has AC units for sale, so you can stay cool every month of the year.

Our Comfort Consultants are here to answer your questions about air conditioner efficiency percentages, brands, models, and more. Call Polar Bear for an air conditioning installation in the Cayman Islands today!

Sheena Bunton

1701528275

Great customer service from Octavia and her work partner, his name slipped me now. They arrived on time and explained all the work they did and even made suggestions to improve my air condition systems and vents going forward.Thank you.

K Woods

1699706179

Octavia and Billy were both professional and explained the situations as they continued forth. I would like to keep them on my repair and service team going forward.Kieran was thorough and followed up with the diagnosis and I am waiting for the quotes for equipment and install.

Jack B

1699569732

Even though Vic is new to Polar bear and Appliance doctors he showed his many skills and great level of knowledge about the complicated issues I have been facing with a commercial fridge and freezer.The problems were swiftly diagnosed and when new issues arised he quickly tackled them with professionalism and explained everything in a simple way that was easy to understand.Larry also joined and is an exceptionally knowledgeable and experienced, witty guy who was great to work with.Thanks so much for the help!

Scott Harrington

1698949759

Polar Bear did an entire system replacement in my home, everything from the consultation with Kieran through to the installation with Jerome, Fabian & Marcelo was handled professionally and they kept me updated daily with what they were doing.I was given some options to choose from and went with a new Bryant system with an Ecobee thermostat and am very happy with the new system and how efficient it is.Thank you Polar Bear for your great service!Scott

Marcia Laudert

1698326646

Everything was top-notch! Octavia and Billy were excellent in explaining and getting the job done. I couldn't have asked for anything more -I'm very happy with my first Polar Bear experience!

Diana Hernaez Moreno

1697595257

Leeron, the technician, was attentive and his work was clean and tidy. The installers, Tony and Natan, were great - very professional, diligent, polite and friendly. They went that extra mile to accommodate our personal circumstances. Kieran, the comfort technician, was very responsive and highly professional. His outstanding customer centered approach through the whole process ensured we were both informed and satisfied at all times. We would recommend Polar Bear to anyone considering a home installation or service maintenance.

Wendy Yeomans

1695998316

The technician, Romaine, was very professional, knowledgeable and friendly. The only downside was it took 2 days before they could come because they were so busy but when they did arrive, their work was extremely good.

Stephen Fairs-Hall

1694542710

I have just had a totally professional interaction with 5 of Polar Bear Air Conditioning Staff.They were Octavia, Billy, Dwayne, Genome, and Tony.Octavia and Billy are two of their Service Technicians, Dwayne is a Installation consultant ( I think) and Gerome and Tony are Installation Technicians. All of them were professional, courteous, and extremely knowledgeable!I am very pleased with the work they did.

Chris Krohn

1693066854

They need more technicians as I waited most of a day to have someone come and service my 2 ACs only to be told they wouldn't make it that day. They did reschedule to a Saturday morning and this time the tech was right on time and did a great job. He was very personable and showed me what was wrong and that it had been corrected. The tech deserves 5 stars but Polar Bear lost one for the wait.

CheChe Br

1692449962

Roemaine is a very pleasant and professional individual. He was proactive by calling ahead so that I could make arrangements to meet him for this emergency situation. He was punctual, upfront with the diagnosis and costs and explained my options. This made me feel like he was genuinely customer focused. Roemaine and his colleague resolved the issue promptly; big kudos to both of them.

Lynn Kelly

1691623916

My experience was a great one from start with the receptionist, she was very helpful which I greatly appreciated. Overall I was happy with the professional service provided, Pascale was great, arrived on time and took the time to explain everything. Keep up the good work and thank you very much.

Tonie Brown

1691278162

These guys did a fantastic job, from start to finish. First the team of two introduced themselves and gave an explanation of what work they were going to do.This was a job well done from the correct size unit for the room to a neat installation and oh they even cleaned up before they left. Thanks again Polar Bear for an excellent job.

Carol Peart

1690299525

I am so grateful to Polar Bear Air Conditioning. I was smelling a combination of stale cigarette smoke and a wet dog for approximately 2 weeks and then the A/C unit stopped working on a particularly hot Friday night. I called Polar Bear and Mr. Gilbert Smith came out and he would not leave until he got the A/C to start cooling. He gave me his phone number and asked me to call him if it stopped cooling. Mr. Dwayne Ashley called me on Saturday morning and answered all my questions and reassured me that the unit would be fixed ASAP. My initial appointment was set for Tuesday morning but Mr. Dwayne called me on Monday morning to say that there was a cancellation. I had taken my vehicle to be serviced and Mr. Dwayne came to me to get the key to open the apartment. When I returned to the apartment, I was surprised with how well the team had cleaned up. Don't get me wrong, I still swept and mopped the floors, but it looked like what I would regularly do at the end of the week. Mr. Dwayne came by on his way home to collect payment. At the end of the day, I checked all the boxes for Polar Bear and I would highly recommend them to anyone. As a matter of fact, I have already recommended them to two people. Well done Polar Bear and thanks a million.

Anitoaie Alexandra

1688765596

Romaine was amazing, very professional and responsive.He helped me out on a late friday afternoon and did not leave until my AC was up an running. Amazing, friendly service!The gentleman that he was training was also very professional.

Bibiana Butasova

1687993129

Tyrone and Travis are professional, knowledgeable, honest, hard working and very pleasant to deal with. They came to install new thermostat units in the house and spent time to make sure that everything was set up properly and working with no issues. I highly recommend the 'T&T' team to all new and existing customers at Polar Bear. Thank you again for amazing service! Bibi & Nina

veronika harabinova

1687539712

The team from Polar Bear Company came to replace our air conditioning unit, and they did an excellent job. From start to finish, their service was professional and efficient. The technicians arrived on time, well-prepared, and knowledgeable. They handled the installation with expertise, paying attention to detail and ensuring optimal functionality. Not only were they skilled, but they were also friendly and courteous, addressing my questions and concerns with clear explanations. Overall, the Polar Bear Company exceeded my expectations in terms of quality, efficiency, and customer service. I highly recommend their services to anyone in need of AC replacement or related work.

John Thistle

1684359152

I recently had my air conditioning unit installed by Polar Bear Air Conditioning in Cayman Kai. I was very pleased with the service I received. The workmen, Jerome, Tony, and Nathan, were all professional and courteous. They arrived on time and were dressed in their uniforms. They laid out carpeting where they would be walking inside the house to avoid leaving debris or making a mess. They worked clean and kept the space tidy. They were polite and provided me a good understanding of the work they completed as well as showed me all pieces of equipment. They emailed me a jpg image of each piece of equipment's information plate so that I could record it in my home management software, as requested.Here are some specific details about the work they did:They installed 3 new high-efficiency air conditioning units that are much more energy-efficient (26 SEER) than my old units.They cleaned and disinfected the air ducts, as well as replaced previously installed flex ducts with rigid duct work that is superior in efficiency and durability.They installed new filters to help keep the air clean and free of allergens.They explained the operation of the new units to me and answered all of my questions.They cleaned up after themselves and left my home in good condition.I would highly recommend Polar Bear Air Conditioning to anyone in need of air conditioning installation or service. They are a professional and reliable company that provides excellent customer service.

Charles Mobley

1682903942

Our ac stopped working a few weeks ago and Polar Bear sent Roemaine and Tyrone to diagnose the problem. Roemaine and Tyrone very quickly identified the problem and communicated with me. It turns out the best option was replacing the condensing unit which Paul quoted within a matter of minutes and they had expert installation team (Tony and Jerome) complete late in the afternoon with short notice. I’m very happy with their work!

lisa jackson

1682024523

Tony and Jerome were such amazing technicians during my first service with Polar Bear AC! They were diligent and very hardworking while also being extremely careful and considerate with the home during an AC unit dismantlement and full new installation of a downstairs home AC unit. They were very clean and tidy as they worked with protective carpet through the house and cleaned up throughly when the job was done. They were an example of best kind of people who taking pride and care as they completed their work. They did such an excellent job, i couldn't recommend them enough for future jobs!!!!! thank you Tony and Jerome for a job well done.

Dana Parsons

1680201826

From booking the appointment, reminder notifications, calls prior to arrival, details of who to expect to the very staff who answer the calls, the service has remained exceptional. Value for money and the quality of work performed has always been at a high standard. Would certainly continue to use their services and recommend them.

jamaal anderson

1679694545

Professional, timely, flexible, great customer service.I wish to thank Polar bear for the excellent service provided for ac work at my apartment. I truly impressed with the attention to detail and quality of work. I would happily recommend them to potential clients.

Rebecca Paull

1677531303

Octavia is very professional and it's a pleasure to see her when she comes to work on our AC systems. Polar Bear is extremely responsive to emails and phone calls and they provide a great service.

1677086776

I have, over the years been trying to find a reliable, professional A/C maintenance and repair company. I have tried a few. That search is now over after using Polar Bear. Billy and Jerry were absolutely a pleasure to work with. Knowledgeable and professional from the initial diagnosis to the final repair. I highly recommend this company and the team that came to do work on my AC. Tim.

Gill Gordon

1674784710

Polar Bear technicians are always very polite, friendly and professional in their service. Each of their technicians that we have dealt with have been great and they are always super responsive to getting someone out. Pictured are Antony and Billy who completed our recent service 👍

Zichri M.

1672439261

Great work. I received an email and also a call from the dispatcher that the tech would be calling me, and sure enough, the tech (Simon) called shortly after that to let me know he was on his way which was very much appreciated. The customer service from all of the team and updates was spot on, and Simon was very thorough and very knowledgeable. He was also very courteous and professional. I rate Polar Bear as the best company in town. Great work!

Glenroy Miller

1671852461

Tyrone is very knowledgeable and professional, he gave me a step by step update of what he was doing. He also gave advice on how best to protect not only the unit but my family. My wife and I are totally satisfied with the service.

Kyle Roberts

1671835857

Polar Bear's service and response was amazing! Nicole who answered my phone call and scheduled me was extremely friendly, accommodating and knowledgeable! The Technician assigned to me was Simon and he was also extremely friendly and very knowledgeable. Within a minute of looking at my system he knew what the errors and issues were! He was able to fix one of the two problems that day, and then came scheduled and came the following day to fix the remaining issue. He was perfectly on time and the courtesy call before arrival both times before arriving was a welcome touch as it made sure that I was ready.Will continue using polar bear for all my HVAC needs! 5*

Kayla Shibli

1664932191

My experience with Polar Bear has been awesome!!!! From the beginning, the office staff were so professional and kind, then receiving my AC quote, the gentleman has been very prompt in his response time—, the kind of employee that puts customer first and has such a nice and an approachable attitude, very patient in answering my questions and providing guidance as required by me- customer focus completely, then as if that wasn’t enough to convince me to move my AC maintenance and installation to Polar Bear; the technicians that attended to my AC installation provided such excellent service— what stood out was how they used a carpet that was placed on my floor to avoid making any mess on my floor and whatever mess they did make, the technician used their broom to remove it. I know this message is long but I really wanted to express my THANK YOU and appreciation for such excellent customer service that I’ve experienced by Polar Bear — you have won me as a customer!! THANK YOU! Keep up the excellent customer service!!! Looking forward to building a relationship with you as a new customer.

Robert L White

1660564106

Olivia and Demitri very professional , competent and are delightful people! She came by and diagnosed some issues with our AC system . I am reviewing your estimate at this time..I truly enjoyed meeting them. They both real assets to your Company!Rob

Omari Rankine

1657429111

I am very pleased with the service that was provided by Polar Bear. I had an issue where the ac was not working at one of my rental properties after hours on a weekend. Rohan came all the way out to East End at 10pm and worked on the issue to get the system back up and running. He was very thorough and explained the issue in detail, and the measures I needed to take to prevent it from reoccurring. Excellent customer service