Cool your home on a budget

Although PG&E doesn’t offer a rebate at this time, we want our customers to be smart consumers when it comes to selecting an air conditioner (AC). An Energy-Efficient Ducted Evaporative Cooler (EEDEC) might be a viable option and an economical alternative to a conventional central AC because of the relatively low humidity in California.

Learn important facts that can influence the type of AC that you install in your home. Download Energy-Efficient Ducted Evaporative Coolers (PDF, 157 KB).

 

Discover an alternative to conventional cooling

Whether you prefer the cool, moist air delivered by an evaporative cooler or the cold, dry air supplied by a conventional AC, consider these facts:

  • An EEDEC delivers air that is up to 10 degrees cooler and adds less moisture or humidity than a conventional evaporative cooler.
  • A conventional central AC removes moisture and lowers relative humidity.

 

Learn about the advanced features of an EEDEC

When deciding whether an EEDEC is right for your home, consider these advanced features:

  • Evaporative media is certified with 85 percent or higher evaporation efficiency than a conventional aspen pad media evaporative cooler.
  • Multi-function controls allow an EEDEC to function as a whole-house fan.
  • Optional pressure-relief dampers help in these two ways:
    • They exhaust air to the outside typically through the attic, which keeps the attic cool and reduces heat gain in the house.
    • They allow the system to operate when the house isn’t occupied.
  • Special thermostatic controls remotely mounted to the wall and paired with pressure-relief dampers allow the unit to operate based on cooling requirements of the home.
  • A water quality management pump eliminates old water from the system periodically and uses less water overall than continuous bleed systems.
  • An EEDEC provides fresh air as it cools, using 100 percent outside air instead of recirculating the existing indoor air, as with a conventional central AC.

 

Be an informed buyer

Before you purchase an EEDEC, consult several contractors and get a few proposals for different energy-efficient models. The following resources can help: