Census: 95% of new Homes built in 2019 had central air-condioning and 98% had central heating

[Hamartia Antidote]

Air Conditioning and Heating Systems in New Homes | Eye On Housing

The Census Bureau’s Survey of Construction (SOC) provides valuable information on the characteristics of new homes started construction, such as air conditioning and heating system installations. In 2019, 95 percent of new single-family homes started had a central AC system, higher than 93.7...

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The Census Bureau’s Survey of Construction (SOC) provides valuable information on the characteristics of new homes started construction, such as air conditioning and heating system installations.

In 2019, 95 percent of new single-family homes started had a central AC system, higher than 93.7 percent in 2018. The trend, going back to 2000, shows a steady rise in the share of new homes with central AC, going from 85.5 percent in 2000 to 95 percent in 2019 (Figure 1).



Though the share of new single-family homes started with central AC differs across the country’s nine Census divisions (Figure 2), the share is highly concentrated in the Midwest and South region. One hundred percent of homes started in the West South Central and South Atlantic divisions had central AC installed, followed by 99 percent in the West North Central and East South Central as well as 93 percent in the East North Central. The divisions with the lowest shares of new homes with central AC are New England (78 percent) and the Pacific (79 percent).



Heating Systems

Almost all of new single-family homes started use either an air/ground source heat pump or a forced air system for the primary heating equipment (98 percent in 2019). Twenty-three percent of the homes also use a secondary type of heating equipment. In general, the share of new homes using an air or ground source heat pump as the primary means of providing heat has increased, going from 23 percent in 2000 to 40 percent in 2019. Meanwhile, the share relying on a forced air system has slipped, going from 71 percent to 57 percent in the same time frame.

The type of heating system installed varies significantly by Census Division. Figure 3 displays the share of new homes with an air or ground heat pump in 2019. In warmer regions of the country, these systems are more common: 79 percent in the East South Central,75 percent in the South Atlantic, and 28 percent in West South Central. In colder regions, very few homes have air or ground heat pumps: only 7 percent of new homes started in New England and 15 percent in the Middle Atlantic. In colder climates, air source heat pumps (traditionally the most common type) become less efficient and rely more heavily on a back-up heating system during the winter.



The SOC also provides data on the primary fuel used to heat new single-family homes (Figure 4). Approximately 51 percent of new homes started in 2019 use natural gas as the primary heating fuel, compared to 44 percent powered by electricity. The shares of new homes with electricity and natural gas as the primary heating fuel have been stable since 2012. Like heating and AC systems, the primary heating fuel source varies significantly by region of the country. For example, in New England and the East North Central, only 7 percent of new homes use electricity as the primary heating source. In contrast, 76 percent and 71 percent of new homes started in the South Atlantic and the East South Atlantic use it. These are the same two divisions where heat pumps, which run on electricity, are most common.

 

[Hamartia Antidote]

Air Conditioning Around the World

The scorching summer in the Northern Hemisphere has left many with a renewed appreciation for air conditioning. June was the hottest June on record. If you have air conditioning, your energy costs soared along with the temperatures. However, you were at least able to mitigate the health risks...

www.mekkographics.com

 

[IbnAbdullah]

Salaam

Are central air conditioning systems more energy efficient than split a.cs or less so?

 

[Hamartia Antidote]

Salaam

Are central air conditioning systems more energy efficient than split a.cs or less so?

It depends probably on the number of rooms and the living space size. Central more economical in larger homes. Most central air systems are higher voltage HVAC systems similar to what you'd see in a modern office building (ie vents in ceilings circulating hot/cold air evenly throughout the building) with a single indoor heating/cooling air blower unit with an outdoor cooling fan radiator unit. It's a substantial system that will last for decades.

With a split you have simpler devices that on their own are not as energy intensive. However the drawback may be requiring multiple units as the home becomes larger and larger causing inefficiencies of scale with the duplication of hardware.

 

[letsrock]

Air Conditioning Around the World

The scorching summer in the Northern Hemisphere has left many with a renewed appreciation for air conditioning. June was the hottest June on record. If you have air conditioning, your energy costs soared along with the temperatures. However, you were at least able to mitigate the health risks...

www.mekkographics.com

View attachment 727768

I wonder how many chinese are central aircon as opposed to just room AC. I beleive its mostly latter. This is one stat which shows how prosperours us really is.

 

[Hamartia Antidote]

I wonder how many chinese are central aircon as opposed to just room AC. I beleive its mostly latter. This is one stat which shows how prosperours us really is.

I think the US is probably leaning towards central air due to the stigma of the 1960's/1970's "A/C units in almost every window" contributing to neighborhood "ugliness". It was considered an eyesore and lowered property values.

The central air condenser unit is usually hidden from view in the back/side making your home more attractive.

With split air you will need multiple units which may mean multiple outside condenser fans.

Apartment building in China with split air

 

[52051]

In general, central air is energy-inefficient and every know most american are very selfish and only care for their own home.

 

[colonel rajesh]

In general, central air is energy-inefficient and every know most american are very selfish and only care for their own home.

really ?

 

[Hamartia Antidote]

In general, central air is energy-inefficient and every know most american are very selfish and only care for their own home.

Ah yes, I remember Mao saying China would never embrace cars because it was a wasteful Western thing. Now you have cars everywhere.


Why don't you just take your rebuke to the next level and simply ban A/C from all Chinese homes as it is an obvious needless waste of money used by selfish Chinese people imitating wasteful Western life since everybody in China was doing fine before it.

..or you can accept it and realize you are where we were in the 1960's/1970's with shoe-horned in room units. Now A/C is simply part of integrated US home construction. When that happens in China you'll have selective amnesia and will be crowing about it too just like cars.

 

[52051]

really ?

If you could ever has a choice, I am sure mudhut dont have such problem.

I live in a house with 4 bedrooms, and my house has central air condition tunnel in place, but I install air conditioners seperately, from the advice my father-in-law given to me:

2 of his properties using central-air conditioner, one is a house, the other is in 4 bedroom flat, neither are energy-efficient, and in his flat when the central air conditioner broke, his entire flat has no air conditoners working for days in summer, Beijing, that was a really bad experience for him.

Ah yes, I remember Mao saying China would never embrace cars because it was a wasteful Western thing. Now you have cars everywhere.


Why don't you just take your rebuke to the next level and simply ban A/C from all Chinese homes as it is an obvious needless waste of money used by selfish Chinese people imitating wasteful Western life since everybody in China was doing fine before it.

..or you can accept it and realize you are where we were in the 1960's/1970's with shoe-horned in room units. Now A/C is simply part of integrated US home construction. When that happens in China you'll have selective amnesia and will be crowing about it too just like cars.

I just started a fact that central air conditioners are not efficient, comparing to install air conditioners separately, it is just a choice, not a step-up or evolution of technology, so dont get nerves.

Everyone and their dogs know most Americans are very selfish, you dont need air conditioners to prove that.

 

[Hamartia Antidote]

If you could ever has a choice, I am sure mudhut dont have such problem.

I live in a house with 4 bedrooms, and my house has central air condition tunnel in place, but I install air conditioners seperately, from the advice my father-in-law given to me:

2 of his properties using central-air conditioner, one is a house, the other is in 4 bedroom flat, neither are energy-efficient, and in his flat when the central air conditioner broke, his entire flat has no air conditoners working for days in summer, Beijing, that was a really bad experience for him.


I just started a fact that central air conditioners are not efficient, comparing to install air conditioners separately, it is just a choice, not a step-up or evolution of technology, so dont get nerves.

Everyone and their dogs know most Americans are very selfish, you dont need air conditioners to prove that.

LOL! The only time something is selfish is when it isn't mainstream in China. When it becomes the norm "selfish" suddenly turns into "our country now has more of X than you...haha".

I'm sure 30 years ago people in China were calling those with A/C in their homes instead of a fan selfish...until they could afford one themselves...they then pointed and laughed at those who didn't.

We aren't complaining about central air efficiencies. Never heard of anybody ditching it for a split system. Yes, we could even switch to desk fans to be more super efficient and less "selfish" instead of using a split or central air.

 

[colonel rajesh]

LOL! The only time something is selfish is when it isn't mainstream in China. When it becomes the norm "selfish" suddenly turns into "our country now has more of X than you...haha".

I'm sure 30 years ago people in China were calling those with A/C in their homes instead of a fan selfish...until they could afford one themselves...they then pointed and laughed at those who didn't.

We aren't complaining about central air efficiencies. Never heard of anybody ditching it for a split system. Yes, we could even switch to desk fans to be more super efficient and less "selfish" instead of using a split or central air.

very true .

 

[FairAndUnbiased]

1. How many new homes were built in the US in 2019 vs. new homes built in countries of similar GDP?

2. What is the percentage increase in net residential units built in 2019 vs. the percentage increase in population in the same period?

3. What is the kilojoules of heating/cooling capacity per cubic meter relative to homes in other countries of similar GDP?

A 3rd world dictatorship could build a single new mansion with central AC for El Presidente and achieve 100% on this useless metric while the majority of the population lives in mud huts with nothing.

 

[Invicta]

Salaam

Are central air conditioning systems more energy efficient than split a.cs or less so?

Centrals AC units are inherently more efficient than split AC units. The problem is that most people would invest in a central AC system but then chicken out on the ducting etc. This is where Split AC have come into their own.

When installing a Split unit a single compressor can sometimes service from 2 to 4 split units, the main energy transfer between them is via coolant carried through pipes. This is very fail proof and allows a nearly faultless heat exchange during cooling. The limits are procurement costs and running costs these are always higher for central AC when you look at 5-10 year time period.

Central AC is better if you have the money and the know how - or employ a company with know how to install it properly. Generally the AHU (Air handling unit) needs to be powerful enough (air flow) to provide sufficient air flow, this is dependant on the pressure the system can generate, a higher pressure means longer duct runs.

Then secondly cooling coils need to be sized so that they are sufficiently powered to provide cooling at peak times. After all this - the install needs to be good. Most of the times people will go for flexible hose type ducting. Which is very leaky. If ducting is of good standard there is no way a split AC system could beat central AC unit.

In terms of maintenance, here in UK once the coil circuit is filled up it needs no further maintenance on the Central AC Unit, you will only have to change filters which are cheap, this is not the case for splits, where manufacturers require you to get them serviced annually by a certified engineer so yearly costs are in the region of £300 - £450 depending on the company you use.

Aesthetically the central AC is much nicer as you only have supply grilles installed into walls whereas a split is installed on a wall and the unit looks out of place like a sore thumb.

If I had the money I would go for Central AC (Provided I can get a good firm to design and install it). Otherwise Split AC is okay as initial capital required is not as much as central AC however maintenance cost is higher over 5-10 year period.

 

[52051]

Centrals AC units are inherently more efficient than split AC units. The problem is that most people would invest in a central AC system but then chicken out on the ducting etc. This is where Split AC have come into their own.

When installing a Split unit a single compressor can sometimes service from 2 to 4 split units, the main energy transfer between them is via coolant carried through pipes. This is very fail proof and allows a nearly faultless heat exchange during cooling. The limits are procurement costs and running costs these are always higher for central AC when you look at 5-10 year time period.

Central AC is better if you have the money and the know how - or employ a company with know how to install it properly. Generally the AHU (Air handling unit) needs to be powerful enough (air flow) to provide sufficient air flow, this is dependant on the pressure the system can generate, a higher pressure means longer duct runs.

Then secondly cooling coils need to be sized so that they are sufficiently powered to provide cooling at peak times. After all this - the install needs to be good. Most of the times people will go for flexible hose type ducting. Which is very leaky. If ducting is of good standard there is no way a split AC system could beat central AC unit.

In terms of maintenance, here in UK once the coil circuit is filled up it needs no further maintenance on the Central AC Unit, you will only have to change filters which are cheap, this is not the case for splits, where manufacturers require you to get them serviced annually by a certified engineer so yearly costs are in the region of £300 - £450 depending on the company you use.

Aesthetically the central AC is much nicer as you only have supply grilles installed into walls whereas a split is installed on a wall and the unit looks out of place like a sore thumb.

If I had the money I would go for Central AC (Provided I can get a good firm to design and install it). Otherwise Split AC is okay as initial capital required is not as much as central AC however maintenance cost is higher over 5-10 year period.

My father-in-law's electricity bill says otherwise.

You have ignored the fact usually you only need to provide cooling/heating for a few rooms from AC, not the entire house (I am sure Americans will cool the whole house 24/7 since they dont care others, let along the earth).

And you have not considered the fact for central air conditioners, you need have to consider the energy wasted in AC tunnels (both cooling itself and the energy needed to deliver the cooling/heating to the room you want) and the energy waste on AC working on its low energy-efficient region when you only has a few rooms in your house for cooling etc.

As for the difference of energy efficiency between a high power AC (Central) and a relatively low power one, well, for Level-4 efficiency ACs, the difference is actually non-existing, I have actually compared them before my purchase.