Best Overall
Lennox SL28XCV Air Conditioner
Runner-Up
Amana AVXC20 Air Conditioner
Best Bang for the Buck
Keystone Energy Star 5,000 BTU Air Conditioner
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If you need stand-in from those hot summertime days but your traditional AC whole is driving up your utility costs , it ’s time to kick upstairs to an energy - efficient air conditioner . The modal window air conditioner uses 900 Isaac Watts of vim per hour , while a central air conditioning unit can apply upwardly of 3,000 watt per time of day on spicy days . At the fair utility rate of 10 cents per kilowatt - hr , a key AC social unit can sum up as much as $ 90 to your monthly utility banknote .
luckily , there are energy - effective exemplar that can thrash those utility expenses . These Energy Star – certified air conditioner employ sassy technology , inverter , and other cutting - edge technologies to decrease the amount of energy an airwave conditioner uses . With a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio ( SEER ) rating of 28 and smart feature article that make it well-to-do to optimize its operation , theLennox SL28XCV Air Conditioneris our recommended option for most people . Read on to find out more about what makes an zephyr conditioner energy efficient , and do n’t miss our lean of the best energy - efficient airwave conditioners on the market , some of which we even try out .
Our Top Picks
The models below are some of thebest air travel conditionerson the market place for vigor efficiency . They are Energy Star certify and loaded with features that will help you baffle their use for maximal vigor saving .
The SL28XCV takes over for Lennox ’s XC25 , which had been wide regarded as being the most zip - effective key AC unit money could buy with its 26 SEER military rating . The SL28XCV takes it up a notch by achieving sky - high efficiency ratings of 28 SEER and 17.6 EER , thanks to a variable - speed inverter compressor . Those ratings put it well above the administration ’s minimum efficiency rating of 14 SEER for Energy Star – licence air conditioner .
Additionally , a substance abuser can cut down costs even further by couple the SL28XCV with Lennox ’s iComfort S30 smart thermostat to program on / off times and rig schedules . The inverter compressor also has the tally benefit of being quieter than most AC units , record at just 56 decibels . And while the high efficiency come with a gamey damage tag end , the Lennox can make up for those costs pretty quickly in muscularity saving , as the SL28XCV is 63 percentage more efficient than a 10 SEER social unit . The SL28XCV come in four size ranging from 22,400 to 57,000 BTUs .
Get the Lennox energy - effective air conditioner througha Lennox bargainer .
Runner-up
Amana ’s Energy Star – certified AVXC20 outrank as one of the most effective primal air conditioner on the market , thanks to its 24.5 SEER evaluation . Like other high-pitched - efficiency air conditioners , Amana achieves this evaluation with an inverter wide-ranging - pep pill compressor that keeps muscularity use humiliated . The AVXC20 is also equipped with Amana ’s ComfortBridge technology , which mechanically makes accommodation base on an analysis of HVAC system performance data point , minimizing the amount of vigour used .
In summation to being energy efficient , the AVXC20 is quiet . Depending on the building block ’s size of it , the decibel ratings range from 59 to 75 . Its design include a sound - reduction cover consist of high - density froth .
Get the Amana energy - efficient air conditioner throughan Amana trader .
Best Bang For The Buck
The operating modes and vigour - efficiency military rank of this small window tune conditioner make it an excellent option for anyone needing an affordable agency to cool a exclusive elbow room . With its 12.1 EER rating , this Keystone mannikin might be the just elbow room strain conditioner on the market . In addition to its Energy Star certification , it features operating modes that allow it to burn even more energy costs , include an DOE - recoverer mode and an on / off timer the user can programme to bend it off when the room is not in use .
At 5,000 BTUs , the Keystone is adequate to of cool off space up to 150 square feet , shit it one of the best small aura conditioner options on the market place . It also comes with a distant control that double as the unit ’s thermostat , making it easier to go while also ensuring an even temperature throughout the space .
Get the Keystone push - efficient melodic phrase conditioner atAmazon , The Home Depot , orWalmart .
Photo: Depositphotos
Best Window Unit
LG 14,000 BTU Dual Inverter Window Air Conditioner
Despite its large 14,000 BTU output , which is enough to cool an 800 - straight - foot room , this window AC unit is efficient enough to earn a 14.7 CEER . And , since two-fold - inverter compressors operate more quietly than standard compressors , the LG is one of the quietest windowpane air conditioning unit on the grocery store , producing just 44 decibel when set to sleep style .
With its quiet front , LG ’s 14,000 BTU AC unit is also one of the sleeker - looking aviation conditioners on the market . It ’s Wi - Fi ready and uses LGThinQ engineering , which allows the drug user to control the melodic line conditioner from near anywhere via the compatible app .
Get the LG energy - efficient air conditioner atAmazon .
Photo: Depositphotos
Best Mini-split
MrCool DIY 4th Gen Mini-Split Air Conditioner
While this Energy Star – certify zephyr conditioner ’s 22 SEER efficiency rating is impressive , what really sets this 18,000 BTU AC unit from MrCool apart from other zip - effective miniskirt - splits is its smart connectivity . It can colligate to Wi - Fi , allowing the user to plough the air conditioner off or on , set schedules , and aline the temperature — all via a smartphone . It ’s also compatible with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa , and there ’s a rampart - mounted thermostat and remote control .
Get the MrCool Energy Department - effective strain conditioner atThe Home DepotorMrCool DIY Direct .
Whynter ARC-14S 14,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner
One wo n’t find any Energy Star – rated portable air conditioner — the federal regime does n’t admit them in the program — but if they did , Whynter ’s ARC-14S would certainly merit the military rating . It ’s the best get-up-and-go - efficient portable tune conditioner on the food market . This is due in large part due to its manipulation of automobile - drainage engineering science , a cognitive operation that reuse wet gather during the cooling cognitive process to create more cool air , and the use of two exhaust hoses , a design that better its ability to create coolheaded air .
Those technology give the ARC-14S an impressive 14,000 BTUs , enough to cool up to 500 square feet . In addition to being sinewy and efficient , the ARC-14 also is n’t the eyesore that some portable air conditioning whole are , thanks to its sleek black design and digital controls . Despite weighing 100 Ezra Pound , the ARC-14S remains movable as a result of four plentiful caster that allow it to be rove from way to way .
What our examiner say : Tom Scalisi , Bob Vila writer and product tester , note inThe Best Air Conditionersthat “ while it ’s a morsel of an armful , we get that the wheels were a handsome assistant with move it about . It set up quickly in our 600 - square - foot room ( slimly larger than it ’s rated for ) and it had the power to cool down the room in just 10 minutes . We also appreciate its slim excogitation , a great difference from bulkier , more traditional portable air conditioners .
Photo: Lennox
Get the Whynter push - effective air conditioner atAmazon , The Home Depot , orWayfair .
Frigidaire 8,000 BTU Built-In Air Conditioner
With its Energy Star certification , this 8,000 BTU tune conditioner from Frigidaire is a smashing option for those look for a through - the - paries option . It do with a remote restraint that allow the user to determine specific thermostat temperature or lock one of its many modes . It also comes with an vim - saver mode and a timer that allows the user to program the unit to mechanically turn off or on .
A 280 - three-dimensional - feet - per - second fan provides plenteous circulation for this AC building block , which can cool large way up to 350 square human foot . The thermoregulator located in the remote control countenance for more even cool throughout the elbow room .
Get the Frigidaire energy - efficient air conditioner atAmazon .
Photo: Amana
Midea 8,000 BTU U-Shaped Air Conditioner
This 8,000 BTU window air conditioner uses inverter engineering , which vary the menstruation of DOE to the unit based on requirement , to achieve an impressive 15 CEER paygrade . That translate to 35 percent more zip economy over standard window aviation conditioners . Inverter technology also piddle the unit much quieter , with operate haphazardness levels as low as 42 decibels .
This U - shaped air conditioning unit set aside a window to conclude importantly further than traditional windowpane AC units would allow for , help to restrain aviation loss . This new design has the add benefit of allowing the windowpane to be open up without uninstalling the air conditioner . And , since it ’s Wi - Fi equipped , the user can control the unit of measurement and set on / off schedule remotely via an app .
What our tester says : Tom Scalisi , Bob Vila writer and Cartesian product tester , note inour tested guidethat “ though initiation certainly claim some endeavour — it comes with several humble components and computer hardware — once installed , this motorcar was well-situated to enjoy . It was so quiet that it was scarce noticeable , and it cooled our room by 5 degree Fahrenheit in just 15 arcminute . We also found all of the restraint method acting very soft to use and see . The ascendancy panel is straight and using the remote is a duck soup . ”
Photo: Walmart
Get the Midea energy - efficient melody conditioner atAmazon , The Home Depot , orWalmart .
Jump to Our Top Picks
How We Chose the Best Energy-Efficient Air Conditioners
We used a variety of criteria to refresh more than two 12 breeze conditioner of all types . Given that our goal was to include the best vim - effective models , we limited our search to those with Energy Star enfranchisement . Of those Energy Star – certified models , we leaned toward the I with the high DOE efficiency scores .
We also favored those with features such as Wi - Fi connectivity and timer that tolerate the user to further manipulate air conditioning cost by ensuring the unit is n’t running at full electrical capacity when the way is unoccupied . While cost was n’t a primary factor , we did favor energy - efficient air conditioner that proffer the best bam for the sawbuck .
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Energy-Efficient Air Conditioner
gentle wind conditioners are assigned energy - efficiency ratings that are helpful when give away for the best home atmosphere conditioner . Ahead , learn about the three types of DOE - efficiency military rank and other important factor to view when choosing the good AC whole , including sizing , BTUs , and sassy capableness .
Types of Energy-Efficient Air Conditioners
From central AC to portable model , air conditioning unit fall in various shapes and sizes to suit unlike needs . Read about the manytypes of AC unitshere .
A disunited air conditioner , often referred to as a central air conditioner , pairs a compressor and condenser placed outside the home base with an indoor social unit that dwell of the evaporator , air coach , and filter . This case of system uses ductwork that race throughout the theater to cool down all living areas in the plate .
A packaged air - conditioning system consists of a compressor , curlicue , and air handler that are all settle in a single metal console . This excogitation saves indoor space by housing all the AC ’s components outside . Similar to a split air conditioner , a package air conditioner pass on the cold air it creates through a connection of epithelial duct .
Photo: The Home Depot
A window air conditioning building block consists of a metal box that contains all the part of an airwave conditioner : compressor , coils , and air handler . The box is mounted between the window sash and sill of a windowpane and works by drawing air in from a room , cooling it , then recirculating the chilled aura to cool a single room . lovesome air and moisture that thewindow ACcreates as a byproduct of the cooling physical process is drum out outside .
Portable air conditioner lie of a stand - alone unit that houses a compressor , coil , and fan that baby-sit on wheel . The portable AC unit draws air in , cools it , then redistributes it back into the room . Sinceportable air conditionersdo not sit around in a windowpane , they have hoses that must be bind to a windowpane to air out the lovesome air and moisture it creates .
A ductless mini air conditioner has a compressor condenser outside of the abode that connects to a small air handler inside one room of the home base to cool that particular space .
Photo: The Home Depot
Through - the - wall air conditionersare very alike to window air conditioner in their building . Rather than mount to a window , through - the - wall air conditioner mount to an initiative in an exterior rampart . This eccentric of AC is ideal for those who want to maintain the windowpane in a way .
Inverter air conditioner include some ductless , through - the - wall , windowpane - mount , split - tune , andover - the - sill conditioners . This character of whole include an inverter that regulates the amount of electric stream an AC unit get . Whereas a received AC unit provides 100 pct of the breeze conditioner ’s wattage whenever the compressor is run , an inverter regulate output in small increments , only give the compressor the amount of energy it need to cool the elbow room . This plan make the AC building block ’s compressor up to 40 per centum more energy effective than a received aviation conditioner cool the room . This design give the AC unit ’s compressor up to 40 percentage more energy efficient than a standard air conditioner .
Size and Square Footage
Finding the correct - sizing AC building block to befit the space is decisive . An overly little zephyr conditioner will run constantly to seek to keep the temperature cool . An air conditioner that ’s too prominent will cool off the space too quickly , turn on and off in short bursts that put undue wear on the compressor . With this in mind , it ’s essential to ensure the cooling capacity of the air conditioner suits the straight footage of the space it ’s chill by looking at its B.Th.U. rating .
BTUs
BTU , or British thermal unit , is a measure of how much heat an air conditioning unit of measurement removes from a home plate in 1 hour . An AC unit ’s BTU measurement is all important for determining what size of it air conditioner is need for a menage or room . Air conditioner need about 20 BTU for each solid human foot of living infinite . This mean an 8,000 BTU window air travel conditioner is suitable for a 400 - square - foot room ; a 54,000 BTU key AC unit can cool down up to 2,700 square feet .
Temperature and Energy-Efficiency Settings
Air - conditioning units alter the sophistication of their temperature controls . disconnected air conditioners and most mini - split AC building block connect to thermostats that allow the user to dial in specific temperature preferences . While some windowpane and through - the - wall models also allow for specific temperature context , some lower - end whole have less - specific “ high-pitched ” and “ low ” options .
Some window air conditioners also have energy - recoverer modes that concentrate the amount of top executive the AC building block uses . When in this mode , the line conditioner alternates between cooling style and fan - only way , reducing the amount of electricity the atmosphere conditioner uses but also reducing its cool power .
High Energy-Efficiency Ratings
Several ratingsare used to outline how Energy Department effective an airwave conditioner is . The EER , or Energy Efficiency proportion , measures how efficiently an air conditioner operates and is specify by separate the air conditioner ’s BTU rating by its wattage . The higher an air conditioner ’s EER , the more efficient it is .
The CEER , or Combined Energy Efficiency Ratio , is the criterion by which the Department of Energy rate the energy efficiency of window - mount air conditioners . The military rank reflects a window AC unit ’s get-up-and-go use when it ’s running and when it ’s in standby fashion .
TheSEER , or Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio , is the rating most normally used to measure the efficiency of central tune conditioners , also known as split air conditioner . SEER ratings evaluate how well an AC building block will cool the home for an entire season . The in high spirits an gentle wind conditioner ’s SEER paygrade , the more effective it is . The average key AC building block has a SEER rating of around 12 ; vim - efficient mannikin might have a SEER rating of 14 or mellow .
Photo: Amazon
The best AC unit have an Energy Star credentials , which means the air conditioner meets Union guidelines for energy efficiency . Most Energy Star – certified windowpane air conditioners must have an EER of around 12 , which is significantly high-pitched than the 8.5 EER military rank the average AC window unit has . A central gentle wind conditioner must have a SEER rating of at least 14 to qualify for an Energy Star documentation .
Wi-Fi–Enabled/Smart Features
Many airwave conditioning social unit are capable to link to a home ’s Wi - Fi web , enabling smart features . Users can control a Wi - Fi – enabled aura conditioner via an app on a smartphone , programming on and off times as well as temperature change . While these features add to the up - front cost of an atmosphere conditioner , they also meliorate its energy efficiency by leave the substance abuser to grow the AC off or bump the thermoregulator up a few level when the elbow room or abode is not in habit .
Understanding how to exert and operate an melody conditioner to get the most out of it is fundamental to keep open that utility peak in bridle during the summer month . Ahead , learn about the most effective manner to run an aviation conditioner and learn how elevate your get on AC unit to a new model can save you money .
FAQs
A newfangled air conditioner generally uses less electricity because it is more technologically forward-looking than aged mannequin . melodic phrase conditioner compressors also cool off less efficiently as they get older , squeeze them to work harder and use more get-up-and-go to chill the room .
There are several ways to subdue the world power consumption of an air travel conditioner . The most obvious is turning up the thermostat to a higher temperature . clean house the atmosphere conditionerand replace the filter regularly to ensure the air conditioner is in peak stipulation . If potential , swap to a smart thermoregulator that let you to schedule on / off times for the air conditioner so it is n’t run when it does n’t have to .
It is cheaper to leave the air conditioner on all day if it ’s live outside . Turning off the air conditioner during hot and humid weather can quickly cause heat and humidity to build up in the home plate . This places a strain on the atmosphere conditioner to cool the place when you turn it back on . A respectable pick is to correct the line conditioner by a few level when you ’re not home .
Photo: AJ Madison
lover are much cheaper to operate than air conditioners because they do not apply a compressor . It ’s a safe idea to use fans in combination with atmosphere conditioner to make the air experience cooler , allowing you to increase the thermostat a few degree .
A 20 - year - old melody conditioner is much less efficient than today ’s models . An old melody conditioner may apply 6 kilowatt - hour of electricity to cool an average theatre , while a modern organisation can use less than 2 kilowatt - hr to cool the same space .
A mini - split air conditioner is much more effective than a windowpane unit . The average mini - split consumes 40 percentage less energy than a windowpane air conditioner to cool down the same space .
Photo: Amazon
It depend on what you ’re endeavor to cool down . If your destination is to cool down a undivided room , then a window gentle wind conditioner is the good option . If you need to cool an intact habitation , it ’s more economical to use a central air conditioner than post a window unit in every room of the place . understand how to maintain and operate an zephyr conditioner to get the most out of it is key to keeping that utility bill in check during the summer months . in the lead , learn about the most efficient way to carry an strain conditioner and take how upgrade your maturate AC unit to a newer poser can bring through you money .
It depends on what you ’re trying to cool . If your goal is to cool a single way , then a window air conditioner is the undecomposed choice . If you demand to cool down an entire dwelling house , it ’s more sparing to use a fundamental air conditioner than send a windowpane unit in every room of the home .
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