Room Air Conditioner
In fact, ENERGY STAR certified room air conditioners use 10 percent less energy and, on average, cost less than $75 per year to run.
NEW! Room air conditioners with variable speed technology can now earn the ENERGY STAR label. Certified room air conditioners with variable speed technology save even more energy and quietly regulate the temperature, giving consumers the innovation and energy savings they desire in a state-of-the-art room AC.
Room air conditioners that have earned the ENERGY STAR are available from brands including Arctic King, Danby, Friedrich, GE, Kenmore, LG, and many more.
ENERGY STAR certified room air conditioners come with better materials and clearer instructions to improve sealing and insulation around the unit, so costly and uncomfortable air leaks are minimized.
ENERGY STAR certified room air conditioners with connected functionality offer additional convenience, comfort and energy-savings, including the ability to:
- turn off the unit remotely using your phone or computer;
- schedule changes to temperature settings based on your needs;
- receive feedback on the energy use of the product.
These products are also 'smart-grid ready', potentially allowing you to take advantage of special energy bill savings programs some local utilities are starting to offer. If all room air conditioners sold in the United States were ENERGY STAR certified, the cost savings would grow to more than $350 million each year, preventing more than 6 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions annually – equivalent to the emissions from over 570,000 vehicles.
Current Specification Effective Date: October 26, 2015
- Room air conditioners originally qualified for the ENERGY STAR label in October, 1996. ENERGY STAR certified room air conditioners are 10% more efficient than non-certified models.
What else should I look for when buying a room air conditioner?
Remember that bigger is not always better! Buying an air conditioner that is too large does not provide better cooling. An oversized air conditioner is actually less effective — and wastes energy at the same time. Make sure your unit is properly sized.
Room Air Conditioners with Variable Speed Technology
Room air conditioner models with variable speed technology can now earn the ENERGY STAR. In a conventional room air conditioner, the compressor works either at maximum capacity when the room thermostat calls for cooling or off when the desired temperature has been achieved, typically alternating frequently between full on and off. Room air conditioners with efficient variable speed compressors are able to vary the speed of the internal compressor motor in order to continuously control the temperature. As a result, the capability for efficient variable output allows a room air conditioner to more quietly regulate the temperature and save a significant amount of energy during operation.
Properly Sized Room Air Conditioners
Room air conditioner sizing is all about matching the room size to the air conditioner size. A unit that is too big will be less effective and offer reduced air conditioner efficiency. Air conditioners remove both heat and humidity from the air. If the unit is too large, it will cool the room, before it has a chance to remove the humidity. The result will be a room that's not very comfortable to spend time in That cool moist air will make the room feel damp and clammy.
The most energy efficient air conditioner is sized to the square footage of the space to be cooled. Getting the right size means getting the comfort and the energy efficiency right.
1. Determine the room's square footage
9 in = .75 ft.
6 in = .5 ft.
3 in = .25 ft.
Always measure in feet, converting the inches to fractions of a foot
For example: 12 ft., 6 inches, is 12.5 ft.
Square and rectangular rooms:
Triangular rooms:
Complex room shapes:
If the shape of your room is more complex, ask your sales associate where you plan to purchase your air conditioner to help you determine the square footage.
2. Find the correct cooling capacity for your room size
With the cooling capcity chart, find your room's square footage in the "Area To be Cooled (square feet)" column, then use the "Capcity Needed (BTUs per hour)" column to choose the correct cooling capacity for your room air conditioner. Cooling capacity is shown in British thermal units (BTUs) per hour.
| Area To Be Cooled (square feet) | Capacity Needed (BTUs per hour) |
|---|---|
| 100 up to 150 | 5,000 |
| 150 up to 250 | 6,000 |
| 250 up to 300 | 7,000 |
| 300 up to 350 | 8,000 |
| 350 up to 400 | 9,000 |
| 400 up to 450 | 10,000 |
| 450 up to 550 | 12,000 |
| 550 up to 700 | 14,000 |
| 700 up to 1,000 | 18,000 |
| 1,000 up to 1,200 | 21,000 |
| 1,200 up to 1,400 | 23,000 |
| 1,400 up to 1,500 | 24,000 |
| 1,500 up to 2,000 | 30,000 |
| 2,000 up to 2,500 | 34,00 |
3. Adjust as necessary
Make any adjustments for the following circumstances:
If the room is heavily shaded, reduce capacity by 10 percent.
If the room is very sunny, increase capacity by 10 percent.
If more than two people regularly occupy the room, add 600 BTUs for each additional person.
If the unit is used in a kitchen, increase capacity by 4,000 BTUs.
Consider where you install the unit. If you are mounting an air conditioner near the corner of a room, look for a unit that can send the airflow in the right direction.
Choose the right size for comfort and savings
Ask the Expert: How to buy a room AC
Proper sizing and installation is the key to cool
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