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Room air conditioning is often a good solution for homeowners who do not want to pay to cool their entire home. However, room units are less efficient than central systems, and therefore should only be utilized when central air is not an option or when only one or two rooms require cooling. The benefits of using a small, one-room unit are often not fully-realized due to inefficient and improperly-sized models. Energy efficient models on the market today use at least 10% less energy than conventional models.
Product Types
How It Works
Improved, efficient motors reduce the amount of electricity required to produce the same results. Energy efficient air conditioners are classified by Energy Efficiency Ratios (EER), which divide the capacity in BTUs by the required wattage; the higher the rating, the more cooling power per watt. As with furnaces and central AC systems, clean filters are indispensable for high performing room air conditioners. Look for a unit whose filters are easily accessible. Finally, units with many settings and controls will allow you to fine-tune the output to best match your preferences.
Low Cost Savings Tips
- Make sure that the unit you choose is not too large for the space. Not only will you save money, you’ll have better results.
- Clean your filters regularly, especially in areas with a lot of smog, dust, or pollen.
- You will save money by turning your air conditioner on and off when you leave the room. However, most models require ample time to reacclimatize the room. Consider using a programmable wall outlet timer set to the appropriate amperage and voltage levels as a timer for your air conditioning unit.
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- The square footage of area to be cooled determines the capacity required (Btu/hour).
- The required capacity must be adjusted for sunlight, human use, frequency of ventilation, and appliances.
- A common indicator of a poorly-sized air conditioner is dampness. Properly-sized units remove humidity as they cool.
- If every room air conditioner sold were ENERGY STAR qualified, it would prevent 1.3 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions annually, equivalent to the emissions from more than 115,000 cars.
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