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Air Conditioner Buying Guide
Even the most passionate fans of summer will concede that an air conditioner is a great addition to a home. When heat and humidity make it impossible to function, an air conditioner provides cool comfort in the bedroom, office, or family room. Air conditioners have come a long way in energy efficiency, but it’s still important to choose the right size for the job. Pronto’s Air Conditioner Buying Guide will give you the technical and feature information you need to get the best cooling with the least energy use. (Also see Pronto’s Portable Air Conditioner Buying Guide).
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the five
What are the five key points I need to look at?
Higher efficiency
Modern air conditioners provide much greater energy efficiency and protection from coolant leakage than models made just 10 years ago. Look for digital controls and timer settings that maximize the balance between temperature and power consumption.
Get the right size
Match an air conditioner’s Btu/hr output to the square footage of the room you wish to cool. Look for a little more cooling power if you have ceilings higher than eight feet or if you’re cooling a south-facing room.
Window air conditioners
Window-mounted air conditioners are best for places with cold winters. Look for durable side stops that won’t crack or break over time. Check the windowsill you plan to use for signs of decay or weakness and be sure an electrical outlet is nearby, as air conditioner cords can be short.
Wall-mounted air conditioners
Choose a wall-mounted air conditioner for more effective cooling in climates where you need to cool for six or more months each year. Installing a wall-mounted air conditioner requires structural changes to your home and should only be done by a professional builder.
Greener cooling
Compare the EE ratings on air conditioners, which divide cooling power by wattage. Higher EE ratings equal greater energy efficiency. An air conditioner with the Energy Star uses 10% less power than a model without it.
pronto pick
What product do we recommend?
We like Frigidaire’s FAC106P1A Window/Wall Air Conditioner, an Energy Star qualified air conditioner that includes a mounting kit for use either as an in-wall or window unit. This 10,000 Btu/hr air conditioner delivers a suite of efficiency features, including digital controls, three fan speeds, timer settings and a generous six-foot cord. The included remote control will keep you from breaking a sweat when you need to make a quick adjustment.
experts say
This Old House—“The Amana Quiet Zone line includes seven models that range from 5,000 to 18,000 Btu. Electronic controls offer temperature settings in increments of 1°F and are accurate to within 11/2°F. A digital delay timer is also part of the package.”Source: Thisoldhouse.com
Consumer Guide—“The Fridigaire FAC107P1A air conditioner is a good value for medium and larger rooms.”Source: Howstuffworks.com
Old House Web—“Ductless split-system air-conditioners combine the zoning flexibility of a conventional room unit (a single air-conditioner installed through a wall or a window frame) with the whole-house cooling potential of central systems.”Source: Oldhouseweb.com
hot buzz
What's the latest in the world of air conditioners?
Noise has long been a chief complaint of air conditioner owners, especially in the bedroom. A new breed of air conditioners, known as “split” or “ductless” air conditioners or air handlers, solves the problem by moving the compressor and fan motor outside of your home. These air conditioners require professional installation and draw their power directly from your house current. Some models also include a dehumidifier and a heating element for year-round use in milder climates.
Wallet Impact
What can I expect in my price range?
| Price | Description | Good Pick (see all Air Conditioners) |
| $ | Bargain air conditioners are smaller and offer less cooling power, fewer fan speeds and fewer control options. These air conditioners are ideal for cooling a small bedroom, but you would be wise to consider the lower lifetime energy costs of a more expensive midrange air conditioner for bigger jobs. Avoid analog dials in favor of more precise digital controls. | |
| $$ | Mid-range air conditioners can handle larger rooms, and cooling power generally increases along with price. Look for high EE ratings and the Energy Star, and choose an air conditioner that offers energy-saving features such as sleep timers and programmable 24-hour temperature control. |
Compare prices at 17 stores $120 - $180 |
| $$$ | Generally speaking, high-priced air conditioners are built for demanding cooling jobs in rooms larger than 1,000 square feet. You’ll also find some that offer advanced air filtration or ionization and new “ductless” designs that offer quieter operation. Look for sensors that indicate when filters need to be replaced along with a full suite of digital temperature and time controls. |
Compare prices at 9 stores $849 - $1,054 |
shop talk
What are the terms and definitions I need to know about?
Btu/hr
A standard measurement of an air conditioner’s cooling power calculated in British Thermal Units (Btus) per Hour. One Btu is equal to the amount of cooling needed to lower the temperature of one pound of water by one degree.
EE rating
Energy Efficiency rating, obtained by dividing an air conditioner’s Btus/hr by its wattage. Air conditioners with higher EE ratings need less power to cool.
Energy Star qualified
An air conditioner that consumes 10% less power than similar models with the same features.
Side stops
The flexible wings that extend from the left and right sides of a window-mounted air conditioner to block the space between its edges and the sides of a window.
Wall mount
An air conditioner that’s installed in a sleeve that projects through the outer wall of a home. These air conditioners provide better efficiency than window-mounted units but require professional installation.
Window mount
An air conditioner that can be placed on a windowsill and is held in place by gravity and tension. Some of the largest window air conditioners may require an additional support rack that is bolted to the house beneath the window.
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