The sweltering heat of summer can be unbearable, and the best way to beat the heat is with an air conditioner. But with so many different types of air conditioners on the market, it can be difficult to know which one is the most energy efficient. Window units, portable air conditioners, and mini-split systems all have their own advantages and disadvantages when it comes to energy efficiency. Window units are the most common type of air conditioner, and they are also the most energy efficient.
They are designed to fit into a window frame and draw in hot air from outside while expelling cool air into the room. The hot air and moisture that the window unit creates as a by-product of the cooling process are expelled to the outside. While these features increase the initial cost of an air conditioner, they also improve its energy efficiency by allowing the user to turn off the air conditioner or raise the thermostat a few degrees when the room or house is not in use.
Portable air
conditioners usually don't meet the same specifications as window units, but the Whynter ARC-14S comes close.This air conditioner also has smart controls, so users can remotely turn the unit off or on and set schedules via a smartphone, which can save money by setting it to a higher temperature when the room is not occupied. An average minisplit consumes 40 percent less energy than a window air conditioner to cool the same space. While central and window air conditioning systems are Energy Star rated, no portable unit is Energy Star certified. Choosing the right air conditioner for your entire wall can be a bit complicated, but getting a universal-fit air conditioner that breathes backwards is the path that offers the least resistance.
As I mentioned earlier, air conditioners manufactured 10 or 20 years ago had a SEER rating of less than 10, so their efficiency can almost double with a newer modern unit. Like other high-efficiency air conditioners, Amana achieves this classification with a variable speed inverter compressor that reduces energy consumption. It's also one of the most attractive air conditioners on the market, with all the smart home features you'd expect, plus location services and Apple HomeKit compatibility (something rare in the air conditioning industry). So, if your windows are narrow or don't fully open, you might have to opt for a portable air conditioner anyway; a portable air conditioner needs an opening only about 6 inches wide, 12 inches high, and maybe 2 inches deep, so it's much more flexible.
The best thing about this energy-efficient air conditioner is that it can range from an ultra-quiet fan to a high-powered air conditioner. Like a split air conditioner, a compact air conditioner distributes the cold air it generates through a network of ducts. This 8,000 BTU window air conditioner uses inverter technology, which varies the flow of energy that reaches the unit depending on demand, to achieve an impressive energy efficiency rating of 13.3.That's not good for sleep, and even the best portable fans don't always provide enough breathing space all over the place.
