All new room air conditioners are required to carry an EER, or Energy Efficiency Rating, which ranges from 8 to 11.5. The ranking is important for consumers because air conditioners with higher EERs yield the most savings in monthly electric bills. The higher EER also helps the environment by reducing greenhouse emissions. Check the yellow Energy Guide label on new room air conditioners when you’re shopping. A rating of 10 or higher will produce the most in energy savings, though these models are likely to cost a little more.
Many of the energy-efficient features in room air conditioners also offer greater convenience and comfort:
Variable fan speeds. More speed settings give you greater control of air flow. The lower settings also help save money.
Digital temperature control. The ability to control temperature by degrees—instead of with HIGH or LOW settings—allows for more comfort and wastes less energy.
Programmable thermostat. You may want to pay a little more for an AC unit that lets you program desired settings for different times of the day and night.
Easy-to-access filters. Slide-out filters are easy to clean and remove dust and other allergens from the air. Regular maintenance will extend the service life of your air conditioner and help it operate at full efficiency.
Sleep setting/energy-saving setting. The unit operates at a very low setting, making the room more comfortable for sleeping and at the same time saving on energy costs.
Timer. Timers are a simpler and less costly alternative to programmable thermostats. Just set the time you want the AC to start or stop. Timers let you come home to a house that already is cool, without continuously running the air conditioner while you’re away.
There are three main types of room air conditioners: window units, through-the-wall units, and portable models. Following is a closer look at each.
Window units are by far the most popular. Models can be installed in most single- or double-hung windows and typically come with accordion panels that allow for a secure fit. Some also fit in sliding windows
Installing a window unit is an easy DIY project. Make sure you measure the inside window dimensions before you shop. Directions and hardware should be included.
Through-the-wall units require opening a hole in an exterior wall, a job that is considerably more involved than installing a window unit. On the plus side, they don’t take up window space, and they allow for a more airtight and secure fit.
Most window models can be installed as through-the-wall units—you just add a frame to support the unit. Small units can be installed by handy do-it-yourselfers. Large through-the-wall units may require professional installation.
Portable air conditioners, self-contained, freestanding units, are the new kids on the block. Most have casters, so they can be wheeled into the room or rooms that need to be cooled. They come with a large, room wall air conditioner unilflexible hose that is attached to a window for exhausting hot air, much like a clothes dryer is vented. Though they tend to cost more than window and through-the-wall units, they are practical because of their portability and can be taken with you when you move.
Air conditioners remove water from the air as they cool it, which means that most portable units have reservoirs that need to be periodically emptied, though some also come with optional hookups for a drainage hose. Some new models evaporate much of the moisture and exhaust it, greatly reducing the frequency of need to empty a container.
By : Hometips.com
