The ENERGY STAR Web page you are looking for cannot be found in this location. Please try the following: If you typed the page address (URL) in the address bar, make sure that you spelled it correctly. Return to our home page. Use our site map to locate specific topics. Use the Search box above to locate the information you need.The mercury's rising, and unless you've got central air, you could be in for one hot, sticky summer. We tested seven of the newest window-mounted air conditioners, from 5,450 Btu up to 10,000 Btu—to suit all your home or apartment-cooling needs.If these AC units don't suit your needs, you can always build your own.Here's a review of a popular portable air-conditioner.See also: Appreciating the technological miracle that is air conditioning. This Tiny Shed in the Woods Is a Library The Tool That Inflates Your Tires to the Perfect PSI Every Time How to Build a Kid's Art Easel This Is What a $100 Kitchen Makeover Looks Like

How To Build a Beautiful Bluestone Patio in One Afternoon How to Build a Stylish Firewood Rack 10 Things to Know About Using Chalky Paint Are New All-Purpose Adhesives Better Than Traditional Epoxies? How to Properly Restore the Polyurethane Trim on Your House This Canadian Town Will Give Land and a Job to Anyone Willing to MoveChoosing an Air Conditioning System Selecting an air conditioner for your home is a big decision. It’s an important investment today. It will play a key role in your home energy expenses for years to come. And when the summer heat is at its worst, you’ll want your family to have the best, most reliable cooling comfort possible. Here are a few things to consider. What do good central air units have in common? How can I be sure my Unit is the right size? Which air conditioners are energy efficient? Are some air conditioners built better than others? What should I look for in a contractor? The best ones are efficient, operating on minimal electricity to hold utility bills down.

They provide steady, dependable performance year after year when properly maintained. Good systems are quiet, long-lasting and low in service needs. Back to the top Obviously, an air conditioner that’s too small won’t keep your home sufficiently cool. But what many don’t realize is that an oversized system will cycle (turn on and off) more than necessary, wasting expensive energy and possibly putting undue strain on the compressor. A good contractor will determine the optimum size for your home by making a careful study of your cooling requirements. Window dimensions and exposure. Floor space, insulation and local climate. The direction your home faces. Even the amount of your home’s exterior shaded by trees. He’ll specify the cooling capacity of the system in either Btu/h (British thermal units of heat removed per hour) or refrigeration tons (one ton being equal to 12,000 Btu/h). Much like automobile manufacturers, today’s air conditioner manufacturers are required by law to evaluate and rate their equipment according to its energy efficiency.

This rating is known in the industry as a SEER, or Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating. The higher the SEER, the more efficient the equipment. Most new homes with central air come equipped with a standard builder’s model. mini window ac unitHowever, when replacement becomes necessary, property owners can upgrade their air conditioning by specifying a more energy-efficient system.how does hvac furnace work The Rheem Prestige Series™ High Efficiency model, for example, has a SEER of 18.00, among the highest available. moving a window ac unitIt’s significantly higher than today’s standard models, many of which carry SEER’s of at least 13. High SEER models are generally more expensive, but can easily make up the difference by reducing your home energy bills over the long run.

The compressor is the heart of a condensing unit. On a hot day, it works long and hard. Rheem installs the highly advanced scroll compressor in every Rheem condensing unit we produce. Scroll Compressors are recognized by the industry as the leader in reliability, efficiency and quiet operation. Other features to look for include louvered steel cabinets that protect the coils from damage and expensive repair bills. Also, with some condensing units, the fan can be another source of bothersome noise. Rheem units have a grill design that minimizes air restriction for quieter fan operation.Look for a contractor you see in your community. You want one who’s close by to provide you faster, more convenient service. He should offer a recognized name brand. And he should have a well-stocked inventory of replacement parts. You wouldn’t want to sit out a mid-summer heat wave waiting for a simple repair! One way to be sure you’ll get good service is to contact a neighborhood Rheem contractor.

Your local Rheem contractor is knowledgeable, dependable, and as good as any you’ll find in the business. Give him a call or click here to find a contractor near you. Back to the topTougher energy standards for window air conditioners mean that your utility bill won’t soar when temperatures do. Window air conditioners manufactured since the end of October have such innovations as high-efficiency compressors and fans, and better insulated installation materials that give you a tighter fit. And to help you choose, Consumer Reports upgraded its testing chamber to give an even more accurate idea of how an A/C cools in real-world conditions. We found some winners from GE, LG, Frigidaire, and Haier. Buy the right size. When it comes to air conditioners, bigger isn’t always better. A unit that’s too big for the space it’s meant to cool will cycle on and off without removing enough moisture from the air, leaving you feeling cold and clammy. One that’s too small will struggle to cool down the room, leaving you hot and sweaty.

Here’s how to find one that’s just right and that's recommended by Consumer Reports. Small (5,000 to 6,500 Btu/hr.) (Cools 100 to 300 square feet.) For a small bedroom, home office, or guest room you’ll want an air conditioner with good scores for comfort and quiet. GE AEM05LV, $170 (CR Best Buy) Medium (7,000 to 8,500 Btu/hr.) (Cools 250 to 400 square feet.) To cool a master bedroom or playroom, step up to a mid-sized air conditioner. Large (9,800 to 12,500 Btu/hr.) (Cools 350 to 650 square feet.) For a living room or family room, you’ll want a large air conditioner, especially if you have an open floor plan. LG LW1216ER, $350 (CR Best Buy) When You Can’t Install a Window A/C For apartment buildings that don’t allow window air conditioners or for homes that don’t have double hung windows, you can consider a portable air conditioner. But be forewarned that in our tests they had subpar scores for comfort, meaning they labored at lowering the temperature of the testing chamber to a comfortable level.