Tougher 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. At 80 pounds, some portable A/Cs are anything but and can be cumbersome to move around, even when they have casters.

And they’re typically bigger, noisier, more expensive, and use more energy than window air conditioners.Ceiling and box fans won't lower a room’s temperature or remove humidity from the air, but they can make you feel several degrees cooler and don’t cost much to run. Ceiling fans that earn the Energy Star label move air 20 percent more efficiently than standard models. When used in concert with an air conditioner, a ceiling fan allows you to set the temperature a bit higher and save money. ac unit bestBut keep in mind that fans cool you and not the room so turn if off when you leave.different types of window ac units Too cool for schoolhow to size a house for an ac unit How do you keep comfortable when it heats up? M-D Building Products 2311 High Density Foam Tape, 1/2-by-3/4-Inch by 10 feet, Gray FREE Shipping on orders over $49.

This unit has an Energy Efficiency Ratio of 10.7 and is sure to provide you with savings, along with convenient, cool comfort. The low voltage operation and Energy Saver mode help to conserve energy and save you money. Frigidaire FRA054XT7 Mini Room Air Conditioner Frigidaire's FRA054XT7 5,000 BTU 115-Volt Window-Mounted Mini-Compact Air Conditioner is perfect for rooms up to 165 sq ft. Low voltage start-up and operation conserves energy and saves you money. Ready-Select electronic controls allow you to set the comfort level to your preference, while a convenient temperature-readout displays the set temperature. A full-function remote control allows you to precisely control the temperature and fan speed from across the room. The top, full-width, 2-way air direction control allows you to direct the air where you want it, plus, the antibacterial mesh filter reduces bacteria, room odors and airborne particles for a cool, comfortable environment. Pleated quick mount window mounting kit included

Side, slide-out antibacterial mesh filter reduces bacteria, room odors and airborne particles for a comfortable environment 2 cooling speeds / 2 fan speeds Dehumidification up to 1.1 pints per hour Frigidaire's FRA054XT7 5,000 BTU Window-Mounted Mini Room Air Conditioner is perfect for small size rooms up to 165 square feet. This unit features rotary controls and top full-width air discharge. The antimicrobial filter reduces bacteria, room odors, and other airborne particles for a comfortable environment. And the included pleated quick mount window mounting kit makes this air conditioner easy to install. 15.2 x 16 x 12 inches 45 pounds (View shipping rates and policies) #244,557 in Home and Kitchen (See Top 100 in Home and Kitchen) #75 in Home & Kitchen > Heating, Cooling & Air Quality > Air Conditioners & Accessories > Air Conditioners > Window See all 578 customer reviews See all 578 customer reviews (newest first) This is one of the best investments I've ever made!

It's small but mighty..it's kept me comfortable for several years now... the remote makes it even better! so far working wellThe remote is very convenient. I like the Frigidaire quality. This little AC is quiet and cools my small bedroom in minutes. Very efficient...it cools so well, I rarely set the temperature lower than 75 during the day. Excellent air conditioner, makes my large 200+ Sqft. bedroom cool as I want. Only bad part is the installation, maybe easy for some but for me to do alone was quite a chore. Works great in a 12x13 room! Cools with no problem and the power went down when I replaced the old one with this one.When it's on, I have to crank up the tv volume in the bedroom from 15 all the way up to 50 to be able to hear normally.I can live with it.. Bought this a year ago used it for the summer last year then actually brought it inside for the winter... My air conditioner is functioning good I am very happy with my purchase because it has remote control which spares me with waking up.