Our mission with this review is to guide you toward the most energy-efficient air conditioner to suit your needs and budget. We have spent days and months on testing over 20 products on the market, and the following picks are the results of our work.
Here are the most energy efficient air conditioners you can buy in 2024:
- Window Air Conditioner (Most Powerful): MIDEA MAW12R1BWT
- Window Air Conditioner (Best Budget Option): FRIGIDAIRE 5,000 BTU
- Window Air Conditioner (Easy To Install): DELLA 6,000 BTU 115V/60Hz
- Portable Air Conditioner (Compact & Lightweight): COSTWAY Portable Air Conditioner 8000 BTU
- Portable Air Conditioner (Best For Small Rooms): BLACK+DECKER BPACT08WT
- Portable Air Conditioner (Best For Large Rooms): Whynter ARC-14S
| 6 Most Energy Efficient Air Conditioners | ||
|---|---|---|
Window Air Conditioner | MIDEA MAW12R1BWT
| |
Window Air Conditioner | FRIGIDAIRE 5,000 BTU
| |
Window Air Conditioner | DELLA 6,000 BTU 115V/60Hz
| |
Portable Air Conditioner | COSTWAY Portable Air Conditioner 8000 BTU
| |
Portable Air Conditioner | BLACK+DECKER BPACT08WT
| |
Portable Air Conditioner | Whynter ARC-14S
| |
Window Air Conditioner: MIDEA MAW12R1BWT
- Ultra-powerful - 12,000 BTUs capacity
- Flexible - three fan speed options
- Energy efficient - EasyTimer feature and Eco mode
- The control panel is too small
- Heavy
MIDEA is known for the perfect balance of powerful performance and price, and that's why our testers took on this 12,000-BTU window air conditioner.
Other picks deliver 5,000 to 6,000 BTUs, but the MIDEA MAW12R1BWT does the job 2x better to capably cool down a larger room (up to 550 square feet).
Additionally, it provides three fan speed options for flexibility plus EasyTimer feature and Eco mode for energy efficiency. We also appreciate the included remote controller so that you can easily track or adjust all the indicators.
| MIDEA MAW12R1BWT Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimension | 21.89 x 18.98 x 14.65 inches |
BTUs | 12,000 BTU |
Room Size | 450-550 Sq.ft |
Highlight Features | 12,000 BTUs capacity three fan speed options EasyTimer feature and Eco mode |
The MIDEA MAW12R1BWT came out on top because it is the most powerful window air conditioner on the market.
Window Air Conditioner: FRIGIDAIRE 5,000 BTU
- Able to automatically resume running at the previous settings - Effortless Restart feature
- Even cool air distribution - full-width, two-way air direction control
- Energy-efficient - low power start-up feature
- No readout lights
Compared to other 5000-BTU window air conditioners, we find this FRIGIDAIRE to be the most affordable without sacrificing its quality.
It even gives you many practical add-ons, such as the Effortless Restart – which can automatically resume running at the previous settings after a sudden power outage. Or, the full-width, two-way air direction control for even cool air distribution.
Although this 5,000-BTU has already been more energy-efficient than other 6000+BTU models, it has a low power start-up feature for more energy conservation.
| FRIGIDAIRE 5,000 BTU Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimension | 15.25 x 16 x 12 inches |
BTUs | 5,000 BTUs |
Room Size | up to 150 square feet |
Highlight Features | Effortless Restart feature full-width, two-way air direction control low power start-up feature |
If you’re on a tight budget or not willing to pay a fortune on a window AC, we believe this budget option - the FRIGIDAIRE 5,000 BTU - meets your needs.
Window Air Conditioner: DELLA 6,000 BTU 115V/60Hz
- Easy to install – fitting window sizes of 14.5”+ (H) x 23”-26” (W) & including all mounting accessories
- Convenient & futuristic looking - LED Intelligent Control
- Able to reduce moisture in a room - Dry mode
- The ECO mode isn’t so practical
- A bit loud during operation
Although there’s no one-size-fit-all window air conditioner, it would be great if there’s a model easily installed on most windows.
That’s what sets this DELLA apart – a flexibly adjustable AC that can fit windows’ height of 14.5” or up and width ranging from 23” to 36” with little modification. The unit also comes with all mounting accessories required and straightforward instructions.
The DELLA 6,000 BTU 115V/60Hz offers other features that our testers look for, like multiple speed settings, Dry mode for moisture reduction, and LED Intelligent Control.
| DELLA 6,000 BTU 115V/60Hz Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimension | 15.2 x 15.98 x 12.52 inches |
BTUs | 6,000 BTUs |
Room Size | 250 Square Feet |
Highlight Features | fitting window sizes of 14.5”+ (H) x 23”-26” (W) including all mounting accessories LED Intelligent Control Dry mode |
Our testers have evaluated many DELLA air conditioners in recent years, and we found the DELLA 6,000 BTU 115V/60Hz to be the easiest to install.
Portable Air Conditioner: COSTWAY Portable Air Conditioner 8000 BTU
- Space-saving – dimensions of 12 x 13 x 30 inches
- Easy to maneuver – lightweight design
- The drop container isn’t removable
The COSTWAY Portable Air Conditioner 8000 BTU is the most compact design from our tests, thanks to its narrower width and taller height, which helps take advantage of the vertical space whilst saving the floor area.
It’s also lightweight and easy to push around.
We were pleasantly impressed by small features of this unit, like water full indication to keep your floor from getting wet, moveable and adjustable vents, and degrees C – degrees F temperature display options.
| COSTWAY Portable Air Conditioner 8000 BTU Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimension | 12 x 13 x 30 inches |
BTUs | 8,000 BTUs |
Room Size | Up to 230 Sq. Ft. |
Highlight Features | dimensions of 12 x 13 x 30 inches lightweight design |
The COSTWAY Portable Air Conditioner 8000 BTU is on our recommended list because, not only is it energy efficient, but the compact and lightweight design also helps you save space.
Portable Air Conditioner: BLACK+DECKER BPACT08WT
- Ideal for small rooms - 4,000-BTU capacity & adjustable fan speed
- Effortless to use – dehumidifying function & self-evaporating design
- Extremely short hose
In our road tests, we found this 4,000-BTU unit to be relatively ideal for small rooms of under 150-square-foot area. Adding to its cooling capability is the adjustable fan speed that can lower the room temperatures to 65 degrees F with little noise created.
We also love the dehumidifying function combined with self-evaporating design, meaning that this portable AC doesn’t require you to periodically empty any water container.
It also has a 24-hour timer, removable filter, and top-mounted LED display – which are very handy.
| BLACK+DECKER BPACT08WT Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimension | 16.5 x 11.5 x 26 inches |
BTUs | 4,000 BTUs |
Room Size | Up to 150 Square Feet |
Highlight Features | 4,000-BTU capacity & adjustable fan speed dehumidifying function with self-evaporating design |
The BLACK+DECKER BPACT08WT is ideal for small rooms in dryer climates.
Portable Air Conditioner: Whynter ARC-14S
- Best for large rooms of up to 500 square feet - 9,200-BTU capacity
- Fast cooling capability – dual hose system
- Quiet – 56dB noise level
- Heavy and bulky
This powerful 9,200-BTU portable air conditioner will keep your large room comfortably cool during summer months. Whynter claims that the ARC-14S can cool up to 500 square feet, and it is able to reduce excess moisture in the air up to 71 pints/day.
Additionally, the dual-hose system helps it cool a space a lot quicker than single-hosed models.
There are three fan speed options for you to choose from, but at any setting, it all runs quietly (under 56 decibels).
| Whynter ARC-14S Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimension | 19" W x 16" D x 35.5" H |
BTUs | 9,200 BTUs |
Room Size | up to 500 sq. ft. |
Highlight Features | 9,200-BTU capacity dual hose system 56 dB noise level |
The Whynter ARC-14S’s capacity is 9,200 BTUs, which is a great choice for large rooms of up to 500 square feet.
How To Choose The Most Energy Efficient Air Conditioner?
Product Labels
An easy trick to determine an energy-efficient air conditioner is to look at the product label. Different types of AC come with different labels, like:
- Central air conditioners use the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER)
- Window and portable air conditioners use EnergyStar symbol (based on their CEER, or Combined Energy Efficiency Ratio) and EnerGuide label
Bonus:
On average, 15+ SEER central air conditioners consume 8% less energy than those models that don’t qualify.
To compare the energy efficiency level of many SEER central air conditioners, follow this basic rule of thumb: the higher the SEER, the greater the efficiency.
EnergyStar certified window ACs consume 10% less energy than those models that don’t qualify.
To compare between EnergyStar certified ACs, look at their CEER ratio – the higher the CEER, the greater the efficiency. But this only is accurate if compared models at the same size.
The EnerGuide label is a bit different from the two labels above, which helps you see the number of kilowatt-hours that an AC uses and how it compares with other models.
Eco Mode Or Energy-Saving Mode
This mode helps decrease the energy consumption of your AC without sacrificing the coolness of the room. The way it works is to automatically turn off the fan when your room is cooled to the desired temperature.
Programmable Temperature
With this function, your air conditioner will automatically turn off when reaching the preset temperature, therefore, it saves energy.
The recommended temperature is 77 to 81 degrees F.
Which Brands Make The Most Energy Efficient Air Conditioner?
MIDEA
Midea is a famous Chinese brand, one of the largest corporations that owns the most complete technological lines for a wide range of household appliances.
Midea's products are always leading in terms of professionalism and quality thanks to their large-scale and modern technological lines.
FRIGIDAIRE
This is one of the most successful American home appliance brand subsidiaries of Electrolux, since the early-to-mid-1900s. They are renowned in the air conditioner field for powerful performance and energy efficiency.
BLACK+DECKER
Founded in 1910, BLACK+DECKER has become the leader in America’s household appliance market for providing functional and quality products that meet snugly to the needs of all customers.
FAQs
Is it worth buying an energy-efficient air conditioner?
Yes, it is. An energy-efficient air conditioner helps you save energy bills and also decrease human’s impact on the environment.
How do I calculate air conditioner size for a room?
To calculate air conditioner size for a room, multiply the width by the length of the room to be cooled. Then, multiply that number by 25 (BTU).
How much does it cost to run an air conditioner for cooling?
The total energy consumption cost of an air conditioner is varied between models.
You should look at the kilowatt-hour of the product. Multiply it by the average number of hours to cool your room per day. Then, multiply the number by the energy cost per kW in your area.
How big of a room will a 12000 BTU air conditioner cool?
A 12,000BTU air conditioner will cool a 400-square-foot room.
Does higher BTU use more electricity?
Yes, it does. The higher the BTU that your AC produces, the more energy to consume. To optimize the cost, it is recommended choosing the right unit for the room to be cooled.
Conclusion
That’s all for this article! We hope that our enthusiasm for air conditioners will help you in your decision-making process. Our team is confident about our picks above of the most energy-efficient air conditioner because we all work our best for them. Thanks for reading!
