Best Air Conditioners

(Page 3 of 4)

August/September 2006
www.GreenerChoices.org 
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18 Cool Air Conditioners

The list below is adapted from Consumer Reports’ Greener Choices Web site. Within each size class, air conditioners appear in order of their Energy Efficiency Rating (EER). All units listed below qualify for federal Energy Star status and meet these additional criteria: small units, cost limited to $200; mid-size units, cost limited to $250; large units, cost limited to $325. (The Friedrich models are listed despite their cost, because they were the most efficient air conditioners in their classes.) “CR Best Buy” indicates an exceptional value. Some specific models may be discontinued, but similar, updated models are available.

“Overall score” is based mainly on EER, comfort and noise. Comfort is measured by accuracy of temperature and humidity control at the low-cool setting; the best units hold temperatures within 1.5 degrees of the setting. Noise measurements combine objective decibel-meter readings with subjective assessments of noise quality.

For complete ratings of 35 models, go to www.GreenerChoices.org.

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Repair, replace or recycle?

Room air conditioners typically last 10 to 15 years, and most models are fairly simple and cost-effective to repair. But with recent substantial efficiency improvements, buying a new unit often makes more sense than repairing a broken one. Replacing units that are more than 20 years old, even if they still work, can bring huge savings. In fact, you can cut your cooling bill in half by replacing an air conditioner manufactured before 1979, when the first state efficiency standards went into effect, with a new, energy-efficient model. Some state governments and public utilities encourage consumers to replace old air conditioners with more efficient units by offering tax incentives or buy-back and rebate programs. Consult your local utility company for details, or check the Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy, www.dsireusa.org.

Air-conditioning systems are made primarily with steel and plastic, two materials that are highly recyclable. But be careful when discarding air conditioners to ensure that the coolants are not released into the air. Your municipality may require the safe removal of any coolants before it will haul a discarded unit away, so contact local recyclers or waste disposal officials for information. Air conditioners built since 1995 dont contain the powerful ozone-depleting chemicals called chlorofluorocarbons, but units produced before then may still contain them. Room air conditioners now contain hydrofluorocarbons, chemicals that do not deplete the ozone layer, but still must be contained because they are potent greenhouse gases that can contribute to global warming.

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