9 Best Energy Efficient Air Conditioners in 2024 – Reviews and Top Picks
- Pete Ortiz
- Last updated:
As summer arrives and temperatures increase, your energy bill doesn’t have to. Anticipating the humid discomfort of summer will motivate you to go air conditioner shopping, but energy usage may be holding you back. The good news is that there are units on the market that are more energy efficient, cutting down your usage and saving you money while being kinder to the planet.
When shopping for an energy-efficient air conditioner, you may have to do a little planning, but it will be worth it when you are surviving the hottest days, and your utility bill is not going up while you cool down.
These reviews will help you pick the best energy-efficient air conditioner to save money so you can stay cool this summer.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024
Rating | Image | Product | Details | |
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Best Overall
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Whirlpool WHAT122-2AW |
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CHECK PRICE | |
Best Value
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Keystone KSTAWO5CE |
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CHECK PRICE | |
Premium Choice
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Senville Aura SENA/24HF |
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CHECK PRICE | |
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Frigidaire FFRE063WAE |
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CHECK PRICE | |
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Black+Decker BD08WT6 |
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CHECK PRICE |
The 9 Best Energy Efficient Air Conditioners
1. Whirlpool Air Conditioner WHAT122-2AW – Best Overall
Cooling Rate: | 12,000 BTU |
Energy Star: | Yes |
Dimensions: | 20.3″ D x 24.2″ W x 14.5″ H |
Voltage: | 230 volts |
The Whirlpool is our best overall air conditioner because of its energy-star cooling abilities. Its eco mode will automatically turn off the compressor when your desired temperature is reached, saving you money on your electricity bill. Sleep Mode modifies the temperature and fan speed to make you more comfortable while using less energy and allowing you to sleep comfortably and uninterrupted.
This unit comes with four operational modes and three fan speeds. It also has 8-way directional air louvers and an easy-to-access filter for easy cleaning. This through-the-wall air conditioner is compatible with standard wall sleeves. This unit requires a 230-volt electrical outlet and cannot be used with a standard 115-volt household outlet.
- Energy star
- Eco mode
- Universal fit size
- Cannot be used with a standard 115-volt outlet
2. Keystone Energy Efficient Air Conditioner KSTAWO5CE – Best Value
Cooling Rate: | 5,000 BTU |
Energy Star: | Yes |
Dimensions: | 16″ D x 15.4″ W x 12″ H |
Voltage: | 115 volts |
Energy-efficient air conditioners are usually more expensive, but the Keystone KSTAW05CE is a cost-effective way to keep your home or office cool while consuming little energy; that’s why it is our best energy-efficient air conditioner for the money. The 5,000 BTU window unit is pretty silent and has energy-saving options such as an energy-saving mode, sleep mode, and three cooling and fan speeds, while the remote allows you to control the unit from anywhere in the room.
This unit includes an installation kit, so you easily and conveniently install it yourself.
While this energy-star-rated air conditioner will save you money while keeping you cool, it is not ideal for larger spaces.
- Value for money
- Multiple energy-saving modes
- Easy to install
- Not ideal for larger spaces
3. Senville Aura Air Conditioner SENA/24HF – Premium Choice
Cooling Rate: | 24000 BTU |
Energy Star: | 4 stars |
Dimensions: | 10″ D x 40″ W x 113″ H |
Voltage: | 220 volts |
The Senville Aura air conditioner is a smart and premium unit with up to 40 % energy savings. You can automatically turn your unit on or off or adjust the temperature with automated settings. It can be controlled from anywhere using Alexa, and the intelligent eye also monitors movement for improved efficiency.
This unit is designed to last in any home, office space, or store, with a 10-year warranty and free technical support. This energy star-rated unit will optimize energy consumption while keeping your room cool and comfortable, but it will require professional installation.
- Up to 40% energy saving
- Suitable for large spaces
- Works with Alexa
- Requires professional installation
4. Frigidaire Energy Efficient Air Conditioner FFRE063WAE
Cooling Rate: | 6000 BTU |
Energy Star: | Yes |
Dimensions: | 13.19″ D x 16″ W x 12.06″ H |
Voltage: | 115 volts |
The Frigidaire air conditioner is an ideal unit for smaller rooms. It fits easily onto your window with adjustable side panels for the perfect fit. This energy star-rated unit will save you energy with its EER rating of 12.2, a convenient sleep mode, different fan speeds, temperature control, and a programmable timer to switch it on or off.
The filter is easy to clean, and the unit has a remote control for convenient adjusting. While this unit is great for small rooms, some users have mentioned it can be a tad noisy.
- Energy efficient settings
- Easy-to-clean filters
- Programmable on/off timer
- Noisy
5. Black+Decker Air Conditioner BD08WT6
Cooling Rate: | 8000 BTU |
Energy Star: | Yes |
Dimensions: | 15.75″ D x 18.5″ W x 13.4″ H |
Voltage: | 115 volts |
The Black+Decker BD08WT6 is a small unit but will keep your room cool on the hottest days and filter the air while keeping it cool. It improves energy efficiency by up to 10% with no impact on the ozone layer. This Energy Star unit runs at four levels with thermostat control and can be adjusted on its digital display or remote control. It functions as a dehumidifier and has fan-only settings if you want air circulation. This small but powerful unit will fit snugly onto your window and includes mounting fittings for easy installation. Stay cool at night while you sleep uninterrupted by a noisy unit.
Although this unit is smaller than most, it still has a relatively high price tag.
- Fan-onlyly settings available
- Easy installation
- Energy efficient
- Filters while cooling
- Costly
6. LG Energy Efficient Air Conditioner 14,000 BTU
Cooling Rate: | 14000 BTU |
Energy Star: | 5 stars |
Dimensions: | 23.62″ D x 24.8″ W x 14.96″ H |
Voltage: | 115 volts |
The LG air conditioning unit comes with dual inverter technology which provides 25% more energy efficiency than the energy star requirements. Its powerful performance is also silent, allowing you to enjoy a cool and uninterrupted sleep on the hottest nights. You can change the settings and control the temperature on the go using Alexa or Hey Google, but when you are home, you can use the remote or user-friendly display panel.
Its features include multiple fans speeds, auto start, and sleep mode. It is easy to install and includes a removable, washable filter. LG is a superior manufacturer of appliances, and there are many good reviews on this unit, but a common negative is its durability.
- 25% more energy efficient than energy star requirements
- Quiet operation
- Control on the go with smart technology
- May not last too long
7. TOSOT Air Conditioner 10,000 BTU
Cooling Rate: | 10,000 BTU |
Energy Star: | Yes |
Dimensions: | 21.4″ D x 22.8″ W x 15.8″ H |
Voltage: | 110 volts |
Let the TOSOT air conditioner keep you cool while saving money and giving you peace of mind with its low impact on global warming. It circulates, cools, and humidifies and has a smart temperature control setting that adjusts the temperature based on the temperature around the remote.
Its powerful cooling abilities do so quietly, so your work or sleep is not disrupted. It includes a washable filter and is easy to install. Keep your space cool while saving energy with TOSOT’s modern design. This small and powerful unit is only suitable for smaller spaces.
- 3 in 1 setting
- Washable filter
- Quiet and energy saving
- Not ideal for large rooms
8. GE Energy Efficient Air Conditioner 8000 BTU
Cooling Rate: | 8000 BTU |
Energy Star: | Yes |
Dimensions: | 15.31″ D x 18.56″ W x 12.63″ H |
Voltage: | 115 volts |
The GE 8000 air conditioner will keep temperatures down, as well as reduce utility bills and energy use. Eco mode will kick in when the room is cool enough to further save money and energy. You can get it up and running straight away as it’s easy to install. This unit’s operation is both easy and smart, allowing you to operate and change settings with an app from anywhere.
If your cool airflow is interrupted by power cuts, the unit will automatically start when power is up and running again. The filter can be washed every 30 days to keep the unit functioning optimally.
However, the smart technology on this unit seems to have significant problems. Some users have battled with the app and connection.
- Eco mode
- Automatic start-up during power cuts
- Washable filter
- Technology may be unreliable
9. Midea Air Conditioner 10,000 BTU
Cooling Rate: | 10,000 BTU |
Energy Star: | 5 stars |
Dimensions: | 23″ D x 36″ W x 14″ H |
Voltage: | 110 volts |
The Midea air conditioning unit will help you save money while cooling your office or room throughout the hot season. Save energy with its custom settings such as eco mode and sleep mode. Schedule your temperature preferences for up to 24 hours and easily set the temperature, mode, and time with its intuitive LED display and remote.
This unit comes with mounting accessories so you can easily install it onto an existing window frame and keep it working optimally by regularly washing its reusable and washable filter. If you are looking for a unit that gets your temperature down to chill, this is not for you. This unit cools small rooms well but will not get them very cold.
- Eco mode
- Easy to install
- Reusable filter
- Cools down only small rooms
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Energy Efficient Air Conditioners
It helps to learn the basics when shopping for a new air conditioner so that you are making an informed decision about the product you choose. When looking for an energy-efficient air conditioner for your home or office, there are a few factors to consider when keeping your energy consumption and temperature down. Here are some essential but helpful factors to consider when looking for your new energy-efficient air conditioner.
Energy Saving
Choosing an air conditioner with energy-saving features will help cut down your power bill and minimize the impact it has on the environment. Your air conditioner will use a fair amount of power, but energy-saving models have been developed to help reduce the footprint of staying cool on a sweltering day.
Energy Efficiency Ratings (EER) ratings measure a specific unit’s energy efficiency in BTUs. They are produced by dividing their output by their input. A higher rating will mean more efficiency.
Another feature to look for is an energy-saving setting, which means that the unit will turn off the compressor and the fan once your space has cooled down, saving energy.
A blue Energy Star certification model indicates the unit has met or exceeded higher efficiency standards than comparable models, which is usually 10% less energy than a non-Energy Star-certified air conditioner.
Size
The size matters and is an essential factor to consider when choosing an air conditioner. If the unit is too big, it will cool the air but leave it damp; if it is too small, it will have to work harder, which will ultimately use more energy and result in a high utility bill.
Power
When determining the power output you need, you will need to consider the size of the room you are trying to cool. Air conditioners come with a BTU rating which indicates how powerful they are; the higher the rating, the more powerful the unit.
Some experts recommend 20 BTUs for each square foot of air-conditioned space. Once you know how much square footage you have, you can calculate how much cooling power your air conditioner requires. A 5,000 BTU air conditioner should be powerful enough to effectively cool 100–150 square feet, which is the average bedroom size in houses and apartments.
Noise Levels
There is no such thing as a perfectly quiet air conditioner, but some are definitely louder than others. Look for an AC that runs quietly, especially if you want a long-lasting unit, and avoid any unit that exceeds 60 decibels (dB).
Extra Features
Extra features, such as smart features where you can operate your unit through an app using voice control from anywhere, are more a luxury than a necessity, although they can help save energy. Determine if this is something you need, as it will significantly affect the cost.
Conclusion
For the best overall energy-efficient air conditioner, we recommend the Whirlpool WHAT122-2AW. It has powerful cooling abilities, and Whirlpool has a great reputation for being the best. The Keystone KSTAW05CE will provide the best value for money while also saving you money on utility bills. If premium performance is what you are looking for, the Senville Aura air conditioner is the best choice for you. All our reviews are energy star-rated units with features that suit you, your space, and your needs while saving you money and energy.
Featured Image Credit: Tomislav-Pinter, Shutterstock
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