Featuring only ENERGY STAR qualified units
If you go looking for an energy efficient room air conditioner online, you may find it a real challenge to find models that are truly efficient.
Some manufacturers use misleading terminology like ‘energy-saver mode’ to suggest that a particular model is energy efficient, whereas all this might mean is that the unit can go into a lower energy (and lower performance) mode. Others just claim they are energy efficient even though they are not ENERGY STAR qualified.
To make it easier for you to select an energy efficient window or through-the-wall air conditioner, I have searched through the Amazon listings for over 150 air conditioners available from various manufacturers and suppliers, and looked up their EER (Energy Efficiency Ratio) ratings and ENERGY STAR status. The following 41 air conditioners are the only ones of the 155 I found on Amazon that qualify for ENERGY STAR.
When you click the 
button you will be taken to the Amazon.com website where you can find out more about the unit (sometimes!) and check for the latest prices – and where you can buy knowing you’ll wind up with an air conditioner that really is energy efficient.
ENERGY STAR air conditioners below 8000 BTU
These are the most popular size of room air conditioners, but unfortunately almost all the units in this BTU range only meet the minimum required standard of energy efficiency. ENERGY STAR qualified units, such as those featured below, must be at least 10% more efficient than the minimum standard.
Don’t be fooled by a cheap AC unit. You’ll save at checkout, but you’ll pay far more over the life of the unit because of increased operating costs.
Room sizes:
- 100-150 sqft (9-14 m2): 5000 BTU
- 150-250 sqft (14-23 m2): 6000 BTU
- 250-300 sqft (23-28 m2): 7000 BTU
ENERGY STAR air conditioners 8000-9999 BTU
Room sizes: 8000 BTU is suitable for rooms 300-350 sqft (28-33 m2). For example, this power rating would be suitable for a living room that is 18×18 feet or 15×20 feet. 9,000 BTU is suitable for rooms 350-400 sqft (33-37 m2).
ENERGY STAR air conditioners, 10,000-11,999 BTU
Room sizes: BTU ratings of 10000-11999 are suitable for rooms 400-450 sqft (37-42 m2).
ENERGY STAR air conditioners, 12,000-13,999 BTU
Room sizes: BTU ratings of 12,000-13,999 are suitable for rooms 450-550 sqft (42-51 m2).
No suitable air conditioners are currently available in this BTU range that meet my criteria for including on my site.
ENERGY STAR air conditioners, 14,000-17,999 BTU
Room sizes: BTU ratings of 14,000-17,999 are suitable for rooms 550-700 sqft (51-65 m2).
ENERGY STAR air conditioners, 18,000-20,999 BTU
Room sizes: BTU ratings of 18,000-20,999 are suitable for rooms 700-1000 sqft (65-93 m2).
No suitable air conditioners are currently available in this BTU range that meet my criteria for including on my site.
Room sizes: BTU ratings of 21,000 to 22,999 are suitable for rooms 1,000-1,200 sqft (93-116 m2). BTU ratings of 23,000 to 23,999 are suitable for rooms 1,200-1,400 sqft (116-130 m2). Since such a room would need to be something like 30×30 feet or greater, it is extremely unlikely you’ll want one of these as a room air conditioner, and for air conditioning an entire floor of your house, you are better off to select several individual room air conditioners, or a ductless minisplit (these air conditioners can be used as central AC systems in homes with no ductwork). But if you really need one, here are some ENERGY STAR qualified models:
No suitable air conditioners are currently available in this BTU range that meet my criteria for including on my site.
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