are window a/c units more efficient these days?

[Auggie27]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 6:01pm

I lived in apartments in NY for two decades, ended up in a house with central for 5 years, and now I'm returning to a big, high-ceiling-ed apt. I'm outta the loop -- are the current crop of window units more efficient/use less juice? You used to have to measure the space and then have something like a fridge stuck out your window. Now, they all look smaller. I'm away from 'em since 2002, when I bought 2.

Anyone here recently bought them? Any advice or info at all? I understand they don't pull all the power as they use to (like Laser printers, which used to dim the lights...)

This is certainly the week to talk A/C.

[iflitifloat]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 6:03pm

The A/C on one side of my apartment is leaking and the other only want to blow cool air.

While this doesn't address your question, I needed to whine.

[yodamarie78]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 6:09pm

I just got a new one. It's a Kenmore 76081, 7,800 BTU. It's Energy Star rated, which is supposed to mean that it doesn't take too much power, but I've only had it a week so I can't really say yet. What I can say is that it isn't too big, does a great job of cooling our small bedroom and living room, and for a window air conditioner it is incredibly quiet. Even on high the noise is comparable to a regular fan.

[verynewyorkcurious]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 6:10pm

ACs are definitely more energy efficient now, but even with my energy saving AC, I'm trying to do my part for the environment by turning it on only when I really need it.

You have to see where you're gonna put it. The space still needs to be measured (estimate) to determine how much BTU is needed. People are under the impression that high BTU is coolest, but a high BTU AC will not work well in a small space, as will a low BTU not work well in a large space, so you need one that's just right.

If you live in the city, try PC Richard and J&R. I am not sure about Best Buy in the city. They can help you determine which kind you need.

[nmartin]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 6:11pm

I have always lived in the South, Memphis and Savannah, GA. Whenever I've had an apt with a window unit, it has saved me money.

[Jane2]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 6:12pm

I have two great ACs. The one in my largish bedroom is only 5BTUs and keeps the room frigid.

The other is also only 5 BTUs and I'm using it to cool the remaining area of my apt which is pretty big, and that one works fine!

[AbbaRabbit]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 6:23pm

i've never had anything but a window unit so i dont have anything to compare it to.

Posted: 6/9/08 at 6:31pm

Yes, very much so. If your window units are older than 5 years, it's probably worth it to replace them.

[artscallion]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 7:25pm

The newer ones also weigh much, much less than the older ones.

[Mamie]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 9:12pm

I subscribe to Consumer's Reports on line and they've got updated ratings on room air conditioners. They rate them on a lot of different items - with energy use just being one of them. It would really be worth it if you took out a subscription before buying and take a look at the article and the ratings.

[Auggie27]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 9:21pm

All good advice and info. Keep it coming. Much appreciated. I've actually heard that people buy them that are too big. I will investigate.

[cfmiller]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 10:08pm

Make sure you measure cubic feet, not square feet when coming to your measurements. And get one just slightly higher than what you need-in a heat wave, you will be glad you did!

[tagiunagi]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 10:24pm

What's a good price for an AC?

[ashley0139]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 11:25pm

I actually just bought one today- a 5000 BTU for my small room in my small apartment. Haven't set it up yet, but I hope it works.

It was $99.99 at Home Depot, which I thought was very reasonable.

[brdlwyr]

Posted: 6/10/08 at 12:35am

Yes, window units are more efficient these days! The pumps and motors use less watts.

We live in a house and do not have central air. We use a big unit on the first floor and smaller units for the bedrooms. We save hundreds of dollars and use less energy by not cooling the kitchen and bathrooms 24/7.
Updated On: 6/10/08 at 12:35 AM

[Auggie27]

Posted: 6/10/08 at 8:30am

Someone told me, if an outlet will accomodate a standards hair dryer, just about any c/c unit 2008 vintage should work easily. Does that sound right? I'm moving into a circa 1920 building, but with electrical updates obvious (it has a dishwasher, all outlets are new, and even the fuse box looks no more than 10 years old). In general, running two small units at the same time is the max in NY when I lived there. It is true that central is very wasteful -- and that everyone sets the temp too low. Better to keep it higher and use ceiling fans, etc.

By the way -- ceiling fans do NOT use much power at all, right? I believe in those.

[madbrian]

Posted: 6/10/08 at 9:27am

Since you have high ceilings, you might need a slightly larger unit than what is called for based on square footage. Also, a ceiling fan can be very effective with high ceilings.

Even though units are more efficient, check your wiring to make sure the circuit you'll be using can support the unit plus whatever else you're using.