There are several differences between the available Energy Star air conditioners that are currently on the market such as features, functions, and price. In this article you will learn what the differences between various air conditioners are so that you can choose one that will work best for you.

The first and most important thing to keep in mind while choosing an air conditioner is the British Thermal Unit (BTU). This number will tell you the cooling capacity of the air conditioner in which you are looking at. For portable air conditioners, this number will typically be below six thousand, although you may find one that exceeds this number. Make sure that you buy an air conditioner that’s maximum cooling capacity matches the size of the room that you plan to cool.

Since All Energy Star compliant portable air conditioners are required to save you at least ten percent over a normal air conditioner, you will not need to place a lot of emphasis on this. But, if you are interested in squeezing every ounce of energy savings from your new air conditioner, you should know that some Energy Star units will exceed ten percent.

The price of the unit that you buy will depend on a number of factors such as brand name, model, special features, BTU, and energy saving percentages. Because there are so many brand names available, which all feature the Energy Star label; it is far beyond the scope of this article to review each one. Sound advice would be to contact your local vendor, and ask for a consultation concerning the difference between brand names.

The model refers to the year in which the air conditioner was manufactured. You can save money by purchasing the previous year’s model, although you may not enjoy cutting edge features included in newer models. Some special features are reverse cycle, directional vents, timers, digital displays, and remote controls. All of these special features will typically add to the price that you will pay for your new air conditioner.

After reading this short article, I hope that you will be better suited to select an appropriate Energy Star portable air conditioner, which will meet the needs that you have, and save you money on your energy bill too.

If window air conditioning units are not allowed because of building restrictions, a portable air conditioner is a great alternative. A portable air conditioner is easy to move from one room to another and does not require any major reconstruction to install. These units may be vented through an already existing window using a flexible hose, or the hoses may be vented through a hanging ceiling or wall.

The cooling power of a portable air conditioner is measured in British Thermal Units or BTU’s. The compact units may be as small as 5000 BTU’s for cooling of tiny areas, or more powerful units can be purchased with as many as 30,000 BTU’s. By choosing the level of cooling necessary to fit the floor space, consumers can be sure that these portable air conditioners are energy efficient and environmentally friendly.

Inexpensive portable air conditioners provide for simple cooling needs, but more expensive models provide additional features. Some units also dehumidify the air. Some have variable speed options for the fan. Others even have a convenient remote control included. Although some portable air conditioners require that the condensation collect in a pan which must be emptied daily, other units are self-evaporating or contain a pump which eliminates the need for a pan.

While many window air conditioners are excessively noisy, many portable air conditioners function with only a slight hum, no louder than the sound of a computer modem. These units may also be attached to a generator in case of a power outage. They can even be less expensive to operate than some of the other methods of cooling a room.

Portable air conditioners are an excellent source of emergency cooling, particularly for rooms that contain sensitive electronic equipment. Some of the models even provide heat as well as cooling. These would be especially useful in emergency situations. Because installation is quick and easy and these units can be stored away when not in use, portable air conditioners can be the ideal solution for many homes and businesses.