Single Room Air Conditioner - Portable and Window Room Air Conditioners

If you are looking to buy a window air conditioner, you can still be as efficient as possible, just make sure to buy one with a SEER rating. SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating and air conditioning units can usually be found with SEER ratings between ten and seventeen. The higher the SEER number, the more energy efficient the unit will be.

Make sure that you check first for energy rebates from the federal government or you local or state government or utility company because if one is offered, there’s usually a minimum SEER rating to qualify for it. You may also be able to find a list of recommended units.

Besides window units, there are also stand alone air conditioners that are actually on wheels, so you can easily move it from room to room when you need to.  With one of these units, you can use it in your family room or office, or wherever you are spending time, and then at bedtime, move it to your bedroom so you can sleep comfortably.

Here’s a useful tip for installing or placing your air conditioning unit: whenever possible, install or place it in a shaded area because the cooler the unit itself remains, the more efficiently it will run.

Maintenance on these types of units if fairly easy and can be done without the need for a professional. First, unplug the unit. Then get a can of jet/air spray to easily clean out the fins. Also make sure you clean the evaporator coil, the fan, the condenser fins, and the tubes. Next, replace the filter, or try to vacuum away the dust and debris from that collects on the filter.

If you notice that the fins sometimes bend, buy an inexpensive fan/fin comb to straighten them out. Using the comb periodically to keep the fins straight will make a significant difference in how efficiently the unit runs.