The Best Energy-Efficient Air Conditioners of 2024
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Keep your home cool and comfortable—and avoid the shock of a high utility bill.
If you need relief from those hot summer days but your traditional AC unit is driving up your utility costs, it’s time to upgrade to an energy-efficient air conditioner. The average window air conditioner uses 900 watts of energy per hour, while a central air conditioning unit can use upward of 3,000 watts per hour on hot days. At the average utility rate of 10 cents per kilowatt-hour, a central AC unit can add as much as $90 to your monthly utility bill.
Fortunately, there are energy-efficient models that can slash those utility expenses. These Energy Star–certified air conditioners use smart technology, inverters, and other cutting-edge technologies to decrease the amount of energy an air conditioner uses. With a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) rating of 28 and smart features that make it easy to optimize its operation, the Lennox SL28XCV Air Conditioner is our recommended choice for most people. Read on to learn more about what makes an air conditioner energy efficient, and don’t miss our list of the best energy-efficient air conditioners on the market, some of which we even tested.
- BEST OVERALL: Lennox SL28XCV Air Conditioner
↓ Jump to Review - RUNNER-UP: Amana AVXC20 Air Conditioner
↓ Jump to Review - BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Keystone Energy Star 5,000 BTU Air Conditioner
↓ Jump to Review - BEST WINDOW UNIT: LG 14,000 BTU Dual Inverter Window Air Conditioner
↓ Jump to Review - BEST MINI-SPLIT: MrCool DIY 4th Gen Mini-Split Air Conditioner
↓ Jump to Review - BEST PORTABLE: Whynter ARC-14S 14,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner
↓ Jump to Review - BEST THROUGH-THE-WALL: Frigidaire 8,000 BTU Built-In Air Conditioner
↓ Jump to Review - BEST INVERTER: Midea 8,000 BTU U-Shaped Air Conditioner
↓ Jump to Review
Our Top Picks
The models below are some of the best air conditioners on the market for energy efficiency. They are Energy Star certified and loaded with features that will help you regulate their use for maximum energy savings.
Best Overall
Lennox SL28XCV Air Conditioner
Photo: Lennox
Product Specs
- Energy efficiency: 28 SEER
- Type: Split with inverter compressor
- British thermal units (BTUs): 22,400 to 57,000
What We Like
- High SEER rating
- Quiet operation thanks to inverter compressor
- Works with Lennox’s iComfort S30 smart thermostat
What We Don’t Like
- One of the most expensive AC units on the market
The SL28XCV takes over for Lennox’s XC25, which had been widely regarded as being the most energy-efficient central AC unit money could buy with its 26 SEER rating. The SL28XCV takes it up a notch by achieving sky-high efficiency ratings of 28 SEER and 17.6 EER, thanks to a variable-speed inverter compressor. Those ratings put it well above the government’s minimum efficiency rating of 14 SEER for Energy Star–certified air conditioners.
Additionally, a user can cut costs even further by pairing the SL28XCV with Lennox’s iComfort S30 smart thermostat to program on/off times and set schedules. The inverter compressor also has the added benefit of being quieter than most AC units, registering at just 56 decibels. And while the high efficiency comes with a high price tag, the Lennox can make up for those costs fairly quickly in energy savings, as the SL28XCV is 63 percent more efficient than a 10 SEER unit. The SL28XCV comes in four sizes ranging from 22,400 to 57,000 BTUs.
Get the Lennox energy-efficient air conditioner through a Lennox dealer.
Runner-up
Amana AVXC20 Air Conditioner
Photo: Amana
Product Specs
- Energy efficiency: 24.5 SEER
- Type: Split air conditioner
- BTUs: 24,200 to 53,000
What We Like
- High SEER rating of 24.5
- Comes with ComfortBridge technology
- Quiet-operation design
What We Don’t Like
- Expensive up-front cost
Amana’s Energy Star–certified AVXC20 ranks as one of the most efficient central air conditioners on the market, thanks to its 24.5 SEER rating. Like other high-efficiency air conditioners, Amana achieves this rating with an inverter varied-speed compressor that keeps energy use low. The AVXC20 is also equipped with Amana’s ComfortBridge technology, which automatically makes adjustments based on an analysis of HVAC system performance data, minimizing the amount of energy used.
In addition to being energy efficient, the AVXC20 is quiet. Depending on the unit’s size, the decibel ratings range from 59 to 75. Its design includes a sound-reduction cover consisting of high-density foam.
Get the Amana energy-efficient air conditioner through an Amana dealer.
Best Bang For The Buck
Keystone Energy Star 5,000 BTU Air Conditioner
Photo: Walmart
Product Specs
- Energy efficiency: 12.1 Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER)
- Type: Window air conditioner
- BTUs: 5,000
What We Like
- Excellent EER
- Remote control with integrated thermostat for even cooling
- Programmable on/off timer
What We Don’t Like
- Only suitable for smaller rooms
The operating modes and energy-efficiency rating of this small window air conditioner make it an excellent option for anyone needing an affordable way to cool a single room. With its 12.1 EER rating, this Keystone model might be the best room air conditioner on the market. In addition to its Energy Star certification, it features operating modes that allow it to cut even more energy costs, including an energy-saver mode and an on/off timer the user can program to turn it off when the room is not in use.
At 5,000 BTUs, the Keystone is capable of cooling spaces up to 150 square feet, making it one of the best small air conditioner options on the market. It also comes with a remote control that doubles as the unit’s thermostat, making it easier to operate while also ensuring an even temperature throughout the space.
Get the Keystone energy-efficient air conditioner at Amazon, The Home Depot, or Walmart.
Best Window Unit
LG 14,000 BTU Dual Inverter Window Air Conditioner
Photo: The Home Depot
Product Specs
- Energy efficiency: 14.7 Combined Energy Efficiency Ratio (CEER)
- Type: Window air conditioner
- BTUs: 14,000
What We Like
- Energy Star certification saves energy and cost
- Wi-Fi ready; can be adjusted via smartphone app
- Produces just 44 decibels of noise on sleep setting
What We Don’t Like
- Large size may not fit some windows
Despite its large 14,000 BTU output, which is enough to cool an 800-square-foot room, this window AC unit is efficient enough to earn a 14.7 CEER. And, since dual-inverter compressors operate more quietly than standard compressors, the LG is one of the quietest window air conditioning units on the market, producing just 44 decibels when set to sleep mode.
With its smooth front, LG’s 14,000 BTU AC unit is also one of the sleeker-looking air conditioners on the market. It’s Wi-Fi ready and uses LGThinQ technology, which allows the user to control the air conditioner from virtually anywhere via the compatible app.
Get the LG energy-efficient air conditioner at Amazon.
Best Mini-split
MrCool DIY 4th Gen Mini-Split Air Conditioner
Photo: The Home Depot
Product Specs
- Energy efficiency: 22 SEER
- Type: Mini-split
- BTUs: 18,000
What We Like
- High SEER rating
- Wi-Fi connectivity allows for smartphone control
- Follow Me function promotes even cooling
- Design for DIY installation
What We Don’t Like
- Pricier than similar units
While this Energy Star–certified air conditioner’s 22 SEER efficiency rating is impressive, what really sets this 18,000 BTU AC unit from MrCool apart from other energy-efficient mini-splits is its smart connectivity. It can connect to Wi-Fi, allowing the user to turn the air conditioner off or on, set schedules, and adjust the temperature—all via a smartphone. It’s also compatible with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, and there’s a wall-mounted thermostat and remote control.
The device’s Follow Me function allows it to sense temperatures through the remote for more even cooling. This unit is also ideal for those who don’t care to pay installation charges: It’s DIY ready with lines that are precharged with freon and fitted with quick connectors that make it easy to install.
Get the MrCool energy-efficient air conditioner at The Home Depot or MrCool DIY Direct.
Whynter ARC-14S 14,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner
Photo: Amazon
Product Specs
- Energy efficiency: Not rated
- Type: Portable
- BTUs: 14,000
What We Like
- Can cool larger spaces
- Sleek design and digital controls
- Auto-drain technology creates more efficient cooling
What We Don’t Like
- One of the most expensive portable air conditioners
One won’t find any Energy Star–rated portable air conditioners—the federal government doesn’t include them in the program—but if they did, Whynter’s ARC-14S would certainly deserve the rating. It’s the best energy-efficient portable air conditioner on the market. This is due in large part due to its use of auto-drain technology, a process that recycles moisture collected during the cooling process to create more cool air, and the use of two exhaust hoses, a design that improves its ability to create cool air.
Those technologies give the ARC-14S an impressive 14,000 BTUs, enough to cool up to 500 square feet. In addition to being powerful and efficient, the ARC-14 also isn’t the eyesore that some portable air conditioning units are, thanks to its sleek black design and digital controls. Despite weighing 100 pounds, the ARC-14S remains movable as a result of four ample casters that allow it to be rolled from room to room.
What our tester says: Tom Scalisi, Bob Vila writer and product tester, notes in The Best Air Conditioners that “while it’s a bit of an armful, we found that the wheels were a big help with moving it about. It set up quickly in our 600-square-foot room (slightly larger than it’s rated for) and it had the ability to cool the room in just 10 minutes. We also appreciated its slim design, a great difference from bulkier, more traditional portable air conditioners.
Get the Whynter energy-efficient air conditioner at Amazon, The Home Depot, or Wayfair.
Frigidaire 8,000 BTU Built-In Air Conditioner
Photo: AJ Madison
Product Specs
- Energy efficiency: 10.6 CEER
- Type: Through-the-wall
- BTUs: 8,000
What We Like
- Includes remote control with thermostat
- Multiple modes for energy savings
- Quick-cool function rapidly chills a room
What We Don’t Like
- More expensive than comparable models
With its Energy Star certification, this 8,000 BTU air conditioner from Frigidaire is a great option for those looking for a through-the-wall option. It comes with a remote control that allows the user to set specific thermostat temperatures or engage one of its many modes. It also comes with an energy-saver mode and a timer that allows the user to program the unit to automatically turn off or on.
A 280-cubic-feet-per-minute fan provides ample circulation for this AC unit, which can cool larger rooms up to 350 square feet. The thermostat located in the remote control allows for more even cooling throughout