Window air conditioners can be lifesavers during the hot summer months, especially in older homes or apartments without central air. However, they can also drive up your energy bill if not used efficiently. To find the right size, look at the unit’s British thermal unit (Btu) rating. For example, a 150- to 250-square-foot room generally needs a unit with about 6,000 Btu, while a 350- to 450-square-foot room may need 10,000 Btu.

Setting the Right Temperature

The sweet spot for both comfort and efficiency is to set your thermostat at about 78 F (25.5 C) when you’re home. This is the recommended setting from the U.S. Department of Energy — cool enough to feel comfortable, but not so low that your unit is working overtime. When you leave the house, you can bump the temperature up by 5 to 7 degrees, especially if no one is home.

Most newer window air conditioners come with an ‘eco’ or ‘energy-saver’ mode. Unlike the standard cooling setting, which keeps the fan running continuously, eco mode cycles the fan on and off along with the compressor. When the room reaches your desired temperature, the whole unit shuts off and only comes back on when the temperature rises again.

Maintenance and Upgrades

One of the biggest factors affecting your window unit’s performance is a dirty air filter. A clogged filter forces the unit to work harder to pull in air, reducing its cooling efficiency and potentially damaging internal components. During peak summer use, check and clean the filter every two weeks. Most filters can be rinsed under warm water and dried before reinserting.

If your unit is more than 10 years old, it might be time for an upgrade. Newer models with the Energy Star label are certified to use less energy while delivering the same cooling power. Some also come with smart features that let you control them from your phone and automatically adjust to save power when you’re not home.

Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.