Buy an Energy Star Air Conditioner

Photo: LG

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When the heat is sweltering, cooling costs really add up, to as much as $375 per year for an average household. Maximizing energy efficiency is a great way to decrease your energy demand, and its cost.

Buying Energy Star air conditioners ensures you'll save on ongoing costs once you install your unit. Room air conditioners must be at least 10% more efficient than typical models to achieve an Energy Star rating, and central air must be at least 14%.

Compare models on the Energy Star website before making a purchase, because while the vast majority of the 1,000-plus qualifying units barely meet the standards, a handful exceed it significantly. Compared to the typical, these nine models use at least 25% less energy:

• Turbo Air - TAS-09EH
• Turbo Air - TAS-12EH
• Turbo Air - TAS-18EH
• Unionaire - RAC20A6HR
• Friedrich - YS09L10 ($1,179 at amazon.com
• Unionaire - RAC24A6HR
• Friedrich - YS10M10 ($1,189 at amazon.com)
• Unionaire - RAC20A6CR
• Unionaire - RAC20A6ER

If you're in the market for a central air conditioner, check energystar.gov, where the agency plans to post new information soon about which Energy Star equipment is most efficient.

Related: Air Conditioner Buying Tips from the Good Housekeeping Research Institute

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