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Choosing the Best Air Conditioner Option

A portable air conditioner sits next to a window

When the weather heats up, nothing cools you and your home down like an air conditioner. But which is the best air conditioner for you? When selecting an AC unit, there are several crucial factors to keep in mind.

First, consider your budget—determining how much you’re willing to invest for an air conditioner is essential. Next, take into account any physical or structural restrictions in your space. Additionally, think about your specific needs, such as BTUs, room size and electrical requirements. If you need a hand, don’t worry – we’ll show you everything you need to know in this handy guide.

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Types of Air Conditioners

Portable Air Conditioners

Portable Air Conditioners

Portable air conditioning units are a great choice because they can be easily moved from room to room depending on your daily needs.

Most portable air conditioners have the capability to cool a room up to approximately 300-400 square feet in size, though cooling times can vary depending on the unit. They tend to be more on the noisier side, so consider a unit with a quiet mode or sleep mode.

When selecting the best portable air conditioner for you – remember that some units can also come with advanced features like dehumidification, Wi-Fi connectivity, remote control and more.

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Window-Mounted Air Conditioners

Window-Mounted Air Conditioners

What is the right sized window AC unit for you?

This air conditioner type can comfortably cool between 300 and 1,600 square feet. They’re a cost-effective cooling solution and can come with some convenient features like removable filters for easy cleaning, adjustable air flow guides to direct your cooling more easily and even remote control.

Window-mounted air conditioning units can also be easily removed and stored with the change of seasons.

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Through-the-Wall Air Conditioners

Through-the-Wall Air Conditioners

These types of air conditioner units are similar to window-mounted units. The real advantage of through-the-wall air conditioners, though, is that they can be installed and sealed permanently so less cool air leaks back outside, which will save you money in the short and long run. 

They also don’t take up window space, keeping your views unobstructed. They can come with a range of features including remote control, Wi-Fi connectivity and more.

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Mini Split or Ductless Air Conditioners

Mini Split or Ductless Air Conditioners

Mini-split air conditioners, also known as ductless systems, can both cool and heat your home, and offer a few advantages over traditional HVAC units.

Their ductless design helps to eliminate energy losses associated with ductwork, which results in quieter operation and potential energy savings.

Mini-splits are much quieter than traditional units, great for targeted cooling for specific areas and consist of an outdoor compressor unit connected to indoor air handling units via refrigerant lines.

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Close up of a central air conditioner unit next to a home’s exterior wall

Central Air Conditioner Units

Central air conditioners provide consistent cooling throughout your entire house.

The benefit of having a central air unit is that it cools every room in your home simultaneously, ensuring comfort for everyone when they need it.

These systems are energy-efficient, operate quietly, and can even improve indoor air quality by filtering out dust and allergens.

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What Size Air Conditioner Should You Buy?

The key is to determine exactly the right size for you. Too small an air conditioner will continuously run and will not adequately cool a room. Too large a unit will tend to cycle off too quickly. The unit will not properly remove moisture from the air and may freeze, resulting in a higher energy bill. Ask a qualified air-conditioning technician for a thorough analysis so that you get exactly what you need.

BTU Calculator: Choose the Right BTU for Your AC Unit

Selecting the right BTU (British Thermal Unit) for your room size will ensure you have the most energy-efficient cooling system for your home. BTU ratings are numbers that tell you how quickly and effectively a unit can cool a room. Generally, ratings range from 5,000 to more than 25,000 BTUs. When an oversized air conditioner is used in a small space, it cycles on and off and wastes energy, decreasing the unit’s ability to dehumidify the room. Alternatively, if a unit has too few BTUs, it will not be able to cool a large space efficiently.

It’s important to consider factors such as ceiling height, room insulation, sun exposure, location and your area’s climate when choosing a unit with the right BTU rating. Here are some helpful tips:

  • Rooms with excessive sunlight should have a unit with 10% more BTUs than what is required by the room size.
  • When placing a unit in the kitchen, select one with an additional 4,000 BTUs than what is required by the room size.
  • For higher traffic rooms or rooms that regularly contain more than two people, add an additional 600 BTUs per person. 

BTU Calculator for Window Air Conditioners

Room Size Recommended BTUs
Between 150-350 square feet
 5,000-8,000 BTUs
Between 400-550 square feet
 9,000-12,000 BTUs
Between 600-1,000 square feet
 12,000-18,000 BTUs
Between 1,000-1,500+ square feet
 24,500 BTUs

BTU Calculator for Portable Air Conditioners

Room Size Recommended BTUs
Max 200 square feet
 8,000 BTUs
Max 300 square feet
 10,000 BTUs
Max 400 square feet
 12,000 BTUs
Max 600 square feet
 14,000 BTUs

Before You Buy

  1. 2 Check your connections

    Find the power source (such as a nearby outlet) and make sure to match the unit to that outlet. 

  1. 3 Measure to fit

    Measure the height and width of the opening and check the dimensions of the air conditioner to make sure it will fit.

Energy Efficient Air Conditioners

When it comes to the most energy-efficient there are three ratings you need to look out for: EER, CEER and SEER ratings.

EER (Energy Efficiency Ratio) is a general rating and measures how efficiently an air conditioner cools a room by calculating the ratio of BTU’s per hour to energy input. A higher EER number indicates better efficiency.

SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) is a rating used for central air conditioners and heat pumps, and measures efficiency the same way as the EER rating. The SEER rating, however, also takes into account outside temperatures and fan speeds. A higher SEER number means a more efficient unit.

CEER (Combined Energy Efficiency Ratio) is a rating used for window air conditioners, combining the EER rating system with stand-by and power off energy consumption. A larger CEER number indicates a more energy efficient unit.

Choose a brand of air conditioner with a high EER, SEER or CEER rating to be sure that you’re getting the most efficient one for your home.

Also, consider ENERGY STAR® certified air conditioners. According to Natural Resources Canada, “The ENERGY STAR® symbol is the internationally recognized and trusted mark of high efficiency. By choosing to buy an ENERGY STAR® qualified central air conditioner that is sized correctly for your home, you can help to reduce greenhouse gasses and smog precursors, realize substantial electrical savings and increase your household's comfort. The ENERGY STAR® specification for central air conditioners requires that the EnerGuide SEER rating is 12 or greater for a single-package unit and 13 or more for a split system.”

Extra Air Conditioner Features

Here is a list of features that people commonly look for when purchasing a new air conditioner:

Easy-Access Filters
 Makes cleaning or replacing the filter easy.
Humidifier/Dehumidifiers Use the dehumidifier in the summer to remove dampness from the air and the humidifier in the winter to return moisture to the air.
Multiple Cooling and Fan Settings Allows you to adjust the device according to your needs.
Slide-Out Chassis Allows for easy installation.
Energy-Saver Options Will save you money on your energy bills and it's a better choice for the environment.
24 Hour On/Off Timer Enables you to program the air conditioner to turn on and off at specific times.
Remote Control Gives you the option to adjust the temperature without getting up.
Quiet Operation Sound sensitive air conditioners cool the house without all the noise.

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