8 Most Energy Efficient Window Air Conditioners For Reduced Bills

1. Frigidaire FFRE053WAE - Editor’s Choice

Frigidaire FFRE053WAE is a pretty incredible little machine.

It may not be the most powerful, but the energy efficiency and features it offers put it above most air conditioners that are direct competitors.

In terms of power consumption, there’s not much to talk about since this highly energy-efficient AC unit barely consumes it.

Its 12.1 EER matches many other units, but the Frigidaire makes about the best possible use out of every watt.

This Energy Star-certified window AC unit has the lowest annual energy use on my list at only 309.9 kWh/year.

I didn’t notice any change in my electricity bills during testing, even when I wasn't using eco mode.

The Frigidaire’s performance is excellent for its 5,000 BTU cooling capacity. Its rated coverage area stands at 150 square feet (sq ft).

Still, the power was more than enough to cool a poorly insulated 170 sq ft attic space in 20 minutes.

I don't recommend overshooting the rated square footage since it quickly compromises the unit's excellent energy efficiency.

I'm just saying this Frigidaire punches above its weight.

Another factor that sets the Frigidaire apart from its competitors is its full 3-in-1 (AC, fan, dehumidifier) functionality, combined with an eco and sleep mode.

Having this much adjustability is rare in 5,000 BTU air conditioners.

You can adjust the multiple settings effortlessly with the easy-to-use front panel or the display-equipped remote control — again, a rarity in the 5K class.

The remote even features a portable thermostat that can adjust the AC based on its location.

As a crowning cherry on this AC, the build quality exceeds its modest price tag. I ran the unit for a month straight, and it didn't as much as cough.

The only grumble I have is the noise. Frigidaire promises this is an ultra-quiet 50 dB unit, but I measured a 55 dB noise level at the lowest setting.

It’s still perfectly average with noise — just not what the box promises you. The Amana window AC unit next on my list is slightly quieter.

The installation instructions are also sub-par, but fortunately, the unit is lightweight and simple to mount anyway.

If you’re looking to keep your small room cool, you can’t do it much more energy-efficiently than with this window AC.

2. Amana AMAP050BW - Best Budget Option 

If you’re looking for an energy-efficient window unit air conditioner, the unit’s budget-friendliness probably matters to you.

Amana AMAP050BW will please your wallet with both its low price and great energy savings.

On paper, this window AC unit loses to its Frigidaire 5K BTU competitor.

It has a slightly lower 11 EER rating, and it's not Energy Star-rated — but that's not the whole story.

The Amana’s annual energy costs are only marginally higher than Frigidaire’s, despite it drawing a bit more power.

The bottom line is that you will barely notice this window air conditioner on your electricity bill.

One factor contributing to the energy savings is the Amana’s manual controls.

It has two simple control knobs on the front panel: one for choosing between high and low AC or fan and another for picking one of the seven temperature settings.

Sure, you’ll have to walk to the unit to adjust it. At the same time, though, it doesn’t waste power on LCD displays and remote control connections.

The simple controls don’t mean this window unit lacks in capability.

Its 5,000 BTU cooling capacity is enough for a 150 sq ft coverage area, but it can deal with a bit more than that.

I wouldn't use this unit anywhere above its coverage area, but that's not what it's designed for anyway.

In an appropriately sized room, I enjoyed pleasant and cool indoor temperatures within 30 minutes, even with blazing 100 degrees outside.

The Amana edges ahead of the Frigidaire in the noise department.

Whereas its competitor promises 50 dB noise levels at the low setting, this one actually delivers. It's a reasonably quiet window air conditioner.

This unit also offers eight-way airflow control.

Being able to freely adjust the air direction can make a big positive difference if you can’t place the unit in an ideally located window space.

The build quality is admittedly pretty cheap, and the loose panels may rattle as the unit runs.

There's an easy fix, though — stick some foam between the panels or tape them to the frame.

This Amana window AC is a basic device in the best possible way.

There's nothing fancy or superfluous about it — it provides affordable cooling, and that's enough.

3. Danby DAC060EB6WDB - Energy Efficient Window AC With Value for Money

Who doesn't love getting a lot of bang for your back?

Danby DAC060EB6WDB delivers a 1-2-3 value combo with an affordable cost, high energy efficiency, and excellent cooling capacity for small and medium-sized spaces.

The Danby provides the same kind of efficiency as the list-topping Frigidaire, offering an excellent 12.1 EER rating and an Energy Star label.

Although the estimated annual energy use and costs are marginally higher than on the Frigidaire, you'll still barely notice this air conditioner on your power bill.

Besides, there's a good reason this machine eats one bite more electricity.

Danby ups the cooling capacity compared to the previous duo, bringing it to 6,000 BTU.

That gives this window unit a coverage area of 250 sq ft — enough for a medium-sized living room, for example.

The unit uses the electricity it consumes efficiently to produce a strong flow of cold air.

With 100°F temperatures outside, I cooled a room at the upper end of the rated coverage area down to 71°F in around 30 minutes.

As an interesting fact, the Danby was even able to push the temp below its 64°F stated minimum capacity.

I should note that pushing the machine that far isn't good for its longevity, but it does demonstrate Danby's cooling chops.

In functionality, this air conditioner is comparable to the Frigidaire.

It has the same three primary use modes (AC, fan, dehumidifier), alongside a timer and eco and sleep mode options.

The electronic controls are also similar, and the unit is straightforward to use.

You even get a similar portable thermostat on the display-equipped remote control for automatically adjusting the AC.

The range of the remote thermostat is shorter than Frigidaire's, but it still works nicely.

And the best part is that you get all of this at a surprisingly low initial cost.

Really, the only thing I can complain about with the Danby is the… "unique" front grille appearance.

Still, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and you may find the large-eyed mesh appealing.

Overall, the two words to summarize this Danby AC are “great value.”

4. Friedrich Chill Premier CCW06B10B - Recommended Option for Small Spaces

Friedrich is one of the most popular window air conditioner brands for a reason.

The company’s Chill Premier CCW06B10B is an energy-efficient window AC unit for medium rooms that comes packed with smart home features.

In many ways, the Friedrich resembles its Danby competitor.

This Energy Star-certified machine bears a 12.1 EER rating (energy efficiency rating), so you can rely on it bringing home nice energy savings.

The estimated annual energy use is identical to Danby at around 371 kWh/year.

Still, the unit does draw a few watts more power, which results in marginally higher annual estimated energy costs.

So, where does that extra electricity go?

It feeds the built-in Wi-Fi module.

The Chill Premier supports full smartphone connectivity, allowing you to control its 3-in-1 functionality (including eco and sleep mode) from anywhere. 

You can even hook it up to an Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant.

The Wi-Fi can be temperamental unless your network is set to a 2.4 Ghz frequency.

Most modern routers default to 5 Ghz, so if you keep losing connection, I recommend checking your router settings.

If you'd prefer to use traditional controls, you can do everything the Wi-Fi does through the front panel or the included remote.

The remote is picky about the range and use angles, though, since it's an infrared unit.

In terms of cooling capacity, the Friedrich sports 6,000 BTUs of power, which is enough for up to 250-square-foot rooms.

The unit’s thermostat is highly accurate, allowing it to use every available BTU optimally and avoid racking up your power bills unnecessarily.

Sadly, Friedrich's overall build quality has dipped in recent years. The Chill Premier feels flimsy, and its body panels may rattle as the compressor runs.

That's nothing some foam or a bit of duct tape won't fix, though.

The build quality is a particular bummer, considering this unit's generally high cost.

That said, keep an eye out on Amazon — the Chill Premier is often on sale for a much more reasonable price.

In the end, Friedrich Chill Premier is still an excellent choice for cooling medium rooms, particularly if you want the convenience of Wi-Fi controls.

5. Midea U MAW10V1QWT - Premium Window AC Unit

Midea is well-known for its affordable basic window air conditioners for small spaces.

The Midea U, however, shows that the brand can build a premium AC as well.

This unit has the most cooling power out of any machine on my list.

It packs a whopping 10,000 BTU of cooling capacity, translating to a 450 sq ft coverage area.

The cool air blows out strongly, and you can actually feel the airflow the advertised 20 feet away.

I had no trouble bringing a room about 100 square feet above the rated coverage area down to comfortable temps with triple-digit weather outside.

All that power should mean the Midea U guzzles electricity, but it has an ace up its sleeve.

Unlike other units on my list, this Energy Star-certified window air conditioner uses an inverter compressor, which results in a shocking 15 EER rating.

The estimated annual energy usage sits at 500 kWh/year, and the cost at $52 — barely higher than Friedrich's, which has 4,000 BTUs less power.

This unit does draw up to 10 amps of current, though, so keep that in mind when plugging it in.

Another benefit of the inverter compressor is the unit’s very quiet operation.

I measured the running noise at about 48 dB on average, which beats most other units I’ve listed.

Like Friedrich, the Midea U can connect to a smartphone or voice assistant through Wi-Fi.

The connection is more stable than the former unit's, and the mobile app can track the AC's energy consumption.

As its name implies, this unit has a U-shaped saddle design, with the window pane sliding between the indoor console and the compressor.

The window provides further sound insulation while the unit still allows you to see outside.

The unique shape, however, makes this AC more challenging to install.

It's relatively straightforward once everything clicks in place, but the substandard instructions, combined with the unit's weight, make the job more challenging.

The Midea U is worth the effort, though. When comparing energy usage to cooling power, this unit is pretty much unbeatable.

6. Haier Serenity ESAQ406TZ - Offers Easiest Installation

With your home turning into a sauna, a lengthy AC installation process is the last thing you want.

Haier Serenity Series ESAQ406TZ makes getting your energy-efficient window air conditioner hooked up as simple as it will get.

This Haier unit stands on the same line as the Friedrich, Danby, and Frigidaire, offering a 12.1 EER rating and Energy Star certification.

As such, you can rely on it being an energy-efficient choice.

The 490-watt energy draw is identical to Frigidaire and Danby.

However, the annual estimated energy use is roughly 397 kWh/year, resulting in an approximate yearly energy cost of $52.

The Haier makes good use of that power by bumping its cooling capacity to 6,200 BTU.

Although on paper that corresponds to 250 sq ft of cooling area, the Haier packs a bit heavier punch than the other 6K units.

What makes this window air conditioner so easy to install is the EZ Mount window kit supplied in the box.

This is one of the better mounting kits I've seen for window AC units and features nice quality parts for hooking the machine up to your window sill.

Another factor contributing to easy mounting is the excellent packaging.

It’s sturdy enough to protect the unit even from the clumsiest UPS driver while allowing you to easily pull the unit out.

I had this thing set up in about 10 minutes — something of a record.

Once I had it running, this AC surprised me with how little noise it made.

It's on the same level as the Midea, making it a great option for a medium or small bedroom.

The louvers on the unit point upward, which is a good thing as it helps distribute cool air more evenly.

It does slow down the cooling effect, though, so take it into account in your energy use calculations.

On the back of the unit is a water plug, which allows you to empty condensation from the unit.

It can be useful in humid regions, but draining the AC does reduce its energy efficiency.

The Haier is a bit heavy, too, but fortunately, the good install kit means it doesn’t matter much.

7. GE Profile PHC06LY - Quietest Energy-Efficient Window AC

The GE Profile PHC06LY has a lot of similarities with the Haier unit, which isn't surprising considering Haier owns GE these days.

That said, the GE edges ahead in one regard — noise.

Or perhaps I should say lack of noise. This is an incredibly quiet window AC unit!

The advertising materials promise a 40 dB noise level, and the unit actually achieves it on the lowest setting.

On medium, I measured 45 dB of noise three feet away, which is even better than the inverter-equipped Midea.

While it’s not quite as energy-efficient as most models on my list, the GE’s 11.5 EER score (energy efficiency rating) is higher than the Amana unit's.

At around 520 watts, the power draw is high, but the GE makes good use of the electricity.

Case in point, its estimated annual energy cost is $52, identical to its Haier relative.

The GE also matches the Haier in cooling capacity, providing 6,200 BTU, which is enough for 250 sq ft.

This unit’s cool airflow was strong enough to get my ceiling fan turning on the highest setting.

With the upward-slanted vents (again, same as Haier), the cooling power is outstanding in an appropriately sized room.

Installing this window air conditioner is straightforward since it comes with the same EZ Mount kit as the Haier (they really are relatives).

The GE weighs a bit more, though, so you have to put a bit more muscle into the process.

Another family feature is the drain plug on the back of the unit. As I said, draining the unit may occasionally be necessary in high-humidity climates.

Still, you need some cooling water in the drain pan to maximize energy-efficient operation.

This GE AC sports Wi-Fi capabilities, giving it smart home features comparable to the Friedrich and Media U machines.

You should keep the remote control at hand, though, because GE has made an incomprehensible decision of allowing you to activate the sleep mode only through the remote.

Finally, I want to note that the GE is one of the best-looking ACs on my list. The aesthetics are welcome because it pokes inside more than most.

Related Article - Top Quietest Window Air Conditioners

8. LG LW8016ER - Best for Larger Spaces

The last entry on my buying guide is certainly not the least.

LG LW8016ER dishes out more cooling power than most while still keeping things reasonably energy-efficient.

This LG window AC unit has a similar ratings to most other models on my list.

It bears a 12 EER rating and Energy Star certification, so there’s no doubt of its energy efficiency.

Now, the $65 estimated annual energy cost is admittedly the highest on my list.

However, you have to take into account that with its 8,000 BTU cooling power, it packs the second-biggest cooling punch right after the Midea U.

For a non-inverter window air AC, the LG is very energy-conservative.

With an estimated annual energy use of 500 kWh/y (same as the Midea), it consumes about half the electricity as comparable units without an Energy Star rating.

Those 8,000 BTUs of power are rated for spaces up to 300 sq ft in size.

That said, I was able to cool even a 500 sq ft room without problems during testing (remember, overshooting the coverage area ruins energy efficiency).

The LG serves up the usual 3-in-1 functionality.

I have to give a special shoutout to the effective dehumidifier mode, which, at 2.2 pints/hour, was the best I reviewed.

This unit will be great in high-humidity regions, particularly because it has a drain plug.

The display-less remote that comes with the unit is very basic, but it has a long range and good use angles.

The buttons are responsive, big, and distinctly shaped, making the remote easy to use even in the dark. With that said, it’s a pity this unit has no sleep mode.

You may not want this unit in your bedroom, though, because it is pretty loud.

Some of that noise (at least in my case) was due to the front filter panel, which was loosely attached and rattled during operation.

A piece of foam stuck between the panel and the unit cured that issue.

A little bit of rattling is a decent trade-off for this unit's low price point, though.

If you're looking for a value-packed, energy-efficient window air conditioner for medium to large living rooms, stop looking — you've found it.