This winter, my dad could no longer manage living alone so we moved him in with us. He ran central air all summer in his old place and he insists he’ll need a window unit in his room here. I explained that he won’t need more than a fan, but he’s not budging. Frankly, he doesn’t ask for much, so do you have any tips on buying the most efficient model?

You bet. The easiest way to make sure you're choosing an energy-efficient window air conditioner is to look for the ENERGY STAR^® label. Then, compare ENERGY STAR models by looking at their "Energy Efficiency Ratio" or EER. The higher the EER number the more efficient the air conditioner.

Just as important: Make sure that the model is the right size for your father’s room. An oversized air conditioner runs up the electric bill and leaves a room feeling damp and clammy. That’s because an oversized unit quickly cools a room without removing sufficient humidity. Visit our air conditioner section to view a sizing chart.

Kathleen for The Home Team