Room Air Conditioners 

Sizing
EnerGuide Label for Room A/C
EnerGuide Directory of Ratings
Operating Tips
Labelling Information

The EnerGuide label is the best tool available to help you select an energy-efficient room air conditioner. Look for the model with a high energy efficiency ratio (EER).

Canada's Energy Efficiency Regulations specify that room air conditioners must carry an EnerGuide label, which helps consumers obtain consistent and reliable information about the relative energy efficiency of room air conditioners for sale in Canada.

The EnerGuide label for room air conditioners looks a lot like the label for appliances, but in fact it is quite different.

• The bold number on the label for room air is known as the EER of the unit. The higher the number, the more energy efficient the model.
• (For the appliance label, the lower the kWh/yr number, the more efficient, because it uses less energy.)

Use the inverted triangle and the graduated bar on the label to compare the performance of a model to others in the same class. Class refers to the type: units with louvred sides are intended for installation in window openings, and are the most common types available today. Units with non-louvred sides are intended for through-the-wall installations. The cooling capacity category is also important and indicated near the bottom of the label.

• The further the triangle is to the right of the scale, the more energy efficient the model.
• (For the appliance label, if the triangle is close to the left, the model is more energy efficient).

To help consumers choose energy-efficient room air conditioners, Natural Resources Canada publishes a directory of models sold in Canada, with their energy ratings. The EnerGuide Room Air Conditioner Directory is available on line, or can be ordered from the Office of Energy Efficiency's virtual library, located at the following web address: http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/infosource.

The EnerGuide label for room air conditioners

The EnerGuide label is the best tool available to help you select an energy-efficient room air conditioner. Look for the model with a high energy efficiency ratio (EER).

Canada's Energy Efficiency Regulations specify that room air conditioners must carry an EnerGuide label, which helps consumers obtain consistent and reliable information about the relative energy efficiency of room air conditioners for sale in Canada.

The EnerGuide label for room air conditioners looks a lot like the label for appliances, but in fact it is quite different.

• The bold number on the label for room air is known as the EER of the unit. The higher the number, the more energy efficient the model.
• (For the appliance label, the lower the kWh/yr number, the more efficient, because it uses less energy.)

Use the inverted triangle and the graduated bar on the label to compare the performance of a model to others in the same class. Class refers to the type: units with louvred sides are intended for installation in window openings, and are the most common types available today. Units with non-louvred sides are intended for through-the-wall installations. The cooling capacity category is also important and indicated near the bottom of the label.

• The further the triangle is to the right of the scale, the more energy efficient the model.
• (For the appliance label, if the triangle is close to the left, the model is more energy efficient).

To help consumers choose energy-efficient room air conditioners, Natural Resources Canada publishes a directory of models sold in Canada, with their energy ratings. The EnerGuide Room Air Conditioner Directory is available on line, or can be ordered from the Office of Energy Efficiency's virtual library, located at the following web address: http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/infosource.

Legend
A Energy efficiency ratio (EER)* of the air conditioner.
B Energy efficiency ratio of the least energy-efficient model compared to others that fall within the same class (type and cooling capacity) as the model tested.
C Energy efficiency ratio of the most energy-efficient model compared to others that fall within the same class (type and cooling capacity) as the model tested.
D Energy efficiency ratio indicator. This indicator positions the model on a scale relative to others that fall within the same class (type and cooling capacity).
E Type and cooling capacity range of the model tested and similar models compared.
F Model number of unit.

Room Air Conditioner Operating Tips

Keep a room cool and use less energy by doing the following when using a room air conditioner:

• Select the warmest thermostat setting that delivers an acceptable level of comfort. A setting of 25°C is recommended.
• Don't let heat build up all day and then, in an effort to cool quickly, switch your air conditioner to its maximum setting.
• It's far more efficient to start the unit earlier in the day, letting the room cool gradually. A timer or programmable thermostat enables your air conditioner to cool and dehumidify slowly and efficiently.
• If the space is going to be unoccupied for more than four hours, set your thermostat to 28°C.
• Set the fan to operate continuously when you need air movement to maintain comfortable conditions.
• Use the "fan-only" mode (if available) in the evening and early morning to draw cooler outside air into the house.
• Close all doors leading to your air-conditioned space as much as possible to keep cool air in. Draw curtains and blinds to limit heat gain through windows.
• Shut closet doors to avoid cooling unused space. Close off fireplaces to prevent cool air from escaping up the chimney.
• Turn off lights and appliances when they aren't needed because they generate heat. In areas where lights are left on for long periods, replace incandescent bulbs with cooler-operating compact fluorescents.
• Use natural or fan-assisted ventilation to cool your house whenever outdoor temperatures and humidity levels drop.

For more information on cooling your home efficiently, click on Publications to find out how to order a free copy of Air Conditioning Your Home

Room Air Conditioner Labelling Information

Labelling practices for room air conditioners are similar to those prescribed for major household appliances. These files are provided as compressed PDF files in ZIP format.

If you do not have a software program to unzip the files, free software can be downloaded from the following locations:
http://www.winzip.com/
http://www.rarlab.com/
Download the Adobe Reader from this location:
www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html

Room Air Conditioner Types:

Louvred without reverse cycle PDF | HTML
Louvred with reverse cycle PDF | HTML
Non-louvred without reverse cycle PDF | HTML
Non-louvred with reverse cycle PDF | HTML
Casement-slider PDF | HTML

Source: Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) - Office of Energy Efficiency