Cooling and Ventilation Equipment – Room Air Conditioners
How Room Air Conditioners are Rated
The CSA Standard C368.1-M90 test yields an energy efficiency ratio (EER) for room air conditioners. The EER is calculated by dividing output cooling capacity in British thermal units per hour (Btu/h) by the electrical power input in watts (W).
The test consists of the following steps:
- Two rooms are used to simulate the inside and the outside of the house.
- The room air conditioner is installed in the wall between the two rooms.
- Heat and moisture are added to the inside room.
- The heat and moisture removed by the room air conditioner are measured, along with electricity use.
- The EER is calculated.
Calculating the EnerGuide Rating
The cooling capacity is divided by the energy consumption during the test period. This is the EER value on the EnerGuide label.
For example:
6000 Btu/h (cooling capacity) = 10.7 EER
560 W (electrical power)
Note: This test standard is also used as the basis for verifying energy performance for ENERGY STAR qualified air conditioners. To display the ENERGY STAR® symbol, a room air conditioner must exceed minimum regulated energy efficiency standards by 10 percent or more.
List of models : Room air conditoners
This list of models is continually updated and indicates which models are sold in Canada along with their energy ratings, including ENERGY STAR qualified models.
Air conditioners are about 20 percent more energy efficient today than they were in 1990, and ENERGY STAR qualified models are even better. This improved efficiency is largely the result of new coil designs and more efficient compressors.
By replacing your old air conditioner with an ENERGY STAR qualified model, you can realize substantial savings in electricity costs. Today's ENERGY STAR qualified units use 30 to 40 percent less energy than most models sold 10 to 15 years ago.
ENERGY STAR Performance Levels for Room Air Conditioners
|
Type Cooling capacity (Btu/h) |
Window-Mounted (louvred sides) | Through-the-Wall (without louvred sides |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | Minimum EER to be ENERGY STAR qualified | |
| Less than 6 000 | 10.7 | 9.9 |
| 6 000 to 7 999 | 10.7 | 9.9 |
| 8 000 to 13 999 | 10.8 | 9.4 |
| 14 000 to 19 999 | 10.7 | 9.4 |
| 20 000 and over | 9.4 | 9.4 |
| Casement-only – all | 9.6 | |
| Casement-slider – all | 10.5 | |
Note: Units with heating elements or reverse cycles (i.e. mini heat pumps) do not qualify for ENERGY STAR.
The ENERGY STAR name and the ENERGY STAR symbol are registered trademarks of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and are used with permission.