The best eco-friendly air conditioners to keep you cool this summer

Celebrate Earth Week with these better-for-the-environment picks.
By Dylan Haas  on 
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Overview

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Ah, summer. It’s the perfect time for many exciting and nostalgia-driven pastimes. Pool parties, BBQs, beach trips. Fun!

What’s not so fun? Being sweaty. And, you guessed it, summer is prime time for sweating through your clothes. That’s why it is monumentally important to have an air conditioning unit that will, at the very least, keep you comfortable at home while the heat wreaks havoc upon the rest of the outside world. But, powerful ACs present a not-so-itty-bitty problem that many of us rarely consider: Their effect on our environment.

Most air conditioners function by means of hydrofluorocarbons (or HFCs), which contribute to greenhouse gas emissions that slowly destroy the Earth's ozone layer. These devices are also powered by electricity that's (more often than not) gained from burning fossil fuels. So as summers get hotter, carbon emissions from heavier AC usage will spike — and 12% of total energy expenditures in the US come from home air conditioning as it is.

What you might not have known is that there are a bunch of eco-friendly ways to stay cool during the steamy seasons. (Note: Most eco-friendly air conditioners still use HFCs in their respective refrigerants, but they often contain significantly less than their traditional counterparts. Some eco-friendly options, like the Windmill AC, use R-32 as their refrigerant, which contains far fewer hydrofluorocarbons compared to the widely used 410a.)

Here’s what you need to know about buying one:

BTUs: This is an acronym you’re going to see a lot throughout this roundup. It stands for British Thermal Unit. It’s not just for the Brits, though; we use it as well to measure energy usage. In short, one BTU is the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. So, when you track an AC unit’s BTUs, you're looking at how much energy your appliance can process to heat or cool your room. The more BTUs, the more powerful the AC — which means it can change the temperature of a room more quickly, and even cover more square footage.

Energy Star Certification: If you’re looking for an eco-friendly air conditioner, it’s probably your best bet to stick with one that’s backed by the Energy Star label. Energy Star is a government-backed symbol that signifies a product’s energy efficiency. In short, if you see the logo on an AC unit, you can definitely send it through to the next round for consideration.

Important Air Conditioner Characteristics:

  1. Size: When it comes to AC units, size does matter. Going with a device that’s too small or too big for your living space can end up expending more energy than you really need to keep your home comfortable. Not to mention, your utility bill can skyrocket. Yikes.

  2. Scheduling Programs: Air conditioners with the option to program the unit’s internal thermostat are a great way to start going greener. Just set it to turn off when you aren’t home, and that’s more precious energy that you’re saving yourself (and the planet).

  3. Modification Options: This one can get a bit more in the weeds, but if your AC unit has the ability to add on more energy-efficient modifications after your purchase (like a hybrid heat pump), that’s a huge plus. We recommend talking with an air conditioning professional or licensed contractor to find out your options when it comes to this.

This beast of an AC unit is the priciest on our list, but you'll certainly get what you pay for. The LG Art Cool Mirror is a wall-mountable device that saves energy, money, and the environment — that's a triple win.

This LG unit includes a built-in Wi-Fi capability with which you can control the power status and temperature of the device (plus the new addition of smart diagnostics), but the higher asking price brings a few other bells and whistles that you'd never get otherwise. 

One of those features is the near-silent nature of the Art Cool Mirror. Thanks to the unit's unique skew fan and dual inverter compressor, the air conditioner is able to operate at extremely low sound levels — you may even forget that it's on. The LG's optimized air outlet gives it a more powerful airflow, which in tandem with the dual inverter compressor helps cool down rooms more quickly and efficiently. That means less wasted energy as a result.

Another huge bonus is the device's self-cleaning feature, which prevents bacteria and mold from forming within it, and makes it more low-maintenance for you. It's also got six different vent positions, as well as a four-way swing that maximizes cool coverage, and a built-in "sleep mode" that automatically creates a more comfortable sleeping environment at the push of a button.

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Probably the most unique option in the bunch, the Evapolar EvaLight Personal Air Cooler is a compact device that's completely powered by USB — making a perfect addition to a desk or other contained space that you use often. 

Not only does the EvaLight cool the air around you, it also humidifies and purifies it using evaporative technology called "EvaBreeze". This inorganic material substance helps to stop bacteria from spreading, unlike toxic freon-like liquids, and uses fully biodegradable evaporative pads. 

It's also easy to use — just plug it into your laptop or any available power bank, add water to the reservoir, and turn it on. Because it's solely powered by USB, the EvaLight consumes an extremely small amount of energy (10 watts of electricity), which only adds to its eco-friendly nature.

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Windmill AC

Windmill AC

Best for the aesthetic

Mashable Reviews Editor Miller Kern really enjoyed her time with the Windmill AC (check out our review if you want a more in-depth take), citing the unit's looks, smartphone controls, and efficiency as highlights.

Windmill opted for a sleeker, more minimalist look over the chunkier window-style air conditioners that you've probably seen before. But it's not all about looks — the Windmill is actually a super useful AC at a good price, employing a companion app that lets you not only control the unit at a moment's notice, but also program schedules, check energy expenditure, and more. You'll also be able to change modes within the app whenever you want, whether it's cooling, fan-only, or the eco-friendly mode that consumes less energy while you're away.

For such a small air conditioner, the Windmill actually does a great job at cooling down your space quickly (according to our reviewer). It's also a breeze to set up and runs relatively quietly, which is always a bonus. Just make sure that it's level when you install it, or you may experience some unwanted leakage.

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Sorry apartment people, this option is probably better for people who own a house, seeing as part of the setup will go outside. (We know that sounds like a lot of work, and it definitely is, but it'll be worth it in the end). 

This Pioneer Mini Split AC bundle comes packed with:

1). The unit itself

2). A remote control

3). A heat pump component

The Pioneer system is characterized by its ultra-high efficiency inverter, which saves a pretty large amount of energy and fits the mold of a great eco-friendly AC unit. It's also whisper-quiet, provides good room coverage, and has a nice, minimalistic look to it.

In terms of downsides, the unit's filters aren't self-cleaning like the LG Art Cool Mirror, which for this price seems like a missed opportunity. The only other issue (for some) will be the involved installation process — considering there is an outdoor heat pump component, it'll take you a bit longer to get up and running, but you'll be happy you did when it turns your AC system into a powerful, year-round device. 

  

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This AC unit from Tosot provides a great value for your wallet (and monthly utility bill). The device is powerful for its relatively small size, adds to your room's decor, has an intuitive remote controller, and a cleanable filter, but that's not necessarily where all the positives end.

Another nice feature that the Tosot brings to the table is its multiple uses — in addition to cooling, the unit also has fan-only (for extra energy savings) and dehumidifying modes. Something we hadn't seen in any of the other AC models is what Tosot's manufacturer refers to as "smart temperature control," which basically means that the device will remotely regulate the temperature based on how hot or cold the environment around the included controller is (which will more than likely be close to you). Pretty neat, huh?

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author photo
Dylan Haas
Lead Shopping Reporter

Dylan Haas is a Lead Shopping Reporter for Mashable, where he covers all things gaming, pets, fitness, sleep, and shopping events like Black Friday and Prime Day. Before joining the team at Mashable, Dylan received a B.A. in Communications from Pace University and contributed to publications like Paste Magazine, Bandsintown, and others following a brief stint as a marketing and management assistant in the music industry.

When he's not writing or testing products, you can find Dylan playing lots of video games, working out, spending time with loved ones (especially his dog, Stevie), or watching reality TV. Follow him on X at @iamdylanhaas, or send him an email at [email protected].

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