The best time to buy an air conditioner at a deep discount is the winter. But the savings only start there.Demand for air conditioners is at its lowest in the cooler months, so retailers often find themselves overstocked with minimal demand. To encourage shoppers to buy, appliance stores routinely offer discounts to lure customers into stocking up in the off-season. A key cost consideration in purchasing a new cooling system for your home is whether to buy individual units for each room that needs air conditioning or to install a central air conditioning system for your entire home. Individual window units are cheaper, even if you need to purchase a few of them. Renters, especially, will be drawn to the lower cost of window units. However, if you own your home and have a forced-air furnace and existing ductwork, the installation cost may be outweighed in the coming years by the savings you'll achieve by using a thermostat to control the temperature. Another important factor that affects the cost of your air conditioner is how much power it puts out.

If you are purchasing a window unit, you'll want to select one that has a power output corresponding to the size of the room that needs cooling. An air conditioner's power is measured in British thermal units, or BTUs. The higher the number, the more powerful the unit and the more expensive it will be and the more it will cost to run. Below are general guidelines to help you select the correct power output for your room: In addition to purchasing a best-priced unit and selecting the correct size, there are other ways to save money and maintain a cool, comfortable temperature in your home. First, during warm months, keep shades and curtains drawn on sunny days, thereby preventing additional heat from entering your home. Also, when not in use, fans in bathroom and kitchen areas should be turned off. Otherwise, they are pulling warm air into the house. Another easy way to save money in powering your units is to set the desired temperature just a bit higher. Even a few degrees can save you quite a bit on your monthly power bill.

It's important to make sure all filters within your air conditioner are cleaned regularly and repaired or replaced when necessary. Ceiling fans can be a relatively inexpensive way to make the most of the cool air emanating from your air conditioner, as they do an excellent job of circulating air. Lastly, look for air conditioners with the Energy Star symbol. This volunary program allows manufacturers to identify units that are the most energy effecient.Saving money on the initial purchase of your air conditioner is the first step in cooling your home for less. Follow the steps listed above and you'll continue to save -- and enjoy the cool -- for years to come.Choosing an air conditioner with the right cooling capacity is essential in order to ensure that the area you plan to use it will stay cool at all times. A unit too small will not be able to cool properly, while one that's too large will serve you with eye-popping utility bills.In order to ensure that you pick the right air conditioner, take a look at this handy guide.

It will help you pick a model with the right cooling capacity based on the square footage of the area you where you plan to use it. Top-Rated French Door Refrigerators for Optimizing Freshness 13 Top-Rated Slow Cookers and Crock Pots We're All Obsessed With LG's New Refrigerator Lets You See What's Inside, Without Actually Opening the Doorducane ac unit 10 Best Washing Machines for a Seriously Spiffy Clean1.5 ton split ac electricity bill 11 Best-Rated Dishwashers to Make Dinner Cleanup Less of a Choreipc hvac units 9 Space-Saving Single and Double Electric Wall Ovens Prisma Makes Fresh Cold Brew Coffee Possible — in Under 10 Minutes! The Best Microwave Ovens for 2016 Best Steam Irons for a Wrinkle-Free Wardrobe 9 Top-Rated Toaster Ovens for Your Kitchen Countertop

Health & Beauty (1) Storage & Cleaning (6) Marpac The Original Sound Conditioner Showing  1 - 12 Price - low to high Price - high to low Classic Accessories® Ravenna Square Air Conditioner Cover in Dark Taupe Outdoor > Patio Accessories > Patio Furniture Covers Patio Furniture Covers > Patio Furniture Covers Twin Draft Guard Air Conditioner Cover Storage & Cleaning > Heating & Cooling > Fireplaces & Accessories Fireplaces & Accessories > Fireplaces & Accessories Classic Accessories® Veranda Air Conditioner Cover in Square Perfect Aire® 6,000-BTU Window Air Conditioner Storage & Cleaning > Heating & Cooling > Air Conditioners Air Conditioners > Air Conditioners Marpac Dohm Original Sound Conditioner™ in Black Holiday > Gift Shop > Gifts of Sleep Gift Shop > All Gift Shop Gift Shop > Gifts of Sleep Kul® 10,000 BTU Window Air Conditioner Heating & Cooling > All Heating & Cooling

Marpac Dohm Original Sound Conditioner™ in White Health & Beauty > Massage & Relaxation > Sound Machines Massage & Relaxation > All Massage & Relaxation Sleep Well > All Sleep Well Classic Accessories Ravenna Round Conditioner Cover in Dark Taupe Classic Accessories® Veranda 19-Inch Window Air Conditioner Cover NewAir AF-1000B Portable Evaporative Cooler NewAir AF-1000W Portable Evaporative Cooler in White Luma Comfort EC220W Portable Evaporative CoolerShannon Stapleton / Reuters If you’re on a tight budget, sweating out the summer with no air conditioning may sound like a good way to save money. But a sizzling June brought record highs to more than 40 U.S. locales, and a heat wave is gripping much of the nation. So if you feel your willpower starting to melt, here’s how to find an air conditioner for less. Let’s start with the basics. The first thing to note in an air conditioner is its cooling capacity, which is measured in BTU, or British thermal units.

The size of your space determines how much cooling capacity you need. Budget air conditioners range from 5,000 BTU, which can handle about 150 square feet, to 12,000 BTU, enough to cover about 550 square feet. Naturally, air conditioners with higher capacities have higher price tags. But beware of buying less (or more) than you need; you’ll pay the price in performance and efficiency. This government chart can help you determine the right size for you. Another thing to look for is an Energy Star label, which signals that an air conditioner is at least 10 percent more efficient than the minimum standard set by the federal government. While an Energy Star model can cost more than a conventional air conditioner, the savings on utilities should make up any difference. Buying an Energy Star appliance can also qualify you for a rebate, sales tax exemption, or tax credit. Check the Energy Star website for offers in your area. Even low-cost air conditioners come with plenty of features, such as electronic controls and a remote control.

A timer lets you set the air conditioner to turn off in case you forget or turn on before you expect to be home so the place is cool when you arrive. An energy saver mode strategically cycles the fan on and off, using the compressor only when necessary. Sleep mode gradually increases the temperature a few degrees while you sleep, conserving energy and keeping you from waking up cold in the middle of the night. Below are Cheapism’s top picks in a variety of sizes: The 5,200 BTU Kenmore 70051 (starting at $150) has all the features of a bigger, more expensive air conditioner. It comes with an Energy Star label, three fan speeds and cooling modes, a remote control, a 24-hour timer, energy saver mode, sleep mode, and an indicator light to alert you when the filter needs cleaning. According to reviews, it’s easy to use and install. With 6,500 BTU, the Frigidaire LRA074AT7 (starting at $159) is big enough to cool up to 250 square feet. This Lowe’s model comes with a five-year in-home warranty and a full set of features that impresses users posting reviews.