Summer can be a fun time to relax and kick back, but when the temperatures and humidity rise, you can find yourself tired and sluggish, sweating in your living room and not feeling up for anything. A good way to cool down is window air conditioners, which effectively cool down a room to comfortable temperatures without the expense and commitment that comes with central air conditioning. Because it requires little to no alteration to the home, it is a great option for renters who want to cool down and they are also kinder to the environment than central air conditioning because they take a lot less energy.

When evaluating air conditioners, cooling ability and energy efficiency were given more value than other features in air conditioner reviews. This included the ability to move air throughout a room and if it operates effectively and in different modes.

Energy efficiency and annual costs were also considered in air conditioner reviews. This is vital for families looking to reduce their carbon footprint and save money in their electricity bills.

Ease of use, features like a remote and timer, and overall design in AC units were considered, as well as how quiet it is when it is turned on.

What should you look for in an AC unit?

The first thing to look for is cooling capabilities. After all, an AC unit is useless if it cannot cool a room down to comfortable temperatures. An ideal AC unit is just powerful enough to get the room to your preferred temperature without being too powerful. Otherwise you will be cold and your energy bills will skyrocket. You want an air conditioner that produces 5,000 Btu for 150 square feet and one that produces 7,000 Btu for a room that is 300 square feet.

You also need to consider the energy efficiency ratio or EER. The higher the ratio, the more efficient the AC unit is and the more energy you save without sacrificing comfort. The average EER is 11.24. Make sure your AC unit is 11.24 or higher. Also consider the annual cost, which depends on the EER and how often you use the AC unit as well as how much you pay for electricity. The national average is 12 cents a kilowatt.

Also look for safety and performance certifications, like EnergyStar, AHAM. EnergyStar means the AC unit is 20 to 30 percent more efficient than average and AHAM certified units have passed performance standards by the Home Appliance and Manufacturing Industry. UL listed products have passed safety standards by Underwriters Labs, a safety consulting company.

Also look for AC units that are lightweight, easy to install, but also designed for long term use. Installation should only take a few minutes with relatively little effort. Look for AC units that weigh 60 pounds or less. Make sure the unit's window kit is high quality and easy to properly install, because that will keep the cool air from escaping outside.

Choose a unit that has mode options customized to fit your needs. The more options, the better. Your unit should include modes for coolness and fan-only modes and adjustable fan speeds. If humidity is a problem for you, find one that has a dehumidifier and if you want to use it at night, find a sleep mode that will gradually raise the temperature while you sleep so you can save money and energy while still being comfortable.

The three best air conditioning units are the Haier ESAQ406P, Frigidaire FFRE0633Q1 and Danby DAC060EUB5GDB.

Haier ESAQ406P has extremely quiet operation compared to the other two, but it is also the number one air conditioning unit because it also has exceptional energy efficiency, moisture removal rates and cooling speed.

Frigidaire FFRE0633Q1 is the second best option. The airflow is slight inferior to the Haier, but it is still a powerful cooling tool. And it gives you a lot of control over your environment with sleep mode, fan modes, and cooling modes so you can adjust it to your preferences.

Danby DAC060EUB5GDB has a very high EER ratio that will let you keep cool without increasing your carbon footprint at an exponential rate and without making you spend a small fortune in electricity.

All three of these units are great choices. They are relatively inexpensive, highly efficient, and with high performance rates. All three of them are also easy to install and lightweight so you can start cooling off on hot summer nights as quickly as possible.