Environment
Sustainability

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 
All products featured here are independently selected by our editors and writers. If you buy something through links on our site, Mashable may earn an affiliate commission.

Our Top 5 Picks

LG Art Cool Mirror (opens in a new tab)

Best overall

Packed with plenty of high-end features and energy-saving functions, the LG Art Cool Mirror is a hard option to beat.

The Good

  • Smart functions
  • Sleep mode
  • Durable and long-lasting
  • Runs quietly
  • Maximized coverage

The Bad

  • Large and more of a hassle to install
Pros & Cons

Windmill AC (opens in a new tab)

Best for the aesthetic

The Windmill AC is more than just looks (although it is super sleek) — it also has a companion smart app, air purifying capabilities, and more.

The Good

  • Can be controlled from a smartphone
  • It's a looker
  • Can be put on a schedule
  • Simple setup
  • In-app energy and power usage data
  • Air purifying features

The Bad

  • Can run loud at times
  • Some leakage
Pros & Cons

Evapolar EvaLight personal air cooler (opens in a new tab)

Best for small spaces

The Evapolar EvaLight personal air cooler allows you to take the cooling effect of an air conditioner wherever you go (although a bit less powerful).

The Good

  • USB powered, consumes little energy
  • Not only cools air, but also humidifies and purifies it
  • Uses eco-friendly, evaporative materials — just add water
  • Extremely portable and compact

The Bad

  • Will only cool the immediate area, not an entire room
Pros & Cons

Pioneer Mini Split AC with heat pump (opens in a new tab)

Best bundle

This comprehensive AC bundle practically pays for itself with its year-round value and energy-saving attributes.

The Good

  • Comes with a heat pump and remote control
  • Dehumidifies
  • High efficiency inverter

The Bad

  • Pricey
  • Complicated setup
Pros & Cons

Tosot window air conditioner (opens in a new tab)

Best value

This Tosot window unit is listed at a great price for what you get, and will even regulate the temperature based on how hot or cold the environment is around the included controller.

The Good

  • Smart temperature control
  • Intuitive remote controller
  • Minimalist design
  • Three separate modes

The Bad

  • If you lose the remote, the smart temperature control function won't be of use to you
Pros & Cons

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(opens in a new tab) (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(opens in a new tab) 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(opens in a new tab) 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(opens in a new tab)), 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.

Best overall
Specs
  • Type: Wall-mounted
  • BTU: 12,000

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(opens in a new tab) 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.

Best for the aesthetic
Credit: Windmill
Specs
  • Type: Window
  • BTU: 8,000

Mashable Reviews Editor Miller Kern really enjoyed her time with the Windmill AC(opens in a new tab) (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.

Best for small spaces
Credit: Evapolar
Specs
  • Type: Portable
  • BTU: N/A

Probably the most unique option in the bunch, the Evapolar EvaLight Personal Air Cooler(opens in a new tab) 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.

Best bundle
Credit: Pioneer
Specs
  • Type: Wall-mounted
  • BTU: 12,000

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(opens in a new tab) 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. 

  

Best value
Credit: Tosot
Specs
  • Type: Window
  • BTU: 8,000

This AC unit from Tosot(opens in a new tab) 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?

More in Sustainability, Home

Dylan is a reporter for Mashable Shopping. Follow him on Twitter @iamdylanhaas, or send him an email at [email protected]


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