When I moved into an apartment after college, I had a limited budget to cover rent.
- I ended up in accommodations with few amenities.
The apartment’s air conditioner was especially disappointing. The unit seemed to run constantly but provided very little cool air. It cost a fortune to operate, couldn’t keep up with demand and created an odd musty smell in the apartment. I finally saved up to purchase a window air conditioner for my bedroom. I was hoping to at least be comfortable sleeping. Before buying a cooling unit, I decided to research the different models and features available. I wanted to make the most of the opportunity. I was quite surprised by the options, efficiency ratings and price range of window units. All of them include a thermostat that allows control over cooling output, but the higher end models feature a digital thermostat. It provides a read out with the actual temperature and the selected temperature. And automatic shut off will cycle the cooling unit on and off to maintain the desired comfort level. I chose a model with three different fan speeds and a cordless remote. Without getting out of bed, I’m able to make adjustments to temperature setting, fan speed and even direction of airflow. There are adjustable louvers that manipulate airflow so that it tagets a specific area of the room. Another helpful feature is the programmable timer. I have the unit set to turn on an hour before I typically get ready for bed so that the bedroom is perfectly cool. It then shuts off in the morning when I get up. As an Energy Star rated air conditioner, it provides efficient operation and costs little to operate.