Dumb air conditioner question

[Baronz]

Maybe some of you know the answer to this. I'm going to be getting a small air conditioner (5000BTU) this summer, and I have noticed two kinds: One that pulls air from outside the house and shoots cool air back into the house, and one that sucks air in from the room, and blows it back out again.

Would one of these be more efficent than the other? It would seem to be cooling the cooler inside air would be easier than cooling the hot outside air. And I've only seen a few brands that pull the air in from outside, where as almost all of the rest pull it from the room.

Any air conditioner gurus here?

 

[RossMAN]

Do you have a CostCo/Sam's Club near you? If so, go there they have some great energy efficient a/c units which are also affordable. My favorite is the Sharp (forgot model number) I think it's 5000-5500 BTU, nice compact size, quiet, 3 settings, powerful, very energy efficient and comes with a remote.

Walmart also has a good selection but I'd check CostCo/Sam's Club first.

Also read up on air conditioner reviews from ePinions.com and register for FREE CONSUMER REPORTS online, they have some good articles on a/c units which are reliable, quiet and energy efficient.

 

[HomeBrewerDude]

from here

number #5 addresses your question. I thought that all room a/cs would have the option of selecting whether to draw external or internal air...

Room Air Conditioner ? Operating Tips

Keep a room cool and use less energy by doing the following when using a room air conditioner:

1) Turn off any incandescent lights that are not needed, since these generate heat. Also, turn off any electrical equipment that is not being used.

2) Make sure outside doors are closed to keep the cool air inside the house.

3) Select the highest thermostat setting that results in comfort. A temperature of 25.5°C is usually recommended.

4) If the space will be unoccupied for more than 24 hours, the air conditioner should be shut off.

5) Keep the house closed up tight during hot days, and use natural or forced ventilation at night when the air is cooler. Use the "ventilate" or "outside air" control on the room air conditioner sparingly.

6) Do not block the air conditioner vents with drapes or furniture.

7) Use the continuous air conditioner fan operation only when the resulting air movement is required to maintain comfortable conditions in the room.

8) Insulating your home for the summer is as good an idea as for winter. A well-insulated house will not let in hot humid air and will keep your house cooler.

For more information on cooling your home efficiently, click on "Publications" to find out how to order a free copy of Air Conditioning Your Home.