What size room does a unit with these ratings cool?

5,250 BTU of real cooling (SACC) suits about 100 to 150 sq ft with normal sun and two people (about 90-135 sq ft if very sunny), by the ENERGY STAR floor-area table. Size by SACC, not the larger BTU on the box.

How many watts does a unit with these ratings use, and what does it cost to run?

About 795 watts at full power (5,250 BTU/h divided by its CEER of 6.6), roughly 6.9 amps if it runs on 115 V. At 750 hours a year and 18.0¢/kWh that is about $108, which is $1 less than the typical certified 5,000 BTU or less portable unit ($109). Its CEER beats 69% of the 461 certified models in its size class.

Is a one-hose portable air conditioner a problem?

It is the common design: 100% of the certified 5,000 BTU or less models have one hose, with a median of 6.2 CEER. The top-ranked Foshan Hanyang HYAC-TG7 reaches 13.4 CEER.

Do I have to empty a unit with these ratings?

Usually not. It evaporates the water it removes and sends it out through the exhaust hose. In very humid weather the pan can still fill, and most units then stop and ask to be drained, so keep a drain hose or a bucket handy.

Can a unit with these ratings also heat the room?

No, it only cools. 6 of the 461 certified 5,000 BTU or less portable models can also heat if you want one unit for the year.

Is a unit with these ratings as efficient as a window air conditioner?

No. The 12 ENERGY STAR certified window units that cool about as much (within 15% of 5,250 BTU) have a median CEER of 14.4, against 6.6 here, and the best reach 16.0. At 750 hours a year a window unit with that median would cost about $49, $58 less than this one. ENERGY STAR window units are the more efficient part of the window market, so the gap to an average window unit is smaller. A portable unit makes sense when a window unit will not fit or is not allowed.

Which model numbers have the same ratings as a unit with these ratings?

66 certified model numbers from 27 brands share these ratings: capacity, CEER, hose design, heating, drain type and compressor. They may be the same unit under different brands, or different products that test the same; the DOE data does not include dimensions or noise, so check those with the maker. The full list is on this page.

5,250 BTU (SACC) single-hose portable air conditioner

5,250 BTU single-hose portable AC, 6.6 CEER

Average efficiency for its size: a CEER of 6.6 beats 69% of the certified 5,000 BTU or less portable air conditioners.

A unit with these ratings delivers 5,250 BTU of real cooling (SACC), enough for about 100-150 sq ft, draws about 795 watts and costs about $108 a year to run at typical U.S. use and prices. A window unit that cools as much costs about $49 a year.

Includes Midea MAP08R1CWT, DREO DWAC08S, Danby DPA053B4WDB and 63 more model numbers, all certified at these ratings. Full list

CEER: 6.6 Combined efficiency, higher is better
Average · beats 69%
Real cooling: 5,250 BTU/h (SACC)For about 100-150 sq ft
Energy use: 597 kWh/yrAbout 795 W, at 750 hours a year
Design: One hose Uses room air for its condenser

A good fit if…

You do not want to empty a bucket - it evaporates the water and sends it out through the hose in normal weather.

Think twice if…

You want the most efficient design - one-hose units pull warm air in through gaps; dual-hose units lead the efficiency ranks.
You also need heat - it cools only.
You need to cool more than a very small room - this size covers about 100-150 sq ft at most.

Calculate my running cost Check the size for my room

Details

Certified ratings5,250 BTU SACC, 6.6 CEER

Performance
Real cooling capacity (SACC)Seasonally adjusted cooling capacity: what the unit delivers in the DOE test, after the heat it lets back in	5,250 BTU/h
CEERCombined energy efficiency ratio, includes standby power	6.6
Range across these modelsCertified ratings differ by test noise	5,200-5,300 BTU, 6.5-6.6 CEER
Power drawSACC divided by CEER	About 795 W
Yearly energy use750 hours of cooling a year	597 kWh
Design
Hose design	Single-duct (one hose)
Heating	No, cooling only
Compressor	Single speed
Water removal	Self-evaporating (exhausts the water through the hose)
Certification
Certified model numbers	66 (60 basic models)
Brands	27
Size class	5,000 BTU and under

Model numbers with these ratings66 from 27 brands

These model numbers are certified with the same capacity, efficiency, hose design, heating, drain type and compressor.They may be the same unit sold under several brands, or different products that test the same: the DOE data has no dimensions or noise figures, so check those with the maker. Ratings within about 2% in capacity and 0.3 in CEER are treated as the same; a model whose own rating differs a little shows it in brackets.

MideaMAP08R1CWT (5,300 BTU, 6.5 CEER)
DREODWAC08S (5,200 BTU), DWAC12S (5,200 BTU), DR-HAC008S (5,200 BTU), DR-HAC012S (5,200 BTU)
DanbyDPA053B4WDB (5,300 BTU, 6.5 CEER)
PelonisPAP08R1BWT (5,300 BTU, 6.5 CEER)
PerfectAire2PORT9000A (5,300 BTU, 6.5 CEER)
Comfort-AirePS-81D (5,300 BTU, 6.5 CEER)
DREO HOMEDWAC08S (5,200 BTU), DWAC12S (5,200 BTU), DR-HAC008S (5,200 BTU), DR-HAC012S (5,200 BTU)
Antarctic StarA010L-8K, A4210L-8K, OL-BA011D1-05CD/D2 (5,200 BTU)
AuseoA010L-8K, A4210L-8K, OL-BA011D1-05CD/D2 (5,200 BTU)
COWSARA010L-8K, A4210L-8K, OL-BA011D1-05CD/D2 (5,200 BTU)
ElectacticA010L-8K, A4210L-8K, OL-BA011D1-05CD/D2 (5,200 BTU)
FornidoA010L-8K, A4210L-8K, OL-BA011D1-05CD/D2 (5,200 BTU)
Free VillageA010L-8K, A4210L-8K, OL-BA011D1-05CD/D2 (5,200 BTU)
HavatoA010L-8K, A4210L-8K, OL-BA011D1-05CD/D2 (5,200 BTU)
Joy PebbleA010L-8K, A4210L-8K, OL-BA011D1-05CD/D2 (5,200 BTU)
KismileA010L-8K, A4210L-8K, OL-BA011D1-05CD/D2 (5,200 BTU)
KISSAIRA010L-8K, A4210L-8K, OL-BA011D1-05CD/D2 (5,200 BTU)
KndkoA010L-8K, A4210L-8K, OL-BA011D1-05CD/D2 (5,200 BTU)
MoifoiA010L-8K, A4210L-8K, OL-BA011D1-05CD/D2 (5,200 BTU)
NUAGEA010L-8K, A4210L-8K, OL-BA011D1-05CD/D2 (5,200 BTU)
R.W.FLAMEA010L-8K, A4210L-8K, OL-BA011D1-05CD/D2 (5,200 BTU)
RintufA010L-8K, A4210L-8K, OL-BA011D1-05CD/D2 (5,200 BTU)
ZAFROA010L-8K, A4210L-8K, OL-BA011D1-05CD/D2 (5,200 BTU)
XbeautyA010L-8K, OL-BA011D1-05CD/D2 (5,200 BTU)
Dayton60YP69A (5,300 BTU, 6.5 CEER)
MAGNAVOXP-09NPE (5,300 BTU, 6.5 CEER)
Ocean BreezeOBZ-09NPH (5,300 BTU, 6.5 CEER)

How it compares with the other 5,000 BTU or less portable units19 rating profiles

CEER (class median 6.2)6.6, tied with 1 other profile
Yearly cost vs. class median ($109)$1 less
Efficiency rank among 19 rating profiles#5
Models in the class with two hoses0%
Window units with similar cooling (median CEER 14.4)$49 a year

Compared with every DOE-certified portable unit in the same size class (SACC). Each model number counts once. Yearly cost at 750 hours and 18.0¢/kWh.

Yearly running cost by city$14-$215

This rating profile at each city's cooling hours and state electricity price, against a window unit that cools as much.

City	Hours	¢/kWh	Per year	Window unit
Phoenix, AZ	1675	15.5	$206	$94
Houston, TX	1400	16.0	$178	$82
Miami, FL	1750	15.4	$215	$98
Atlanta, GA	775	15.1	$93	$43
New York, NY	525	28.4	$118	$54
Chicago, IL	475	19.0	$72	$33
Denver, CO	350	16.6	$46	$21
Seattle, WA	125	14.2	$14	$6

Ranked around it in the 5,000 BTU and under class#5 of 19

#	Model	BTU (SACC)	CEER	Per year
2	Foshan Hanyang KOW60A	4,850	10.9	$60
3	Antarctic Star AC7290-10K	5,500	7.9	$94
4	5,300 BTU single-hose portable AC, 7.1 CEER	5,300	7.1	$101
5	5,250 BTU single-hose portable AC, 6.6 CEER	5,250	6.6	$108
6	LG LP0526PGF	5,000	6.6	$102
7	Frigidaire FHPC082AC1	5,500	6.3	$118
8	NINGPU NPP-05H/X1E	5,000	6.3	$107

Questions7

What size room does a unit with these ratings cool?: 5,250 BTU of real cooling (SACC) suits about 100 to 150 sq ft with normal sun and two people (about 90-135 sq ft if very sunny), by the ENERGY STAR floor-area table. Size by SACC, not the larger BTU on the box.
How many watts does a unit with these ratings use, and what does it cost to run?: About 795 watts at full power (5,250 BTU/h divided by its CEER of 6.6), roughly 6.9 amps if it runs on 115 V. At 750 hours a year and 18.0¢/kWh that is about $108, which is $1 less than the typical certified 5,000 BTU or less portable unit ($109). Its CEER beats 69% of the 461 certified models in its size class.
Is a one-hose portable air conditioner a problem?: It is the common design: 100% of the certified 5,000 BTU or less models have one hose, with a median of 6.2 CEER. The top-ranked Foshan Hanyang HYAC-TG7 reaches 13.4 CEER.
Do I have to empty a unit with these ratings?: Usually not. It evaporates the water it removes and sends it out through the exhaust hose. In very humid weather the pan can still fill, and most units then stop and ask to be drained, so keep a drain hose or a bucket handy.
Can a unit with these ratings also heat the room?: No, it only cools. 6 of the 461 certified 5,000 BTU or less portable models can also heat if you want one unit for the year.
Is a unit with these ratings as efficient as a window air conditioner?: No. The 12 ENERGY STAR certified window units that cool about as much (within 15% of 5,250 BTU) have a median CEER of 14.4, against 6.6 here, and the best reach 16.0. At 750 hours a year a window unit with that median would cost about $49, $58 less than this one. ENERGY STAR window units are the more efficient part of the window market, so the gap to an average window unit is smaller. A portable unit makes sense when a window unit will not fit or is not allowed.
Which model numbers have the same ratings as a unit with these ratings?: 66 certified model numbers from 27 brands share these ratings: capacity, CEER, hose design, heating, drain type and compressor. They may be the same unit under different brands, or different products that test the same; the DOE data does not include dimensions or noise, so check those with the maker. The full list is on this page.

Running cost calculator

Pre-filled with these ratings. Pick your state and how many hours you run it, or see what portable units cost to run in every state.

1. The air conditioner 5,250 BTU, 6.6 CEER

Cooling capacity BTU/hCEER efficiency, higher is better

2. How you use it

StateElectricity ¢ per kWhHours a day at full powerDays a year from your state's climate

Per year: $168
Per month of use: $31
Per day: $1.02
Per hour: 12.7¢
Power draw: 795 W

Electricity used: 1,050 kWh a yearAn old 9 CEER unit of the same size would cost $123

Power draw is capacity divided by CEER, which already includes standby power. Inverter units often run below full power, so real use can be lower. Electricity prices: U.S. EIA residential averages (12 months to July 2026). Days a year start from your state's cooling degree days (NOAA 1991-2020 normals).

Closest alternatives

Rating profiles with a similar CEER in the same size class, and what sets each one apart from a unit with these ratings.

Model	CEER	Compared with this one
LG LP0526PGF	6.6	same CEER, 250 BTU less cooling
NINGPU NPP-05H/X1E	6.3	0.3 CEER lower, 250 BTU less cooling, also heats
BLACK+DECKER BPACT08WT	6.2	0.4 CEER lower, 50 BTU more cooling
Frigidaire FHPC082AC1	6.3	0.3 CEER lower, 250 BTU more cooling
Whirlpool WHNP051AW	6.2	0.4 CEER lower, 100 BTU less cooling

See all 19 5,000 BTU or less portable air conditioners, ranked

Before you buy

The Department of Energy lists every certified model, including some no longer sold: check availability before you buy. Source: U.S. Department of Energy, Compliance Certification Database (portable air conditioners), updated 2026-10-14. How we use the data.