UPDATE, PRICE DROP: Two great air conditioner deals on Amazon and some tips for buying AC units

Amazon has lowered the price on these two air conditioner units!  If you're in the market for one and these are the right size, snag them now before the prices go up in July and August!

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Who would have thought that Amazon would have some great deals on an air conditioner units?

Get this Frigidaire window air conditioner model #FRA052XT7 for just $109.99 $123.50 with free shipping.  This air conditioner is 5,000 BTUs, so it will only cool off small rooms that are 150 square feet or less.  It's got an antimicrobial filter that reduces bacteria, room odors, and other airborne particles, and a pleated quick mount window mounting kit that makes it easy to install in your window.  It got 4 out of 5 stars over 75 customer reviews.  The identical item cost $149.07 on Target.com.

If you've got a larger room to cool, check out this Frigidaire air conditioner model #FRA126CT1 for $295.98 $319.13 with free shipping. This model is 12,000 BTUs, so it can be used for a room up to 640 square feet. It has electronic controls with a temperature sensing remote (great for a bedside table...you won't have to get out of  bed to make it cooler or warmer), clean air ionizer and an antimicrobial filter. It does require a 110 volt grounded outlet, so be sure you have one or can convert a current one.  This identical model goes for $349.97 +  $40 shipping at PC Richards.

When buying an air conditioner, make sure you match up the size of the room to the number of BTUs of the unit. These are the recommended BTU's for a given cooling area from Consumer Reports:

• Small room: 5,000 - 6,000 BTU for 100-300 sq. ft. 
• Medium room: 7,000 - 8,200 BTU for 250-550 sq. ft. 
• Large room: 9,800 to 12,500 BTU's for 350-950 sq. ft. area.

Buying an air conditioner follows the same rules as buying any other household appliance, so check out some of my frugal appliance-buying tips here and here.   When buying an air conditioner unit, I like to stick to well-known brand names like Frigidaire, LG, or Freidrich.  Buying one online has the huge advantage of shipping deals for a very heavy item, like the free SuperSaver shipping on Amazon or the $2.95 standard shipping at Overstock.com.

The one thing about an air conditioner that is different from buying other appliances is the seasonality of demand for it.  So one of the best ways to save money on an air conditioner is to buy it NOW, before the real hot weather begins.  I guarantee, these prices will be higher come July and August.  I'm a huge advocate of off-season buying.  Buy something you need when other people don't need it and you will save a bundle.

Anyone else have tips on buying air conditioners or other cooling appliances?  

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