LG LW8012ER

Though the LG LW8012ER is not evaluated in professional tests, an earlier model, the LW8010ER, gets great scores for cooling and above-average ratings for noise level. This version has nearly identical specs and features, but it lacks the earlier model's great five-year warranty. It also has a few durability problems. However, it's still the most impressive performer we found for cooling a medium-sized room (up to 350 square feet).

Performance

Powerful, efficient, and quiet. Users are virtually unanimous in praising the LG's cooling power. The manufacturer claims it can cool 340 square feet, but several owners say it can cool spaces that are much larger. An older version of this unit, the LW8010ER, also aces professional tests for cooling power and gets above-average ratings for noise, though its airflow to the left side is limited. Its successor, the LW8013ER, is also recommended based on these results.

Most owners agree that the LW8012ER runs quietly, although a few complain of noise from the compressor or the fan. The LG is Energy Star-qualified, with an energy efficiency ratio (EER) of 10.8.

Ease Of Use

Packed with features. Users love the LG LW8012ER's array of convenience features, such as the remote control, timer and economy setting. While most owners find the unit easy to install, this 59-pound model can be cumbersome. Moreover, a few owners say that installing the LG in windows can be tricky. One complains that the instructions don't work for those with storm windows, and a couple note that it's hard to screw the unit in place without damaging vinyl window frames. Another still says the unit doesn't drain well unless it's tilted downwards.

Value

Watered-down warranty. TheSweetHome.com recommended this unit's predecessor, the LG LW8011ER, based on its "great combination of features" and impressive five-year warranty. The features are still there, but the warranty has been cut to one year for both the whole unit and the compressor. This is shorter than most warranties. However, most of the owners who report mechanical problems with this unit say they popped up in the first year. In fact, problems are likely to show up the first time the unit is switched on, leaving plenty of time to repair or exchange it.