Utilities across the nation have been imposing brownouts—cuts in voltage—as they struggle to cope with soaring temperatures and high electrical demand. Of course, the peak of a heat wave is the worst time for your air conditioner to fail. If your region is prone to brownouts, our recent tests of air conditioners note how each runs and restarts at high temperatures and low voltage (see the video for details on how we test).
 
Nearly all the smaller air conditioners in our Ratings (for subscribers) scored well in our brownout tests. Among mid-sized models, the Kenmore 76081 and GE’s AEM08FM and AEM08LM models also ran well on lower voltage. But Friedrich’s X-Star XQ08L10A and CP08E10 mid-sized models and the larger Friedrich CP10E10 and Haier ESA3105 lagged in their brownout performance.
 
When brownouts turn to blackouts, other key appliances can be affected too. The Kenmore 50501 dehumidifier’s inability to restart after simulated blackout conditions offset its strong scores for water removal, efficiency and humidistat accuracy and led us to recommend other models in our Ratings.
 
For more information read our free buying guides for air conditioners and dehumidifiers. You can also find energy-saving tips in our Energy Saving & Green Living guide.