EQUATOR: 2 DOE certified models
EQUATOR has 2 portable AC basic models certified to DOE as of 2026-11-03, rated 12,000 BTU/h SACC. One is the same unit as models filed under other brands. How their efficiency compares with their DOE class is below.
Source: DOE Compliance Certification Database (portable ACs), data as of 2026-11-03.
Portable air conditioners
| # | Photo | Model | Labels | SACC, BTU/h | Covers | CEER | Hose | Heat | Brands |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | EQUATORPAC 162R |
| 12,000SACC, up to 550 sq ft | 550 sq ft | 12.8 | Dual hose | No | 1 | |
| 2 | EQUATORYAC- |
| 12,000SACC, up to 550 sq ft | 550 sq ft | 12.8 | Dual hose | Yes | 2 |
How efficient are EQUATOR portable ACs?
Of the 2 EQUATOR portable ACs, 2 file a higher CEER than the class median.
| Class | EQUATOR models | Above median | Class median | Best EQUATOR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dual hose portable ACs (334) | 2 | 2 | CEER 12.5 | PAC 162R CEER 12.8 |
A higher CEER means more cooling per watt.
Who makes EQUATOR portable ACs?
DOE's database has no manufacturer field, so the evidence is whose model number each unit is filed under and which other brands file the same unit.
EQUATOR shares one unit with one other brand, Rnice. Its other basic model is filed by EQUATOR alone.
| Basic model | EQUATOR model | Number belongs to | Brands |
|---|---|---|---|
| YAC- | YAC- | No known prefix | 2 |
How much does an EQUATOR portable AC cost to run?
While cooling, EQUATOR portable ACs draw about 938 to 938 W (certified SACC divided by CEER). That's 17¢ to 17¢ an hour, or $40.86 to $40.86 for 30 days at 8 hours a day.
At 18.16¢ per kWh, the US average residential price for August 2026 (EIA Electric Power Monthly, table 5.6.A). Worked out from the certified figures.
How does EQUATOR PAC 162R compare with other brands?
Picked by rule from models with a matched listing, DOE data as of 2026-11-03.
- Within 1,000 BTU/h of its size, highest CEER: Keystone KSTAP121HINV, 12,000 BTU/h SACC. Up to 550 sq ft, dual hose, heats, CEER 14.2: about 10% less power for the same cooling.
- Nearest size in its class with a higher CEER: Midea MAP14HS1TBL-A, 12,000 BTU/h SACC. Up to 550 sq ft, dual hose, heats, CEER 14.2: about 10% less power for the same cooling.
- Nearest bigger unit: Tripp Lite SRCOOL24KE, 16,000 BTU/h SACC. Up to 700 sq ft, single hose, CEER 9.8.
Questions about EQUATOR
- Is EQUATOR a good portable AC brand?
- How its 2 portable ACs compare on efficiency with their DOE class is above. One of them is the same unit as another brand's model. We don't test reliability, noise or build quality, so we can't rank brands on those. How we compare models.
- How big a room will a EQUATOR portable AC cool?
- Its models certify 12,000 BTU/h SACC, which ENERGY STAR's sizing chart puts at 550 sq ft. Every one was tested dual hose. SACC and the BTU figure on the box.
- Which EQUATOR portable AC is the most efficient for its size?
- EQUATOR PAC 162R and EQUATOR YAC-12CHPD/PD1BpSG tie at CEER 12.8: higher than 181 of the 334 dual hose portable ACs certified to DOE.
- Is EQUATOR the same as Rnice?
- For one unit, yes: both file it under the same DOE basic model (YAC-12CHPD/PD1BpSG). The other EQUATOR basic model isn't filed by Rnice. Compare the 2 brands of YAC-12CHPD/PD1BpSG.