An efficient air conditioner can save you lots of money on your electric bill. If you are considering buying an air conditioner for your apartment in the New York metro area, condiser the following tips.

• Just like furnaces and water heaters, air conditioners have an energy efficiency rating—EER for short. Buy an air conditioner with an EER of at least 10. Although air conditioners with EERs higher than 10 usually cost more, you will recapture this cost by using less electricity. 

• It's important to buy the correct size air conditioner (in terms of how much cooling it produces, not its dimensions). If the air conditioner is too large, it won't operate efficiently and it will use more energy and cost you more money. Ask the salesperson for help in choosing the correct size air conditioner. 

• Window air conditioners have filters. Remove and clean the filter every month to help save money and keep the air in your home cleaner. 

• Make sure the "fresh air" vent on the air conditioner is closed so you're not cooling outside air. 

• If possible, put the air conditioner in a window that faces north or is shaded. Keeping the air conditioner out of direct sunlight improves its efficiency. Remove and store the air conditioner during the winter rather than keeping it in the window.