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Yahoo
4 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
IWBI's National Policy Summit Charts the Future of Healthy Buildings
NEW YORK CITY, NY / / August 13, 2025 / In partnership with Georgetown University's Global Cities Initiative, IWBI and over a dozen supporting organizations-including AAFA, AIHA, ASHRAE, BOMA, Global Green, Green Building Initiative, Green Seal, ICC, IFMA, NEMA, NIBS and USGBC-spotlight policy as a catalyst for scaling healthy buildings and creating healthier communities Event features nearly 30 confirmed speakers-from a former U.S. Surgeon General, a distinguished member of Congress, an award-winning journalist, to top leaders from ASHRAE, GRESB, USGBC, JLL, UL Solutions, Brown University, Corvias, Aeroseal, Johns Hopkins University, Savills and Trane Technologies The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), in partnership with Georgetown University's Global Cities Initiative, is proud to host its second annual Healthy Building Policy Summit in Washington, D.C., on September 29. This landmark, full-day event is dedicated to exploring the critical role of policy at all levels of government in transforming workplaces, buildings and cities to improve health, build resilience and foster thriving communities. "Building on our momentum from last year's inaugural event, this year's Healthy Building Policy Summit dives deeper into critical areas - from indoor air quality to innovation and private sector leadership - showing how we are doubling down on the policies and partnerships that can turn every building into a force for well-being for everyone, everywhere," said IWBI President and CEO Rachel Hodgdon. By convening a dynamic cross-section of policymakers, public health experts, private sector innovators, and government leaders, the Summit aims to accelerate bold ideas and actionable policies that advance health through the built environment. "We're excited to host this policy summit at a moment when decisions on human health are being treated as a core performance metric for public and private places across the built environment," said Uwe S. Brandes, Professor and Director of the Georgetown Global Cities Initiative, which is hosting the event at the McCourt School of Public Policy on its Capitol Campus. "We'll be exploring how policy, planning, and investment decisions at all jurisdictional levels enhance and protect human health in our buildings and cities." The Summit will focus on critical topics and timely issues impacting the built environment including indoor air quality, the evidence-based return on investment (ROI) of healthy buildings, as well as the influence of legislation on market transformation. Other key topics include access to healthy environments, the leadership role of cities and states, and the contribution of professional organizations and technical standards in advancing healthy building initiatives. An impressive lineup of nearly 30 speakers are confirmed, including: Dr. Richard Carmona, M.D., MPH, FACS. 17th Surgeon General of the United States Rachel Hodgdon, President and CEO, IWBI Congressman Paul D. Tonko. D-NY 20th District, U.S. House of Representatives Christopher King, Dean, School of Health, Georgetown University Holly Paeper, President of Commercial HVAC Americas, Trane Technologies William McQuade, President, ASHRAE Erin Billups, National Health Reporter, Spectrum News Chris Pyke, Chief Innovation Officer, GRESB Tanya Eagle, Director of Sustainable Buildings, JLL Georgia Lagoudas, Ph.D., Senior Fellow, Brown University School of Public Health Kazukiyo (Kazu) Kumagai, Chief of the Air Quality Section, California Department of Public Health Erika Heet, Editor-In-Chief, BuildingGreen Elizabeth Beardsley, Senior Policy Counsel, U.S. Green Building Council Uwe Brandes, Professor, Director of the Urban & Regional Planning Program and Director of the Georgetown Global Cities Initiative, Georgetown University Seydina Fall, Senior Lecturer, Institute for Planetary Health, Johns Hopkins University Wendy Feldman Block, Executive Managing Director, Savills, Inc. Denise Hauck, President, Department of Defense (DOD) Division, Corvias Sean McCrady, Vice President, Software and Advisory, UL Solutions Dr. Serene Almomen, CEO, Co-Founder, Attune Rachel Kohli, Director of Campus Planning, Georgetown University Trisha Miller, Vice President, Policy and Market Development, Aeroseal Whitney Austin Gray, SVP, Research, IWBI Susan Chung, Associate Director, Enterprise Research, Vice President, HKS Jonathan Gritz, SVP, Energy Solutions, WellStat Jason Hartke, EVP, External Affairs and Global Advocacy, IWBI This year's Summit is supported by leading companies committed to advancing health in buildings. Principal sponsors include Trane Technologies, Aeroseal, UL Solutions and Attune, whose leadership and commitment help make the event possible. The event is also supported by Associate sponsors SafeTraces and Vogel Group, with Daikin serving as host for the Summit's evening reception. Lutron and WellStat are joining as WELL Summit Series Gold sponsors. "We now know unequivocally that our buildings are foundational to our health, shaping how we live, work and connect. By positioning them to actively promote well-being, we can unlock a healthier future for everyone," said Dr. Richard Carmona, 17th Surgeon General of the United States. "The Healthy Building Policy Summit is a signature gathering where we can come together to explore the accelerants that will take these strategies to scale in communities across the country." "We have a chance to get ahead - to shape the future of our workplaces, buildings and communities through smart policy, effective programs and more strategic use of the vast public funds being directed into our buildings over the next decade," said Jason Hartke, Executive Vice President, External Affairs and Global Advocacy, IWBI. "The Healthy Building Policy Summit is the only national gathering dedicated to charting that future and shaping policies and priorities that will deliver on our ambitious healthy building agenda. I'm honored to be partnering with Georgetown and an extraordinary coalition of supporting organizations, industry leaders and media partners, showing that the strongest leadership comes through partnership." "Research is the bridge between what we know works for health and how we put it into practice," said Whitney Austin Gray, Senior Vice President, Research, IWBI. "We know that investing in health in the built environment delivers returns far beyond well-being, from stronger business performance to greater community resilience. The Policy Summit is a unique opportunity to showcase the evidence that makes the business case, equipping policymakers to shape the future of healthy building policy." The event also includes several Supporting Organizations, including American Industrial Hygiene Association, ASHRAE, Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, BOMA International, Global Green, Green Seal, International Codes Council, International Facilities Management Association, ISSA - Worldwide Cleaning Industry Association, National Electrical Manufacturers Association, National Institute of Building Sciences, and U.S. Green Building Council. In addition, the Summit's Media Partners include BuildingGreen, FacilitiesNet and Buildings Magazine. What Our Supporters are Saying "Advancing health in buildings is becoming a clear priority for organizations around the world," said Scott Tew, Vice President, Sustainability and Managing Director, Center for Energy Efficiency and Sustainability, Trane Technologies. "We're proud to support the Healthy Building Policy Summit because it is moving this critical conversation forward and reshaping how we coalesce around policy solutions to ramp up building-scale interventions that improve health and well-being, boost productivity and strengthen our businesses." "Collectively, we have the technologies and scientific knowledge-many of them readily available and capable of transforming workplaces and organizations so they can better invest in their people," said Sean McCrady, Vice President, Software and Advisory, UL Solutions. "The Healthy Building Policy Summit provides an opportunity to break down barriers and build a future where healthy indoor spaces are the norm." "The Healthy Building Policy Summit gives us the opportunity to deliver high-performance building solutions in collaboration with stakeholders across the country," said Trisha Miller, Vice President, Policy and Market Development, Aeroseal. "Fortunately, we're seeing an important convergence where health, energy efficiency and building resilience are coming together, so we can support these shared priorities at once." For more information and to register for the event, visit IWBI's Summit registration page. WELL's accelerating global reach reflects the growing momentum for policies that prioritize healthier spaces worldwide. Last month, global growth and adoption of the WELL Building Standard (WELL) surged to more than 6 billion square feet (557.4 million square meters) of real estate, demonstrating incredible market adoption spanning nearly 100,000 locations across 138 countries that are realizing the positive impacts of people-first places. About the International WELL Building Institute The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) is a public benefit corporation and the global authority for transforming health and well-being in buildings, organizations and communities. In pursuit of its public-health mission, IWBI mobilizes its community through the development and administration of the WELL Building Standard (WELL), WELL for residential, WELL Community Standard, its WELL ratings and management of the WELL AP credential. IWBI also translates research into practice, develops educational resources and advocates for policies that promote people-first places for everyone, everywhere. More information on WELL can be found here. International WELL Building Institute, IWBI, the WELL Building Standard, WELL v2, WELL Certified, WELL AP, WELL EP, WELL Score, The WELL Conference, We Are WELL, the WELL Community Standard, WELL Health-Safety Rated, WELL Performance Rated, WELL Equity Rated, WELL Equity, WELL Coworking Rated, WELL Residence, Works with WELL, WELL and others, and their related logos are trademarks or certification marks of International WELL Building Institute pbc in the United States and other countries. About Georgetown University's Global Cities Initiative The Georgetown Global Cities Initiative reaches across the entire University community to explore cross-cutting themes related to urbanization. Through this dialogue, Georgetown aims to align more than 60 faculty scholars and practitioners engaged in urban research who are not otherwise linked through their traditional academic disciplines. The Initiative matches Georgetown's international research networks with our civic role as a leading local anchor institution in Washington, DC. Research themes include social equity, rapid urbanization, city diplomacy; urban governance frameworks; social entrepreneurship; public health; technology, data and ethics; and changing environmental resources. We invite you to join us in dialogue as we engage one of the most important global trends in the 21st Century. Media Contacts:media@ View original content here. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) on Contact Info:Spokesperson: International WELL Building Institute (IWBI)Website: info@ SOURCE: International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
Associated Press
4 days ago
- Health
- Associated Press
IWBI's National Policy Summit Charts the Future of Healthy Buildings
In partnership with Georgetown University's Global Cities Initiative, IWBI and over a dozen supporting organizations—including AAFA, AIHA, ASHRAE, BOMA, Global Green, Green Building Initiative, Green Seal, ICC, IFMA, NEMA, NIBS and USGBC—spotlight policy as a catalyst for scaling healthy buildings and creating healthier communities Event features nearly 30 confirmed speakers—from a former U.S. Surgeon General, a distinguished member of Congress, an award-winning journalist, to top leaders from ASHRAE, GRESB, USGBC, JLL, UL Solutions, Brown University, Corvias, Aeroseal, Johns Hopkins University, Savills and Trane Technologies NEW YORKA, August 13, 2025 /3BL/ - The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), in partnership with Georgetown University's Global Cities Initiative, is proud to host its second annual Healthy Building Policy Summit in Washington, D.C., on September 29. This landmark, full-day event is dedicated to exploring the critical role of policy at all levels of government in transforming workplaces, buildings and cities to improve health, build resilience and foster thriving communities. 'Building on our momentum from last year's inaugural event, this year's Healthy Building Policy Summit dives deeper into critical areas — from indoor air quality to innovation and private sector leadership — showing how we are doubling down on the policies and partnerships that can turn every building into a force for well-being for everyone, everywhere,' said IWBI President and CEO Rachel Hodgdon. By convening a dynamic cross-section of policymakers, public health experts, private sector innovators, and government leaders, the Summit aims to accelerate bold ideas and actionable policies that advance health through the built environment. 'We're excited to host this policy summit at a moment when decisions on human health are being treated as a core performance metric for public and private places across the built environment,' said Uwe S. Brandes, Professor and Director of the Georgetown Global Cities Initiative, which is hosting the event at the McCourt School of Public Policy on its Capitol Campus. 'We'll be exploring how policy, planning, and investment decisions at all jurisdictional levels enhance and protect human health in our buildings and cities.' The Summit will focus on critical topics and timely issues impacting the built environment including indoor air quality, the evidence-based return on investment (ROI) of healthy buildings, as well as the influence of legislation on market transformation. Other key topics include access to healthy environments, the leadership role of cities and states, and the contribution of professional organizations and technical standards in advancing healthy building initiatives. An impressive lineup of nearly 30 speakers are confirmed, including: This year's Summit is supported by leading companies committed to advancing health in buildings. Principal sponsors include Trane Technologies, Aeroseal, UL Solutions and Attune, whose leadership and commitment help make the event possible. The event is also supported by Associate sponsors SafeTraces and Vogel Group, with Daikin serving as host for the Summit's evening reception. Lutron and WellStat are joining as WELL Summit Series Gold sponsors. 'We now know unequivocally that our buildings are foundational to our health, shaping how we live, work and connect. By positioning them to actively promote well-being, we can unlock a healthier future for everyone,' said Dr. Richard Carmona, 17th Surgeon General of the United States. 'The Healthy Building Policy Summit is a signature gathering where we can come together to explore the accelerants that will take these strategies to scale in communities across the country.' 'We have a chance to get ahead — to shape the future of our workplaces, buildings and communities through smart policy, effective programs and more strategic use of the vast public funds being directed into our buildings over the next decade,' said Jason Hartke, Executive Vice President, External Affairs and Global Advocacy, IWBI. 'The Healthy Building Policy Summit is the only national gathering dedicated to charting that future and shaping policies and priorities that will deliver on our ambitious healthy building agenda. I'm honored to be partnering with Georgetown and an extraordinary coalition of supporting organizations, industry leaders and media partners, showing that the strongest leadership comes through partnership.' 'Research is the bridge between what we know works for health and how we put it into practice,' said Whitney Austin Gray, Senior Vice President, Research, IWBI. 'We know that investing in health in the built environment delivers returns far beyond well-being, from stronger business performance to greater community resilience. The Policy Summit is a unique opportunity to showcase the evidence that makes the business case, equipping policymakers to shape the future of healthy building policy.' The event also includes several Supporting Organizations, including American Industrial Hygiene Association, ASHRAE, Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, BOMA International, Global Green, Green Seal, International Codes Council, International Facilities Management Association, ISSA - Worldwide Cleaning Industry Association, National Electrical Manufacturers Association, National Institute of Building Sciences, and U.S. Green Building Council. In addition, the Summit's Media Partners include BuildingGreen, FacilitiesNet and Buildings Magazine. What Our Supporters are Saying 'Advancing health in buildings is becoming a clear priority for organizations around the world,' said Scott Tew, Vice President, Sustainability and Managing Director, Center for Energy Efficiency and Sustainability, Trane Technologies. 'We're proud to support the Healthy Building Policy Summit because it is moving this critical conversation forward and reshaping how we coalesce around policy solutions to ramp up building-scale interventions that improve health and well-being, boost productivity and strengthen our businesses.' 'Collectively, we have the technologies and scientific knowledge—many of them readily available and capable of transforming workplaces and organizations so they can better invest in their people,' said Sean McCrady, Vice President, Software and Advisory, UL Solutions. 'The Healthy Building Policy Summit provides an opportunity to break down barriers and build a future where healthy indoor spaces are the norm.' 'The Healthy Building Policy Summit gives us the opportunity to deliver high-performance building solutions in collaboration with stakeholders across the country,' said Trisha Miller, Vice President, Policy and Market Development, Aeroseal. 'Fortunately, we're seeing an important convergence where health, energy efficiency and building resilience are coming together, so we can support these shared priorities at once.' For more information and to register for the event, visit IWBI's Summit registration page. WELL's accelerating global reach reflects the growing momentum for policies that prioritize healthier spaces worldwide. Last month, global growth and adoption of the WELL Building Standard (WELL) surged to more than 6 billion square feet (557.4 million square meters) of real estate, demonstrating incredible market adoption spanning nearly 100,000 locations across 138 countries that are realizing the positive impacts of people-first places. About the International WELL Building Institute The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) is a public benefit corporation and the global authority for transforming health and well-being in buildings, organizations and communities. In pursuit of its public-health mission, IWBI mobilizes its community through the development and administration of the WELL Building Standard (WELL), WELL for residential, WELL Community Standard, its WELL ratings and management of the WELL AP credential. IWBI also translates research into practice, develops educational resources and advocates for policies that promote people-first places for everyone, everywhere. More information on WELL can be found here. International WELL Building Institute, IWBI, the WELL Building Standard, WELL v2, WELL Certified, WELL AP, WELL EP, WELL Score, The WELL Conference, We Are WELL, the WELL Community Standard, WELL Health-Safety Rated, WELL Performance Rated, WELL Equity Rated, WELL Equity, WELL Coworking Rated, WELL Residence, Works with WELL, WELL and others, and their related logos are trademarks or certification marks of International WELL Building Institute pbc in the United States and other countries. About Georgetown University's Global Cities Initiative The Georgetown Global Cities Initiative reaches across the entire University community to explore cross-cutting themes related to urbanization. Through this dialogue, Georgetown aims to align more than 60 faculty scholars and practitioners engaged in urban research who are not otherwise linked through their traditional academic disciplines. The Initiative matches Georgetown's international research networks with our civic role as a leading local anchor institution in Washington, DC. Research themes include social equity, rapid urbanization, city diplomacy; urban governance frameworks; social entrepreneurship; public health; technology, data and ethics; and changing environmental resources. We invite you to join us in dialogue as we engage one of the most important global trends in the 21st Century. Media Contacts: [email protected][email protected] View original content here. Visit 3BL Media to see more multimedia and stories from International WELL Building Institute (IWBI)
Winnipeg Free Press
08-08-2025
- Health
- Winnipeg Free Press
Wildfire smoke is an indoor problem, too
Opinion Zoe Pierce's recent article ('An unavoidable future,' July 31) rightly highlights how worsening air quality from this summer's wildfire season is affecting outdoor athletes in Manitoba. But the conversation can't stop there. While it's important to protect players running drills on smoky fields, we need to talk about the rest of us, quietly breathing in the same polluted air, hour after hour. Poor air quality is affecting all of us in Manitoba this summer. We are still new to the realities of wildfire smoke as a public health threat. Even if some of us are checking the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) or using sensors to track fine particulate matter in the air around us, few understand what those numbers really mean — or the health risks that come with prolonged exposure. Most of us spend about 90 per cent of our time indoors, and many of our homes, offices and public buildings are simply not equipped to keep people safe during the hazardous air that comes with widespread wildfires. Older buildings were not designed to manage the sustained presence of wildfire smoke. With climate change making wildfire seasons longer, more severe and more frequent, the long-term health consequences including respiratory issues, cardiovascular stress and pregnancy complications are only getting worse. The truth is, we don't have adequate indoor air filtration in most buildings. That's not just a design issue — it's a policy failure. Standards for indoor air quality have not been set in legislation or regulation anywhere in North America and no mechanism for enforcement is available if their poor air quality is present. By law, buildings in Manitoba have minimum heating levels while strict occupational health limits exist for high carbon dioxide levels in workplaces. The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) provides clear comfort guidelines for filtration and ventilation levels. However, most buildings don't follow those standards because they don't have to. There are no mandatory regulations in place, in Manitoba or virtually anywhere else in the world, to safeguard air quality indoors, even though the science is clear and the health risks are significant. When the air outside is visibly smoky, many people close their windows and assume they're safe. But unless your building is filtering incoming air at a high enough level, you are still being exposed to contaminated air. Most HVAC systems bring in outdoor air as part of their ventilation process. If those systems aren't filtering properly, or if filters aren't replaced frequently enough, you're still breathing that wildfire smoke inside. The impact of breathing in contaminated air can lead to mild symptoms such as brain fog and fatigue, itchy eyes, or scratchy throats (what we might call 'sick building syndrome'). It can also aggravate more severe symptoms for people with existing respiratory issues. People with asthma, young children, the elderly, pregnant individuals and those with chronic illnesses are especially vulnerable to poor indoor air quality. For them, a smoky summer day isn't just unpleasant. It's dangerous. This is especially true in buildings where systems are larger, older or harder to modify quickly. That said, there are solutions that can be quickly accomplished in any building. Upgrade your existing furnace or HVAC filters, add portable air cleaners with HEPA filters or seal off air intakes temporarily during high-smoke days. These aren't complex or expensive retrofits and this situation of prolonged wildfires absolutely calls for it. So why isn't more being done? In short: because no one is measuring and enforcing it. Until there is a mechanism in place to measure and regulate indoor air quality much of the responsibility falls to individual building owners, employers and tenants to protect themselves and their communities. That means office managers, school administrators and landlords need to step up, in the absence of regulatory change by policymakers. If we're serious about public health — and about adapting to a future shaped by climate change — we need standards for indoor air filtration. And we need them soon. Fortunately, we don't have to wait for government to act. Individuals can begin by tracking indoor air quality in their own spaces. Low-cost sensors are widely available and can provide real-time data on how clean air is. If the air is bad, act: ask your building manager to upgrade filters or bring in additional temporary filters. In a pinch, you can build a DIY filter using a box fan and a furnace filter. This can have an immediate impact on your well-being. We need to start treating wildfire smoke events as the public health emergencies they are. Smoky skies are changing how we play, train and compete outdoors. But they're also quietly changing how we live indoors. We may not all be athletes doing high-intensity training outdoors, but that doesn't mean our lungs are safe from short- and long-term risks associated with poor air quality. We can't see the smoke when we're inside. That doesn't mean it isn't harming us. This summer has made it painfully clear: the air around us is getting worse. It's time we started acting like it. Matt Schaubroeck is an advocate for increasing air quality solutions within buildings.
Buzz Feed
12-07-2025
- General
- Buzz Feed
These Portable AC Units Work Even Without Standard-Sized Windows
After years of sticky summers in small city apartments, my childhood memories of air-conditioned houses started to feel more and more distant. Living in buildings with small, oddly-shaped windows or even no exterior ventilation to hold a traditional box-shaped window unit had tarnished my dream of ever having my own AC. Then I learned about portable stand-alone units. They're air conditioners that you don't put in your window, so they're perfect for apartments, basements, attics, hallways and any other place that gets too freakin' hot. There are two main types of stand-alone air conditioners. One is a portable unit that typically sits on the floor and is equipped with a hose that ventilates hot air out of a window or opening, similar to a traditional window AC. Units of this type often also function as dehumidifiers, pulling heat and moisture from the air, compressing it with the internal motor, and then recirculating cooler, drier air into the space. They're better suited for humid climates, and tend to cost around $ you've ever shopped for an AC unit before, you're probably familiar with BTUs (british thermal units), the unit of measure for an air conditioner's cooling power. Starting around 2020, some manufacturers of portable air conditioners started listing two different BTU ratings, one from ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers) and one called SACC (seasonally adjusted cooling capacity).Traditionally, the BTU rating that you'd see on the unit's packaging came from ASHRAE, and was the result of testing the unit's performance in ideal environmental conditions (and more likely to result in peak performance). The newer SACC rating takes more variables into account to replicate the real-life environment that an AC unit might inhabit, and creates an average performance score based on a variety of temperature and humidity levels. (FYI: This updated rating system only applies to portable AC units, and we've included the SACC rating for each device unless otherwise noted.)The evaporative or 'swamp' cooler, on the other hand, is another type of portable cooling device that functions a little differently. These units are lined with moisture-soaked membranes that add humidity to the surrounding air. They use an internal fan and tank of cold water and ice to send cold, moist air into a room. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, they work best in dryer areas with lower humidity and higher heat, namely the West, Southwest and Pacific Northwest. These tend to be cheaper than portable hose-vented units, generally ranging from $40-$120, though prices can vary greatly. Efficiency for these devices is usually measured in CFM (cubic feet per minute) although you'll sometimes see BTU ratings for these devices, too. To help you find the best home cooling for you, we've rounded up the best vent-hose and evaporative portable stand-alone AC units in a variety of styles and sizes. May your home become the fancy cool-air house of your dreams this summer. This portable AC on wheels with a built-in dehumidifier and fan For small rooms and larger spaces like garages or basements, this compact portable AC packs a punch. With over 12,000 positive reviews, this 8,000-BTU machine is said to cool off large rooms and enclosed smaller spaces quickly. It comes with a remote control to help you switch between the cooling, dehumidifying and fan modes. It comes in six model options, including ones that also work as heaters. While the unit sits on the ground, it comes with an exhaust hose to be placed in your window. (There's only one BTU rating listed for this machine, and it's not totally clear whether it's SACC or ASHRAE.)Get it from Amazon for $269.90. A sleek portable AC with over 30,000 5-star reviews With tens of thousands of 5-star reviews, this standing air conditioner from Black + Decker is a bestseller in the portable AC unit category on Amazon. It comes with a handy remote control so you can adjust the temperature from across the room and it offers dehumidifying and ventilation in addition to air cooling. This 5,800-BTU AC works better in smaller rooms and offices and comes in seven models, some of which offer different BTUs and portable heating in addition to cooling. Note that while the unit itself does not go in a window, it does have a five-foot hose (and window adaptor) that review: "An absolute MUST for hot summer days. It's been 4 years since I've purchased this portable AC unit. I've been using it every day, when it's not summer I simply use the built-in fan for airflow when I'm working and white noise when I'm sleeping. When it's blazing hot during summer I have the unit blasting cool air in my home office while I'm working. This is an absolute must-buy if you're looking for some AC relief without breaking the bank. I will without a doubt buy a brand new one the moment this thing breaks down on me but it's been going strong for 4 years now and I still can't see it breaking anytime soon!" —sonnyGet it from Amazon for $399.99. An energy-saving version with four modes This Zafro portable AC unit has four modes: cool, dehumidifier, fan and sleep, with a low noise level. It has 8,000 BTUs (this appears to be an ASHRAE rating, with the SACC rating not available). The machine is easily portable with four wheels and two handles for carrying. Suitable for rooms up to 350 square feet, the brand claims this version can spend less money for the same cooling capacity as traditional large-volume review: "I never write reviews. This thing deserves it. I put it in my apartment bedroom because I like it cold when I sleep. ~160 sqft room. Absolute beast. It feels amazing in the room now!" —averyGet it from Amazon for $199. This slim model with a sleep mode and hidden handles The Strategist named this Euhomy model one of the best portable AC units for 2025, praising its value for the (relative to other units) affordable price. This 5,000-BTU unit can cool up to 350 square feet down to a minimum of 61 degrees, and has a built-in dehumidifier and fan. The 24-hour timer helps you avoid wasting energy, and the sleep mode will reduce the noise and screen brightness. Plus, it's truly portable with 360-degree wheels and hidden handles for review: "It is very affordable and keeps my room so cold almost too cold! It is also very easy to set up and the noise level is minimal. Highly recommend this product." —Amazon CustomerGet it from Amazon for $195.49. A smart unit that can work with multiple window types and sizes You may be familiar with other Dreo products like space heaters and fans, but they also make AC units like this one, which comes with universal window kits to secure it to any window between 17 and 53 inches, regardless of type. The smart unit can work with Alexa or Google Home and has its own app for operation. There are three operating modes, and the noise isolation system helps keep the noise as low as 46 dB. This one has a 12,000 BTU ASHRAE rating, and also comes in multiple colors so it doesn't have to be such an eyesore among your review: "I'm always skeptical of online reviews. But this unit earns and deserves its high ratings. Easy to set up, easy to operate. The app has worked flawlessly. The unit quickly cools the hot upstairs hallway and bedroom with ease. The dehumidify function works great, too. It's pretty humid here (ranging from 65-85%), and this thing makes a noticeable difference you can feel. As for noise, it's not bad at all. It is definitely quieter than a box fan, but a little more so than a white noise generator. But I typically have it on the highest fan speed. Lower speeds are quieter, of course. I also monitor our daily electric usage. We're in the middle of an unpleasant heat wave, so this is running quite a lot. I was surprised that it really hasn't added much to the electric usage. If you're on the fence about spending the money on a portable unit, this is worth the price. I'm pleased with it and would recommend it!" —Steven it from Amazon for $459.99. A stand-alone unit with two vent hoses that's ideal for humid areas Forget expensive serums and overly fruity bath bombs; real self-care is combating humidity. This stand-alone AC with two vent hoses functions not only as a super cooling air conditioner but also as a powerhouse dehumidifier, removing up to 71 pints of water in a day. Its SACC BTU rating is 9, review: "I've been using this unit for about a year and a half now and I still love it. I sleep with it running right next to my bed. Writing a review today because it's over 90 degrees outside, the sun directly hits a large window and wall in my bedroom all day, and this AC unit has kept my room a cool 70 degrees all day. This AC unit goes down to 61 degrees so I could absolutely make it even colder on this very hot day." —JasonGet it from Amazon for $409. This vent-hose unit that's a "total game changer" Right after the Black + Decker in the bestselling portable AC unit category on Amazon is this Shinco model, which has 4,550 BTUs, a manually adjustable air outlet grille and works with both horizontal and vertical sliding windows. Like other models, this one has a 24-hour timer, sleep mode and built-in dehumidifier and fan. It can cool up to 200 square feet. One reviewer called it a "total game changer" for living in the Florida review: "We've had this portable AC for over a year now, and it's been a great solution for our basement, which doesn't have a window—just a large sliding door and another exit. We had a contractor install it and vent it outside (not fully finished in the photo), and it's worked perfectly since. It has 3 modes, 3 fan speeds, and adjustable swing direction, which makes it super versatile. Keeps the whole basement nice and cool during hot summer days. Highly recommend!" — SandyDHolderGet it from Amazon for $229.99.
Forbes
08-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
The Best Prime Day Air Conditioner Deals On Tested, Trusted Models
If you've been waiting to invest in a new air conditioner to help you stay cool this summer, we have good news: The best Prime Day air conditioner deals are live, and include discounts on many of our top picks. You can snag the Midea EasyCool Window Air Conditioner, our top pick for the best value window air conditioner, for just $159. Other great deals include $100 savings on the Midea Duo Inverter Portable Air Conditioner, our favorite portable air conditioner overall, and 29% savings on the Whynter ARC-14S Dual-Hose Portable Air Conditioner, our top dual-hose model. Our editors found the best Prime Day air conditioner deals on models that we've researched and ... More tested firsthand. ILLUSTRATION: FORBES / PHOTO: RETAILERS Our editors have found multiple discounted air conditioners to suit a variety of spaces and needs. Below, we've rounded up the best Prime Day air conditioner deals on models we've researched and tested firsthand. We've also price-checked all models to ensure that deals are worthwhile and still available right now. Midea 14,000 BTU ASHRAE Portable Air Conditioner: Now $340, Was $500 (32% Off) Midea 5,000 BTU Window Air Conditioner: Now $159, Was $190 (16% Off) Whynter ARC-14S Portable Air Conditioner: Now $424, Was $600 (29% Off) Shinco 10,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner: Now $272, Was $340 (20% Off) Midea Duo MAP14S1TBL Portable Air Conditioner: Now $530, Was $630 (16% Off) SereneLife SPLAC10 Portable Air Conditioner: Now $315, Was $370 (15% Off) Midea 8,000 BTU U-Shaped Window Air Conditioner: Now $280, Was $380 (26% Off) Midea 8,000 BTU Smart Inverter Window Air Conditioner: Now $288, Was $350 (18% Off) Midea 8,500 BTU ASHRAE Portable Air Conditioner: Now $200, Was $280 (29% Off) We're seeing a relatively small discount on our favorite portable air conditioner, but it's still the lowest price we've ever noted for the popular model. The machine is smart, efficient, versatile (it can also dehumidify and heat) and surprisingly quiet, which makes it a great option for areas like bedrooms and a home office. It takes up a bit more floor space than some of our other picks and requires a smartphone app to get the most use out of its controls. MOST POPULAR This Whynter model uses a dual-hose system that pulls in external air and pushes warm air outside to more quickly cool down your space. It has enough power to handle medium-sized rooms but doesn't take up as much floor space as designs with similar specs. This model dropped to $416 last Prime Day, but this is the best price we've seen in 2025 so far. Designed for cooling spaces up to 300 square feet, this three-in-one design can be used to cool, dry or act as a fan. Its temperature ranges between 60 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit, and it comes with an exhaust hose and window sealing kit. Handily, you can connect to the machine through your smart phone to control the temperature levels and timing of your machine. This is the first discount for this model that we've seen on Amazon, though the machine's price history is limited to a few months. Shinco makes one of our favorite dehumidifiers too, so we know it's a reliable brand in the appliance category. You can activate this smart Midea model with voice control or your smartwatch via Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. The system is designed to cool spaces up to 450 square feet and can also be used as a fan or dehumidifier—it even provides heat, making it a truly versatile machine. The set comes with an exhaust hose and window kit, with no extra tools required. This discount matches the lowest price that this model has dropped to on Amazon. If you're looking for a simple, streamlined cooling solution, we recommend the SereneLife SPLAC10. The lightweight model is easy to set up and works quickly to cool your space. It doesn't have any extra smart features and it's most effective in smaller rooms (around 270 square feet). The model briefly dropped below $300 in April, but this discount is otherwise the best price we've seen since February. This compact model is very affordable and effective for small spaces; it can quickly cool rooms of up to 150 feet. Its major cons are that it's not Energy Star certified and is a good bit louder than our other window unit picks. That said, if you're looking for something simple and don't want to spend over $200, this is a great option that offers seven temperature settings. This discount matches the best price we've seen for the model—though its available price history is limited. This sleek window unit from Midea is priced at an all-time low, making it a great deal. The design not only blocks noise, but allows you to still open your window—rare for a window air conditioner. It's WiFi enabled and you can use voice control to operate it, too. This window unit is priced at an all-time low on Amazon, and you can save $62 on it. It can cool rooms up to 350 square feet, and is designed to be extra quiet. Features like multiple modes and wireless control will help make it easy to use all summer long. This is the lowest price we've seen on this Midea portable air conditioner, making it a great deal if you need a portable AC that doesn't attach to a window. It can cool spaces up to 150 square feet and offers three modes: cooling, a fan mode and a dehumidifier mode. You can easily control it with a remote, too. Deals assistant editor Jordan Thomas, has spent over five years covering consumer shopping and deals events. She has written for Forbes Vetted for more than three years, helping guide our deals content and tracking prices throughout the year. Our editors have reported on the best window air conditioners and the best portable air conditioners, which includes researching and testing models firsthand. Many of the deals on this list come from these guides. Our shopping editors routinely check deals to ensure that they're still live, and use a price checker to verify that deals are worthwhile.
