🌟 How Efficient Is the Amana 11,500 BTU? Understanding EER, CEER & Heat Pump Ratings

When I was shopping for my Amana 11,500 BTU Through-the-Wall Air Conditioner with Heat Pump (model PBH113J35CC), I’ll admit—I almost skipped past the efficiency ratings. The acronyms—EER, CEER, HSPF—looked like alphabet soup.

But after speaking to a contractor and doing my own research, I realized those numbers would decide two very important things:

1. How much I’d pay on my energy bills.

2. How comfortable my home would actually feel.

If you’re looking at this Amana unit, or any through-the-wall AC/heat pump, here’s the deep dive into efficiency ratings and what they really mean in day-to-day use.

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📊 What Is EER (Energy Efficiency Ratio)?

EER is the Energy Efficiency Ratio, and it’s one of the simplest ways to measure an air conditioner’s efficiency.

The formula is:

EER = Cooling Output (BTUs per hour) ÷ Power Input (Watts)

• The higher the EER, the more efficient the system.

• The Amana 11,500 BTU PBH113J35CC has an EER rating of 9.8.

👉 According to Energy.gov, an EER of 9.0 or above is considered good for through-the-wall units. That puts the Amana on the efficient side of average.

What This Means in Real Life

When I compared my Amana’s EER 9.8 to my old wall unit (EER 8.5), I noticed:

• Faster cooling without running longer.

• A measurable drop in my utility bill after two billing cycles.

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🔌 What Is CEER (Combined Energy Efficiency Ratio)?

If EER is good, CEER is better. CEER stands for Combined Energy Efficiency Ratio.

Why? Because it measures:

• Efficiency when the unit is actively cooling, plus

• Energy wasted in standby mode or when cycling on/off.

👉 CEER is the metric that the U.S. Department of Energy now requires for testing room ACs.

The Amana 11,500 BTU comes in with a CEER of about 9.7.

📌 For comparison:

• Energy Star’s criteria recommend CEER ≥10.0 for top-performing wall units.

• That means the Amana just misses the Energy Star label but still holds up well for its class.

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❄️ Heat Pump Efficiency: More Than Just Cooling

Here’s where the Amana shines—it’s not just an AC, it’s a heat pump.

Key Heat Pump Ratings:

• COP (Coefficient of Performance): Ratio of heat output to electricity input.

• HSPF (Heating Seasonal Performance Factor): Average efficiency over a heating season.

Most room heat pumps like this Amana don’t advertise HSPF, but here’s the reality:

• In mild winter climates (above 40°F), the Amana heat pump performs very well.

• In cold climates (below 32°F), efficiency drops, and the unit relies more on backup electric resistance heating (which costs more to run).

👉 Energy Star’s heat pump guide explains why heat pumps save money in moderate zones but can be costly in freezing weather.

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💡 Samantha’s Utility Bill Story

When I swapped my old through-the-wall AC for the Amana 11,500 BTU:

• Summer (cooling mode): My July bill was 12% lower than the previous year, even though the weather was hotter.

• Fall (heating mode): On 50°F days, the Amana heat pump heated my living room efficiently. But once nights dipped into the 20s, I noticed the backup heater clicked on more often. My savings shrank compared to summer.

👉 Takeaway: Expect reliable efficiency in cooling and conditional efficiency in heating, depending on your climate.

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🏆 Energy Star & Rebates

Here’s where many homeowners get confused:

• The Amana 11,500 BTU does not carry an Energy Star label.

• Why? Because its CEER (9.7) falls just shy of the Energy Star threshold (≥10).

Does that mean it’s inefficient? Not at all. It’s still better than many competing models in its class.

But it does mean you may not qualify for certain rebates or tax credits tied to Energy Star.

👉 Always check your local utility’s rebate page—like DSIRE’s database of incentives—to confirm.

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⚖️ Comparing Amana to Other Brands

Here’s a head-to-head comparison of similar 11,500–12,000 BTU through-the-wall units:

👉 My verdict: Amana offers the best balance for those who want both cooling and heating in one, even if it’s not Energy Star certified.

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🛠️ How to Maximize Efficiency Day-to-Day

Even the most efficient unit can waste energy if you don’t use it wisely. Here are my tested hacks:

🧼 1. Clean Your Filter Monthly

A dirty filter reduces airflow and can cut efficiency by 5–15% (Energy.gov).

🎛️ 2. Don’t Constantly Change the Thermostat

Set it and forget it. Frequent changes make the compressor work harder.

🕒 3. Use a Timer or Smart Plug

Let the Amana cycle off when you’re at work instead of running 24/7.

🧰 4. Seasonal Maintenance

Vacuum the coils, check the drain pan, and reseal gaps around the sleeve.

🌡️ 5. Right-Size Your Space

Stick to rooms around 450–550 sq. ft. for peak efficiency (per DOE guidelines).

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🌀 Real-World Comfort Factors

One thing the efficiency charts won’t tell you: how it feels to live with the unit.

With the Amana 11,500 BTU, I noticed:

• Consistent cooling without cold spots in my 480 sq. ft. living room.

• Quieter cycling compared to my old Friedrich unit.

• Stable humidity control—it didn’t short-cycle like oversized models sometimes do.

👉 Efficiency isn’t just about dollars—it’s also about comfort balance.

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✅ Final Takeaways

So, how efficient is the Amana 11,500 BTU?

• EER (9.8): Solid efficiency for cooling.

• CEER (9.7): Very good, but not Energy Star certified.

• Heat Pump: Excellent in mild winters, less so in freezing conditions.

If you live in a medium-sized space (450–550 sq. ft.) in a moderate climate, this unit offers a smart balance of performance, comfort, and cost savings.

Would I recommend it? ✅ Absolutely—just go in knowing you’ll get above-average efficiency, but not the highest-tier Energy Star rebates.

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In the next topic we will know more about: Cold Climate Comfort: Does the Amana 11,500 BTU Handle Winter Heating