Black & Decker 8,000 BTU Energy Star Electric Air Conditioner with Remote

Why I chose this window unit

I installed the Black & Decker 8,000 BTU window AC at the start of a humid heat wave, replacing an older, rattly unit that struggled to keep up. I picked it for three reasons: the 8,000 BTU rating is a sweet spot for a large bedroom or small living area; it’s ENERGY STAR certified; and it comes with conveniences I use daily—an adjustable thermostat, timer, sleep mode, and a full-function remote. After several weeks of heavy use, here’s how it performed in real life.

Setup and installation

Installation was straightforward in a standard double-hung window. The chassis is manageable enough that I could lift and seat it solo, though a second set of hands always makes alignment easier and safer. The cabinet fit cleanly in my opening, and sealing around the sides took just a few minutes. A few setup tips that made a tangible difference:

• Give the unit a slight outward tilt so condensate drains outdoors. This is crucial to avoid water pooling and potential icing.
• Check the sash is firmly secured and add foam to close small gaps—both for efficiency and to keep outside noise and bugs at bay.
• Plug it into a dedicated outlet (no extension cords) as recommended for safety.

The front grille snaps off easily for filter access, and the controls and display are right up front—no hunting for features in sub-menus.

Cooling performance

This is a cooling-only unit; there’s no heat function. In cooling performance, it’s the dependable, no-drama workhorse I was hoping for. In my roughly 300-square-foot bedroom/home office, it brought the room down from 82°F to a steady 74°F in under 30 minutes on a sticky July afternoon. Once at setpoint, it maintained temperature without dramatic swings, and I rarely felt the need to nudge the thermostat after the first hour.

The three fan speeds are spaced sensibly:
- Low is quiet enough for reading or falling asleep.
- Medium is my go-to for routine daytime cooling.
- High moves a lot of air for quick pull-downs.

Fan-only mode is handy for mild evenings when I just want circulation without cooling. Airflow coverage is good for a single room; louvers adjust easily to avoid cold blasts right at the desk or bed.

One thing to watch: like most window ACs, running the unit on Very Low temperatures with low fan speed in high humidity can encourage evaporator icing. I had a single episode early on when I pushed the setpoint down and forgot to clean the filter. Solved by switching to fan-only for 15 minutes, cleaning the filter, and running on medium speed. No repeat issues once I maintained the filter and kept a slight tilt to the exterior.

Controls and remote

Controls are fully electronic with a clear digital display. The thermostat adjustments are precise, and the unit responds quickly to changes. The remote mirrors all front-panel functions—mode, temperature, fan speed, timer, and sleep—so I rarely need to get up once I’m settled.

A few notes on usability:
- The remote requires line-of-sight and a reasonably direct aim at the receiver. It works reliably once you get used to the angle, but it’s not the most forgiving.
- Button labels are clear, though the iconography takes a day to memorize. After that, muscle memory kicks in.
- There’s an audible beep with each command, which provides feedback but may be noticeable at night.

The timer/clock is genuinely useful. I set it to pre-cool the room 30 minutes before I get home and to shut off around sunrise on cooler nights. Sleep mode does what it should: it gradually relaxes the set temperature and eases fan speed for better comfort and lower energy use overnight. It’s not gimmicky; it actually helps avoid waking up cold at 3 a.m.

Noise and comfort

No window unit is silent, and this one doesn’t pretend to be. On Low, the fan noise is a soft whoosh that fades into the background for me. On Medium and High, you’ll notice airflow—but it’s more of a steady wind sound than a buzzy mechanical racket. Compressor cycling is audible when it kicks on or off; you feel the momentary change in tone. If you’re particularly sensitive to sound, plan to run Low/Sleep at night and use Medium/High for quick cooling during the day.

I did a few calls with the unit on Low positioned across the room and didn’t get complaints from colleagues. If you record audio or are very noise-sensitive, you’ll want to time compressor cycles or use fan-only while recording.

Energy use and operating costs

The ENERGY STAR certification was more than a sticker in my testing. In Eco mode, the unit cycles the compressor and fan intelligently instead of blasting continuously. Combined with the timer and sleep features, I saw lower-than-expected run time on hotter days. I can’t give you a single number for everyone’s bill, but relative to my older non-Energy Star unit, daily runtime for the same comfort level was noticeably reduced.

Practical savings tips:
- Use Eco mode during the day when you’re in and out of the room.
- Pre-cool with High for 10–15 minutes, then step down to Medium or Low.
- Keep door gaps and window seals tight to prevent cool air loss.

Maintenance and reliability

The removable, washable filter is easy to access—slide it out from the front, rinse, dry, and reinstall. A monthly rinse in peak season kept airflow strong and helped avoid icing. I also gave the exterior a quick visual inspection a couple of times to make sure nothing was blocking the vents.

I didn’t experience leaks or interior drips after ensuring the correct outward tilt. If you see water inside, that’s your first thing to fix. The cabinet and faceplate feel sturdy enough for seasonal removal and storage. As for reliability, while my testing window isn’t a full year, the compressor and controls behaved consistently without hiccups. The 1-year limited warranty is standard and provides basic peace of mind.

What could be better

• Remote sensitivity: It needs a clean aim, and occasional button presses don’t register on the first try. Not a deal-breaker, but room for improvement.
• Display/alerts at night: The combination of the bright display and input beeps is noticeable when everything else is quiet. A display-dim option or softer night mode by default would be welcome.
• Compressor transitions: The on/off thump is noticeable. It’s not harsh, but if you’re using it in a recording studio or a nursery, plan your usage accordingly.

Who it’s for

• Small-to-midsize rooms: Bedrooms, small living rooms, home offices up to roughly the size of a large studio.
• Renters and homeowners who need easy setup: Installation is approachable with basic window prep.
• Energy-conscious users: Eco mode, sleep mode, timer, and ENERGY STAR certification help trim runtime without sacrificing comfort.
• Anyone who values straightforward controls: The digital interface and full-function remote keep daily use simple.

Who should look elsewhere? If you need whisper-quiet operation for audio production, or you want integrated heating in the shoulder seasons, you’ll want a different class of unit. This one is cooling-only and prioritizes practical performance over ultra-low acoustic output.

The bottom line

The Black & Decker 8,000 BTU window AC does the fundamentals right: it cools quickly and evenly, it’s easy to use, and it offers the energy-saving features that matter. Installation is approachable, maintenance is simple, and the ENERGY STAR certification isn’t just marketing—paired with Eco and sleep modes, it helps keep operating costs reasonable. The trade-offs are modest: a remote that demands line-of-sight, noticeable compressor cycling, and the usual window-unit discipline of keeping the filter clean and the chassis slightly tilted outward.

Recommendation: I recommend this unit for bedrooms and small living areas where you want dependable cooling, flexible scheduling, and sensible efficiency without overpaying for bells and whistles. If you’re sensitive to noise or need heat as well, consider alternatives; otherwise, this is a solid, value-forward choice that’s easy to live with in everyday use.