Energy efficiency standards have crucial roles in reducing the energy consumption of room air conditioners (RACs) in many countries around the world. In this paper, a review of the policy rules of energy efficiency standards is presented. The characteristics and rationality for the evaluation metrics in various countries are analyzed. The difference between the energy efficiency standards for RACs in China and those for other countries are discussed. The development trends for the energy efficiency standards of Chinese RACs are provided in this paper. The division of temperature zones, various operation modes and the long-term performance of RACs should be considered when establishing the energy efficiency standards of RACs. Note that the improvement in the energy efficiency standards of RACs is a vital measure for energy conservation and environmental protection. Therefore, the environmental impact of the energy efficiency standards for RACs with refrigerants will become a major direction in the enhancement of future standards of RACs. Finally, two methods based on a logarithmic function and a linear function are proposed in this paper, which combine global warming potential (GWP) and energy efficiency evaluation metrics. This paper will significantly contribute to the formulation and revision of the energy efficiency standards of RACs and provide guidance to manufacturers of air conditioners.