The Lowdown on Window Air Conditioners

Other Types — By Jonathan on February 17, 2010 at 6:02 am

Window air conditioners are a type of fixed air conditioning system. As they offer distinct advantages over portable air conditioning systems, they fit quite well within many home setups. It is important to understand a few facts regarding window air conditioners, how they compare to portable air conditioners, and how to purchase a window air conditioner.

The Facts

Window air conditioners are designed to sit in just one room. Ranging in BTU from around 5,000 BTU to around 20,000 BTU, they sit inside a window with the hot side on the outside and the cool side facing inwards. Many units can run on 120 Volts of energy, with units below 15,000 BTU in this category. Energy efficiency ratings (EER) are given to denote their energy; 10.0 or greater is normally considered good.

A misconception regarding window air conditioners is in regards to cooling more than one room with one unit. Even with a high BTU level, it is not effective or efficient to try to cool more than one room with a single window air conditioning unit. It is much better to use several window units or a central air conditioning system.

Window vs. Portable Units

Window air conditioners are a popular choice for an air conditioning system. They offer distinct advantages to portable air conditioning systems, which are not as effective due to their smaller size and lower power output. Areas with high temperatures for longer periods of time should keep this in mind.

Portable units offer advantages in the right situation. The most obvious is that it is portable, which is important for mobility in itself, in addition to those that are renting. Additionally, a portable unit won’t need to be installed by an electrician, which will save some money.

Buying a Window Unit

Examine the cooling capacity, energy efficiency, and installation requirements before you purchase a window unit. These are the three most important considerations in such a purchase.

Cooling Capacity

Choose an appropriate BTU level. A level too low won’t cool properly, while a level that is too high will cycle on and off too often, which will not allow humidity in the air to be removed.

Energy Efficiency

An EER of 10 on a model will use roughly 20% less energy than a model with a EER of 8. Look for high efficiency models accordingly.

Installation Requirements

The unit must be the right size for the intended window. You should also be aware of special needs, such as a metal shell or special electrical wiring (220 Volts).

In addition to these major components of the window unit, there are features which you should familiarize yourself with in this purchase. Here are some attributes to help you make a more thorough decision:

Thermostat Sensitivity – Accuracy in which the model can stay to a given temperature.
Noise Level – Newer models make less noise. Listen to the model before purchasing.
Air Flow – Most models let you switch from fresh air to recirculating.
Low Profile Models – Some models will minimize the area of sunshine they block by hanging below the window.
Timers – These models allow you to set the unit to a schedule.
Filters – Some models can remove allergens and odors.
Remote Controls – Some models include a remote control for convenience.
Dehumidifying Ability – Depending on the operating system the unit uses, units will be better able to reduce the amount of humidity in the air.

You can additionally get the best prices in the fall and winter months. Keep the aforementioned choices in mind if you choose to purchase a window air conditioning unit. Be sure you know all of the parts of the system before purchasing.

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