How to Choose the Best Window AC Unit for Your Home
If you’re looking for a way to beat the heat without breaking the bank, a window air conditioner might be the perfect solution for you. Window AC units are easy to install, energy-efficient, and can cool any room in your house. But how do you know which one to buy? Here are some factors to consider before you shop for a window AC unit.
Size and Cooling Capacity
The first thing you need to know is how big of a window AC unit you need for your space. Window AC units are measured by their cooling capacity, which is expressed in British thermal units (BTUs) per hour. The higher the BTU rating, the more powerful the unit is. However, bigger is not always better. If you buy a window AC unit that is too large for your room, it will cycle on and off too frequently, wasting energy and reducing comfort. On the other hand, if you buy a window AC unit that is too small for your room, it will struggle to cool it down and run constantly, driving up your energy bill and wearing out the unit faster.
To find the right size window AC unit for your room, you need to measure its square footage by multiplying its length by its width. Then, use this table to find the recommended BTU range for your room size.
| Room Size (sq. ft.) | BTU Range |
|---|---|
| 100-150 | 5,000-6,000 |
| 150-250 | 6,000-10,000 |
| 250-300 | 10,000-12,000 |
| 300-350 | 12,000-14,000 |
| 350-400 | 14,000-16,000 |
| 400-450 | 16,000-18,000 |
| 450-550 | 18,000-21,000 |
| 550-700 | 21,000-24,000 |
| 700-1,000 | 24,000-30,000 |
| 1,000-1,200 | 30,000-36,000 |
Note that these are general guidelines and may vary depending on other factors such as ceiling height, insulation level, sun exposure, and number of people and appliances in the room. You may need to adjust the BTU range up or down by 10% or more depending on these factors.
Noise Level
Another factor to consider when buying a window AC unit is how noisy it is. Window AC units can produce anywhere from 50 to 80 decibels (dB) of noise when running. For comparison, a normal conversation is about 60 dB and a vacuum cleaner is about 70 dB. If you’re sensitive to noise or want to use your window AC unit in a bedroom or a home office, you may want to look for a quieter model that has a noise level of 55 dB or less.
To find out how loud a window AC unit is, you can check its product specifications or customer reviews. Some models also have features that reduce noise such as variable speed fans or sleep modes.
Energy Efficiency
If you want to save money on your energy bill and reduce your environmental impact, you should also pay attention to the energy efficiency of your window AC unit. The energy efficiency ratio (EER) is a measure of how much cooling power a window AC unit provides per watt of electricity it consumes. The higher the EER rating, the more efficient the unit is.
The minimum EER rating for window AC units is 9.8 according to federal standards. However, you can find models that have higher EER ratings of 10 or more. You can