Choosing A Window Air Conditioning Unit


by windowehq - Date: 2010-02-12 - Word Count: 496 Share This!

Window air conditioners are the least expensive and one of the most popular units used for cooling a room during the hot summer months. Window air conditioners are very economical if you just want to cool one or two rooms. Many window air conditioners are priced under $200.00. Some units also have a heating feature so they can be used all year long. Most window air conditioners have remote controls which makes it very convenient when you want to the change temperature settings.

Window air conditioners are self-contained units that are mounted in a window. This type of air conditioner takes warm air from the room and exhausts it directly to the outside. Cool air is then returned to the room.

It is recommended you buy a window air conditioner with an Energy Efficiency Rating (EER) rating of 10 or above. A unit with a high EER rating is more energy efficient than a lower rated unit. Most window air conditioners today have a rating of 8 or more. Another factor to consider is the ENERGY STAR(r) ratings of the unit. Window Air Conditioners that have this rating have high-efficiency components. The compressor for these units don't run continuously which makes them more energy efficient and economical.

When purchasing a window air conditioner make sure you know the size of the room being cooled. The cooling capacity of window air conditioners are measured in British Thermal Units (BTUs) per hour. Basically, the air conditioner generally needs about 20 BTUs for each square foot of the room.

Window air conditioners usually have cooling capacities that range from 5,500 BTUs per hour to 14,000 BTUs per hour. A small room of approximately 250 square feet will require a unit that has a capacity of 6,000 BTUs. A large room of about 700 square feet will need a unit with 14,000 BTUs. If you buy a unit that is too small for the room it may run continuously trying to cool down the room. Conversely, a unit that is too large may not cool an area uniformly.

Before you plug in the window air conditioner you need to know if your home's electrical system meets the unit's power requirements. A larger window air conditioner may require a dedicated circuit. Install the unit level as possible so that the unit drains condensation properly. It is best to install the unit in a window that is in a shady area. Also, it is important that the airflow of the unit is not blocked.

One important feature to consider when selecting a window air conditioner is a filter that is easily removed for cleaning. It's important to clean the filter on a regular basis for not only cleaner air but the unit will run more efficiently. You may want a unit that has digital readouts and a built-in timer. Programmable air conditioners are convenient and are more economical.

Today's, window air conditioners are not only economical but also do a great job of cooling during those hot summer days.

Related Tags: air conditioner, window air conditioner, portable air conditioner, window ac unit

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