Window Air ConditionersA window air conditioner can offer welcome relief on a hot day. Window units are an excellent choice for many homes because they're versatile and fairly easy to install.Before purchasing a window air conditioner, measure your window to ensure that you get the right size unit. Another factor to consider is your window's closing orientation. Many window air conditioners have side expansion panels to accommodate vertical windows, but you may have to build your own barriers if your window opens horizontally.It's also important to figure out how much cooling power you'll need. Determine the square footage of the room you want to cool, then figure out how many BTUs you'll need to cool your space.With Every Day Low Prices on air conditioners and other heating, cooling and air quality supplies, Walmart has you covered. You are here » Room Air ConditionersHow to Choose an Air Conditioner Buying a room air conditioner: How big? One Size Doesn't Fit All Matching the air conditioner to the room you want to cool is your first consideration.

If it's too small, it simply won't cool the space. If it's too large, it will cool the space so quickly that the thermostat will shut the unit down before it can lower the humidity level in the space. The result is a cool room that feels damp and clammy. Room air conditioners are "sized" according to their cooling capacity, expressed in Btu per hour. You'll find the rating on packaging or in product literature; it typically ranges from 5,000 to 25,000 Btu. Units below 12,000 Btu start at $250 to $300. Those in the 12,000- to 15,000-Btu range cost from $450 to $600, while large units go up to $1,200. Air conditioners rated at 15,000 Btu should be enough to cool most rooms up to about 875 sq. ft. How do you get more precise than that? There are several different formulas. Most of the ones you'll see in stores simply compare the square footage of the room to Btu capacity. The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM), a Chicago-based industry trade group, offers a more complete formula that includes window area, sun exposure, insulation levels, how the room is used and other variables.

How Much Do You Need? For a calculation of the cooling capacity your space requires, use our Air Conditioning Calculator. You can get a free copy of the formula from the AHAM fax-on-demand service or through the organization's site on the Web. Although the form looks daunting, it takes only a few minutes with a calculator and tape measure to figure out the square footage of the room and measure a few other variables. Whichever way you determine the size you need, remember that for the 115V circuits typical of bedrooms and living rooms, you'll have to stay below 15,000 Btu; units above 15,000 Btu usually require a 230V circuit. And if you want to cool a large, open L- or T-shaped space, you're better off with two smaller units rather than one large one. "The goal is to keep the cold air from pooling on the floor," explains Hank Rutkowski, director of technical affairs for the Washington, D.C.-based Air Conditioning Contractors of America. "Two units prevent cold spots in front of the air conditioner and warm spots around the corner."

Where to Find It Amana Home AppliancesAmana, IA 52204800-843-0304 The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers 20 N.Wacker Dr.Chicago, IL 60606312-984-5800 Box 4808Syracuse, NY 13221 Emerson415 Walbash Ave.Effingham, IL 62401800-332-6658 Fedders North America415 Walbash Ave.Effingham, IL 62401800-332-66580.5 ton ac unit Friedrich Air Conditioning Co.Box 1540San Antonio, TX 78295-1540800-541-6645air handling units pdf Whirlpool Corp.Consumer Assistance CenterBenton Harbor, MI 49022800-253-1301how to set timer on ac unitWhat Size Air Conditioner Do I Need? I’m a huge baby about temperature, and the fan just wasn’tSo in the midst of a recent heatwave I decided I was going to bite the bullet and get an air conditioner.

But when I started researching online, I found myself confused by the various units' cooling and efficiency numbers, with prices seemingly directly correlated with each. But I didn’t really know what any of them meant. Given the size of my apartment, how much air conditioner do I need? “Many people buy an air conditioner that is too large, thinking it will provide better cooling. oversized air conditioner is actually less effective — and wastes energy at the same time,” explains the very helpful Energy Star website. remove both heat and humidity from the air. If the unit is too large, it will cool the room quickly, but only remove some of the humidity. room with a damp, clammy feeling. A properly sized unit will remove humidity effectively as it cools.” Luckily, they have a convenient chart for figuring how much AC power one needs for a room. Area To Be Cooled I was just going to put one in my living room, so I measured

the room with a handy tape measure. It’s not the most exact measurement in the world, but it’s close enough. My living room is roughly 330 square feet, which the chart tells me means I need an AC unit with a capacity of 8,000 BTUs per hour, which was way less than I expected (here's a model which comes highly recommended). Of course, a room's environment doesn't just depend upon square footage. In some cases there might be environmental issues to be aware of. For example, in very sunny rooms one increases the necessary capacity of an air conditioner by 10 percent. For very shady rooms, decrease it by 10 percent. If there are often more than two people in the room, add 600 BTUs per person, or make them bring ice. See more at the Energy Star website.Window Air Conditioner Size Calculator What size window air conditioner unit do you need? This estimator will help you assess the right model for your room. Share your take on this idea!Upload your photo here.

Cubic area of room to be cooled: Direction the room faces (choose one) Condition of your insulation (choose one) Number of BTUs recommended: Please note: For your convenience, this calculation has been rounded up slightly.Important reminder: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this calculation. But before purchasing materials for any project, please check amounts with your suppliers or contractors. When choosing a window air conditioner, don't assume that buying the most powerful model is the best choice. An air conditioner that is too powerful for the room will not remove enough humidity, because it cools too quickly. And of course, a model that is too weak will fail to make a room comfortable. The cooling power of an air conditioner is calculated in British Thermal Units (BTUs). (One BTU is enough energy to heat one pound of water by 1 degree F.)A few tips: If you need to install a unit that delivers 12,000 BTUs or more, have an electrician install a 240-volt receptacle.