What Size Window Ac Do I Need

Getting the right size of air conditioner is super important.

The size and power of your window air conditioner should be based on the area of your room, height of the ceilings, and account for other factors (corporeality of sunlight, people in room, etc). You lot can chop-chop go the right window AC size and ability with this guide and calculator beneath.

Since it's of import to get right, I've put together a visual guide to sizing a window air conditioner. I hope information technology helps!

Our handy size calculator is beneath, likewise.

How to Size A Window Air Conditioner

Don't have a pen and paper handy? No problem.

I've put together a calculator that will practice all the hard work for yous.

Just input your factors and information technology'll give yous an idea of the BTU you need.

I hope that'due south helped give you an idea of what size window Air conditioning to wait for.

Still not confident? Don't worry.

There's a full guide and other sections below.

Use the Table of Contents to skip ahead, or read on and we'll walk through it together.

Looking for a quiet window air conditioner? Our guide covers the quietest models available.

Step past Step: Sizing A Window Air Conditioner

Why is Sizing Important?

Post-obit this guide volition save you money.

'How? At the end of the day I'm nevertheless going to buy a window air conditioner!'

Truthful – but the initial price you pay isn't what I hateful. It's in your energy bills.

It'south obvious that besides small of an air conditioner will cost y'all more than coin. It'll exist sucking up all your electricity equally it struggles to run on maximum all day long. Not to mention the constant WHIRRR you'd need to put up with!

But did you know that too large of an air conditioner volition as well increase your bills?

Granted, a large air conditioner will be on economic system mode a lot. Only the issue is that it'south ever switching on and off. Rapidly on, then cooling so quickly it switches back off again. This on/off bicycle is what uses a ton of free energy to offset up the whole system.

Air conditioners are fabricated to maintain a depression temperature, and toll the most when they first switch on. So as well big of an air conditioner volition cost more to run.

Not to mention the actress wearable and tear on the compressor from always switching on and off. And the CLUNK dissonance that happens every fourth dimension!

Lastly, a large model can cool too speedily. So fast that the dehumidifier can't continue up, and we're left feeling cold simply humid. Which is extra uncomfortable.

Besides large or small an air conditioner will raise your bills. It'southward important to go the window air conditioner size correct.

Information technology'due south important to size a window air conditioner correctly.

Thankfully, sizing a window air conditioner is super simple.

But follow these simple sections to observe a power level tailored to your dwelling.

Observe Your Baseline Surface area

Just like in the infographic, our first footstep is to effigy out the baseline level of BTU your space needs. This is just based on the area of the room you'll put the air conditioner in.

To find the area, just multiply the length x width of a square or rectangular room. If it's triangular with a right-angled corner, so half that starting time number – since a triangle is simply half of a rectangle.

If information technology's more circuitous than that, you'll need to accept some initiative! Split the room upward into smaller sections and piece of work each out separately. And so add them all together. At that place'due south a small diagram on the infographic which should requite you a expert starting betoken.

Think: This doesn't need to be exact! Nosotros're just finding a baseline to first with.

Find your Baseline BTU

Once we have an area to piece of work with, it's simple to go an equivalent size or power of air conditioner. Simply compare to the tabular array below. For a expert sanity check, multiply your area in sq. ft. by 25 – this as well gives a rough idea of the amount of BTU we need.

BTU Required for Window Air Conditioner

Business relationship for Factors

Now that we have the bones power requirement, it's fourth dimension to friction match it to your space.

For each of the following statements that employ, you should add together the equivalent gene.

Factors for Sizing Window Air Conditioner

That's nearly all there is to it!

Uncomplicated, right?

With your final number, await back at that initial chart comparing areas and BTU above. If you're stuck in the middle of two categories, I'd recommend going slightly stronger.

Decide on Your Features

We're and so fortunate with appliances today. We tin choose from older and cheaper models which can withal work fantastically well (if y'all buy the skillful ones). At the same time, at that place are also modern models with amazing, time-saving features.

Here's some of the almost popular features – with a bit more than detail than in the infographic in a higher place.

Annotation down which of these would make your life easier. Then you can check the air conditioning units you're considering to see if they accept the features you lot need.

Window Air Conditioner Features

Window Air Conditioner Features.

Personally, I'thou a huge fan of sleep modes and uncomplicated off-timers.

Window vs Portable Air Conditioners

For those who demand one room cooling – peculiarly renters or those in pocket-sized apartments – there'southward always a question between window and portable air conditioners. Let'due south discuss that.

Both types are excellent at cooling a unmarried room. Both are also easy to set up (with portable existence super easy). Only which is best?

Since there are many factors to compare, allow's walk through them ane by i.

Comparison Portable vs Window Air Conditioners

We looked at how much square pes each type tin can cool for 8k, 10k, 12k, and 14k BTU models. In general, window air conditioners are more efficient per BTU than portable air conditioners. They cool a larger area for the aforementioned ability level.
Again nosotros compared decibel ratings per BTU level. In general, window air conditioners were noisier than portable air conditioners for each BTU. This may be considering the portable models have more than exterior to soundproof the system.
Across the board, window air conditioners are more expensive per BTU than portable air conditioners. Nosotros take this as evening out the efficiency difference. For example, a 12k BTU portable might price the same as a 10k BTU window – both giving the aforementioned amount of cooling. Roughly, the $ per actual cooling is the same.
Portable air conditioners are a large add-on to a room, particularly in a modest apartment. However, window air conditioners also block out well-nigh a foot of your window space! I call this about an even level of hassle.
Allow's face it – window air conditioner'southward ain't pretty. They're bulky, boxy, and virtually look like they're from the 80's. (Though recent models do expect much meliorate). Portable air conditioners, while big, do look good – and fit in as office of a modernistic domicile.
While a window air conditioners are super easy to set up, in that location's no comparison to the 'plug and play' installation of a portable air conditioning with the right sized window.

Note: The above are conclusions drawn from our researched comparing between portable and window units . The full guide includes more details comparing these two popular types of air conditioners.

Sometimes, the best way to compare two things is to simply weigh upwardly their pros and cons.

Pros	Cons
Portable Air Conditioners
Easy to Install - Fix-up is only a quick clip-on window frame.	Generally Pricier - See the table later in this postal service.
Great Looks- Contemporary designs on recent models tin can make a room experience more than modern.	Generally Louder - Every bit above.
Highly Mobile - They do need a bit of a push, but these units are like shooting fish in a barrel to move between rooms.	Less Efficient- The cause of the in a higher place 2 points. Typically require higher power for the same size of room.
User-friendly Placement Can be tucked away towards a corner or behind a couch, out of view.
Window Air Conditioners
Quiet - Run across the table later in this mail service.	Effort to Install- Often weighing over 50lbs, they're not easy to securely mount onto a window frame.
Efficient - As above.	Not Piece of cake to Movement - In one case you've washed the installation once, you probably won't exist in a hurry to do it again!
Generally cheaper - Equally above.	Looks Bad/Blocks Window - At that place'due south no option but to have a big clamper of your window view (and light) blocked by the air conditioner.
	Needs Permission - If you don't own your property, you may exist at the mercy of the landlord/building owner regarding if you can install one or non.

Window Air Conditioner Best Practices

Before you run off and selection up a perfectly sized window air conditioner, I want to leave you lot with a few tips.

By using your air conditioner properly, you lot'll:

Get the most cooling out of it
Extend its lifespan
Keep it quieter
Go on your air cleaner
Save on free energy bills

Practise those sound expert? Well let's fine out how to get them!

The irksome ane first. Whenever you bring it out of storage, give the window ac a adept cleaning. And then just clean or supersede the filter every month. This is past far the most important action to keep it running ameliorate, quieter, and longer.
Pre-Plan. If you're lucky enough to accept a programmable unit, use information technology! Set it to plough on 30 minutes before you lot get home. This is MUCH better for the Air conditioning than being cranked up to max and forgotten well-nigh. Let it absurd the room down gently. This has a huge bonus of the relaxing "aahh" feeling as you arrive home.
Avoid Sunlight. Many people don't consider this – but it's a huge bargain. Will your window air conditioner exist in the dominicus during the day? If and so, you're basically lighting information technology on fire and asking it to put itself out. Try to make certain it's in the well-nigh shaded window in the room.
Make certain the AC has plenty of free air around it. Being covered by curtains or stuck behind cover screws things up in two ways. First, the cold air isn't getting into your room properly. 2nd, being surrounded past cold air will throw off the air conditioner'due south thermostat.
Plow information technology up to keep it downward. As in, turn upwards your thermostat slightly. We want the air conditioner to be able to maintain a temperature on low/medium power. Fifty-fifty just bumping up the thermostat by ane or 2 degrees tin can save y'all 10% on running costs (not to mention wear and tear).

Through-The-Wall Models

If you're stuck for window space, did you know there's "through the wall" mode models? While any window unit tin can be roughly fitted into a cutting-out into a wall, some models are especially made for this.

They're a chip longer, and have a more protective exterior which is easier to fit into a wall cut-out.

They are also slightly more constructive, since less absurd air is lost through the low insulation of a window.

If you lot're considering one, make sure to get some expert installation to put it in. And to brand sure the location and product is what you want!

While these models are great, I'd strongly recommend considering a ductless arrangement instead. Instead of a big cut-out, these only require a one or 2 inch drilled hole and a mounted bracket.

Wrap Up

The power of a window air conditioner often isn't given much thought. But it'southward important.

Only like goldilocks, we desire the size to exist just right. Too much or too petty ability can pb to (or catalyse) problems down the line.

I promise this quick guide has helped you get the verbal correct air conditioner for your space.

If y'all're still confused, feel free to get in touch via our contact page. Nosotros'll provide a custom recommendation for you if you let u.s.a. know your room dimensions and factors.

Our goal hither is to make this website a fantastic, free resource for anybody with questions about habitation and appliances. If this quick guide has helped y'all please consider supporting us by checking out some of our related manufactures! Or just past letting united states of america know we've helped you today 🙂

Thanks so much for reading. I hope you lot take a groovy solar day!