Keep the Heat Outside With the Best in Window Air Conditioners

What Is an in Window Air Conditioner?

An in window air conditioner, or window air conditioner, is a basic air conditioning unit that has the entire mechanism contained inside a box or casing. It is mounted or installed inside a window and can be plugged into an electrical outlet with an output of 110-230V. This type of AC is typically used in places that don’t have central air conditioning, or where a single room or small area needs to be cooled.

The in window air conditioner works in the same way as any other air conditioning unit. Basically, it removes heat and humidity from the space around it, while its compressor channels cold air into the room. Apart from the compressor, it also contains a thermostat, blower, refrigeration tubing, evaporator, and condenser coil.

When the room temperature rises, the thermostat inside the window air conditioner springs into action, which turns on the blower. It sucks in the warm ambient air into the unit and over the cold refrigeration coils. This cools the warm air and pushes it back into the room, thus reducing the overall room temperature.

Why Should You Use an in Window Air Conditioner?

First and foremost, in window air conditioners are important for cooling smaller areas, as compared to HVAC units that can cover the entire house or building. They are useful for people who don’t have central air conditioning, or the HVAC unit in their property doesn’t provide adequate cooling.

Moreover, you can make use of a window air conditioner if you want to cool a small room or area. Instead of having the central air conditioner cooling the entire house and consuming more electricity, you can install the window air conditioner to enjoy a comfortable environment with lower energy costs.

Lastly, in window air conditioners are easy to install and use, so you can conveniently use them for your home, office, or any other space that needs to be cooled.

When Were in Window Air Conditioners Built?

The first-ever modern electrical air conditioning unit was built by American inventor Willis H. Carrier in 1901. He is also the founder of The Carrier Air Conditioning Company of America, which still exists and has a multibillion-dollar valuation. 

It was in 1931 when H.H. Schultz and J.Q. Sherman designed the first-ever air conditioning unit that was meant to be fixed on a window ledge. A year later, the in window air conditioners were being sold in the market for a reasonable price. 

Over the years, improvements were made to the design and functionality of the in window air conditioner, and it was also tweaked to include heating capabilities, which made them even more useful for households and offices in areas that experienced both extreme cold and hot weather.

What to Look for When Buying an in Window Air Conditioner?

There are several factors involved in the choice of a suitable in window air conditioner for your home or office. Let’s review all of these factors one by one.

Energy efficiency

One thing to look out for is the energy efficiency that the air conditioner unit provides. Generally, people install in window air conditioners to cool spaces that aren’t covered by central air conditioners. Moreover, some of them use window air conditioners as an energy-efficient alternative to HVAC units in the summers.

If you are looking for an energy-efficient in window air conditioner, make sure to look for an Energy Star seal, since it denotes that the unit consumes lower energy than other models. Moreover, you can look for the energy efficiency ratio (EER), which is measured in British Thermal Units (BTUs). The higher the EER, the more efficient the window air conditioner will be.

Cooling capacity

This is another factor that you need to look for when choosing a suitable window air conditioner. This capacity is measured in BTUs per hour and is relative to the area that you want to cover. If you install a unit that doesn’t have enough BTUs, it will have to work harder and longer in order to cover the space.

For a minimum area of 100 to 150 sq. ft., you will need a window air conditioner that has a cooling capacity of 5,000 BTUs per hour. Similarly, for a space of 450-550 sq. ft., you would need a cooling capacity of 12,000 BTUs per hour.

Ceiling height

The ceiling height also plays a major role in the selection of a suitable in window air conditioner. The higher your ceiling is, the more BTUs you would require to cool the room. For a standard ceiling height of 8 feet, you can stick to the cooling capacity requirements mentioned above. 

Apart from this, there are several other factors that determine the cooling capacity that you should select. For instance, if your room faces direct sunlight, you may have to increase the BTUs by 10%. Similarly, you should add 600 BTUs for every additional person that will be inhabiting the space.

Electrical requirements

In window air conditioners are more powerful than other types of air conditioning units. Therefore, you will need to check for the compatibility of the air conditioner with your electrical system. Several units operate on 110-220V circuits, and out of these, air conditioners that have a cooling capacity below 15,000 BTUs per hour run on 110-125V circuits.

Moreover, window air conditioners that have a cooling capacity higher than 15,000 BTUs per hour typically run on 220V circuits. For these models, you may need to add special wiring or a more efficient power outlet.