Air Conditioners

An air conditioner can be the difference between sweating it out in your own living room all summer long or lounging about in a crisp, cool home. Even if you have an HVAC system already installed, a window or portable air conditioner can take some stress off of your system and cool off rooms that tend to heat up easily.

How can I use a window air conditioner to cool a room?

Window air conditioners make a great choice for any home. They’re fairly inexpensive and easy to install on your own in either a single- or double-hung window. Along with the air conditioning unit, you’ll most likely also find accompanying accordion panels that fit in the window frame on either side of the unit.

Before you purchase your window air conditioner, be sure to measure the inside of your window frame to find the right dimensions. You should also take a look at the following list of room sizes and the recommended number of British Thermal Units (BTUs):

• 10 x 15 (150 sq. ft.): Recommended 5,000 BTUs.
• 13 x 20 (260 sq. ft.): Recommended 6,000 BTUs.
• 14 x 20 (280 sq. ft.): Recommended 7,000 BTUs.
• 17 x 20 (340 sq. ft.): Recommended 8,000 BTUs.
• 18 x 25 (450 sq. ft.): Recommended 10,000 BTUs.
• 22 x 25 (550 sq. ft.): Recommended 12,000 BTUs.
• 25 x 32 (800 sq. ft.): Recommended 15,000 BTUs.
• 25 x 40 (1,000 sq. ft.): Recommended 18,000 BTUs.
• 39 x 40 (1,560 sq. ft.): Recommended 24,500 BTUs.
*If your room gets a lot of sun, increase your BTUs by 10%. If it stays shady, decrease your BTUs by 10%.
If the room is typically occupied by more than 1 person, add 600 BTUs per person.
If the room is a kitchen, add 4,000 BTUs.

Will a portable air conditioner work for my home?

The great thing about a portable air conditioner is it can be moved from room to room as needed. This portability makes it ideal for most homes, though keep in mind they can be heavy and difficult to move around. You’ll also need to empty the reservoir inside the unit regularly, though some models will include a drainage hose that automatically empties the reservoir. Portable units also tend to be slightly less efficient than new window units.

Here’s a quick chart to help you determine how many BTUs your portable air conditioner will need based on room size:

• 10 x 20 (200 sq. ft.): Recommended 8,000 BTUs.
• 15 x 20 (300 sq. ft.): Recommended 10,000 BTUs.
• 20 x 20 (400 sq. ft.): Recommended 12,000 BTUs.
• 20 x 30 (600 sq. ft.): Recommended 14,000 BTUs.
*If your room gets a lot of sun, increase your BTUs by 10%. If it stays shady, decrease your BTUs by 10%.
If the room is typically occupied by more than 1 person, add 600 BTUs per person.
If the room is a kitchen, add 4,000 BTUs.

Should I install a wall air conditioner in my home?

For a permanent solution to a warm room, you can install a wall air conditioner. These built-in units sometimes also feature a heating option, meaning they’ll be useful during the winter months, as well. They are more expensive, especially since they require a hole to be cut into your exterior wall. However, your window and floor space will remain untouched.

A similar yet less expensive option for those already in the process of home renovation is a mini-split air conditioner, which enables you to have both heating and cooling options without having to install ductwork.

Whichever style you choose, it’s important to select the right size to accommodate your room. First, start by measuring the square footage, then check the following table to figure out how many BTUs your unit will need:

• 100 to 150 sq. ft.: Recommended 5,000 BTUs.
• 150 to 250 sq. ft.: Recommended 6,000 BTUs.
• 250 to 300 sq. ft.: Recommended 7,000 BTUs.
• 300 to 350 sq. ft.: Recommended 8,000 BTUs.
• 350 to 400 sq. ft.: Recommended 9,000 BTUs.
• 400 to 450 sq. ft.: Recommended 10,000 BTUs.
• 500 to 700 sq. ft.: Recommended 14,000 BTUs.
• 700 to 1,000 sq. ft.: Recommended 18,000 BTUs.
*If your room gets a lot of sun, increase your BTUs by 10%. If it stays shady, decrease your BTUs by 10%.
If the room is typically occupied by more than 1 person, add 600 BTUs per person.
If the room is a kitchen, add 4,000 BTUs.