Summer season is at its peak and so is the sale of air conditioners. Summers bring along a great deal of joy for air conditioner manufacturers and retailers because they know that this is the time to make a fortune. Well, that is just plain business and there is nothing wrong in it. However, consumers need to be smart and choose the right air conditioner, which they think will suit their requirements. When it comes to air conditioning systems, you will see window air conditioners, split ACs, central cooling systems and portable air conditioners. However, if you are looking for an affordable, reliable and low-maintenance AC unit, then you must invest in a window air conditioner.
However, that is also not easy to do, as there are so many options available on the market. To help you with the decision making process, I’ve compiled a list of 6 best window air conditioner consumer reports including their reviews, so you just need to go through the list and select an AC that suits you the best.
Reviews Of 6 Best Window Air Conditioners
1. Frigidaire Window-Mounted Air Conditioner
When it comes to popularity, nobody is beating this incredible machine. Those who are looking for an air conditioner that can quickly cool a room of around 150 sq. ft., then Frigidaire Windows AC is all they need. This is a 5,000 BTU model, which simply means, it will do its job of keeping you cool in hot summer season in a nice way. When you buy a Frigidaire product, you can rest assured of the quality because the company is known for manufacturing excellent products. The air conditioner features two cool and fan speeds along with 2-way air direction. The operation of the unit is quietest I’ve seen so far, plus it doesn’t consume high power during start-up. With the unit, you will get a power cable, 10-feet white extension cord and male connector, which goes into the standard outlet.
2. LG LW6017R Energy Star Window Air Conditioner
When you have LG in the house, you know you’re ‘Life’s Good’. Jokes apart, LG products have always been top of the line, affordable and reliable, which is why the company is sustaining in the market all over the globe. Now, the window air conditioner that I’m talking about has a sleek body, but inside that body features a high-performance unit, whose motive is to cool your room. The AC works best for rooms that are about 260 sq. ft., in area, plus you can use it as a cooling device or humidifier. The inclusion of three different fan speeds, auto cool and energy saver functions. If you don’t have much knowledge about window air conditioner, then going with a renowned brand like LG is definitely a smart decision.
3. DELLA 048-TL-WAC6K Window Mounted Air Conditioner
DELLA window air conditioner is available in six different versions. The basic is a 6,000 BTU AC, which cools down a small room of about 250 sq. ft., as quickly as any other top-rated window conditioners. For bigger rooms, you can select DELLA AC with higher BTU, with the maximum going up to 18,000 BTU. With the AC, you will get a precise installation kit, using which, you can install the air conditioner and get on with the main part, i.e., enjoying cool air to lower the temperature of your body as well as the room. Fan settings in this AC are adjustable, which means, the temperature of small rooms can be reduced in just 15 minutes. The inclusion of a push-button remote makes controlling the AC a breeze. If you were looking for a compact, reliable and cost-effective window air conditioner, then this AC definitely ticks all those options.
4. Keystone KSTAW10B Window Air Conditioner
Keystone is another excellent brand whose products are sold in all parts of the world, and people consider this product extremely dependable. The AC that I’m reviewing is a 10,000 BTU unit, which works on a standard 115-volt outlet.
If you are looking for a proficient air conditioner, which can provide fast cooling to your 450 sq. ft., room, then Keystone Window AC is the product to opt for. Besides cooling, the machine is capable of dehumidification as well, which it does at the rate of 2.3 pints per hour.
The AC comes with a sleep mode, programmable 24-hour timer, and an energy-saving mode, all of which can be controlled by ‘Follow Me’ LCD remote control. Other features of the product include auto-restart, three controlling speeds, and adjustable 2-way airflow direction. The only problem with the unit is the drainage system, which is not designed the right way.
5. FRIGIDAIRE FFRA2822U2 230V Window-Mounted Heavy-Duty Air Conditioner
Check out this beast of an air conditioner, which generates 28,000 BTU of energy, which is good enough to cool a large room of around 1,900 sq. ft. This is the best window air conditioner for a large room, so you will find this AC installed in commercial setups where it can easily cool down a room filled with dozens of employees or conference rooms. The powerful performance of the AC can be determined from the fact that it will not work on a standard power outlet of 115 volts, but instead, it will need a special 230-volt electrical outlet. The inclusion of a clean air ionizer in the AC helps remove pollen and impurities from the air, which is a very crucial feature for those susceptible to pollen and dust allergies. The company offers a warranty of 1 year on the air conditioner, so nothing extraordinary in this particular aspect.
6. Emerson Quiet Kool EARC5RD1 Window Air Conditioner
This is a compact unit, which can easily cool a room with an area of about 150 sq. ft. The smart design of the motor and compressor makes the unit noise-free, so you don’t even realize at times that the AC is running in the room. When you order this incredible cooling system, you will get a kit, which will include a window bracket and foam sealant for noise reduction. The efficient air filter of the AC easily gets rid of any particles and bad odors from the air. The air conditioner has multiple modes and settings, which you can control using the remote control or the smart panel ingrained into the unit itself. The modes include sleeper mode, eco-mode and 3-in-1 function, which comprises of fan mode, moisture removal, and cooling. There is just one downside to this AC, which is the absence of continuous drain option in the humidifier, which will force you to constantly empty it.
Working Of Window Air Conditioner
Deemed as the simplest form of air conditioning system, the working of a window AC is anything but complicated. All the parts are assembled in an aluminum casing, which easily fits into the window frame with a little adjustment.
The AC incorporates a double shaft fan motor on which, two fans are mounted, one on the evaporator side and another on the condenser side. The location of the evaporator side would be where the room is, whereas the condenser side will be located on the opposite side so as to ward off the heat. The front panel of the unit sports adjustable louvers, which could be either vertical or horizontal.
The ‘Vent’ can be seen at the panel of the AC, which is responsible for providing fresh air to the users. The mechanical vent is a lot cheaper than its electronic counterpart. A thermostat is mounted on the return air of the AC, which controls ON/OFF operation of the compressor during operation.
As soon as the room temperature is achieved, the compressor shuts down and evaporator blower fan comes into use that sucks air from the room. After that, the discharging of conditioned air takes place, which delivers cool and dehumidified air into the room. The air mixes with the room air to bring down the temperature and humidity level.
The fresh air gets into the room from outside, courtesy of the damper. The fresh air is mixed with return air before it passed over to the cooling coil and air filter. The role of the air filter is to ensure the cooling coil remains clean so as to perform the task of heat transferring efficiently. The cooling coil is mounted in front of the evaporator.
This is the reason as to why air filter is cleaned frequently because it can only work efficiently if it is in good condition. Some window air conditioners are capable of keeping the room warm during winters, which they do with the help of a built-in heat pump unit. There is a reversing valve, which is used to accomplish this task, which reverses the flow of refrigerant during heating operation.
Advantages Of Window Air Conditioner
Window air conditioners have more advantages over split counterparts. Let’s start off with the most common one, i.e., the price.
Price: Window air conditioners cost a lot less than split air conditioners, so if your aim is to stay cool inside your house or office and you don’t have any issue with a unit being installed in place of a window, then a window AC is the best choice for you. Money saved is money earned, so you can use that money to buy some other product that you think is necessary for your house/office.
Energy Saver: An AC is going to consume more energy than a fan when you compare different types of air conditioners, the window air conditioner will consume the least amount of energy. Therefore, a window AC is less likely to give you cold sweats.
Installation: Window Air Conditioners are easier to install compared to mini split ACs or central conditioning systems. You don’t have to worry about space for an AC, plus there is no need to drill holes in the wall too. Quick and easy installation is what you get with a window AC.
Durability: When it comes to hardware-related complaints, then those are more common in split Air Conditioners. I’m writing from my personal experience that I’ve not heard much complaints regarding window air conditioners.
People have been using these machines for years and have not experienced any major issue. However, I won’t rule out exceptions, as sometimes, the piece could be faulty, which may change the entire perception towards window air conditioners, but nothing of that sort has come into my notice so far.
Conclusion
Wipe that sweat off your head because the time has come for you to buy an AC. If you were looking for an affordable and durable window AC for quite some time, then your search ends with the reviews of six best window air conditioner consumer reports. I have reviewed compact air conditioners for small rooms, standard AC systems for medium rooms and powerful air conditioners for large rooms, so whatever your requirements are, there’s an AC for you on the list. Pay attention to the list, go through the reviews and select the AC of your choice.