4 Benefits of Using a Window Air Conditioner
1. Low Cost
The first major advantage that window air conditioners have is their low and affordable cost. Not only are they fairly inexpensive to purchase, but they are also very affordable to operate on a monthly basis.
As you can imagine, the overall cost of a window AC unit will depend on the brand, BTU capacity and the features associated with the device itself. You can find some units as low as $100, as well as some that run as high as $2,000. Don’t let that last number scare you; the average cost for a window air conditioner is approximately $300.
To help you narrow down how much a window air conditioner is going to cost, you first need to figure out the square footage of the room you are looking to cool and the BTU’s needed for that size space. The bigger the room, the more BTU’s you will need to efficiently cool that space. Following that trend, the higher the BTU capacity a window unit has, the more expensive it tends to be. Check out our BTU calculator to help you figure out what BTU capacity you will need.
Aside from the BTU capacity of your AC unit, you will also need to decide on what brand to go with, as well as what features you deem important to you. Both of these factors will also play a role in the overall cost.
2. Extremely Energy Efficient
In my opinion, this is the most important benefit you will receive from a window air conditioner. If you want to stay cool without spending a lot of money, then a window AC unit may just be the perfect system for you.
The vast majority of window air conditioners have a great energy efficiency ratio (EER), which gives you a better understanding of how much they cool compared to how much energy they require to run. to truly maximize your energy savings, you will want to look for a window unit with a high EER rating.
To give you a head-start on finding the most efficient cooling unit, it’s recommended that you look for an A/C unit that has been Energy-Star certified, a program established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to help consumers save money with energy efficient products. Please visit EnergyStar.gov to learn more about this fantastic organization, and you can benefit from it.
3. Easy to Install
Another benefit of a window air conditioner is the easy installation process. While the process may differ slightly depending on the model you buy, it’s a rather straight-forward process and something that can be easily accomplished, even by those that don’t consider themselves to be handy.
All the parts and instructions to install your window unit will be included with it upon purchase. After that, it’s just a matter of following the step-by-step directions. From my experience of installing this type of air conditioner, I’d recommend you have at least one other person there to help you out. It’s not necessary, but certainly helpful.
4. Doesn’t Take Up Floor Space
Since they are designed to fit inside a window, this type of air conditioner doesn’t take up any square footage in your home. This a huge benefit if you live in a tiny house or want to cool a small room. Portable air conditioners, fans, and other cooling options can take up valuable floor space. A window air conditioner sits on the outskirts of the room so it goes unnoticed and does not interfere with the activities in the room. This small footprint will certainly appeal to many people, and should be a consideration when shopping for an air conditioner.
The only other type of air conditioners that offer this same benefit are ductless air conditioners and central air conditioning. Both of which have their own set of benefits, but can be significantly more expensive to buy and install.
Additionally, installing a window air conditioner on your own is another way to save money, as you don’t have to hire a handyman or HVAC professional to do the work.
