In our Best Window Air Conditioners 2016 we looked for Window Air Conditioners or, Room Air Conditioners, as they are commonly referred to that are Energy Star rated models that can cool a single room or multiple rooms, 200 sq. ft. to 700 sq. ft. in size. These air conditioners give people such as renters that cannot have central air or through the wall units installed in their home the ability to keep their cool during the hot season. Of course the ability to cool the space listed is determined by your home’s insulation and heat load so your results will vary. When attempting to cool multiple rooms you may want to consider several smaller sized units and the use of fans to distribute the cooled air.
Proper sizing of the unit is important because if you select a window air conditioner that is too small you will almost never attain a comfortable cooling level and the unit will run continuously at full load attempting to cool the room or, rooms.
We looked for commonly available models that could plug into a standard 120-volt, 15-amp receptacle and not present any unusual problems to the apartment dweller to be able to install in their home. It should be noted however that air conditioners do have a considerable draw and the total load on the electrical circuit powering the air conditioner should be considered.
Having an air conditioner that meets the Energy Star Requirements is important because it ensures the air conditioner you select is an energy efficient model and that your cooling needs will be met at lower energy costs, often saving 10 – 50% over non-energy star rated models. The EER or, Energy Efficiency Rating gives you an indication of how efficient the unit is and the associated energy costs, a higher EER number is more efficient and less costly.
12,000 BTU Window Air Conditioners
Frigidaire 12,000 BTU Room Air Conditioner Model #: LRA127CT1, This unit has an EER of 10.8 and can cool 640 sq. ft. the unit features: electronic controls, a 3 speed fan, 8-way directional air control, low voltage compensation for those summer brownouts, LED display on the control panel, and a remote control. The Frigidaire LRA127CT1 can fit in a window opening that is 14 1/2” H X 23 – 36” W. This model is available at Lowes for $299.00.
LG Electronics 12,000 BTU Window Air Conditioner Model #: LW1211ER, This unit has an EER of 10.8 and can cool 550 sq. ft. the unit features: electronic controls, a 3 speed fan, 4-way directional air control, digital display on the control panel, and a remote control. The LG LW1211ER can fit in a window opening that is 16” H X 27 – 39” W. This model is available at Home Depot for $299.00.
Frigidaire 12,000 BTU Room Air Conditioner Model #: FRA125CT1, This unit has an EER of 10.8 and can cool 640 sq. ft. the unit features: electronic controls, a 3 speed fan, 8-way directional air control, low voltage compensation for those summer brownouts, LED display on the control panel, and a remote control. The Frigidaire FRA125CT1 can fit in a window opening that is 14 1/2” H X 23 – 36” W. This model is available at Best Buy for $299.99.
Kenmore 12,000 BTU Room Air Conditioner Model#: 70121, This unit has an EER of 10.8 the unit features: electronic touch pad controls, a 3 speed fan, 8-way directional air control, digital display on the control panel, and a remote control. The Kenmore 70121 can fit in a window opening that is 14 1/2” H X 23 – 36” W. This model is available at Sears for $299.99.
10,000 BTU Window Air Conditioners
Frigidaire 10,000 BTU Room Air Conditioner Model #: LRA107BU1, This unit has an EER of 10.8 and can cool 500 sq. ft. the unit features: electronic controls, a 3 speed fan, 8-way directional air control, low voltage compensation for those summer brownouts, LED display on the control panel. The Frigidaire LRA107BU1 can fit in a window opening that is 14 1/2” H X 23 – 36” W. This model is available at Lowes for $249.00.
LG Electronics 10,000 BTU Window Air Conditioner Model #: LW1011ER, This unit has an EER of 10.8 and can cool 450 sq. ft. the unit features: electronic controls, a 3 speed fan, 4-way directional air control, digital display on the control panel, and a remote control. The LG LW1011ER can fit in a window opening that is 16” H X 27 – 39” W. This model is available at Home Depot for $249.00.
Frigidaire 10,000 BTU Room Air Conditioner Model #: FRA105BU1, This unit has an EER of 10.8 and can cool 500 sq. ft. the unit features: electronic controls, a 3 speed fan,, LED display on the control panel, and a remote control. The Frigidaire FRA105BU1 can fit in a window opening that is 14 1/2” H X 23 – 36” W. This model is available at Best Buy for $249.99.
Kenmore 10,000 BTU Room Air Conditioner Model#: 70101, This unit has an EER of 10.8 the unit features: electronic touch pad controls, a 3 speed fan, 8-way directional air control, digital display on the control panel, and a remote control. The Kenmore 70101 can fit in a window opening that is 14 1/2” H X 23 – 36” W. This model is available at Sears for $274.99.
8,000 BTU Window Air Conditioners
Frigidaire 8,000 BTU Room Air Conditioner Model #: LRA087AT7, This unit has an EER of 10.7 and can cool 350 sq. ft. the unit features: electronic controls, a 3 speed fan, 8-way directional air control, low voltage compensation for those summer brownouts, LED display on the control panel, and a remote control. The Frigidaire LRA087AT7 can fit in a window opening that is 14” H X 23 – 36” W. This model is available at Lowes for $209.00.
LG Electronics 8,000 BTU Window Air Conditioner Model #: LW8011ER, This unit has an EER of 9.8 and can cool 340 sq. ft. the unit features: electronic controls, a 3 speed fan, 4-way directional air control, digital display on the control panel, and a remote control. The LG LW1011ER can fit in a window opening that is 13” H X 22 – 36” W. This model is available at Home Depot for $199.00.
Frigidaire 8,000 BTU Room Air Conditioner Model #: FRA085AT7, This unit has an EER of 10.8 and can cool 350 sq. ft. the unit features: electronic controls, a 3 speed fan,, LED display on the control panel, and a remote control. The Frigidaire FRA085AT7 can fit in a window opening that is 14” H X 23 – 36” W. This model is available at Best Buy for $199.99.
Kenmore 8,000 BTU Room Air Conditioner Model#: 79081, This unit has an EER of 10.8 the unit features: electronic touch pad controls, a 3 speed fan, 8-way directional air control, digital display on the control panel, and a remote control. The Kenmore 79081 can fit in a window opening that is 14” H X 23 – 36” W. This model is available at Sears for $199.99.
5,000 – 6,000 BTU Window Air Conditioners
Frigidaire 6,500 BTU Room Air Conditioner Model #: LRA074AT7, This unit has an EER of 10.7 and can cool 240 sq. ft. the unit features: electronic controls, a 3 speed fan, 8-way directional air control, low voltage compensation for those summer brownouts, LED display on the control panel, and a remote control. The Frigidaire LRA074AT7 can fit in a window opening that is 14” H X 23 – 36” W. This model is available at Lowes for $159.00.
GE 6,300 BTU Window Air Conditioner Model #: AEL06LP, This unit has an EER of 10.7 and can cool 250 sq. ft. the unit features: electronic controls, a 3 speed fan, 4-way directional air control, digital display on the control panel, and a remote control. The GE AEL06LP can fit in a window opening that is 13 1/2” H X 22 ½ – 38” W. This model is available at Home Depot for $149.00.
Frigidaire 6,000 BTU Room Air Conditioner Model #: FRA064AT7, This unit has an EER of 10.7 and can cool 216 sq. ft. the unit features: electronic controls, a 3 speed fan,, LED display on the control panel, and a remote control. The Frigidaire FRA064AT7 can fit in a window opening that is 14” H X 23 – 36” W. This model is available at Best Buy for $169.99.
Kenmore 5,200 BTU Room Air Conditioner Model#: 70051, This unit has an EER of 11 the unit features: electronic touch pad controls, a 3 speed fan, 8-way directional air control, digital display on the control panel, and a remote control. The Kenmore 70051 can fit in a window opening that is 14” H X 23 – 36” W. This model is available at Sears for $149.99.
Consumers should always look for sales to get lower prices, they should also realize that if they wait until the hottest time of the year, that stores may not have the inventory available. Many of the Frigidaire and Kenmore air conditioners offered at different stores may be the same base model offered by other stores with differing model numbers and features to meet the stores price point. Consumers should be aware of the fact that subtle differences exist, and make sure that the air conditioner they are buying has the features they want.