Main advantages of 5000 BTU air conditioners
When it comes to installing an AC unit, you want to make sure that is process is fast and simple. With the best 5000 BTU air conditioners, you can be sure that this task will be a breeze. Moreover, if you are planning to install it in a temporary location, these portable devices are ideal for that. Next, because the main part of the window-mounted units is exposed outside, they shouldn’t take much space. As for the portable models, they have a small footprint as well.
These air conditioners won’t increase your electricity bills much because they don’t consume as much energy as more powerful models. But they are still capable of cooling down your area quite fast and effectively without making too much noise.
As you already know, some of the models allow you to lower the humidity level in your room. This helps to reduce the number of harmful bacteria inside. Since modern air conditioners come with filters, they will improve the air quality significantly.
How to pick the best 5000 BTU air conditioner?
When choosing the best 5000 BTU AC unit, you will need to consider various features of these products. Everything starts with where you want to install your unit, but you also need to consider whether its power is enough to cool down the desired room or area. The dimensions of the product must be suitable, too, and the noise level shouldn’t disrupt your activity. The controls also need to be easy to adjust, and since you don’t want your bills to be too high, you should also consider energy efficiency. If this sounds like too much, don’t worry because our guide is there to help!
Type of the AC unit
Here are the two main types of air conditioners available on the market:
Both categories are quite self-explanatory, but let’s get into details a bit. A window-mounted unit is placed on any exterior window in your home. You usually receive installation kits, and it is vital to make sure that the size is suitable. Since the AC will take some window space, it is important that it complements the décor. You can also look for units with a modern and sophisticated design, such as the Friedrich Chill CP06G10B. The crucial characteristic of window-mounted units is that they are usually placed in a single spot, and used to cool down a single room.
On the other hand, portable units offer you the option to take them to any room of your choice. You might be spending several hours a day in your home office, and that is when you need it cool. Maybe you prefer keeping the room you sleep in cool, which is why you can take a portable AC there in the evening. These products have a small footprint, and they are lightweight, which makes them simple to transport.
Performance
We are focused on air conditioners that have approximately 5,000BTUs of power, but their exact potential might vary slightly. For example, a unit might deliver 4,500BTUs, but be suitable to cool down small rooms. On the other hand, 6,000BTU might give that additional cooling boost you need during hot summer days.
The usual cooling area that these compact-sized AC units can handle is 150 square feet. By getting just a bit more BTU, you can increase it to 200 or 250 square feet, which can be the case if you use Amana AMAP061BW.
It is important to note that 5000 BTU air conditioners are focused on cooling single rooms. You can improve their performance by keeping the doors and windows closed.
Dimensions
The next thing you want to consider is the dimensions of your AC model. The good news is that units that are not that powerful also come in a compact size. At least that is the usual case with 5000 BTU air conditioners. Your main consideration should be that the unit fits into your window well. That will ensure the necessary stability, and prevent any risk of dropping. Check out how much the unit is sticking out from the window. You might not like the air conditioner to stick out too much, but that is a matter of personal preference.
The good thing about portable air conditioners is that they have a small footprint, which is the case with the Koldfront PAC802W. The chances are you can fit them anywhere, but make sure they are close enough to a window used for drainage and venting, and that there is an electrical outlet nearby.
Controls
It is always nice to have multiple adjustments at your disposal for an air conditioner. That is why 5000 BTU AC units offer several cooling and fan speeds. In most cases, you will get two or three fan speeds, such as with the LG LW6017R. That should be more than enough to cover all your cooling requirements.
These small and powerful units might have manual controls available, and they also might come with remote control. In some cases, you will only have a control panel on the unit, such as with the Whirlpool WHAW050BW. Many units will come with a remote control that will help you adjust the air conditioner from anywhere in the room.
All in all, adjusting the AC is simple, and it shouldn’t take more than a couple of clicks to find the desired settings. Just make sure that you find a unit with comfortable and accessible controls for you.
Noise level
We won’t beat around the bush because it is important to clarify – air conditioners will make some noise. That is normal because they use fans to cool down the air in the room, and these fans are behind the noise.
Your crucial consideration is that the noise level acceptable to you. If you need an AC for an office, you don’t want it to disrupt your activities. That is why a unit like the Friedrich Chill CP06G10B can be a great fit if you are looking for the ultimate quietness.
That is up to your preference, but make sure to check the noise levels to ensure that they will meet your expectations.
Energy efficiency
The energy efficiency of your air conditioner is important because it directly affects your utility bills. Additionally, an energy-efficient unit is usually eco-friendly, which is important to show that you care about the planet.
You will find EER and CEER ratings that describe the energy efficiency of an AC unit. EER stands for Energy Efficiency Ratio and shows the efficiency of your product at a particular outdoor temperature.
CEER stands for Combined Energy Efficiency Ratio, and the Department of Energy imposed this as a new standard in 2014. It combines the energy when the AC is working, but also when it is powered on, even if it is standby mode.
If your air conditioner has an Energy Star rating, that means it complies with the latest energy efficiency standards.
Some of the units will offer the standard mode when you need maximum performance, and ECO mode to use when you want to save on energy spending.
Installation kit
The first thing you want to ensure is that an installation kit is included with your air conditioner unit. Most manufacturers make sure to include everything required for that. That is a way to save money because you don’t want to pay extra for a setup kit.
When it comes to the contents of your installation box, you should have a detailed product manual with steps on how to install the unit. A window-mounted AC will probably come with mounting brackets, sliding panels, and other accessories required to mount it on the window.
On the other hand, a portable air conditioner comes with a drainage hose, a window kit, and any other accessories that the particular unit needs.
Warranty
If you are buying an air conditioner, it is only natural that you want it to serve you as long as possible. The warranty can be a fine indicator of how much you can have faith in the unit’s durability.
The standard warranty for 5000BTU air conditioners is 12 months. However, many manufacturers are ready to offer a two-year or longer warranty, which confirms their trust in the product they made.
It is crucial to read the details of the warranty. Some deals are limited, and you might receive a different warranty for various parts. For example, the Frigidaire FFRE0533S1 offers 2-3 year warranty on the unit, but a five-year guarantee on sealed systems.
Additional features
Additional features are all those bells and whistles whose goal is to improve your convenience. Here is an overview of the potential features to look in air conditioners:
- Automatic restart – if the power goes out, the unit will remember the settings. Once the power comes back, it will start working with the memorized adjustments.
- Auto-cool mode – this mode monitors the temperature in the room, and makes sure that it is in line with your desired settings. It is perfect for those who don’t want their room to get too cold or too hot.
- Directional air-louvers – these ensure that the air goes in multiple directions. That secures even airflow and cooling and makes sure that the area below the air conditioner is not too cool.
Other additional features worth mentioning include a programmable timer, sleep mode, etc.
Prices
Although all these models offer relatively similar power, 5000 BTU air conditioners can significantly vary in price. That is why we divided their cost into three categories:
- Entry-level products – if you are looking for a bargain deal, you can find an AC unit under $150. A great example in this category is the Arctic King WWK05CM91N. This product delivers the expected performance and decent durability, which makes it a good value for the price.
- Average AC units – the average cost of a 5000BTU air conditioner is between $150 and $250. For this price, you can expect even cooling and efficient performance even during hot summer days.
- Premium air conditioners – the price of these products go over $250. You should expect impressive performance, as well as attractive design, and additional features like programmable timers, automatic restart, etc. The LG LP0817WSR is a premium portable unit with excellent durability and admirable performance.
Ultimately, the crucial thing to ensure is that the AC unit you buy provides plenty of bang for the buck.
