Benefits of having a casement window ac
If without an AC when summer comes, many people suffer and even regret their decision not to install a simple one. A casement window AC helps you beat the extreme heat in summer. Such an AC will help you cut down on utility bills and also add to your interior décor. Here are some distinct advantages that you must know about casement window ACs.
- They are cheap – Unlike the central air conditioners, the window ACs are way affordable.
- They are very easy to install.
- They don’t take up any floor space in your room
- Are high-energy efficient and they help at reducing your energy bill
- They can be used in many places – You can install them in small or large rooms, kitchens, bedrooms, bathrooms or offices.
- Many are multifunctional – Many ACs can be used to cool as well as heat up a room.
How to install a window ac unit
For the many people who prefer a cheaper way to cool their homes, the window AC unit provides the answers they seek. Once you have decided to invest in an AC, the first thing to decide on is the square area you want it to service. The AC unit should have enough British Thermal Units (BTUs) to cool the room effectively. Follow these steps when installing an AC unit;
- Measure the size of the room – Measure the total width and length of the room to get the entire working area of the room. Continue to measure the width and length of the inside window sill. The height of the window, when opened, is also very important. The top panels of the unit should fit snugly on the inside of the window.
- Installation of the cabinet – There are instances when the vertical window AC unit can come in parts. Faced with such a situation, you need to first install the housing. The housing will go into the window first. Use the screws provided to secure the frame or housing to the window sill. In case the unit extends outside the window, you will need to use braces for the bottom of the frame.
- Install the unit – After firmly fixing the housing, it is now time to slide the AC unit inside the housing. On the outer end of the AC, there are panels to pull out or shut off the open sides of your window.
- Weatherstripping – Go outside the window with your weatherstrip. On the outside of the AC, use the weatherstripping seal the unit off from the weather. While many modern units are secure, it wouldn’t hurt to take this extra step.
After the above steps, take a look at the user manual and learn how to operate the AC.
Price range
Unlike central air conditioners, the window ACs are cheaper. Of course, the brand name and model matters like in every market segment, but overall, window ACs are much less expensive. Depending on what your budget is, you will easily find Friedrich and Frigidaire among other brands with ACs going for as much as $1,500 and more. At the same time, some ACs bearing the same logos are going for as low as $150.
Features to consider while buying the best casement window air conditioner
When it comes to picking the right casement window air conditioner, some numerous factors and characteristics must be put into consideration. An AC will help you cool a room, but it must of the right size and should be fitted right. Some of the things to look into should be the size of the room vis-a-vis the working area capacity of an AC unit. The BTU capacity of the unit, among other things, also matters. Below are some critical features that you should consider when it comes to investing in a window AC.
Calculate the area
The area of the room that you want to cool is the first factor to consider when you decide to buy an AC. It would help if you stood by taking the floor area and then multiplying that with the height of the inner wall of the room. The standard height of a room is considered to be 8 feet. The area of a room is used to establish what type and size of an AC to buy. A room measuring 380 square feet will be best served by Frigidaire FFRS1022R1, or PerfectAire Slider Air Conditioner, which has a capacity of 450 square feet.
BTUs
The cooling capacity of any air conditioner is measured using the British Thermal Units (BTUs). The primary measure then is BTUs per hour. For best results, pick a unit whose BTU capacity fits your space. The lower the BTUs to a room, the lower the ability of the AC to cool the room. In turn, this leads to the AC taking a big chunk of your energy bill. On the other hand, an AC that is overly large for your room leads to uneven cooling and dehumidifying. There will be sections with uncomfortable hot or cold air. An example of how BTU relates to the surface area;
100 to 150 sq. feet – 5,000 BTUs
150 to 250 sq. feet – 6,000 BTUs
250 to 300 sq. feet – 7,000 BTUs
300 to 350 sq. feet – 8,000 BTUs
Remember, if a room receives direct sunlight, an additional 10 BTUs should be considered. For every additional person who will spend regular time in a room, an additional 600 BTUs should be added. Finally, a window AC should come with an extra 4,000 BTUs if installed in the kitchen.
Dimensions
The dimensions of a casement window air conditioner and those of the window are critical because a mismatch of the two will lead to the need of remodeling the window. The ACs in the market are sold based on dimensions, and this serves to help you know whether a certain AC can fit on your window. While many window air conditioners can be adjusted when it comes to width, a majority of them don’t have room for height adjustment. You will find a window AC such as MIDEA MAW06R1YWT bearing 18.5 x 16 x 13.4 inches measurements. This AC can be fitted on a window measuring between 23 and 36 inches, but the height should be 14”.
Installation methods
There are two types of window air conditioners, namely, vertical and vertical sliding. Each of the installation methods should match a particular AC. Both of the installation methods are easy to understand and execute. While the user manual should include a user installation manual, we have explained in detail how to install a window AC elsewhere in the review.
Working type
Working area means the total area a window air conditioner can effectively cover. A room with a total area of 300 square feet must be fitted with an AC with a working area of at least 300 square feet. In the case of Frigidaire FFRA0511R1E, for example, it cannot be affixed in a room measuring more 150 square feet.
Cleaning easiness
The ease in cleaning your window sliding AC unit or a vertical one depends on things such as accessibility and its design. Some of the ACs come with washable filters too.
Warranty information
The warranty that a window air conditioner comes with should serve to persuade you on the decision to make when it comes to buying it. While a few manufacturers haven’t provided warranty information, a majority of ACs come with a warranty. A majority of the reviewed ACs carry a product and workmanship warranty of no less than three years.
Filters
The filters that come fitted on air conditioners serve to prevent airborne particles from entering the room. Some filters even capture microbial particles. As such, a filter is a key component in an AC. You will find some ACs such as Friedrich Chill CP06G10B being installed with washable filters hence saving you some money.
EER
The Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) rating helps to tell us how many BTUs the air conditioner uses for every watt of power. This then means that the higher the EER, the more efficient the AC is. As a general rule, you should buy an AC whose EER rating is higher than 10.0 to enjoy the best energy and cost-saving benefits. The Friedrich Chill CP06G10B and Whirlpool Energy Star WHAW081BW enjoy an EER rating of 12.1.
Settings
An AC should help you enjoy staying indoors. Many of these ACs are designed to allow you to regulate the flow of air in the room. You will find a majority of them featuring a 3-fan or 2-fan speed setting. There are other ACs with 4-way directional louvers that enhance the cooling effect in a room.
