Best through-wall air conditioners of 2021-Bob Vila's selection

2021-11-18 07:47:51 By : Ms. Jolin Su

Written by Tony Carrick | Published 10:57 AM, April 27, 2021

If you purchase a product through one of our links, BobVila.com and its partners may receive a commission.

Although window air conditioners are a good choice for cooling the room, they need to sacrifice the window and the accompanying landscape, as well as some of its beauty. The best through-wall air conditioners provide a viable option. The functions of these air conditioners are similar to window air conditioners, but they are installed in a hole in the wall to retain the view and beauty of the room’s windows.

Through-wall air conditioners can generate up to 15,000 BTU (British Thermal Units), making this type of air conditioner suitable for cooling rooms up to 700 square feet. Some models also include heating elements that supplement the main heat source of the home. This guide examines the key factors to consider when buying the best through-wall air conditioner and lists some of the best options on the market.

Although choosing a through-wall air conditioner that fits the size of the room is critical, other factors are also important, including energy efficiency, operating mode, and whether the unit has heating options. Below, learn more about these and other attributes.

Through-wall air conditioners are very suitable for rooms that are warmer than other parts of the home or are not served by a central air-conditioning duct system. This may include garages, bedrooms or bonus rooms.

Although wall-mounted air conditioners can be installed anywhere on the exterior wall, most devices are installed close to the floor, so they are less conspicuous and will not detract from the beauty of the room. When selecting a location, make sure that there is enough space around the outside installation location for the air conditioner to draw air into the compressor.

The through-wall air conditioner is installed in a sleeve suitable for the wall hole. In order for the air conditioner to be installed correctly, the depth of the bushing should be equal to or greater than the wall thickness. Most walls are about 5 to 7 inches thick, depending on the type of siding used in the home. Most air-conditioning sleeves are suitable for walls 8 inches or thinner.

Matching the size of the air conditioning unit to the size of the room is essential for choosing the correct model. If the air conditioner is too small, it will not be able to cool the space to the required temperature. It is overkill to buy an air conditioner that is too large. Air conditioners will be more expensive than smaller units and higher operating costs.

The best way to determine the right size of the air conditioning unit is to match the square feet of the room with the energy output of the air conditioner, in BTU. The output range of most wall-mounted air conditioners is between 8,000 and 18,000 BTU. An 8,000-BTU air conditioner can cool up to 350 square feet, while an 18,000-BTU air conditioner can cool up to 1,000 square feet.

Although many wall-mounted air conditioners use standard 115-volt outlets, some high-output models require 230-volt connections, which may require special wiring.

The more cooling power the air conditioner produces, the more electricity it uses. An 18,000-BTU air conditioner uses more than twice the power of an 8,000-BTU air conditioner. To compare the energy efficiency of two wall-mounted air conditioners, calculate the energy efficiency ratio of each unit by dividing its watts by BTU to determine its energy efficiency rating (EER). The higher the EER, the higher the efficiency of the air conditioner. Most through-wall air conditioners have an EER rating between 9 and 11. Many manufacturers advertise the EER of their air conditioners.

The EER of an air-conditioning unit with an ENERGY STAR rating must be at least 12. Although the up-front costs of energy-star-rated units tend to be higher, they can quickly make up for the difference in energy savings. Energy Star rated wall air conditioners use 15% to 30% less electricity than non-Energy Star rated models, even with the same BTU output, making them cheaper to run.

Many through-wall air conditioners also provide heating modes through small built-in heating elements. An air conditioner with a heater function can be plugged into a standard 115-volt socket instead of a 220-volt socket, which can generate about 5,100 BTU of heat, which is enough for 144 square feet, while an air conditioner with a 230-volt connection can generate about 10,600 BTU, which is enough to heat 500 Square feet of space.

Remember, the heating function is to supplement the stove or provide a touch of warmth on cool days. Through-wall air conditioners are not the main heat source.

Many through-wall air conditioners have additional functions that can purify the air in the room, adjust the airflow, or allow users to customize their operations. The dehumidifier mode uses the air conditioner to reduce the humidity in the room by running the fan in low mode and turning on the condenser intermittently. Fan-only mode circulates air throughout the room without using the condenser to cool the air, while sleep mode runs the air conditioner at a quieter noise level while slowly increasing the temperature at night to accommodate the natural drop in body temperature. This happens During sleep.

Most wall-mounted air conditioners also have a programmable 24-hour timer that can automatically turn off the air conditioner after a set time. Other features include blinds that allow users to adjust the direction of the air, and air filters that clean the air by removing pollutants (such as pollen, dust, and mold spores) in the air.

Like window air conditioners, through-wall air conditioners include a compressor that generates cold air and an air processor that uses a large fan to blow air into the room. This dual design is often noisier than the central air conditioner. The characteristic of the central air conditioner is that the compressor is outside the house, and the air processor is usually hidden in the attic, or ductless air conditioner, and the compressor is outside the house.

Since the air compressor is close to the living space, the noise of the through-wall air conditioner is relatively loud, about 50 decibels, which is similar to smooth traffic or moderate rain. Some through-wall air conditioners have quiet operating settings that can reduce the decibel level to 30 seconds. Remember that when the air conditioner is operating in quiet mode, it will run the compressor at a lower level, thereby reducing the cold air produced.

The through-wall air conditioner is approximately 24 inches wide, 20 inches high, and 15 inches deep, making it a fairly large device. Although these air conditioners are usually installed in inconspicuous locations, such as under windows, they are still very obvious features in the room. In order not to impair the beauty of the room, most models are white with low-key features, including simple adjustable blinds that can guide airflow and slatted vents that cover filters and air intakes. Some through-wall air conditioners include a decorative kit that allows users to create a more perfect appearance between the device and the wall.

The following list narrows the area of ​​through-wall air conditioners to some of the best models on the market by coverage. These air conditioners range from 8,000 BTU models for small rooms to 15,000 BTU behemoths for large spaces. They have multiple operating modes and highly efficient Energy Star ratings.

Koldfront's through-wall air conditioner has an output power of 10,000-BTU and can cool up to 400 square feet, making it ideal for bedrooms, offices and other small rooms. A convenient remote control allows the user to control all the settings of the air conditioner, adjust the temperature, and turn the device on and off from across the room.

Despite its small capacity, this is a multifunctional air conditioner with a variety of settings and functions, including a dehumidifier setting to reduce room humidity, a sleep mode for quieter operation, and a 24-hour timer. This air conditioner is 20.4 inches wide and 14.5 inches high. It is powered by a 115-volt socket and does not require complicated hard wiring.

Many through-wall air conditioners on the market can generate enough cold air to cool large spaces. The difference between this model and Frigidaire is its ability to execute efficiently. With its 12,000-BTU energy output, this air conditioner can effectively cool 550 square feet, enough to earn an Energy Star rating, making it one of the most economical options for cooling larger spaces.

It also includes other useful add-ons, such as a thermostat in the remote control (necessary for uniform cooling of larger spaces) and standard functions such as programmable timers, multiple fan speeds, sleep modes, and energy-saving modes. Frigidaire's through-wall air conditioner is 24 inches wide, 20 inches high, and 14.5 inches deep, and its dimensions are similar to other models.

Improved accuracy of temperature readings and high energy efficiency make this through-wall air conditioner ideal for smaller rooms. One disadvantage of window-mounted and wall-mounted air conditioners is that when the thermostat is located near the output of the device, their challenge is to cool the room evenly-the coolest place in the room. Keystone solves this problem by allowing users to place the thermostat in an area that is not close to the air conditioner.

This useful feature plus the Energy Star rating makes the extra cost worthwhile-this model is more expensive than other 8,000-BTU models. Similar to other through-wall air conditioners, this air conditioner has multiple fan speeds and provides useful additional features such as programmable auto-off, sleep mode, and energy-saving mode. This through-the-wall air conditioner is 24 inches wide, 14.5 inches high, and 20 inches deep, and the size is moderate. This air conditioner plugs into a 115-volt socket.

The BTU output is significantly higher than most wall-mounted air conditioners, and can be used as a through wall air conditioner or a window air conditioner, which is one of the most powerful and powerful air conditioners on the market. It has a staggering 15,100 BTU output, enough to cool a 700 square foot room.

This makes it ideal for houses with open floor plans or even unfinished garages to cool down. Energy Star ratings help reduce energy usage, while industry standard features such as energy-saving modes, sleep modes, and programmable 24-hour timers add useful features. Keystone's remote control also includes a "follow me" function. This allows the air conditioner to sense the temperature in the room through the remote control, thereby cooling the room more evenly. This air conditioner plugs into a 115-volt socket.

The size of the area to be cooled will determine which type of through-wall air conditioner is suitable for your space, and Koldfront air conditioners are the first choice for getting the job done. It is very suitable for most rooms and can effectively cool down.

The advantage of a through-wall air conditioner is that you won't sacrifice windows to get the cold air you need. These recommendations are selected based on the BTU capacity they cool for rooms of various sizes, whether it is a bedroom, a living area, or even a shed. In addition, each unit has an energy efficiency rating to help users reduce energy costs without sacrificing comfort.

These devices are easy to install and are accompanied by adequate installation and operating instructions. We also selected a product that includes a remote control so that it can be controlled from anywhere in the room. Our favorite model runs at multiple fan speeds and automatically reduces output when the desired temperature is reached. Some devices have programmable timers for users who prefer maximum control.

If you want to know how wall-mounted air conditioners are different from window air conditioners or which model to choose for your home, please read on for answers to some of the most common questions about these devices.

Window air conditioners and wall air conditioners are two completely different types of air conditioners. Window type air conditioners are installed in the windows of the home, while wall type air conditioners are installed in holes on the outer wall. Both types of air conditioners take in air from the outside and cool it down before blowing it into the room.

The best way to choose an air conditioner is to measure the square footage of the room and find an air conditioner designed to cool the space.

Most wall-mounted air conditioners plug into a standard 115-volt outlet. However, larger models require more power and therefore require a 220-volt connection.

Disclosure: BobVila.com participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide publishers with a way to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliate sites.

You agree that BobVila.com can process your data in the manner described in our privacy policy.

Copyright © 2021 Acton Media Inc. all rights reserved.