Window air conditioners vary from portable units in the fact that they are a more permanent solution to cooling down your house. Unlike the portable systems, window air conditioners have to be installed in a window and sometimes a little handyman work is necessary. Window units are an easier install and are still the preferred choice above central cooling systems though if you only have one or two rooms to cool or you are a renter.
When installing a window conditioning unit the obvious first consideration is do make sure the size of the window and the air conditioner match. You should also make sure that you have the required power source to feed the cooling unit. Most wall units are 120 volts and some of the window mounted air conditioners come in 220 volts. If you do not feel absolutely sure of the electrical or any other part of the installation, hire a contractor to install your air conditioning unit. It’s not worth the headache to save a couple of dollars.
If you are still in the selection process of getting your new window air conditioner there are a few points to consider when shopping in the store. Depending on the location of your conditioning unit, noise may be a factor. If this is the case, listen to the unit running in the store. This can save you a lot of grief at four in the morning as your window starts hissing at you. Another cool option that I like is the ability to set a timer so that your air conditioner turns on and cools the house just before you get home.
Once you decide on which window unit is the best air conditioner for you then its time to purchase. The best time to buy any air conditioning unit is in the fall or winter. Demand is low and so are the prices usually. The other factor is that if you wait until the summer, you may get a heat wave and all the air conditioners may be sold leaving you with only a breeze in your window! Speaking of breezes, remember if you live in a colder climate that has winters you may want to remove the air conditioner from the window come winter. Even the best install jobs will still leave more gaps for the cold to come in then a weather proof window would.