Abt Electronics Air Conditioner Buying Guide

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Room air conditioners can be an affordable alternative to central-air conditioner systems. New models are considerably more energy-efficient than those made only a decade ago. Newer features such as electronic temperature control are more precise than the older knob controls and can also save you money down the road.

Room air conditioners come in different sizes, with cooling capacities ranging from 5,000 BTUs (British thermal units per hour) to as high as 30,000 BTUs. The size you need depends on the room to be cooled. Most of the current models do a good job at cooling, with the better models keeping the temperature more even than the rest. Check the unit’s EER (Energy Efficiency Rating) which is posted on every air conditioner. Also determine the right size air conditioner for the space you’re cooling (see chart below).

Installation on room air conditioners will normally require two people. Some models have an outer cabinet that you anchor in the window, into which you slide the unit. To maintain your air conditioner, clean the air filter every few weeks. Certain models have a washable filter that slides out easily. Some units may also have an indicator that tells you when it’s time to change the filter.

To select the correct BTU's you will need to cool a room, use the chart below:

Square Feet	Approximate BTU'sNeeded
100-150	5,000
150-250	6,000
250-300	7,000
300-350	8,000
350-450	10,000
450-650	12,000
650-850	13,000
850-1100	18,000
1100-1400	24,000
1400-1800	25,000
1800-2500	29,000

AC Unit Receptacle Types
PARALLEL 125 Volts 15 Amps
PERPENDICULAR 230/208 Volts 20 Amps
TANDEM 230/208 Volts 15 Amps
LARGE TANDEM 230/208 Volts 30 Amps

Please note-
- Add BTU by 10% for sunny areas
- Add BTU by 10% for second story (or higher) rooms
- Add 4,000 BTU if area to be cooled is in the kitchen
- Add 600 BTU for each additional person (using room) over 2 persons

What's The Big Deal About BTU Sizing?

BTU Size Too Large
An air conditioner that has a higher BTU rating than the room size requires will tend to cycle off too quickly. The unit will not properly remove the moisture from the air.

BTU Size Too Small
An air conditioner that has a lower BTU rating than the room size requires will run continuously. The unit will not adequately cool the room.

Air Conditioner Types

Window Air Conditioners
Are for windows that slide up and down.

Casement Air Conditioners
Are for windows that swing out to the left or right (usually with a hand crank).

Wall Air Conditioners
Goes through the wall of a building and requires a sleeve. Sleeves are sold separately and can be found in the air conditioner accessories category

Portable Air Conditioners
Great for a no window office or room, these are relatively new to the market. They are portable so they can be taken anywhere.
These units must be ventilated.... the exhaust must go somewhere outside of the room.

Click here to view all Air Conditioner Accessories
Click here to view all Casement Air Conditioners
Click here to view all Portable Air Conditioners
Click here to view all Wall Air Conditioners
Click here to view all Window Air Conditioners

Click here to view all Buying Guides.