All Air Conditioners

All Air Conditioners: Wall, Window and Portable AC

When temperatures even think about rising in Chicagoland and beyond, it’s time to break out the air conditioners. While some folks prefer the ultra-convenience of central air conditioning and heating units, those can be expensive to purchase and hard to maintain. Instead, reach for the convenience of other AC options from Abt. Many of these home coolers are quick and easy to install and even easier to operate.

Before you purchase one, make sure you do a little research first. Some things to take into account are your square footage and how much sun your space gets during the day, as well as how many bodies the machine will be working to cool down. These are just a few factors that can impact how many BTUs (or British Thermal Units) you’ll need—for more information, check out our Air Conditioner Sizing and Buying Guide.

Window Units: One for Every Room

When most people think of air conditioners, they picture these particular rectangular, window-fitting coolers. Window units are some of the most flexible solutions when it comes to cooling, whether you're trying to bring temperatures down in an office, apartment or split-level home. In general, window units must be installed in the early summer, then taken out and stored in the fall. That means you’ve got to be physically able (or find someone that is) to pick up and insert these often-heavy machines. These are some of the most affordable options, and some come with next-gen features like WiFi connection and voice control.

Portable AC: Perfect for Apartments and Dorms

If big windows and heavy movement aren’t your thing, meet the portable AC. These rolling coolers are designed to sit on the floor and connect to a window via hose to exhaust, all while it blows cool air into your space via moving louvers. While they might be a bit hard on your home’s aesthetic, they’re the perfect antidote to high-heat days for those pressed for space. Often loved by condo-owners and apartment dwellers, these machines can even move from room to room thanks to rolling wheels. The one catch? The evaporating humidity has to be stored somewhere. Some collect water in tanks while others include just drainage hoses, while others are completely evaporative.

In-Wall: For Heavy-Duty Cooling

If you’re tired of installing window models year after year and are searching for a permanent solution, bring out the big guns with a wall air conditioner. These devices are designed to be set into the wall permanently so that users don’t need to deal with the problem of installing and uninstalling. They’re often extremely powerful, too. Some of the cons? That first fitting can be time-consuming and it’s important that you fit everything correctly. A perfectly-sized hole must be cut into the wall, and the appropriate sleeve must be fitted as well. If you’re not comfortable cutting into the wall of your home yourself, look for local experts (like our team at Abt if you’re in the Chicagoland area).

Need More Help With Appliances?

If you’re not quite sure which model to choose or are having a hard time deciding how many BTUs you’ll need for your space, you’re in the right spot. Give our team a call at 800-860-3577 or hea dinto the store to see us in person. Alternatively, check out our how-to article on installing a window AC.