How Do You Pick A Window Unit AC?
A window air conditioner (AC) works by using coolant to reduce the temperature in a room and releasing the hot air outside. When choosing a window AC, you need to take into consideration the size of your window, the power sources you have available and the cooling needs of the room. The cooling capacity of a window AC is measuring in Btu, or British thermal units. Measure the lower part (the part that raises up) of the window into which you will be placing the AC unit to determine what size the AC unit should be. Check to see which outlets you have available in your room. A larger window AC unit may require a 230/208-volt circuit. Moderately large units may require a dedicated 115-volt outlet. Determine the capacity you need for your window AC. Calculate the base size of your unit by using the sizing chart on the Energy Star site (see the “Resources” section). For example, a 230-square-foot room would need an AC with a capacity of about 6,000 Btu. Adjust your estimate if the room recei
