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How to choose an air conditioner

Need help deciding what air conditioner type is right for you? Our quick tips make it easy to find the right one for your space and help you stay cool and comfortable all season long.

A NOMA iQ™ Smart ENERGY STAR Window Air Conditioner. A NOMA iQ™ Smart ENERGY STAR Window Air Conditioner.

Portable Air Conditioners

Portable air conditioners are convenient and easy to install. They're compatible with most types of windows but take up floor space and can run louder than window air conditioners. Built-in wheels make them easy to move, plus they're allowed in most buildings.

Window Air Conditioners

Window air conditioners are smaller, quieter, and more affordable than similar capacity portable air conditioners. Plus, they don’t require any floor space. However, they can only be installed in sliding windows that can allow for the size of the air conditioner. Some buildings won't permit window air conditioners, so check if your building has any restrictions to decide if this type is right for your space.

Smart Air Conditioners

Smart portable and window air conditioners allow you to control your temperature from the convenience of your smartphone. Using a compatible smart system on your phone or a few voice commands, you can quickly turn your air conditioner on or off, change the temperature, and more.

How to choose the right capacity

An air conditioner’s cooling capacity is measured in British Thermal Units (BTUs) per hour. The higher the BTU rating, the greater the cooling capacity of the unit. Please follow the below steps to measure, calculate, and choose the right BTU rating for your air conditioner.

Step 1: Determine your square footage 

In order to determine what BTU capacity you need (see chart below) you need to measure your room. Here’s how:
• For square or rectangular rooms, multiply the length by the width.
• For triangular areas, multiply the length by the width and divide by two.
• For unconventional room shapes, divide the room into triangles and squares and measure areas to get total square footage.

Choosing the right BTU rating

Use the charts below to determine the cooling capacity you need for portable and window air conditioners.

Portable Air Conditioner Room Size Guide

Capacity (SACC BTUs)

Area to be cooled (single hose)

Area to be cooled (double hose)

5,000

Up to 150-sq ft or 10 x 15-ft room

6,000

Up to 250-sq ft or 10 x 25-ft room

7,000

Up to 300-sq ft or 15 x 20-ft room

8,000

Up to 350-sq ft or 10 x 35-ft room

450-sq ft or 30 x 15-ft room

9,000

Up to 400-sq ft or 20 x 20-ft room

500-sq ft or 25 x 20-ft room

10,000

Up to 450-sq ft or 15 x 30-ft room

550-sq ft or 10 x 55-ft room

12,000

Up to 550-sq ft or 10 x 55-ft room

600-sq ft or 20 x 30-ft room

Window Air Conditioner Room Size Guide

Capacity

Area to be cooled

5,000

Up to 150-sq ft or 10 x 15-ft room

6,000

Up to 250-sq ft or 10 x 25-ft room

7,000

Up to 300-sq ft or 15 x 20-ft room

8,000

Up to 350-sq ft or 10 x 35-ft room

9,000

Up to 400-sq ft or 20 x 20-ft room

10,000

Up to 450-sq ft or 15 x 30-ft room

12,000

Up to 550-sq ft or 10 x 55-ft room

Step 2: Make any adjustments for room circumstances

There are a few rules that can be helpful for adjusting your idea BTU rating:
• For well-shaded rooms, reduce capacity by 10 percent or opt for the next smaller unit.
• For very sunny rooms, increase capacity by 10 percent or opt for the next larger unit.
• Add 600 BTUs for each additional person that regularly uses a room.
• For kitchens, add 4,000 BTUs to your desired capacity or opt for the next larger unit.
Finally, consider where you’ll install the unit. If you’re setting an air conditioner up in the corner of a room, look for a unit that will send the airflow in the right direction. For portable air conditioners, the flexible exhaust hose allows placement of the unit at least 2 inches from the window or door.

Step 3: Pick the right air conditioner for you 

Now that you've figured out the capacity you need for your space, you can decide what type of air conditioner is right for you.

Portable air conditioners are easy to install but take up floor space. Window air conditioners are quieter, but not always permitted and require sliding windows that can allow for the size of the air conditioner. For window air conditioners, you'll want to measure your window to make sure a unit will fit.

Other features to consider

Air conditioners include everything from basic mechanically-controlled models to modern units with convenient features such as timers, remote controls, power saving modes and more. When choosing the right air conditioner, you’ll want to select a model that suits your needs.

Wi-Fi connectivity

Smart air conditioners allow you to control them from your device anywhere using an App.

Voice assistant compatibility

Offers the convenience to control the unit with voice commands through Alexa or Google Home.

Timer

Some units come with 12/24-hr timers, allowing you to schedule on/off times.

Sleep mode

A sleep mode can be helpful to automatically increase or decrease the temperature for a perfect night’s sleep.

Energy saving mode

Look for ENERGY STAR certified models that help you conserve energy and lower your bill.

Super quiet and noise control

Some units offer noise level control that’s less disruptive and brings extra comfort to your space.

Shop all air conditioners

Know what you need? Check out our selection of air conditioners and find your fit.

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