Image via WikipediaWindow AC units for larger roomsIf you need a window air conditioner for a room that's more than 450 square feet or so, you'll need something larger than about 10,000 BTU. Most air conditioners in this size range come with a slide-in chassis, which makes installation more secure.
Related SearchesIn this size class, the 10,000-BTU Frigidaire FRA106CT1 (*Est. $265) looks like the best choice for cooling a room of about 450 square feet. (Note that this air conditioner is also sold at Lowe's as model #LRA107BU1). The couple of poor reviews we found for this unit share a common thread -- each complained of receiving a damaged unit. It's unclear whether the manufacturer, the retailer sending the item or the shipping process itself caused the damage. In cases where the consumer contacted the manufacturer about the issue, it seemed easily resolved and the unit was replaced. While a few owners complain about noise, far more say they found the air conditioner very quiet. One owner writes: "Slightly louder than old A/C, but I sit right under it and still hear TV just fine." The vast majority of user reviews, as well as one professional reviewer, gives the Frigidaire FRA106CT1 excellent ratings for cooling performance and ease of use, with at least six consumers specifically praising its included remote control.
For an even larger space of about 550 square feet, the 12,000-BTU LG LW1211ER
(*Est. $325) and the 2010 model it replaces (the LG LW1210ER) receive overwhelmingly positive reviews for both cooling performance and low noise level. A call to LG's customer service confirms that the two air conditioners are identical in dimensions, features and performance; the only difference is that the 2011 model has a few more BTU. For this reason, the reviews for the 2010 version should apply to the 2011 LG air conditioner. Though these 12,000-BTU AC units are meant to cover only 550 square feet, one owner claims that it "performs beautifully" in a loft area of roughly 800 square feet consisting of three separate rooms. The only complaint we found in any review of either LG air conditioner -- and we found it often -- was that installation is difficult. Its efficiency and cooling ability rate well in comparative reviews, and quietness was a compliment we read again and again in user reviews.
(*Est. $325) and the 2010 model it replaces (the LG LW1210ER) receive overwhelmingly positive reviews for both cooling performance and low noise level. A call to LG's customer service confirms that the two air conditioners are identical in dimensions, features and performance; the only difference is that the 2011 model has a few more BTU. For this reason, the reviews for the 2010 version should apply to the 2011 LG air conditioner. Though these 12,000-BTU AC units are meant to cover only 550 square feet, one owner claims that it "performs beautifully" in a loft area of roughly 800 square feet consisting of three separate rooms. The only complaint we found in any review of either LG air conditioner -- and we found it often -- was that installation is difficult. Its efficiency and cooling ability rate well in comparative reviews, and quietness was a compliment we read again and again in user reviews.It's important to note that window air conditioners are intended to cool a single room, and few homes have rooms large enough to require an air conditioner of more than about 12,000 BTU. For whole-house cooling, experts say a central AC or multiple window units are more effective and use less energy than a single high-powered window unit (even with strategically placed fans).
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