Cheap Window Air Conditioners
One of the nicest things about window air conditioners is their price point. Unlike central air conditioners which can run at least several thousand dollars to have installed, it is rather simple to find a wide selection of cheap window air conditioners at your local home improvement store. One of the most important things to keep in mind, however, is that you are buying the correct size unit to correspond to the size of the room you wish to cool.
How Do I Determine The Right Fit?
The first thing to do is determine the square footage of the room you wish to install the window unit in. If the room is 10 feet long by 15 feet deep, then it would be 150 square foot in total. If you go online or consult a sales person at the store, you will be able to find a chart that tells you exactly what size unit you need for your square footage. The size or power of a window unit is given in BTUs, or British Thermal Units. For a standard 150 square foot room, a unit that can produce 5,000 to 6,000 BTUs.
Are There Any Exceptions?
While there is a standard chart for determining what amount of BTUs you should have based on what size room you have, there are always exceptions. This number can vary depending on several factors. If the room typically has more than one person occupying it, you are supposed to add an additional 500 BTUs per person. If the room has few windows and doesn't receive a great deal of direct sunlight, you can reduce the overall BTU rating by 10%. On the other hand, if the room has several windows and receives a great deal of direct sunlight, either in the morning or in the afternoon, you should increase the recommended BTU level by 10%.
The one thing you may want to consider paying a bit more for is a higher energy rating. The better the energy rating is on the window unit, the less power it will require to run properly. While higher rated units be may be slightly more expensive up front, the reduced energy cost when running the unit will make up for itself in little time.
The best way to get the cheapest window air conditioner to suit your needs is by making sure you are buying the correct size unit.
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