How To Buy The Right Air Conditioner: Window, Portable and Built-In Units

In the heat of summer, air conditioning can help you stay cool. Even if you don't have a central air conditioner, you can find options to fit your home: window air conditioners, portable air conditioners and built-in wall air conditioners. This buying guide will help you make the right decision.

Where to Buy an Air Conditioner

Sam's Club has a variety of home cooling solutions including air conditioners, fans, and dehumidifiers in stock, with even more available at SamsClub.com.

How to buy a portable air conditioner

A portable air conditioner does not require installation. All you need is an electrical outlet and, sometimes, a place for condensed moisture to go. Some portable air conditioners also serve as a dehumidifier. You can use a portable air conditioner in any room and can move it when needed. Just know what size spaces you will usually want to cool and the buying process will be easy.

How to buy a window air conditioner

A window air conditioner vents to the outside. It cools a room well but is harder to move, so selecting a model based on your room size is important.

What does BTU mean for air conditioners?

BTU (or British thermal unit) measures the cooling power of an air conditioner. The more BTUs, the bigger area an air conditioner can cool. Many air conditioners list a number of square feet they can cool, which helps you judge whether an air conditioner is the right choice.

What Type of Air Conditioner Do You Need?

Window Air Conditioner

A window-mounted air conditioner is mounted in a specific window in a room. It is a solution if you need a certain area like a bedroom cooled regularly, and it requires little or no installation expertise. Just take your time not to drop it out the window. These units range in price from around $130 to up to $500, depending on how many BTU it has.

Portable Air Conditioner

An 8,000 BTU to 14,000 BTU portable air conditioner can easily be moved from room to room and can cool a dedicated space well. These units range in price from around $300 and require no installation.

Wall Air Conditioner

A wall-mounted air conditioner functions like a wall-mounted unit but is installed directly in a wall instead of in a window. These units range in price from around $400 and require professional-quality installation.

Ductless Mini Split Air Conditioner

These units provide cooling and also have heat pumps built in, providing a versatile climate control solution with a high seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) rating.

Central Air Conditioner

A central air conditioner is a major investment for a single-family home, and it requires an HVAC professional. You should expect to spend thousands of dollars on this cooling solution -- and it may not even be an option if you live in an apartment or multi-family housing. It will provide the best solution for cooling your entire home at one time.

How To Choose the Right Air Conditioner

What is the BTU range of air conditioners?

Most room air conditioners range between 8,000 BTU and 12,000 BTU. At SamsClub.com, you can find additional options as low as 5,000 BTU and as high as 25,000 BTU.

How to choose the right BTU for your room size

Compare your room size to the BTU rating to make sure you have enough cooling power. As a rule of thumb, an air conditioner needs at least 20 BTU for each square foot. The following breakdown shows a basic translation of BTU to room size from products available at SamsClub.com. Check specific product listings to see how many square feet you can cool with any air conditioner model.

• A 5,000 BTU air conditioner can cool a 150-square-foot room.
• An 8,000 BTU air conditioner can cool a 300-square-foot room.
• A 10,000 BTU air conditioner can cool a 400-square-foot room.
• A 12,000 BTU air conditioner can cool a 500-square-foot room.
• A 14,000 BTU air conditioner can cool a 700-square-foot room.

What to consider when cooling your room

• Square footage: This is the starting point. Match your room size to the BTU needed to cool it.
• Ceiling height: If you have higher ceilings in a room, you will need more BTU to cool it.
• Room insulation: If your room is poorly insulated, then the cool air will leak out, and it will take more BTU to keep the room cool.
• Sun exposure: Rooms with direct sun exposure will be harder to keep cool. Adding blackout curtains to windows will allow you to cool the room with less BTU.
• Location: The location of the room matters. If a room gets a lot of afternoon sun, it will be harder to keep cool than a room that gets sun in the morning when temperatures are cooler.
• Climate: If you live in a warm climate, then you will probably run your air conditioner more frequently. You may want to consider a more energy efficient air conditioner to save on energy costs.

What is the most energy-efficient air conditioner?

The energy efficiency ratio (EER) ratio is used to measure energy efficiency. Models from GE, LG, Haier, and Frigidaire (all available at SamsClub.com) provide some of the lowest energy costs on the market. Check for Energy Star certification as you shop at Sam's Club or SamsClub.com to find the best option for your budget.

At what temperature should I set my air conditioner in the summer?

The U.S. Department of Energy recommends 78 degrees in order to save on cooling costs. Most people find a comfort range between 73 and 79 degrees. Setting the temperature higher when you're not home will help you save on energy costs.

What are the common dimensions of air conditioners?

Most wall or window air conditioners require at least 15.5 inches of window height and between 23 inches and 36 inches of window width. The unit itself is usually about 15 inches high and 20 inches deep.

Portable air conditioners average about 30 inches high, 18 inches wide, and 15 inches deep.

What Brands of Air Conditioners Does Sam's Club Sell?

• Honeywell
• GE
• Midea
• Frigidaire
• LG
• DeLonghi
• Haier
• Whirlpool
• Emerson
• Keystone
• Amana
• NewAir
• Portacool

Which Air Conditioner Features Should You Consider?

• Timer: A timer will help you cool your room when you are there while saving on energy costs when you're not.
• Sleep setting: This specific kind of timer ensures a cool climate while you sleep.
• Remote control: A remote control lets you control a wall unit air conditioner or portable air conditioner from across the room.
• Mechanical controls vs. electronic controls: Mechanical controls like dials and switches are on less expensive air conditioners. Electronic controls give you more precise temperature control.
• Venting options: You need to vent most air conditioners so that condensation goes outside. Window and wall units are vented by virtue of the way they are installed. Many portable air conditioners have a hose that needs to be vented outdoors or into a bucket.
• Filter alert: Some units have filters that need to be cleaned periodically. The filter alert lets you know when that cleaning needs to happen.
• Dehumidification: Many portable air conditioners can also serve as dehumidifiers.
• Electronic ionizer: An air ionizer helps to clean a room of dust, bacteria, and other particles to provide better air quality.
• Extra-long cord: Depending on where you plan to install your air conditioner, you may need an extra-long cord to ensure power.

FAQ - Air Conditioners

Does an air conditioner need a vent?

Most air conditioners need a vent.

Are there ventless air conditioners?

Yes, you can find ventless air conditioners at SamsClub.com.

What is the most powerful portable air conditioner?

You can find many brands of portable air conditioners with 14,000 BTUs at SamsClub.com.

How cold can a portable air conditioner get?

A portable air conditioner can lower the temperature of your room 15-20 degrees, as long as you have the proper BTU for your room size.

Does Sam's Club deliver and install air conditioners?

Sam's Club Plus members can get free shipping on air conditioners. Sam's Club does not install air conditioners.