Window Air Conditioners

[JHZR2]

Hi,

What brands of window A/Cs are considered the best... i.e. the Staber wahser and dryer equivalent in the A/C world??

High efficiency and American made, with reasonable (not cheap, but deservant of the price) price are my goals.

I have an old window AC in my finished attic. Im having company for about a week, and someone may be staying up there... In case the very very old window unit that is up there right now isnt up to the task (usually we have a vent fan running and dont usually need much cooling for the short time were up there), Ill want to get a replacement in short order... So Id rather be an educated consumer before the fact.

Growing up in the NYC metro market, we used to get the ads on WOR, WABC, etc to make the 'cool change' and get Fredreich air conditioners. Walk down a street in NYC, and it seems like most folks took that advice.

However, I dont know if they or someone else is the best bet.. nor if Im well off shopping at HD/Lowes for my AC...

Any advice would be most appreciated.

Thanks!

JMH

 

[1sttruck]

Crosley (?) is US made, don't know about others. Whatever you get make sure it's big enough, but not too big for your (older ?) circuits.

We've broken some heat records this last weekend with +100 temps, and AC performance has been the topic of a lot of conversation. Several friends with central air have said that their systems can't keep the upstairs cool, so I don't feel so bad as our Frigidare 10k BTU window unit doesn't either, but it does keep the living room cool and the dining room comfortable. It will throw a breaker if too many other appliances are being used, as our house was built by cavemen in the late 70s, so I'm working on a separate run for it. The fan is noisy, I doubt if the unit is made in the US, but at least knew the name in the stack of air conditioners at Lowes. The 6k BTU unit that it replaced just didn't work well when the temps got into the 90s. It was about $300.

 

[Al]

Frigidaire..Made by Electrolux/North America. Made in Ga.

Absolutely top notch. EER=10.7.

Yes they are maybe 50 bucks more than the Chinese model. But it is a better unit. Available at Lowes-they have a remote control and powersaver with solid state control. I bought two last year. They are absolutely great.

 

[Win]

I doubt they are domestically made, but I would consider one of those portable units on wheels that are showing up in the home stores around here.

Use it where you want it, like in your attic for your guests, use it somewhere else later if needed, with a small generator you can cool any room after a power outage.

Yes, I am trying to rationalize the purchase of one of these for our house ...

 

[Bret Chase]

I've also got a Frigidaire 10kbtu window unit, it keeps the majority (living, kitchen, dining) of my 1100 sq ft apartment cool even when it's 90+ here. I lucked out at bought it at Marden's (salvage type place) in perfect condition for $131. I've also got a 5kbtu unit in my bedroom that takes up the slack for the 3 bedrooms (fairly long hallway).

the fan on 99 is noisy, but throws the air all the way into my kitchen (about 25 ft away). I like to keep mine set on auto + energy saver, it throttles down the fan when the compressor isn't running.

 

[doctorr]

Window units in the 10/11/12k Btu area cost about $300 around here, but I found one branded "Hyundai" on the front, for half that ($149)

The only downside is when I slid the sleeve off to install it, the compressor and motor say "Haier".

Consumer Reports has recently given Haier stuff low marks, and it typically has a low efficiency rating. (this one has a SER of 9.7)
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doc

 

[74 Laguna]

I would say Friedrich but they are expensive!

 

[Vuser]

quote:

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Originally posted by doctorr:
Window units in the 10/11/12k Btu area cost about $300 around here, but I found one branded "Hyundai" on the front, for half that ($149)

The only downside is when I slid the sleeve off to install it, the compressor and motor say "Haier".

Consumer Reports has recently given Haier stuff low marks, and it typically has a low efficiency rating. (this one has a SER of 9.7)
.
.
.
doc

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I never did like Consumer Reports so I stopped reading stuff they had to say years ago. We have a Haier tiny ac and so far it has done ok. putting it in was a two day job as our place doesn't have proper window sills. Then again, what trailer does?

 

[k1xv]

Friedrich is made in Texas. If you can get a Frigidaire with a 10.7 EER, I say go for it.

 

[chas3]

since you arent going to run this unit full time, dont worry about the eer. part time operation is the big money saver.

most of these window units would probably almost cost as much to repair than just replace outright.

 

[JHZR2]

This is true...

Im still hoping to get one that is US made, and that is in reality my main goal at this point...

Thanks!

JMH

 

[brian fix]

I find it gratifing that the BITOG people look at how energy saving these units are,conservation is a good thing to do on this site,and we (BITOG) we follow and invent ways to hopefully lead the way in many paths to energy saving,lets keep trying hard.BL

 

[JHZR2]