Updated on Apr. 04, 2025
A room air conditioner can be a lifesaver when temperatures soar. Do your research before you buy so you get what's best for your situation.
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Summers are really getting hotter, and no, it isn’t a hoax. Climate scientists worldwide have recognized the fact, and in 2023, the New York Times published a series of graphics that make it clear. What this means for homeowners and renters alike is that room air conditioners an increasingly important tools for comfort and — for some — survival.
Room air conditioners are the kind of AC units that offer one of the most popular air conditioning solutions due to their budget-friendliness and convenience. Approximately 25 percent of all homes in the U.S. have a room air conditioner, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. If your home isn’t among these, and you feel the need to change that, you’ve got some shopping to do, and we’re here to help.
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A room air conditioner lowers the temperature by pulling in the air from the room and passing it through the refrigerant coils to cool it. Room air conditioners can cool areas as large as 1,600 square feet. They also remove moisture and help filter the air.
While central air conditioners cool the entire home, room air conditioners cool smaller spaces. Although they’re not as efficient as central air conditioners, they’re significantly less expensive to purchase and install.
While most people think of portable and window units, there are other kinds of room air conditioners. Here are the four most common types:
Window air conditioners are the most popular room models in homes. All that’s needed is a window and a nearby power source, because all the components are inside the unit. Most have easily accessible filters, which makes cleaning easy. Window air conditioners are available in various sizes and Btu ratings, and they tend to be economical. Check out our Windmill Air Conditioner review.
These freestanding units are self-contained and easy to install, but portable air conditioner units are not actually all that portable. They’re often heavy. And because of the attached vent hoses, you can’t move them very far. Plus, they’re noisy and not particularly efficient.
They work by pulling hot air, cooling it and returning it to the space. The warm air and moisture from the space is vented through a window or hole in a wall.
Also known as ductless air conditioners (because they don’t require ducts like central air conditioning) or mini-split systems, wall-mounted air conditioners come with two units. One is mounted on an interior wall and the other is placed outside. These two units work together to cool the air, releasing moisture and warm air outside.
The wall-mounted unit connects to a condenser outside via tubing installed through the walls. Ductless air conditioners are usually quiet, energy-efficient and aesthetically pleasing.
Note that floor-mounted units are placed near the floor, not on it. That way you can easily check and replace the filters, making floor-mounted units a great choice for people with respiratory issues. Many models can also heat rooms for year-round comfort.
Also known as a cassette, a mini-split recessed into the ceiling is ideal for a large room or open floor plans. It sends the air in four directions at once. A ceiling recessed unit requires 10 inches of clearance for the housing to fit out of sight. However, it still needs to be vented to the outside. Find out the best window air conditioner for your room.
When deciding what type of room air conditioner to buy, consider these four essential features:
The British thermal unit (Btu) rating represents the amount of heat it takes to raise the temperature of a pound of water by a single degree. Air conditioning expert Debbie Hughes says for heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) purposes, one Btu translates to how much heat an air conditioner can remove in an hour.
To determine what Btu rating to look for, Hughes says to take the square footage of the space you want to cool and multiply it by 20. This is the rough Btu value you will need to cool that area. If you live in a heavily shaded area, subtract 10 percent. If your area receives a lot of sunlight, add 10 percent.
Venting is crucial with room air conditioners. Brian Amodio, another HVAC expert, says if your room air conditioner isn’t properly vented outside, it can’t cool the space, because the hot air will remain inside. And you have to vent to the outside, not just to a different room or into the attic.
Most room air conditioning units require a window, door or wall hole for venting. If you’re unable to set up a venting system for your room air conditioner, Amodio says central AC may be a more efficient solution.
Room air conditioners cost less and are easier to install than central air conditioning systems, but their prices vary significantly. The type and Btu rating affect the price.
Window air conditioners tend to be the least expensive, costing between $150 and $1,000. Portable air conditioners follow, averaging between $100 and $400. Wall- and floor-mounted units can cost between $700 to $1,500. Planning to buy one? Read the review of the LG portable air conditioner.
Most residential air conditioner manufacturers offer a five- or 10-year components warranty on defective parts. This usually includes the fan motor, compressor, evaporator coil and blower motor. Hughes says these warranties do not cover labor. That’s why HVAC companies offer extended labor warranties and service contracts that cover labor costs for any air conditioner repairs and maintenance services during the warranty period.
You might not require professional help when installing window air conditioners or portable air conditioners. But for wall-mounted or floor-mounted options, you will likely need it.
Also, explore these air conditioner myths that you need to stop believing.
Unfortunately, yes, but the hike in your bill may not be as high as you expect. Most room air conditioners draw a moderate amount of power — roughly about one kilowatt on average. At the average national electricity rate of $0.16 per kilowatt hour, it costs $1.60 to run an air conditioner for 10 hours, and if you do that for a whole month, the hike in your bill is less than $50. That’s a small price to pay for relief from the summer heat.
Sure. If an air conditioner can cool any room in your house, there’s no reason why it can’t cool your garage. Here are some of our picks for the best air conditioners to use in a garage, and here are some tips for installing one.
