There’s nothing worse than buying a new air conditioner only to realize that it doesn’t quite cool down a room the way you expected it to. Whether it makes the room too cold or doesn’t make it cold enough, there are actually a lot of things that you need to think about when buying a new air conditioner.
The most important thing that you need to figure out before buying a new unit is how big your room is because this will dictate the kind of air conditioner that you should be looking for. If you’re trying to find an air conditioner that can properly cool down 200 to 350 square feet, then here are a few recommendations.
Factors to Consider
Cooling Capacity
Perhaps the most important factor when buying an air conditioner, the cooling capacity of a unit indicates how quickly and efficiently the unit can cool down a room. This is typically measured in British Thermal Units (BTU), and a larger room will require a higher cooling power.
You can figure out how much cooling capacity you actually need as a square foot of space needs 20 BTU to be cooled down, but make sure that you don’t buy an air conditioner with too high of a BTU rating. Not only will this make the room too cold and uncomfortable, but it can also put unnecessary stress on your air conditioner over time.
Type of Air Conditioner
In case you didn’t know, there are a few types of air conditioners available today. A portable air conditioner is popular for portability that makes it easy to put almost anywhere. A window air conditioner needs a large enough window frame to be mounted on, and a split system air conditioner will need some installation done.
Pick the best one for your room’s layout and cooling needs, but it’s worth noting that most split system air conditioners have a cooling capacity of 9,000 BTU minimum, which might not make it appropriate for some relatively smaller rooms.
Price & Cost
It’s worth remembering that an air conditioner is a financial investment. While this includes the initial purchasing of the unit, it also covers the electrical demand needed to keep it running and any maintenance or installation fees. An air conditioner unit can also have some additional features that can help improve your cooling experience at an additional cost.
List of Recommendations
Fridgaire FFRE0833S1 Window Mounted Room Air Conditioner ($299)
Cooling rooms of up to 350 square feet, this window air conditioner comes equipped with a fan that has three different fan speeds, as well as a programmable timer that lets you customize your cooling schedule. There’s also a remote control to let you control the unit wherever it might be. The six-way air direction ensures even cooling throughout the space.
BLACK+DECKER BPACT08WT Portable Air Conditioner ($419.99)
You get a bit more from this portable air conditioner as it also comes with different energy efficient functions—fan mode with multiple fan speeds, dehumidifying mode and a sleep mode that ensures silent operations. This unit is great for smaller rooms of up to 150 square feet, especially because it can easily be installed, as well as cleaned with its washable air filter.
And aside from being incredibly easy to move around the room, this air conditioning unit also makes it very easy to adjust with the programmable timer and remote control.
LG LP0821GSSM Smart Portable Air Conditioner ($469)
This portable air conditioner comes with smart technology that redefines your cooling experience. Rather than using a remote, you can actually control this air conditioner with the ThinQ app, or even with your voice using Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa so that you can switch and adjust the settings wherever you are.
It’s also more than just an air conditioner as it’s also a fan and a dehumidifier, and it comes with two cooling and fan speeds so that you can stay comfortable all year round. And with the 8,000 BTU easily cooling down a space of up to 350 square feet, staying cool has never been easier.
Costway Portable Air Conditioner ($309.99)
With a cooling capacity that can chill 230 square feet, this portable air conditioner also serves as a fan and a dehumidifier. It also comes with a programmable timer and a remote to help control the unit more easily. And apart from being portable, it’s also equipped with different protection functions like antifreeze protection, full water protection and delay protection.
Midea MAW08V1QT U-Shaped Smart Inverter Window Air Conditioner ($399)
Perhaps the most popular window air conditioner, this Midea unit has made a name for itself with its unique U-shaped design that allows users to still open and close their windows normally, compared to other window units that actually take up the entire window. Its operations’ 42dBA noise levels are also nine times quieter than those of traditional units.
And if that wasn’t enough, the advanced inverter technology has earned it an Energy Star certification to guarantee energy savings. It also comes equipped with smart technology that lets users adjust settings through the MideaAir smartphone app or through voice control using Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa.
Here’s a summary of the recommendations:
Choosing the right air conditioner is incredibly important when you want to cool down a room, but regular maintenance plays just as big of a role. It’s something that a lot of people forget about, but it’s one of the secrets to making sure that your unit stays colder for longer.
If 8,000 BTU Air Conditioners are not for you, then you can also check other BTU options below:
- 5,000 BTU
- 6,000 BTU
- 9,000 BTU
- 10,000 BTU
- 12,000 BTU
- 14,000 BTU
- 15,000 BTU
- 18,000 BTU
- 20,000 BTU
- 24,000 BTU
- 30,000 BTU
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