Window Air Conditioner

  • Active since 1995, Hearth.com is THE place on the internet for free information and advice about wood stoves, pellet stoves and other energy saving equipment.

    We strive to provide opinions, articles, discussions and history related to Hearth Products and in a more general sense, energy issues.

    We promote the EFFICIENT, RESPONSIBLE, CLEAN and SAFE use of all fuels, whether renewable or fossil.

johneh

Minister of Fire
Hearth Supporter
Dec 19, 2009
5,961
Eastern Ontario
In the market for a new window shaker. The salespeople are pushing for an
Inverter-style compressor.
Does anyone have experience with this type
Pros ----Cons
 
In the market for a new window shaker. The salespeople are pushing for an
Inverter-style compressor.
Does anyone have experience with this type
Pros ----Cons

The Media brand seems to be good. I believe it has an inverter driving the compressor motor
so you don't get that big inrush anymore. I am so glad I moved a mini split head to my bedroom.
I can't sleep worth a damn in the heat. I like it around 19C.
 
I stopped using the window units and went to the floor standing models much happier with them especially at the end of the season when i have to put it away..
 
The Media brand seems to be good. I believe it has an inverter driving the compressor motor
so you don't get that big inrush anymore. I am so glad I moved a mini split head to my bedroom.
I can't sleep worth a damn in the heat. I like it around 19C.
In this old house . Hand-squared cedar log built 1849. We in no way could use mini-splits .
My HVAC lic. Son just told me flat out NO, They will not work in this house
I stopped using the window units and went to the floor standing models much happier with them especially at the end of the season when i have to put it away..

That's why I have 2 sons, they do it for their old man
 
I stopped using the window units and went to the floor standing models much happier with them especially at the end of the season when i have to put it away..
I once had a Toyotomi wheel around. It had a heat pump and could heat too. It had input and output flex pipes. You can
buy a window interface for the hoses or in my case I had the patio door one.
I did notice some window ones were shaped like a U and if you have a single hung the window panes is only open a bit.
The problem with the window units is making sure they stay put, and insulating the gaps.
 
In this old house . Hand-squared cedar log built 1849. We in no way could use mini-splits .
My HVAC lic. Son just told me flat out NO, They will not work in this house


That's why I have 2 sons, they do it for their old man
You could probably use a mini-split in just a closed room. But it sounds like you can do the same thing with a window unit.
What did they use for a foundation back then? You probably have a new poured or block foundation now?
 
No, the original foundation of 30 inches of dry rubble rock
No leaks, never have had water in basement .
I also have a 15-foot square cistern, 18 feet deep, for rain water
wife uses it for laundry (soft water) and to water the flowers and veg garden
 
  • Like
Reactions: Whitenuckler
I stopped using the window units and went to the floor standing models much happier with them especially at the end of the season when i have to put it away..
Likewise.
 
I remember a few, maybe a lot of years ago, that floor-standing models
Were a pain in the behind and did not work very well, maybe it is time to reconsider
 
I got two DeLonghis on sale from Costco. One for us and one for my son. His apartment is over a cafe and warm so his gets a lot of use all summer long. It's going on its third year now without problem.
 
  • Like
Reactions: johneh
Window units are more efficient because heat generating portion is outside; but admittedly the floor rolling ones are easier to install.

The pros of an inverted system are:
- lower starting current (no in rush, so less likely on blow a circuit breaker / fuse)
- generally more efficient at part load, because they throttle to meet demand vice being on or off.

Cons of inverter units
- less reliable (just more complicated with more parts to break).
- slightly more expensive
- sensitive to grounds (same with all inverter driven appliances). They sense ground faults a few different ways, so may not play nice with a generator or old house wiring(should solvable be providing a ground reference).
 
  • Like
Reactions: johneh
In the market for a new window shaker. The salespeople are pushing for an
Inverter-style compressor.
Does anyone have experience with this type
Pros ----Cons
Are you getting ready for the heat wave? I guess Southern Ontario is going to be 30C and feel like 40 soon. We are into some warm humid weather here now. Good for the tourists I guess.
 
I have not used an inverter type window AC, but I am led to understand that they are often much quieter than a standard window AC because the compressor rarely runs at full speed. I think that's one of the main selling points.

I'm thinking about getting one for our third bedroom, since we have a 2 zone mini split that covers the master and kids room but that room still gets a little stuffy when it's hot out. Not practical to put another mini split in there, unfortunately
 
The heat and humidity started the day before Yesterday.
One of the ACs is fine, the other I had trouble with last year
But the problem continued this year can not blame it . The
unit is 22 years old, so it owes me nothing . I have been looking at
a 14000 BTU unit at Home Depot, and it is on sale . Going to look at
it tomorrow bright and early. It is going to get really hot starting
Sunday mid-30s::C way too hot for this northern boy
 
  • Like
Reactions: Whitenuckler