Looking for the best through the wall air conditioner, or considering your options when it comes to AC units? You’re in luck!
In this article, we’ll discuss:
- The 5 best through the wall air conditioners
- What through the wall air conditioners are
- Are through the wall air conditioners a standard size?
- How through the wall air conditioners work
- What to look for in the best through the wall air conditioners
Our Top 5 Through the Wall Air Conditioners
- Friedrich Uni-Fit (Our Top Pick)
- Koldfront Through the Wall Air Conditioner (Best Budget)
- Keystone Through-the-Wall Air Conditioner with Heat Capacity (Best High End)
- Frigidaire Energy Star
- MIDEA Air Conditioner 3-in-1
What Are Through the Wall Air Conditioners?
Through the wall air conditioners are just what they sound like. They’re very similar to window AC units, except they fit into the wall using a wall sleeve rather than sitting inside a window.
Through the wall units are typically used in homes that lack central air.
However, one unit likely won’t act as a replacement for central air conditioning. This is because these machines lack the power to cool an entire home unless you’re living in a small apartment. Many are built to cool just one or several rooms.
Although through the wall air conditioners are very similar to window AC units, they should never be used interchangeably due to the vents on the side of window units.
Through the wall air conditioners only have vents on the back of the unit. The side vents of a window air conditioning would be blocked in a wall sleeve, and the machine would then overheat.
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Are Through the Wall Air Conditioners a Standard Size?
No, through the wall air conditioners are not one-size-fits-all. You’ll need to know the measurements of your space or your old wall sleeve before purchasing.
However, many units are made to fit into sleeve sizes 24.5” to 27”. Others are made to fit a sleeve made by the manufacturer, often sold separately to the unit.
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How Do Through the Wall Air Conditioners Work?
Through the wall air conditioners cycle hot air into cooler air. They do this by taking in hot air and running it through a condenser, which cools it before it is released back into the room.
Any heating produced by the machine is released through the back of the unit, rather than into your home.
What Do You Look For In The Best Through the Wall Air Conditioners?
There are several elements you should consider before purchasing your new through the wall air conditioner. They include:
Dimensions
First, look at the dimensions of the unit.
If you are replacing an old through the wall air conditioner, you need to ensure the new one will fit in the old wall sleeve.
If having a new unit installed, choose where you’d like it to fit and measure that area before making a purchase.
Alongside the indoor wall space the unit will fill, you should also consider the exterior space. Through-the-wall AC units should not stick out much on the exterior of your home.
Cooling Power
The cooling power of an air conditioner is measured in BTUs or British Thermal Units. The more BTUs a unit has, the greater it’s cooling capacity.
Room size, the number of people typically in the space, and sunlight all play a factor in how much cooling power you’ll need.
For example, cooling a bedroom that only you sleep in will take less cooling power than cooling the living room where a large family spends much of their time.
Shady rooms will need less cooling power than those that get ample sunlight throughout the day and, of course, larger areas need more cooling power than smaller ones.
Voltage requirements
Getting an air conditioner with the right voltage requirements is incredibly important.
If you have an old unit, make sure your new one uses the same voltage so that you don’t have to replace the outlet.
Standard outlets in North America are 120 volts, while 220-240 is standard through much of Europe. When purchasing a new unit, make sure you know what voltage your outlet is or ask a professional before buying.
Outlets can be replaced by a professional electrician if needed. Never plug an air conditioner into an outlet without enough power.
This will cause the machine to run less effectively or short-circuit.
Extra features
If you’d like any extra features in your air conditioning unit, look for these before purchasing.
For example, some units come with a fan feature, heating for the winter months, or a dehumidifying feature.
Others come with timers so that you can set the air conditioner to run cooler at night, for example, and then warmer in the daytime.
Many new air conditioners come with a remote as well.
Best Through the Wall Air Conditioners Reviewed
Friedrich Uni-Fit (Our Top Pick)
The Friedrich Uni-Fit is our top pick largely due to the convenience of installation and use. It’s a great choice if you’re replacing your old air conditioner and need something to easily fit into a 24.5″ to 27″ wall sleeve. The remote and timer feature are great additions. The Friedrich Uni-Fit cools rooms up to 450 square feet.
Pros
- Fits 24.5” to 27” wall sleeves
- Remote control
- 24-hour timer
Cons
- No heating, fan, or dehumidifier features
Koldfront Through the Wall Air Conditioner (Best Budget)
If you’re on a budget, check out the Koldfront Through the Wall Air Conditioner. This unit can cool a 300-350 square feet room down to 62 degrees Fahrenheit and also comes with a dehumidifier feature. Reviewers have also commented on how quietly this air conditioner runs!
Pros
- Dehumidifier feature
- Quiet air conditioner
Cons
- Buttons are difficult to read
- Some reviewers report damaged machine on arrival
- No heating feature
Keystone Through-the-Wall Air Conditioner with Heat Capacity (Best High End)
We think the Keystone through-the-wall air conditioner is great for those willing to spend a little more on their purchase. With the ability to cool, heat, and dehumidify up to 550 square feet and several cooling and fan modes preprogrammed, this machine gives you many options for year-round use. It also comes with a remote for easy operation.
Pros
- Heating, cooling, & dehumidifying features
- Easy to clean filter
- Fits 24.5” to 27” wall sleeves
Cons
- Requires a 230-volt outlet
Frigidaire Energy Star
The Frigidaire Energy Star cools up to 550 square feet of space. It also has three fan modes and comes with a remote for convenience setting the mode and temperature. However, this machine runs too noisily for some users and doesn’t come with heating or dehumidifying functions.
Pros
- Fan function
- Remote control
Cons
- Noisy
- No heating or dehumidifying function
MIDEA Air Conditioner 3-in-1
The MIDEA 3-in-1 has great direction control that lets you heat a space up to 450 square feet with precision. There are also fan and dehumidifying modes, but this machine won’t heat your space. It does come with a remote for ease of use.
Pros
- Fan and dehumidifying features
- Remote control
- Runs quietly
Cons
- Doesn’t include a wall sleeve
Final Thoughts On Through the Wall Air Conditioners
Through the wall air conditioners are a great permanent solution to small residences or homes that don’t have central air conditioning.
They’re an excellent replacement for window units, which can be inconvenient, bulky, and don’t allow for use of windows in the home.
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