Modern GOOD window air conditioner thoughts.

[volvoguy87]

I am in need of a few window air conditioners for a few applications and I thought I'd bounce my ideas here.

I just ordered a Quirky / GE Aros smart air conditioner to try it out. My goal is to install it in an apartment I own but include utilities in the rent. That way I can save money by letting the AC self-program like the Nest Learning Thermostats I have used with such success.

So far as an air conditioner goes, the mechanism of the Aros is nothing special. Its mechanism isn't particularly efficient and the reviews indicate that it is no quieter or better made than other average window ACs available from Lowes. The reasons I want to try it out are the sleek looking design and the self programming control system. By utilizing the self-programming capabilities, I hope it will run less and save money.

I need some ACs for my personal apartment too, however. If I am impressed by the Aros, I'd consider getting more. Realistically, though, the Aros is the wrong capacity. It is only available as an 8,000 btu unit.

As an alternative, I am looking at Friedrich's Kuhl line. They are expensive! Are they really better made than competing units, and are they quieter? In my personal space, I am willing to pay for quiet. The Kuhl line may have some smart features as well. I would also really appreciate the Kuhl line's slide-out chassis. It would make installation so much easier and safer.

I own some Sharp and Danby window shakers and am not impressed with their build quality.

http://www.amazon.com/Quirky-Aros-Smart-Window-Conditioner/dp/B00IDXGIAC

 

[supersuds]

From previous threads, I got the impression that the Kuhl line is not as good as the Sixties/Seventies/Eighties Friedrichs, but they may yet be the best you can get today. They do seem shockingly expensive, though, for something made in Mexico.

 

[kenwashesmonday]

I'm very happy with the two Sharp air conditioners I bought in the last few years. They cost a bit more than the cheap-o brands but I think they're worth it. The digital thermostats are very accurate, they're quiet, and they're easy to take apart to clean.

Ken D.

 

[stricklybojack]

.
Second the Sharp...but mine is 10 or more years old.

 

[combo52]

Great Air Conditioning

I though these apartments had HiE condensing gas furnaces, why not install something that will last 20-30 years like central A/C.

 

You should be able to install 2 ton CA/Cs yourself for less than $2000 per apartment.

 

I would never use a window A/C for anything but temporary service.

 

[panthera]

Definitely go with the central air

And a smart thermostat.

Be cheaper in the end in all measures.

We have had several window units the past few years, I have to say the GEs have held up well. As to Friedrich, today you're paying real Cadillac prices for a gussied up chevy. Built down to a price point. Mutton dressed as lamb.

Worthless.

Don't waste your money on them.

Sort of like the difference between a real Maytag and an Amananantag.

 

[yogitunes]

there are pros and cons to air conditioning....especially with central air....

with central, some homes have two zoned units, as in upstairs/downstairs.....most have one unit, and if that unit goes faulty, your WHOLE house suffers....and wait until it needs replaced....some homes are impossible to install a C/A unit...turning off vents or closing rooms off can throw your unit into havoc...

with a window unit, can be cumbersome, some are noisy, but your not always paying to cool an entire house, just sectioned rooms at a time...

people who get central installed will sell all their window units on CL, as in not needed anymore......not thinking they should keep one or two small units should the central go out...something is better than nothing....

I always wanted Central Air, until I got it....thinking I rather have the window units back again.....

 

[gusherb]

A central A/C installed properly and mated with a well designed and properly installed duct system should never have you regretting having central air. It should be reliable, requiring only annual maintenance, and very quiet. With properly designed ductwork the temperature from room to room should only vary 1-2 degrees at most, and there should be no cold air stratification along the floor (very common issue when adding central air to old ductwork used for Gravity flow heating).

A properly installed central system will also be more efficient than window units. I had experience with that myself, there was a time when our downstairs AC crapped out and needed replacing, so I used a portable unit (two vent style so not sucking conditioned air out), using that for the month ended up costing the same as running the old 20+ year old 9 SEER system. Now with two 13 SEER central units the bills have been so much cheaper, to the point where I just leave them on 72-73 all summer long. Setting back an air conditioner (when it's working properly) is a bad idea because it'll use more energy recovering back to a comfortable temperature than just leaving it where it is all the time, and any system that's properly sized will take hours to do so as well.

 

[washerboy]

I bought a 25k btu in 2012..fridgadaire..it was the first time I bought a unit with thermostat controll...my electric bill dropped quite a bit...I leave it on 70 and don't touch it till it's time for winter. BTW: you have to get used to it comeing over every so many minutes..once it cools to temp it shuts off, then the unit turns itself on every so many minutes to check the temp..it either shuts off or stays on and compresser starts. No one has ever complained about being too hot or cold so I guess it works well.

 

[countryguy]

I could never live with a window A/C unit on a regular basis - far too noisy especially when trying to sleep. I'd love to have central air but installing duct work in my house is cost prohibitive so I make do with the next best thing...the split A/C unit - the compressor is outside and just a quiet fan unit mounted on the interior wall.

Gary

 

[jmm63]

I've had several window units that I've liked and some that I hated. I have a Haier Comfort Series in my bedroom that I like. Its super quiet on low and does a good job. Its about 10 years old though. I had a newer GE with the vent on the side, not across the top, that also was very quiet but the compressor went out after a power surge. I replaced it with a Frigidaire last year, which I hate. Not quiet on any speed and the room is either to hot or too cold, like the thermostat it out of whack.

I'd love to add central air since I already have a forced air furnace but the duct work is messed up in the addition part of the house. The master bedroom only has 1 vent that works, which is ok for me in the winter since I don't like a warm room, but would be bad in the summer with central air.

I am going to look into the split duct cooling systems. I know several people that have installed them and really like them.

 

[askolover]

We have a Haier in one of our bedrooms so we don't have to cool the whole house down to 68 just for sleep.  Window AC noise doesn't bother me....I sleep in daytime so it blocks out neighbors lawnmowers and dogs barking.  That Haier does a great job and cools down quickly.  My only gripe is that the only thing separating the inside from the outside is a piece of styrofoam!  My older units had metal that was insulated with foam.

 

[volvoguy87]

Update.

I installed the GE Quirky Aros 8,000 BTU in a tenant's upstairs apartment. It seem sto be better built than the Haier ACs from Costco or the Sharps I also have. It seems to work fine, but it is a fancy control unit on a standard AC unit. It is no quieter than any other.

I ordered a 14,000 BTU Friedrich Kuhl for my double parlor because I am curious. I'll report back as to its performance.

Central AC is in the works, but it will be odd. I am building a water-based commercial style system and doing waste-heat recovery to make hot water for my whole building. It's expensive and takes a lot of engineering work. The window AC units are to get me by until the central system goes live, not this year.

I have had issues with a Sharp AC unit that burned its control board. The Haier units work o,kay, but they are flimsy at best.

I hope this summer goes well.
Dave

 

[dustin92]

I'd personally go for window units over central given the choice, because you don't have to cool the whole house if you don't want or need to, and the expense of maintenance or repairs on a central unit can break the bank- I can do a complete disassembly and cleaning on a window unit in an hour or so, but I wouldn't even attempt it on a central system. We may be using window units only this summer, since last summer the central system would create a nasty burning smell when it kicked on (inside the house), but the furnace worked 100% fine all winter. We currently have two small window units and they are enough to keep the house comfortable, but not cool it down on a hot day. One is a 5000 btu Haier, the other is made by the same company that makes frigidaire units (it is a store rebrand) also 5k btu. The Haier is rather noisy (compressor noise) but cools great, and the other one used to be fairly quiet but the fan motor is getting noisy. I bought the frigidaire rebrand unit in 2011 new, the Haier was bought for $5 or $10 at a neighbor's garage sale a couple years ago, needing a serious cleaning and the front filter door is missing. May have to scan craigslist for one or two more.