A Wifi-Connected, Energy Star-Compliant AC Window Unit Most homeowners without central air conditioning turn off their window air conditioners during the day in order to cut utility costs, resulting in sauna-like heat after a long day at the office. Two new "connected" window air conditioners from GE Appliances can be accessed via smartphone so that the home can be cool and comfortable before homeowners return.The units can be controlled from virtually anywhere with the touch of a smartphone screen. Users simply turn the unit on from their phone to cool the space when they want, decreasing the waste of cooling an empty room and increasing comfort when they arrive home. “Connectivity is on the minds of many consumers, and we saw a need to offer this in our window air conditioners,” says Mark Evans, GE product manager, room air products. “Our new 115-volt window air conditioners are the largest connected residential units on the market that offer free app connectivity, making it easy to control the temperature of a room from anywhere.”

The new AEC12AV 12,050 Btu and AED10AV 10,000 Btu units are controlled by GE Appliances' new Comfort app, allowing consumers to easily: • Create their own cooling schedule• Monitor and control their air conditioner from anywhere• Choose from available cooling modes• Control multiple units from one app• Get reminders to clean or change the air conditioner's filterIn addition to the Wi-Fi capabilitiesindoor ac unit problems, both connected air conditioners are Energy Star compliant and come with a remote control. ac indoor unit partsThey range in price from $350 to $440.This article was originally featured on our sister site, BUILDER >>hvac units installation These Net Zero-Ready Modular Homes Arrive... Will New Modular Home Factories Kill Trades?

Five Innovative Building Materials Shaping...Window air conditioners operate using the same basic components as large air conditioning units. They have condenser coils, evaporator coils, and compressors. They also usually have expansion valves, air filters and two motorized fans. Even the most basic models have control panels, but some window air conditioners have manual thermostats while others have digital thermostats. With these components, a window air conditioner takes warm, humid air and cools and dehumidifies it. Hot air is blown outside, and cool air is blown into the room. One of the most important things to consider when shopping for a window air conditioner is its cooling capacity. Cooling capacity is measured in British Thermal Units, or BTUs. If a window air conditioner doesn't have enough BTUs, it will have to work too hard, which will waste a lot of energy. If it has too many BTUs, its ability to remove humidity will be greatly compromised, which will make the air in the room damp.

Use the following chart to determine the number of BTUs that are needed to cool a room adequately and efficiently. Please note the data applies to rooms with eight-foot-high ceilings. 100 square feet to 150 square feet 150 square feet to 250 square feet 250 square feet to 300 square feet 300 square feet to 350 square feet 350 square feet to 400 square feet 400 square feet to 450 square feet 450 square feet to 550 square feet 550 square feet to 700 square feet 700 square feet to 1,000 square feet 1,000 square feet to 1,200 square feet 1,200 square feet to 1,400 square feet Adjustments may need to be made to the numbers above. If a room receives a lot of direct sunlight, the BTUs should be increased by 10 percent. If a room is usually shaded, the BTUs should be decreased by 10 percent. If the air conditioner is being installed in a kitchen, the BTUs should be increased by 4,000. If the ceilings are taller than eight feet, the BTUs should be increased accordingly.

Finally, if more than two people will normally use the room at one time, an extra 600 BTUs should be added per person. More people are concerned about energy efficiency than ever. While shopping for a window air conditioner, care should be taken to buy the most energy efficient model possible. One way to do that is by purchasing a model that has the Energy Star seal. To receive the seal, an appliance must use at least 10 percent less energy than conventional models. Another way to determine the energy efficiency of a window air conditioner is by checking its energy efficiency ratio, or EER. The EER represents the number of BTUs that are used for each watt of available power. The higher the EER is, the more energy efficient an air conditioner is. At the very least, a window air conditioner should have an EER of 10.0. Nothing is more frustrating than attempting to install an air conditioner and discovering that the right plug isn't available. This can be avoided by checking a window air conditioner's electrical requirements ahead of time.

Models with 15,000 BTUs or less usually use 115- and 125-volt circuits, which are standard wall outlets. Models with more than 15,000 BTUs usually use 220-volt circuits, which require special plugs that aren't often found in bedrooms and other living areas. If a 220-volt window air conditioner is required, it may be necessary to have an electrician install the right wiring. Despite its name, a window air conditioner doesn't necessarily have to be installed in a window. If the right kind or size of window is unavailable, a special wall opening can be created for it. Window air conditioners require vertical-opening windows, which include double-hung windows and vertical sash windows. Special models are available for sliding windows, but they tend to be very expensive. Most people opt for air conditioners that can be installed in windows. Before shopping for this type of window air conditioner, a person should carefully measure the inside of the window frame. Extra care should be taken when measuring the width.

While shopping for an air conditioner, a person should refer to a model's maximum and minimum widths. An air conditioner doesn't have to fit precisely into a window. Most models include installation kits, which have side curtains that adjust to accommodate different widths. To make a custom wall opening to accommodate a window air conditioner, choose the model first and refer to the dimensions that should be included in the owner's manual. Also, make sure to buy a window air conditioner that is approved for use in through-wall installations. Modern window air conditioners include a wide array of features. Consider these features carefully before making a decision. At the very least, a window air conditioner will have a cooling mode. This mode may be adjustable to allow for higher or lower temperatures. Some models can heat small rooms too while others can be switched to purify or dehumidify the air. In some cases, a fan-only mode, which ventilates a room, may also be available.

Adjustable louvers allow people to direct airflow in a particular direction. In most cases, the louvers can be adjusted vertically and horizontally. This is an especially useful feature in small rooms where people may not want icy cold air to blow directly at them. A programmable timer makes it possible to schedule a window air conditioner to turn on and off at certain times. For example, many people choose not to run their window air conditioners while they are at work. Another benefit of a programmable timer is it increases energy efficiency. The air conditioner doesn't have to run continuously, which keeps energy use a lot lower. There are digital controls and manual controls. Digital controls are more precise because people can punch in the exact temperatures that they want. Manual controls aren't as precise, but they are less confusing. For some people, a digital display may contain too much information. In that case, a simple, manual model may be a better choice. There are two main choices when it comes to the chassis on a window air conditioner: slide-out and fixed.

Slide-out chassis are generally more convenient because they easily adjust to different widths. Therefore, they are easier to install. Fixed chassis are trickier to install and less flexible in general. If a unit has a fixed chassis, an installation kit is absolutely crucial. It's important to consider the air output capabilities of a window air conditioner prior to buying it. Air output is measured in cubic feet per minute, or CFM. It reflects the volume of air that a machine can blow. The higher an air conditioner's CFM is, the more powerfully it blows air. It's smart to choose a machine that has decent output because it will cool a room more quickly and efficiently. Modern window air conditioners are much quieter than the machines that were on the market even a few decades ago. If noise is a major concern, a person should look for documentation about the decibel level of a window air conditioner prior to purchasing it. On average, most window air conditioners operate at 50 decibels when they are on high, which is equivalent to a normal conversational tone from a few feet away.

For most people, this is an acceptable level of noise. Window air conditioners are exposed directly to the outdoors on one side, which is where they blow out hot air. As a result, it is technically possible for insects like mosquitoes to gain entry to a home through a window air conditioner. Fortunately, most models are equipped with mosquito traps, which are screens that keep flies and insects out of people's homes. People who are concerned about security should look for window air conditioners that have anti-intrusion protection systems. These systems consist of steel retaining wires, which secure chassis to mounting sleeves to prevent people from kicking them in and gaining entry into homes. If a window air conditioner is going to be installed on the second floor though, this may not be as much of a concern. In order to fall soundly asleep, a person may want the air in the bedroom to be nice and cool. While sleeping though, it may not be necessary to keep things quite as cool.

Some window air conditioners have sleep timers that automatically switch to a lower setting after a preset amount of time. This also makes up for the fact that temperatures tend to drop overnight. Air filters are included on most modern window air conditioners. However, some models have more elaborate filters than others. Basic filters just pull out dust and other impurities, but there are also filters that trap odors, smoke and germs. People who are concerned about allergens may want to invest in air conditioners that include more advanced air filters. Unless a window air conditioner is going to be installed directly next to where a person is likely to sit or sleep, it may be smart to buy one that comes with a remote control. Even the most affordable models these days typically have remote controls, which allow people to adjust settings from afar. With a remote control, there's no need to get up to make adjustments over and over again. To find window air conditioners on eBay, start in the Home & Garden category and click over to the Home Improvement section.