The 10 Best Window Air Conditioners with Heat

If you live in a rental property without air conditioning units or don’t want a permanent system fixed to the wall, then window air conditioning units make a great choice. Many units can be switched to a heating mode in the winter, making them very practical. This got me thinking about what features make the best window air conditioning unit with heat. 

Our choice from this short review is the Koldfront 12,000 BTU unit despite its higher cost. It offers energy-saving modes, remote control, and directional louvers. If you can stand the extra cost, and prefer a quieter unit, then the LG 12,000 could be a great choice instead.

The 10 Best Window Air Conditioners With Heat:

1. PerfectAire Window Air Conditioner with Heater

The Perfect Aire window air conditioner is available in four cooling ratings, from 8,000 to 25,000 BTU. Each model includes an electric heater for colder periods, making this an all-year-round climate control system. Perfect Aire claims this system can regulate a room’s temperature up to 1500 square feet for the largest version, while the 8,000 BTU unit will cover up to 350 square feet.

A great feature of this unit is the tilt-out front-mounted air filter, giving straightforward access. Cleaning the filters is a regular maintenance job that owners can do, and it helps maintain efficiency.

2. Frigidaire FFRH2522R2 Air Conditioner

The Frigidaire is a powerful 25,000 BTU air conditioning unit, with a dehumidifier mode and a supplemental heating mode. Suitable for rooms up to 1,600 square feet, the Frigidaire will quickly cool your space. In dehumidifier mode, the unit can remove up to eight pints of water every hour. 

One downside is that the heating mode is only designed to be supplemental to your home’s primary heating source. Below 45 degrees, the manufacturer says it won’t provide any heat.

The Frigidaire is a powerful cooler but disappoints as a heater and also requires a non-standard 230V power socket.

3. Keystone Energy Star 25,000/24,700 BTU 230V Window/Wall Air Conditioner

The Keystone Energy Star window air conditioner units come in a range of sizes, from as small as 5,000 BTU to the largest 25,000 BTU unit. One disadvantage of the 18,000 and 25,000 BTU units is that they require a 230V power outlet, which will need to be installed by a qualified electrician. Other brands of similar size also need this, so if you need a high BTU output, this will be an extra cost.

The Keystone brand’s positive is their value for money, with the largest unit priced at around $550. However, the downside to cost-cutting is that they are not the quietest air conditioners.

4. Koldfront WAC12001W 12,000 BTU 208/230V Heat/Cool Window Air Conditioner

Koldfront’s 12,000 BTU window air conditioner is not Energy Star rated but offers energy-saving modes that save you money. It’s thermostat controlled, has a sleep mode, energy saver mode, and a warning light for a blocked filter.

However, unlike similar-sized models from other manufacturers, the Koldfront needs a special 230V socket to be installed. This is an added cost to consider.

On the plus side, the four-way directional vents allow you to blow the cool air accurately, and the air filter is easy to access and clean through the fold-down front panel. Also, the 11,000 BTU heating power will quickly warm your room from even the coldest temperature.

5. LG 12,000 BTU 230V Window-Mounted AIR Conditioner with 11,200 BTU Heat Function

LG’s 12,000 BTU window air conditioning unit also offers an impressive 11,200 BTU supplemental heating function, making it a genuinely multi-function system. 

With a noise output of just 54dB, the LG is very quiet in operation, allowing it to be used even when you are sleeping. The unit’s large front panel folds down for easy access to the filter, and the digital controls make it easy to operate. 

Built-in is a convenient 24-hour timer, and the unit will auto-restart after a power outage. The only real downsides are the price and the need to install a 230V outlet in your home.

Buyers Guide

Before buying a window air conditioner, there a several factors you should take into account. It would help if you considered all these factors to ensure you get the best unit for your situation.

Cost

The initial cost of a window air conditioner unit is, of course, a significant factor. Still, over its lifetime, the savings you make by buying a more efficient unit will soon recoup that cost. You also need to consider the features you want, such as the automatic switch on and off, the heating and cooling capacity. Also, check the warranty and returns policy. 

Energy Efficiency

Air conditioning units have improved efficiency over recent years, with better insulation, more efficient compressors, and better controls. Look for the Energy Star rating, which is only awarded to the most energy-efficient appliances. Window air conditioners with the Energy Star rating will be around 10% more efficient than those without the certification. The Energy Star units will cost more initially, but you soon recover that cost in the electricity savings you make.

Intelligent Devices

Many more devices are now considered “intelligent,” which means you can interact with them from your smartphone or tablet. You can also incorporate them into a home heating and cooling system controlled from a single central panel.

Instead of being a single, stand-alone unit, you can link intelligent devices together, creating a more holistic approach to your home’s climate control.

Cooling Capacity

A window air conditioning unit’s capacity is measured in British Thermal Units (BTUs). You can find units with BTU ratings from under 9,000 right the way up to 25,000 BTUs and beyond. The higher the BTU rating, the larger an area that the unit can cool. The figures below are a rough guide, but you need to consider any adjoining rooms if you cannot close them off, and any odd-shaped rooms may need more BTUs to work efficiently.

• 150 to 350 square feet: 5,000 to 8,000 BTU
• 350 to 550 square feet: 8,000 to 12,000 BTU
• 550 to 1,050 square feet: 12,000 to 18,500 BTU
• 1,050 to 1,600 square feet: 18,500 to 25,000 BTU

If you are unsure, take measurements and a plan of your room to the retailer and ask for their advice.

Heating Capacity

You can also use window air conditioning systems for heating in most cases. Check the particular model you are interested in to make sure, as some are sold purely for cooling. An additional heating unit can be a godsend if you live in an area where temperatures can fluctuate widely from one day to the next. Instead of heating the whole house, you can use window air conditioners in specific rooms to great effect.

Features

Modern air conditioning units are packed with features to allow you to control the unit and make the cooling fitting with your lifestyle.

• Variable Speeds. Long gone are the days of simply turning the fan on or off. Now you can adjust the speed to allow slower, more efficient cooling if required.
• Timers and Sleep Modes. Cooling a bedroom so you can sleep is often a reason for installing an air conditioning unit. But once you are asleep, the unit can be switched off or reduce its output. You can set this all to happen automatically once you’ve got to sleep, and you can select the air conditioner to switch back on just before you wake up.
• Easy to User Controllers. Modern digital controls and displays allow easy management and configuration of your air conditioner.
• Recirculating Mode. Traditional air conditioning units take outside air and either cool or heat it, depending on the requirement. Modern units can recirculate internal room air, improving efficiency and saving you money.
• Fan Direction Control. The most efficient use of blown air heating and cooling is to direct the airflow towards the center of the room. Many units have movable slats on the front to direct air.
• Dehumidifier Setting.
• Heating Mode.
• Internet Control>

Ceiling Height

When you measure your room to calculate the BTUs required to cool or heat the room, don’t forget to factor in the ceiling height. For rooms with high ceilings, choose a window air conditioning unit near the top of the BTU range for your room size. 

Noise Levels

Modern units tend to be whisper quiet, but this consideration may account for the lower cost at the bottom end of the price range. If you expect to run the unit for long periods, the noise could quickly become annoying.

Window Type

In-window air conditioning units are generally designed for double-hung sash windows, with the air conditioning unit fitting in the lower sash window. This allows the window to be opened without removing the air conditioner.

Window Location

The most efficient location for an air conditioner is when it is blowing into the room’s center. If your windows are in the corners, look for an air conditioning unit with moveable slats to direct the airflow.

Drainage

Water condenses on the cooling fins when the air conditioner is operating, and this water needs to be collected and removed. If you collect it, remember to empty the container regularly. The water can be used in steam irons or for watering your plants, for example. A permanent drain is the best solution, as you can fit it and forget, but this may not be possible depending on your location.

Maintenance

Air conditioning units require very little maintenance. The compressor contains a gas to produce the heating and cooling effect, but this a technical job to check and replace. The other primary maintenance is the air filters. These can quickly get clogged with fluff and dust, impairing the efficiency of the unit. Luckily, they are swift and easy to clean in most cases and definitely a job the homeowner can typically do.

Conclusion

Through window air conditioning units with heat are still relatively rare to find, and the heating function they provide is only a supplement to your central heating system. 

That said, they make an excellent choice for the spring, where you may just need a quick way to heat a single room instead of firing up the full heating system. 

We hope this short article has given you the information you need to make an informed choice for your next window air conditioner with heat.