If you’ve got a large area of approximately 650 to 750 square feet, you need a unit that can cool that much area effectively and efficiently. This is where the best 15000 BTU air conditioner comes into play. These units are more than capable of cooling not only an entire mid-sized apartment or building floor but also large kitchens or rooms with high ceilings less than 600 square feet.
When selecting a model in this BTU class from among the best air conditioners on the market, there are multiple features to consider. Depending on your needs, these powerful units often come with a variety of advanced features like remote control, 24-hour timer, sleep mode, built-in Wi-Fi, energy saver mode, slide-out chassis, and lower noise levels. Some even have wireless connectivity that let you control them from your phone.
Keep reading our buying guide to learn more about the best 15000 BTU window air conditioners and what they offer.
Top 15000 BTU Air Conditioners
#1 Frigidaire FFRE153WAE Air Conditioner
Award: TOP PICK
WHY WE LIKE IT: This model features powerful fans and simple mounting for large areas for multi-person meetings or family quarters. With a clear LED display and user-friendly controls, users will love staying cool in their homes or office.
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- High-powered fans
- Energy Star certified
- Washable air filters
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- Auto-mode lacks power
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The Frigidaire FFRE153WAE air conditioner is excellent for users needing effective cooling for a large office or family room. This model easily mounts into a window with most mounting brackets, and there are slots on the side for accordion-style side panels. The clear LED display lets users see the temperature and their cooling settings. While this model’s automatic cooling mode lacks power, users will love the three-speed customizable fan and the responsive remote control that makes it easy to find their desired temperature.
In addition to a clear display and powerful fans, the Frigidaire FFRE153WAE air conditioner is rated for up to 15000 BTU and 850 sq. ft. Additionally, this model features a reusable filter that is easy to clean and protects your air conditioner from clogged fans. This unit features a 24-hour timer to suit your schedule and only air condition your home when you’re there. The timer and the Eco mode are practical tools for saving energy while maintaining a comfortable environment.
#2 HOmeLabs HME030343N Air Conditioner
Award: HONORABLE MENTION
WHY WE LIKE IT: This model allows users to monitor their indoor climate with simple inputs and clear directions. Additionally, the intense fans make keeping a comfortable home and managing indoor temperatures more manageable than ever. Lastly, users will love the crisp display and large coverage area.
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- Impressive mounting
- Great remote
- 700 sq. ft. coverage
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- Heavy for some users
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The hOmeLabs HME030343N air conditioner is a compelling option for users needing efficient climate control for their home, office, or shared workspace. This model delivers up to 700 sq. ft. of cooling coverage thanks to the strong fans and 15000 BTU rating. Additionally, this window air conditioner comes with all accessories needed to mount and install the unit. While this model might seem heavy for some users, the long power cable ensures that it will fit in most places without extension cables or power strips.
In addition to a long power cord and great coverage, the hOmeLabs HME030343N air conditioner offers a user-friendly experience thanks to the simple onboard controls and responsive remote control. The full-featured remote control allows users to change fan speed, activate ECO mode, change the desired temperature, and more. While this model isn’t very loud, users will love the Sleep Mode, which limits the unit’s activity and the display’s light output.
#3 LG LW8017ERSM-P Air Conditioner
Award: BEST FOR APARTMENTS
WHY WE LIKE IT: This modern-looking appliance delivers an efficient and powerful unit for monitoring indoor temperatures and keeping an entire family from overheating. This Energy Star certified unit offers multiple fan speeds, easy installation, and a four-way fan that ensures even cooling over large rooms or office spaces.
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- Strong filter
- Good coverage area
- Multiple fan speeds
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- Loud on the highest setting
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The LG LW8017ERSM-P air conditioner is a window air conditioning unit that delivers effective climate control while ensuring high-efficiency thanks to an Energy Star certification. This model comes with a sturdy installation kit that makes it easy to provide cool air and excellent circulation to an office space or large family area. The removable and reusable mesh filter catches hair, dust, and dirt, and the check filter light lets users know when to clean it. While this model gets loud at the highest fan speed, users will appreciate the quick cooling power.
In addition to an installation kit and a reusable filter, the LG LW8017ERSM-P air conditioner delivers a user-friendly avenue to a more comfortable home during the hot summer months. Additionally, the three-speed fans deliver excellent air circulation to avoid stuffy offices or stagnant air. The Auto Cool feature takes the guesswork out of maintaining a comfortable temperature, and the responsive remote control ensures that users have a full command from anywhere in the room.
#4 ROVSUN Window AC Air Conditioner
Award: BEST USER FRIENDLINESS
WHY WE LIKE IT: This durable model features a striking design and decent coverage area for mid-sized workspaces and family quarters needing regular circulation. Additionally, this model features multi-directional fans and a slew of onboard buttons that offer granular control over the temperature in your home, office, or classroom.
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- Fantastic display
- Great ECO mode
- Wireless remote
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- Sub-par filter
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The ROVSUN Window AC air conditioner is an excellent pick for users needing an efficient and energy-saving model for keeping their entire apartment or small home cool during the hot summer months. This model features simple window mounting thanks to included supplies like side panels and other assembly parts. While the air filter isn’t very effective, users will love this multifunctional AC unit that delivers cooling, dehumidifying, and fan-only operation for circulation.
In addition to 3-in-1 operation and easy assembly, the ROVSUN Window AC air conditioner delivers numerous modes to keep a user’s home or office comfortable during the ever-changing seasons. The full-featured remote control provides all onboard controls like changing the temperature, powering the unit, or setting the fan speed. Additionally, this model offers a 24-hour timer so users can utilize Sleep and ECO mode for efficient and worry-free air conditioning for their home.
#5 Dometic B59516.XX1C0 Air Conditioner
Award: BEST FOR VEHICLES
WHY WE LIKE IT: This RV unit is perfect for traveling campers or live-in recreational vehicles that require additional cooling during a high-temperature trip. Additionally, users will love the simple operation and powerful fans that deliver quick relief from a hot summer day.
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- Extremely effective cooling
- Easy installation
- Lightweight construction
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- No traditional window option
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The Dometic B59516.XX1C0 air conditioner is a powerful unit for RV enthusiasts and full-time RV campers that need fast relief from hot summer temperatures and stale air inside the cabin. This super-effective unit is easy to install and only requires a single cable for full operation. Additionally, users will love the simple installation that only requires a few tools, a climb on top of the RV, and a bit of elbow grease. While this unit won’t work in a traditional home, it is ideally suited for RVs.
In addition to simple operation and easy installation, the Dometic B59516.XX1C0 air conditioner is a highly durable unit that can handle long hours on the road or cruising through demanding conditions. The high-tech components are built for efficient cooling and recirculating of the cabin air of the RV. Additionally, this model offers a 15-percent increased airflow and cooling capacity compared to older models.
#6 Emerson Quiet Kool EARC15RE1
Award: BEST FOR LARGE HOMES
WHY WE LIKE IT: This model delivers strong cooling power and an excellent coverage range for mid-sized homes and tight office spaces. With multiple operating modes and a removable filter, users will love optimizing their environment for comfort and function.
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- Fantastic cooling area
- Easy installation
- Good power cord
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- Heavy for some users
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The Emerson Quiet Kool EARC15RE1 air conditioner is an excellent pick for users looking for an effective cooling unit for their large office or common areas of the home. This model delivers a fantastic 700 sq. ft. coverage area to a comfortable climate over a large area. Additionally, users will love the easy installation and included side panels that ensure minimal leakage around the window edges. While this model is heavy for some users, this model is very secure once installed in a window.
In addition to a secure fit and a 700 sq. ft. cooling area, the Emerson Quiet Kool EARC15RE1 air conditioner delivers simple operation so users can attain a comfortable environment with only a few button presses. The included remote puts users in control from anywhere in the room without sacrificing any features from the onboard buttons. This model offers an ECO mode for saving power and multiple modes like cooling, dehumidifying, and fan-only operation.
Beginner’s Guide to 15000 BTU Air Conditioners
What Is a 15000 BTU Air Conditioner?
15000 BTU (or British Thermal Unit) air conditioners are used to cool the air in a given space. These appliances are designed to cool spaces of 650 to 750 square feet in size quickly and efficiently (relative to this BTU class). They can also cool 400-600 square foot kitchens with the same efficiency and speed.
Their high price point and power bill cost make them a less ideal choice for smaller budgets who want to cool spaces that 12000 BTU models would otherwise be a good choice for. However, if your budget allows, they’re a powerful option for very large areas. They often offer far more advanced features than lower-BTU models. They can be as effective as central air conditioning systems, like the one you’ll read about in our Goodman central air conditioner review.
15000 BTU Air Conditioners vs Other Air Conditioners
At first glance, there are very few differences between a 15000 BTU air conditioner and other models. The biggest difference is their cooling power as measured by BTUs, which is the standard measure of an AC unit’s cooling power per square footage. A reliable unit of this class is designed to easily handle common 650-750 square foot spaces.
While the best 12000 BTU air conditioners can cool huge spaces, they still don’t quite compare to the speed and low-noise performance of a 15000 BTU model. A 15000 BTU air conditioner is the most powerful air conditioner class widely available on the market today.
If you’re trying to cool a kitchen or other nonstandard spaces (those with high ceilings, for example), you’ll want a 15000 BTU air conditioner for square footage similar to that of the 12000 BTU room size class. It’ll cool the air more quickly and with the same relative efficiency as a 12000 BTU unit. Also, like the smaller BTU class, these models can cool an entire apartment or floor depending on size and depending on how well air circulates throughout your home.
The advantages of using a 15000 BTU model in such spaces are the quieter performance that usually comes with more powerful units, the additional cooling speed, and the more advanced features that these units tend to offer. Of course, there are a few drawbacks, such as the increased cost of both the unit itself and the impact on your power bill.
How 15000 BTU Air Conditioners Work
15000 BTU air conditioners work just as all air conditioners do. Heat and humidity are pulled from indoor space, and fresh air is cycled in, lowering the indoor temperature.
A standard air conditioning system lowers air temperature using refrigerant chemicals and three main components: a condenser, a compressor, and an evaporator coil. These three parts change the refrigerant from a gas form to a liquid one, then back to gas again.
The compressor increases the pressure and heat of the refrigerant and sends it to the condenser, where it’s made liquid and pushed to the evaporator coil. Here, the refrigerant is changed again to gas, which cools the evaporator coil. A fan then sends indoor air across the cooled evaporator coil, and that cooled air is sent back into the space.
Lastly, the heated and evaporated refrigerant is sent back through the compressor, returning it to a liquid state. The cycle repeats until the room reaches the desired temperature and humidity. Although, if you’re having problems with cooling, there’s a reason why your AC compressor isn’t working and you need it repaired immediately.
Why Should You Buy a 15000 BTU Air Conditioner?
If your old unit isn’t up to the job of cooling your apartment, office, or kitchen, a 15000 BTU air conditioner will do the job quickly and relatively efficiently. Keep in mind that, as BTUs increase, efficiency generally decreases, which will show up on your power bill. That’s why it’s important to know how to set the air conditioner thermostat correctly.
The same is true if you find that your AC unit tends to be noisy. Since the noise an AC unit produces usually decreases as the BTUs increase, 15000 BTU models tend to be very quiet when running. Moreover, such models often offer more advanced features, including programmable automatic modes, variable fan speeds, remote control, eco mode, mobile device function, and some genuinely innovative designs among the most reputable brands.
Is a 15000 BTU Air Conditioner Worth Buying:
- You’re cooling a considerable space: A 15000 BTU unit offers enough cooling power to cool a 650-750 square foot space quickly.
- You want to cool a large kitchen: Kitchens from 400-650 square feet can be cooled more quickly with a 15000 BTU unit than with a 12000 BTU model while remaining a practical choice in terms of the cost to performance ratio.
- You’re cooling a large, high-ceiled room: A 400-650 square foot room with high ceilings or an odd shape that makes air circulation challenging can be cooled more effectively and quickly with a 15000 BTU unit.
- You’ve got the budget for a performance upgrade: These models are expensive. But, if you want lower-noise performance and more advanced features, a 15000 BTU unit is an excellent choice.
Why a 15000 BTU Unit May Not Be For You:
- You are on a budget: A space of 400-600 square feet can be more quickly and quietly cooled by a 15000 BTU model, but the price of the unit itself and higher electricity bills may make a less powerful model, like a 12000 BTU unit, a more practical choice for tighter budgets.
- You’re in a home with an older electrical system: 15000 BTU models draw a lot of power, and if you don’t have a dedicated 30 amp breaker and outlet available (as many older homes do not), you won’t be able to run such a unit without serious electrical issues.
- You have a kitchen or high-ceiling space larger than 700 square feet: If you have a huge kitchen or room with high ceilings, it may be impractical to try to cool it with a single 15000 BTU unit in terms of the hit on your power bill.
- You’re concerned about carbon footprint: Any high-BTU air conditioner will come with higher energy costs and decreased overall efficiency compared to less powerful models. If you’re worried about carbon footprint, such a unit, especially if it comes with a lower EER rating, may not be for you.
How Long will a 15000 BTU Air Conditioner Last?
The average lifespan of a home window air condition or wall air conditioner is around ten years with moderate amounts of use. Many reputable brands offer a warranty of up to five years but can last significantly longer than ten years if properly cared for.
Here are the main factors that contribute to an air conditioner’s lifespan.
Usage
As a rule of thumb, an air conditioner that’s used seasonally or minimally throughout the year will last longer than one that’s used year-round regularly. Depending on your region, you can expect a noticeable difference in the life of a unit.
Cleaning and Care
You can extend the life of any air conditioner by keeping it clean (cleaning a washable air filter regularly or replacing disposable filters per manufacturer specification) and periodic maintenance. Filters clogged with dirt, grease, and dust make components work harder to achieve maximum airflow, decreasing efficiency, and increasing wear and tear.
Direct Sunlight
If an air conditioner is constantly exposed to direct sunlight, it can overheat the components and make them work harder to cool a room, shortening a unit’s life.
If it’s at all possible, install your unit in a north-facing window of your living space with a good amount of shade. While small amounts of direct sun won’t have much of an impact over time, a constant level will take its toll.
How to Choose the Best 15000 BTU Air Conditioner
Now that you’ve decided to purchase a 15000 BTU air conditioner, you should look at the factors and features that will help you choose the right model for you.
15000 BTU Air Conditioner Key Factors
1. How much power will it require?
Air conditioners with BTU ratings above 10000 BTUs use a significant amount of power in general. And 150000 BTU models require a circuit and outlet of at least 30 amps to run safely without the risk of tripping a breaker or causing serious electrical issues. Many older homes don’t have breakers that can handle these power demands, so ensuring yours does is essential when choosing a model in this BTU class.
2. How big a space do you need to cool?
15000 BTU air conditioners are designed to cool 650-750 square foot spaces quickly and with optimal relative efficiency. They also work well for kitchens and high-ceilinged rooms smaller than 600 square feet. If your space is less than 450 square feet, you’ll likely want to choose a less powerful model.
3. Is it energy efficient?
Generally speaking, as BTU rating increases, power consumption increases, and overall efficiency decreases. However, within BTU classes, specific models can vary quite a bit regarding whether they’re energy-efficient. There are two measures of efficiency by which all AC units can be judged.
- Energy Efficiency Ratio: The Energy Efficiency Ratio or EER is the rating given to air conditioners to indicate their efficiency via wattage per hour. The higher the EER rating, the more efficient the unit is regardless of its BTU cooling capacity. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends air conditioners with EER ratings of 10.0 or over for the best cost-to-performance ratio.
- Energy Star Certified: Models that are officially Energy Star recognized generally have around 10% lower energy consumption than models that aren’t. This increases energy savings and carbon footprint at the same time. Almost all states in the U.S. also offer rebates on Energy Star-rated models, choosing to buy one even easier.
4. Does it have advanced features and options?
Higher-BTU AC units usually have more advanced features and control options than lower-BTU models. Things like remote control, 24-hour on/off timer, smart features like mobile device connectivity, designs that allow windows to be freely opened during operation, and mobile device connectivity are among the things you can find in more powerful models, though usually at an increased price point.
