If you’re looking for a premium air conditioner that you can install yourself, you may wonder how heavy is a window air conditioner. Window units offer a similar cooling process to portable units, but they have faster cooling speeds and better energy efficiency.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- The average weight of most residential window ACs is between 40 and 130 pounds.
- Copper components like the evaporator coil and condenser account for most of an AC unit’s weight.
- In general, the higher the AC unit’s BTU rating, the heavier it will be.
That said, window air conditioner units with top-tier cooling power can be difficult to lift into a window frame on your own due to their heft. So, let’s talk about how heavy these window units are.
Insider Tip
If you’ve never installed a window unit before, watch an installation video or two to ensure that you install your AC correctly.
And if you’re curious about the cooling capacity of portable units, consider reading our Whynter 11000 BTU Dual-Hose AC review for a good example.
How Much Do Window Air Conditioners Weigh?
The average weight of a window AC unit is between 40 and 130 pounds, but the BTU (British Thermal Unit) rating can help you estimate how heavy your AC might be. You can determine how many BTUs your AC unit should have by multiplying the square footage of your space by 20.
The lightest window units will generally feature the lowest BTU ratings, while the heavy units have high BTU ratings. After all, AC models with a powerful cooling capacity feature heavier parts than lighter units.
How Do Window ACs Work?
While we have a complete guide on how a window air conditioner unit works, knowing the basics can help you determine how heavy it will be.
When your indoor temperature gets too high, a window AC unit pulls air from your room with the fan motor. The air cools as it passes over the evaporator coil, and the cold air is recycled into the hot room. Any remaining heat energy is expelled from the AC unit by the condenser coils.
What Makes Window ACs Heavy?
While there are fans, air filters, and other parts, the metal components are why window AC units are heavy. The condenser coils and evaporator coils are usually made from copper, a heavy metal. For example, a cubic foot of copper weighs over 500 pounds.
Warning
If you have a heavy unit, use a window air conditioner support bracket to prevent warping or damage to your exterior wall.
F.A.Q.S
How much do you get for scrapping an air conditioner?
When you scrap a window air conditioner unit, you receive a set price per pound of weight. According to scrapping experts, you should expect $3-$6 for a whole window air conditioner. You can get more money by extracting valuable components like copper tubing and other metals before taking them to the scrapyard.
How many square feet will a 5,000 BTU air conditioner cool?
You want 20 BTUs per cubic foot of space in the cooling area. A 5,000 BTU air conditioning system should offer a 150 sq. ft cooling area, enough for a small room. For an example of a heavy unit, a 12,000 BTU model should cover about 550 sq. ft.
Does window AC pull air from outside?
While some air conditioning systems pull air from outside, window air conditioners do not. Instead, they draw air from inside your home and recirculate it to cool the indoor temperature. Lastly, the remaining heat energy gets cycled outside your home.
STAT: According to a U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) survey, 66% of U.S. homes use a central air conditioning system. (source)
