Best Vertical Window Air Conditioners for Convenient Cooling

Window air conditioners provide an easy and convenient way to cool off any space, whether it’s a bedroom or a living room. However, if your home has vertical windows, the traditional window AC units won’t work. That’s where vertical window air conditioners step in. These units provide a practical cooling solution for homes with narrow window configurations.

This blog will discuss vertical window air conditioners in detail, exploring the top AC options and factors to consider when purchasing one for your home.

What Is a Vertical Window Air Conditioner?

Unlike traditional window units, which are designed for double-hung windows, vertical window air conditioners are engineered to be installed in sliding windows or ones that swing outward like doors, known as casement windows.

These AC units provide cooling capabilities similar to other room units but feature a tall and narrow build that fits snugly within the vertical window frame, ensuring effective cooling. They are popular choices for rooms or apartments where traditional window ACs cannot be installed due to window type constraints.

Related: 9 Types of Air Conditioners: Choose the Best for Your Home

Best Vertical Window Air Conditioners for Your Home

Here is a list of some of the best ACs for you to choose from:

1. Frigidaire Casement Window Air Conditioner

The Frigidaire casement window AC has a 10000 BTU cooling capacity and is perfect for large bedrooms and small living rooms. It features auto mode, energy saver mode, and sleep mode, ensuring you have the most comfortable environment at any time of day or night. Additionally, its adjustable louvers allow you to direct the airflow precisely where you want it.

This vertical window air conditoner comes with a remote control that enables you to adjust the temperature and fan speed with precision from anywhere in the room. It comes with a washable filter for easy maintenance.

Pros	Cons
Can work in large bedrooms.	Not Energy Star certified.
Comes with a remote control.
Adjustable louvers for precise airflow.

2. PerfectAire Slider Window Air Conditioner

This PerfectAire slider window air conditioner has a powerful 10,000 BTU cooling capacity and is ready to tackle even the hottest days. It comes with a convenient remote control and an easy-to-use installation kit.

This window AC is highly efficient, with a Seasonal Energy Efficiency (SEER) rating of 13. The unit is equipped with various features, including auto, sleep, dry, and energy-saver modes, as well as full-range air direction control and an auto restart function.

Pros	Cons
Comes with an installation kit.	Heavy units may take 2 people to install it.
Variety of helpful features.	Noisy may not be suitable for bedrooms.
Fits perfectly in narrow windows.

3. Koldfront CAC Casement/Sliding Window Air Conditioner

The Koldfront CAC sliding window AC offers a wide range of features aimed at improving your comfort. It includes a built-in dehumidifier and three fan modes to ensure you get the perfect airflow.

This window AC boasts energy-efficient features, such as an energy-saver mode that cycles the fan every 10 minutes until the room temperature exceeds your set level, then resumes cooling with the compressor. It also features a digital display control panel with three fan speeds for easy airflow adjustment and includes a dehumidifying function to remove excess moisture from your space.

Unlike many casement AC units that require a separate window installation kit, the Koldfront CAC comes with everything necessary, including a weatherproof cover to seal any gaps in your drafty window.

Pros	Cons
Fairly easy to install.	Can get a bit noisy.
Digital controls for easy temperature adjustments.
The dehumidifying function works really well.

4. Keystone KSTSW10A Sliding Window Air Conditioner

This Keystone sliding window air conditioner is a versatile option for sliding and casement windows. It offers maximum comfort with 3 cooling modes, 3 fan speeds, 4-way adjustable air louvers, and a programmable timer. Its built-in dehumidification system removes 0.9 pints of moisture per hour. The 4-way air direction control allows you to direct airflow precisely for optimal comfort. Installation is convenient with a removable chassis suitable for window or wall installation, and it includes an adjustable window kit.

Pros	Cons
Energy-saving features to reduce electricity bills.	Extremely heavy.
Dehumidification features work well in humid conditions.

Smarten Up Your Vertical Window AC

If your vertical window air conditioner comes with an IR remote, you can make it smart by pairing it with a window AC thermostat. These smart thermostats allow you to conveniently control your air conditioner remotely, directly from your smartphone. You can set up schedules to avoid the hassle of adjusting the temperature manually.

If you forget to turn off your AC while going out, you can use your phone to do so. Using geofencing mode, it can also turn off automatically once you leave your set location and switch back on when you return. Further, these thermostats can also send you monthly reports about your energy usage patterns to help you reduce AC costs.

Cielo Breez window AC thermostats have a super helpful feature called Comfy Mode that you can use to maintain the perfect temperature at any time of the day. The intelligent temperature/humidity triggers automatically turn your AC on/off to achieve your desired temperature.

What to Look For When Buying a Vertical Window AC?

1. Unit Size

Before purchasing an air conditioner, measure the height and width of your window opening. Then, choose an air conditioner that fits the required window size corresponding to these measurements. Simply relying on the air conditioner’s physical dimensions may not be sufficient, as it typically needs extra space to fit comfortably into position.

2. Room Size

When choosing an air conditioner, it’s crucial to match its cooling capacity to the size of the area you need to cool. If the unit is underpowered, it will run constantly without adequately cooling the room. On the other hand, an overly powerful unit may cool the space too quickly without effectively dehumidifying it.

Each air conditioner is rated in BTUs (British Thermal Units), which indicates its cooling power. As a rule of thumb, aim for approximately 20 BTUs per square foot of the area to be cooled. Factors like room height (higher ceilings require more cooling), occupancy (more people generate more heat), and sun exposure through large windows also influence the required cooling capacity.

Related: What Size Air Conditioner Do I Need?

3. Control Types

Push-button controls are generally simple and allow you to easily adjust the temperature and fan speeds. Digital controls provide more precise temperature control. Remote controls are perfect for those who want to operate their air conditioner from across the room without getting up from their seat.

4. Power Levels

Most window air conditioners are designed to operate on standard household power. Models that provide less than 15,000 BTUs of cooling power typically use a standard 120-volt outlet and require a 15-amp circuit. However, more powerful window air conditioners may require a 240-volt outlet with a different plug type and a dedicated circuit.

Note: Regardless of the voltage, your air conditioner must be the only major appliance on that circuit. Air conditioners draw significant currents, especially during startup, so adding other heavy loads to the same circuit could trip the breaker or overload it.

5. Extra Features

Evaluate the features offered, such as adjustable fan speeds, programmable timers, remote control operation, and sleep modes. Choose a unit with features that enhance convenience and comfort.

6. Energy Efficiency

Look for units with high Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) ratings. Higher EER ratings indicate more efficient operation, which can save you money on energy bills in the long run.

7. Noise Levels

The noise level of an air conditioner is determined by its decibel (dB) rating. Window air conditioners emit between 33 to 67 decibels.

For those sensitive to noise, look for units with lower decibel ratings for quieter operation.

8. Maintenance and Durability

Consider the ease of maintenance activities such as cleaning your window AC. To ensure longevity, look for models with durable construction and reliable performance reviews.

9. Warranty

Like with any appliance, vertical window ACs also face the possibility of breakdowns and malfunctions. Review the manufacturer’s warranty coverage before making a purchase. A good warranty provides peace of mind for the consumer and ensures that any repairs or replacements needed during the warranty period are covered at little to no cost.

Beat the Heat With Vertical Window ACs

If you’re looking for a great way to manage your apartment’s warm temperatures, a vertical window air conditioner is the right fit. Explore a curated selection of the top seven models available, enabling you to carefully consider factors like BTU size, EER rating, and warranty provisions that align with your preferences. Don’t forget to pay special attention to your room size and budget before you make your final choice! Don’t forget to make it smart to save on energy bills!