It's a relief to exchange snow tires for regular tires, boots for sandals, and sweaters for short sleeves, isn't it? And yet... sometimes, no matter how much we appreciate summer, there are a few downsides. If you have a large space to cool down, a 10,000 BTU window air conditioner is a great way to do it. These powerful ACs can handle 350-450 square feet, and many options are still 115/120 volt rather than requiring a 220-volt setup.
We've chosen four popular models from great brands to help you decide. Choosing an air conditioner from an established brand helps ensure that you get a solid warranty and that the unit gives you many seasons of performance.
Table of Contents
- LG LW1019IVSM - MSRP $449
- Frigidaire FFRE103WA1 - MSRP $389
- Friedrich Chill CCF10A10A - MSRP $479
- LG LW1017ERSM - MSRP $379
3 Factors to Consider When Buying a Window Air Conditioner
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Energy Efficiency/Cost to Run. Air conditioner efficiency is important since it's directly connected to how much the unit will cost you while it's running. Besides looking at the energy guide, you can also check out the CEER, or Combined Energy Efficiency Ratio. This ratio takes into consideration the cooling capacity (BTU/hr) and the power used while in use and while in standby mode. The higher the CEER, the better. You should only compare CEER ratings between AC units with the same BTU output. Based on the Energy Star website's ratings for 10,000 BTU air conditioners, the best CEER ratings for this type of AC unit max out at 15 but are typically around 12.
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If you'll be running your AC constantly for most of the summer, you may also want to look for a model with an Energy Saver mode. This mode typically checks the temperature of the room every few minutes and only turns the fan on if the temp has risen above the level you've chosen.
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Noise Level/dBA. Many air conditioners now come with decibel measures in dBA, similar to dishwashers. This measures the approximate noise level of the unit. Since the average conversation level takes place at around 60 decibels, units that are 60+ dBA can be disruptive.
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Note that a 6 to 10 decibel decrease will sound like a 50% reduction in noise level, while a 3-decibel change will only be 1.23 times louder or quieter. So don't sweat small decibel differences between models, but pay attention to differences of 8 or more decibels.
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- Weight & Installation. The higher the BTUs, the heavier the unit. These 10,000 BTU models are typically around 70 pounds. If you are DIYing the installation, make sure you have a helper to handle the weight of the unit (and check the installation height and width requirements to make sure it will fit in your window).
1. The LG LW1019IVSM - MSRP $449
A newer window air conditioner entering the market is the LG LW1019IVSM. Although this 9,500 BTU model doesn't have a ton of reviews yet, it's a really neat option on the market. It uses a dual inverter variable speed compressor to save you money and operate much more quietly. Most air conditioners use single-speed compressors that are either on (and running at maximum power) or off. A variable speed compressor is one of the factors that gives this model a higher CEER of 13.8 plus noise levels as low as 44 dBA.
If you need an air conditioner in a large bedroom or are particularly sensitive to noise, you'll appreciate this model's ultra-quiet Sleep mode, which is almost whisper quiet at 44 decibels - about as quiet as a library! Sleep mode runs on a timer for 1-7 hours, and it increases the temperature 4 degrees over the first hour to save energy.
This model is estimated to cost just $50 per year when run seasonally, saving you $15 per year compared to LG's 8,000 BTU non inverter model. Plus, it uses environmentally friendly R32 refrigerant. On top of that, this Wi-Fi connected unit can be controlled from your smartphone, Google Assistant, and Amazon Alexa! This makes it easy to adjust temperature and timer settings remotely.
If you're looking for a fully-featured 10,000 BTU air conditioner, you should definitely check out this model!
Features
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CEER: 13.8
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Noise Rating: 44 dBA in Sleep mode, 50-58 dBA in Low/Mid/High modes
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Weight: 63 lbs
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Estimated Yearly Energy Cost: $50
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Digital display and touch controls with remote plus Wi-Fi connectivity
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Energy Saver mode
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24-hour on/off timer
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Auto Restart
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Variable speed compressor
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Energy Star rated
Click here to read over 15 real customer reviews of this product!
2. The Frigidaire FFRE103WA1 - MSRP $389
Next up is the Frigidaire FFRE103WA1, a budget-friendly 10,000 BTU window air conditioner. This model includes a remote control and all of the basic features you need in an air conditioner, plus it's Energy Star rated. It has a reasonable noise rating at 57-59 dBA and comes with Energy Saver and Sleep modes. The Sleep mode will turn up the temperature four degrees over an hour to reduce energy consumption without disturbing your sleep.
The programmable 24-hour on/off timer lets you set the unit to turn on and off automatically in half-hour increments, so it can turn on before you get home from work or go to bed to make your space more comfortable. It has an extra long 6-foot power cord as well for your convenience. Overall, this is a nice model that's simple to operate while having enough features to give you the flexibility you need.
Frigidaire covers this model for one year parts and labor plus five years on the sealed system, parts only.
Features
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CEER: 12
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Noise Rating: 57-59 dBA
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Weight: 66.5 lbs
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Estimated Yearly Energy Cost: $81
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Digital display and touch controls with remote
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Energy Saver and Sleep modes
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24-hour on/off timer
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Auto Restart
- Energy Star rated
Click here to read over 90 real customer reviews of this product!
Frigidaire FFRE103WA1 - $389 MSRP - CLICK HERE FOR CURRENT PRICING
3. The Friedrich Chill Premier CCF10A10A - MSRP $479
Friedrich AC is a niche brand offering quality air conditioners with high owner satisfaction rates. The Chill line of air conditioners has been around for a few years, and select models have a slide-out chassis design that makes them work for both window and in-wall installations. This Energy Star rated model has a fixed chassis. It uses environmentally friendly R-410A refrigerant and comes with convenient features.
The Auto Air Sweep feature swings the louvers back and forth to provide even air distribution, ideal for large open spaces. It comes with a remote, a 24 hour on/off timer, and an Energy Saver mode to help you get the most out of your unit. It also has a stale air exhaust option for when you want to circulate fresh air without cooling the space. This model also has optional Wi-Fi connectivity so you can control your AC from anywhere using your smartphone - or just ask Amazon Alexa to handle it!
Friedrich offers a one year full warranty and a five year parts only warranty on the sealed system.
Features
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CEER: 12.0
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Noise Rating: Not listed, but quiet
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Weight: 64 lbs
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Estimated Yearly Energy Cost: $81
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Digital display and touch controls with remote
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Smart Wi-Fi and voice control
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Energy Saver mode
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24-hour on/off timer
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Auto Restart
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Auto Air Sweep swing louvers distribute air evenly
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Energy Star rated
Friedrich Chill CCF10A10A - $479 MSRP - CLICK HERE FOR CURRENT PRICING
4. The LG LW1017ERSM - MSRP $379
Last but not least is another LG model - the LG LW1017ERSM. This model is a smart air conditioner with Wi-Fi connectivity - using LG's highly rated Smart ThinQ app, you can control your air conditioner from anywhere with your smartphone or virtual assistant! This model also stands out as having relatively low noise ratings even at high fan speeds - it maxes out at 55 dBA, while other air conditioners are easily close to 60 decibels or more (and thus can be pretty disruptive).
LG uses environmentally friendly R32 refrigerant and covers this model with a one year parts and labor warranty. The Wi-Fi connectivity is a great feature to have for those times when you forget to turn the air conditioner off or want to adjust the timer settings.
If you want effective cooling plus smart features to help you save money, check out this model!
Features
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CEER: 12.0
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Noise Rating: 53-55 dBA
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Weight: 73 lbs
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Estimated Yearly Energy Cost: $81
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Digital display and touch controls with remote
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Energy Saver mode
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24-hour on/off timer
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Auto Restart
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Wi-Fi connectivity
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Energy Star rated
Click here to read over 85 real customer reviews of this product!
That sums up our reviews of some great 10,000 BTU window air conditioner models from several different brands. Check them out in the store in person to best compare them!
If you're trying to decide between models, consider the ongoing cost of electricity in addition to the upfront cost. The variable compressor model from LG would save you about $31 per year compared to the other models, assuming you're running it for 8 hours per day for 3 months (which is the basis of the energy guide's estimate). Compared to the standard compressor models from Frigidaire and LG, the variable compressor model would "pay for itself" in a little over two years (based on MSRP). Again, if you're using your air conditioner for more than 8 hours/day for 90 days each year, those savings will add up more quickly.
Which model do you prefer? Do you think a smart air conditioner will save you money? Leave us a comment below - We'd love to hear from you!
Editor's Note: This blog was originally written in March of 2020 and has been completely revamped and updated for accuracy as of the publication date noted above.
