Indoor air conditioning is one of the best ways to beat the summer heat. For many, the convenience of central air conditioning remains out of reach, making window air conditioners a secondary option.

Today's window air conditioners are much better than you may be used to, and nothing like the enormous energy drain they once were. Modern window air conditioners relieve scorching temperatures, remove humidity, and use less electricity than ever before.

However, it's easy to get the machine wrong without doing your homework. You may come across something that is too big, too small, or simply not for what you want. Read on to learn how to avoid these pitfalls.

The decision to use an air conditioner depends on several key factors. Here's a list of details you should figure out before shopping.

Target coverage area in square feet (or square meters)

Window size and shape

Where to direct the condensate from

Location and voltage of nearby electrical outlets

What smart features are available

First, you need to have a good idea of what you need from your new air conditioning unit. The most basic question: How well will the room be cooled?

Window air conditioners are rated in British Thermal Units – usually between 5,000 and 12,000. A BTU is an energy measure that essentially tells you how efficiently a device can reduce the temperature of a given space.

For small rooms (i.e. 150 square feet or less), a 5,000 BTU model should work well. For slightly larger rooms - especially those in the 340-square-foot range - an 8,000 BTU window unit will be your best choice. If you have a large room or want to cool a small apartment with an air conditioning unit, you'll need something with more power. 12,000-14,000 BTU units cover 550 to 800 square feet.

The Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star website has a handy tool that can help you roughly determine how many BTUs you need. the

Typically, though, you'll want 20 BTUs for every square foot you want to cool (although other factors, such as vaulted ceilings or shade coverage, may push your final estimate up or down slightly).

Typically, this is the case with window-mounted air conditioners. The main body of the appliance is partly inside the window glass and partly outside the window glass. Some sort of bracket or mount to hold the air conditioner in place. The bracket also separates the inside from the outside, and hot air from cold air.

Since there is no universal standard for window size, the window size must be measured. Once you have that information, you can compare it to the specifications of any potential new machine. This way you can hopefully avoid any nasty surprises when installing.

Decide if you plan to remove your new air conditioner in late summer or keep it in a window year-round. Both approaches come with trade-offs. With a permanent setup, you don't have to reinstall your air conditioner every year.

But even if your permanent AC support is well insulated, it won't be as draftless as a good quality window that is completely closed. This can be a problem if you live somewhere with temperatures near or below freezing in the winter. If you live somewhere with mild winters, you should be fine.

One of the downsides to air conditioning comfort is condensation. Similar to dehumidifiers, air conditioning units draw moisture from the air while they are operating. The collected water has to go somewhere, usually pooling in the internal drip pan. Some air conditioner models recommend that you drill a small hole in it for drainage. You can then hang a drain hose there to direct excess water where you want it to go.

Decades ago, it was not uncommon for older air conditioners to require a high voltage (240V) electrical outlet. Current models are even more efficient thanks to Energy Star certification. They can run on 120V, which is the default voltage for US appliances.

It's a good idea to check what's going on in your particular home. Old, dead AC equipment may only have a single 240V outlet nearby. Here's another problem you might run into. The closest outlet is 120V, but it shares a circuit with other power-hungry appliances or electronics. In either case, you may need to call in an electrician to make repairs or add additional circuitry.

Features other than size and cooling capacity may seem insignificant, but they can have a meaningful impact on how you use your window air conditioner. Smart features are coming to more window air conditioners, letting you control them with a phone app or voice commands.

Here are the key smart window air conditioner features you might want to look for: scheduling function, eco mode, and Wi-Fi connectivity. Each of these elements allows you to personalize your window air conditioner experience, whether by setting timers and controlling devices remotely, or by adjusting overall energy usage.

The above briefly introduces the precautions when purchasing window air conditioners. If you want to buy window air conditioners, please contact us.

ComforPlanet is a professional custom air conditioners and accessories manufacturer. The mission of our reseller partners is to simplify their work and provide the highest quality products at the most affordable prices. Here you can find many air conditioner brands, let you know how to choose the right refrigerant and air conditioner for you.