Kara Zorn on August 14, 2014 0 Comments Wherever you live, having an air conditioning system in your home is a necessity. While there are several different types of air conditioning units, through the wall A/C units are self-contained units that can quickly cool down several rooms at once. This type of air conditioning system is similar to window units. However, the main distinguishable feature is that through the wall A/C units are attached to an exterior wall and supported by a wall sleeve, whereas window units are installed directly in the window. The Benefits Today, through the wall A/C units do more than just keep your bedroom, living room, or any other room in your home comfortable and cool all year round. Many newer models come equipped with several different modes and a variety of convenient features. One of the other benefits of this type of air conditioning units is that they fit tightly in your wall through the use of a wall sleeve, preventing unwanted drafts when the unit isn’t on. In addition to this, they are less obtrusive and obvious than wall units which often protrude out from the wall. Installation and Cooling Requirements If you are interested in installing a through the wall A/C unit in your home, you need to consider the size of the room where the unit will exist. To determine what size unit you need, start with the appropriate amount of cooling power. The cooling capacity of a unit can be measured in British Thermal Units (BTUs). The higher the amount of BTUs, the bigger of a room it will be able to cool. For example, a room measuring 100 to 150 square feet will need a through the wall unit with 5,000 BTUs while a room measuring 1,200 to 1,400 square feet will require 23,000 BTUs of cooling power. In addition to the square footage of a room, purchasers should also consider various environmental factors, such as: Number of Occupants: For every additional person beyond two people, add an additional 600 BTUs of cooling power. Sunlight: If you are putting the cooling unit in a room that receives an abundance of sunlight every day, consider increasing the unit’s BTUs by 10 percent. On the other hand, you can also decrease the cooling power of the unit by 10 percent if you are installing it in a room with minimal natural light. Ceiling Height: BTU estimations are based on rooms with eight-foot ceilings. If you are installing the unit in a room with a ceiling higher than eight feet, you will want to increase the cooling power of the unit slightly. Things to Consider Before Buying Before you install a through the wall A/C unit in your home, remember that it will be permanent. In addition to this, it is important that you consider several wall and electrical requirements before you start the installation process. For efficiency and safety reasons, you will want to make sure that there aren’t any plumbing or electrical components behind the wall where the A/C unit will go before you cut the hole. You may also want to consider consulting with a professional to ensure that the hole is cut precisely. In addition to the hole, you will also want to make sure that the wiring has the appropriate voltage requirements. For example, most newer through the wall AC units require 110-120 volt plugs while older models usually use 220 volts. If the voltage requirements of the unit you purchased don’t match up with yours, talk to an electrician who can help you determine whether or not special wiring is needed. Additional Modes One of the perks of through the wall air conditioners is that they come with a variety of different modes. However, the one feature that most homeowners look for in a new unit is heat mode. These units usually utilize a heat pump or an electric heating system to warm up a room during the winter months. The difference between heat pumps and electric heating is that electric heat uses a coil and a fan while heat pumps transfer heat from colder areas within a room using mechanical energy. In addition to the heating mode, through the wall units may also come with modes such as sleep mode, fan-only mode, and dehumidify mode to increase your comfort level throughout the year. The next time you want to cool off a certain room or area of your home without sticking an A/C unit to the window, consider a through the wall unit instead.
