8 Best 14000 BTU Air Conditioners: Reviews & Comparisons

8 Best 14000 BTU Air Conditioners Reviewed

14000 BTU Air Conditioners Compared

Considerations When Buying A 14000 BTU AC Unit

AC Type

In this list of 14000 BTU air conditioner reviews, we’ve covered several types of 14000 BTU units, including window, portable, and through-the-wall. Before deciding on one, comparing the different types is a must. A 14000 BTU portable air conditioner is the easiest to install, but some homeowners don’t like that they take up floor space in the room. A 14000 BTU wall air conditioner or window unit is trickier to install, but they won’t waste any of your home’s precious square footage.

Related Article – What are the Different Types of Air Conditioning?

Coverage Area

Answering and understanding the question of how many square feet does a 14000 BTU AC cool is essential. A high-quality 14000 BTU unit can cool 500 square feet or more, so the first step is to measure the square footage of the space. There’s no need for a 14000 BTU unit if you intend to install the AC in a small guest bedroom – these are more suited to large living spaces, like the family room or basement.

Energy Efficiency Rating (EER)

Energy.gov says that to measure the efficiency of a room AC, you’ll need to look at the energy efficiency ratio (EER).

“The EER is the ratio of the cooling capacity (in British thermal units [Btu] per hour) to the power input (in watts). The higher the EER rating, the more efficient the air conditioner.”

The law as of 1990 is that room ACs must have an EER of 8.0 or more, but try to find a model with a rating between 9 and 11. For mild climates where the AC won’t be running on full blast, an EER of 9 is perfectly suitable, but for hotter climates, the higher the EER, the better.

Related Article – More on EER Rating and What It Signifies

Noise Levels (DB)

Just imagine turning on the AC to find some relief, and as you sit down in front of the cool breeze, the unit starts clanking loudly. This isn’t a peaceful scenario, which is why the AC noise level is a major consideration. Noise level is measured in decibels, or dB; the lower the dB, the lower the noise output.

Even the quietest window ACs have a certain level of white noise, but the best 14000 BTU units, this white noise is barely noticeable. Room ACs typically have a noise level that falls between 42 and 64 dBA, so try to find something on the low end of this. Pay special attention to the dBA of portable AC units; these sit entirely inside the home (as opposed to a window AC).

Performance Features

AC performance is not just measured by how quickly it can cool a room. It is also important to look into more specific performance features, like whether the unit comes with unique modes for different situations. The best 14000 BTU air conditioner will come with heat mode, sleep mode, multiple fan settings, auto setting, timers, remote control operation, and dehumidification.

Installation Requirements

Some AC units are much easier to install than others. For example, a portable AC is basically ready to go right out of the box; all you have to do is configure the hoses properly. On the flip side, through-the-wall units often require you to cut through drywall.

If you plan on setting up your AC as a DIY project, you must have the proper tools (and knowledge) before making your purchase. For the easiest installation, go with a portable or window unit.

Another installation consideration is dual vs. single hose. Every AC works by drawing air in from a vent, cooling the air, and releasing out through the front of the unit.

This process does tend to generate some hot air, and that hot air needs to go somewhere. Most ACs serve as a single hose unit, expelling hot air from one hose that leads from the back of the AC and is exhausted outside. Dual hose ACs are more difficult to install, but they are more effective at drawing cool air in and expelling hot air out.

Voltage Requirements

Most 14000 BTU ACs have a standard voltage requirement of 115 or 120 volts, but this isn’t the case for all of them. Some of the more powerful units require a socket that is compatible with 220, even 230 volts. It’s never a good idea to just assume that an AC can be plugged into a standard socket. By not checking, you’re not only putting the AC at risk but also yourself.

Price & Warranty

Setting a budget beforehand can help you to narrow down your options early on in the buying process. The best 14000 BTU air conditioners reviewed below are all over the board when it comes to price, but they all come with at least 1 year of warranty coverage. Just be sure to double-check the warranty – many policies offer different lengths of coverage for different AC parts and defects.

Types Of AC Units With A 14000 BTU Rating

Before investing in one of these top-rated models, deciding on the type of 14000 BTU AC that’s right for you and your home is the first step. It’s not just about 14000 BTU air conditioner room size, but also each type’s functionality features, like the ease of use, performance, and power consumption.

Portable

The main perk of going portable is the ease of installation. The best portable ACs are easy to set up, usually just requiring you to install a venting kit to exhaust hot air outside and keep the room cool. There’s no need to cut a hole in the wall or install a window mount. Since a portable unit remains entirely in the home, you don’t have to worry about weatherproofing.

Another perk of choosing one of the portable units reviewed is that they use less power with the same BTU rating. When it comes to Energy Star, portable units almost always come with the best rating, and this will save you money in the long run. The downside of portable 14000 BTU units? Many homeowners don’t love that a portable AC 14000 BTU unit takes up floor space.

Window

Window ACs tend to be slightly more powerful than portable units. A high-quality 14000 BTU window unit is capable of cooling a room up to 700 square feet in size. Window ACs are more efficient than central air, but they aren’t on the same level as portable models. You won’t have to sacrifice floor space, but there will be a bit of installation required – especially for a casement air conditioner 14000 BTU unit.

Wall AC Unit

A 14000 BTU through the wall air conditioner looks and operates like a window unit, but instead of installing the unit in a window, it is installed – you guessed it – through a wall.

If you don’t already have a hole cut out from a previous AC, you’ll have to cut through the drywall to install one of these ACs.

You’ll most likely have to purchase an additional wall sleeve for installation, and these are by far the most challenging AC type with 14000 BTUs to install. There are some advantages to choosing a wall AC unit, though.

They’re much more efficient than central air systems and window units, they don’t take up any floor space, and you won’t lose access to your window.

Related Article – Learn to Differentiate a Wall AC from a Window Type

Types Of AC Units Without A 14000 BTU Rating

RV Air Conditioner

There’s a range of available BTU rating with RV air conditioners. A few of the best-rated models have a 13500 BTU, and a few more have a 15000 BTU, but none fall exactly on 14000. There are also plenty of RV ACs with lower BTU ratings, like 7000 and 9000. Just remember that the BTU value you choose depends on the size of your RV space.

Related Article – RV Rooftop Air Conditioner Choices

Mini Split

The Department of Energy says that the main advantage of ductless mini-split air conditioners is “their small size and flexibility for zoning or heating and cooling individual rooms. Many models can have as many as four indoor air handling units (for four zones or rooms) connected to one outdoor unit.”

Most homeowners find that the perfect mini-split BTU rating is 12000.

Related Article – Best Mini Split Heat Pumps for Cold Weather

When Is A 14000 BTU AC The Right Choice?

One of the biggest mistakes when shopping around for an AC is not recognizing the importance of BTUs. The term BTU, short for British Thermal Unit, is used all over the world to measure energy.

In technical terms, Newair says that BTU stands for “the amount of energy it takes to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit.”

The main thing you need to remember is that a higher BTU can cool a greater amount of space. Aircon BTUs range anywhere from 5000 to 20000, and choosing the right one depends on the square footage of the space you’re trying to cool. For rooms measuring between 400 and 500 square feet (and sometimes more), you’ll want to go with a 14000 BTU unit.

Think you need a smaller or larger unit? Check out our reviews for different sizes below:

Installing Various 14k BTU Air Conditioning Units

The installation process for your 14000 BTU AC depends entirely on the type of unit you’ve purchased. Installing a portable unit will look completely different from installing a through-the-wall AC. You MUST follow your AC’s specific instructions for assembly and installation. This will be included in the product’s user manual, which will come in the box. You should also be able to find a PDF version of the manual on the manufacturer’s website.

To keep things simple, let’s focus on the installation of portable 14000 BTU units. Installation for portable units is easiest, but there’s no shame in calling an HVAC professional if you’re not comfortable with DIY installation. Portable ACs extract hot air, so the toughest part of the installation is figuring out how to vent this hot air through an exhaust vent. Luckily, your unit will come with clear instructions and a venting kit.

According to Newair, there are 5 steps for venting a portable AC unit:

1. Decide on the venting location; most people choose to vent the hot air out of a sliding window, but you might have to vent out of a hole in the wall.
2. Connect your portable AC to the exhaust connector
3. Connect the exhaust connector to the exhaust hose.
4. Connect the venting window kit adapter to the window kit.
5. Install a sliding window kit in the window by sliding it to the right height and shutting the window on the kit. In some cases, you might need to mark the kit and cut it down to the right size for the opening.

Troubleshooting & Care

A busted AC is one of the worst things to happen on a sweltering hot day. Even the best 14000 BTU air conditioners can experience operational issues, but the good news is that most of these issues are easy fixes. There are a few regular maintenance steps to prevent these issues from happening in the first place.

A Lack Of Airflow

The most common issue that portable/window/through-the-wall ACs experience is a lack of airflow. This means that the AC is turning on and technically working, but it isn’t delivering as much cold air as it should. To fix this common problem, the first thing to do is clean the filter.

The lack of airflow could be from a buildup of dust or debris in the filtration system, so the problem is often fixed by simply removing and cleaning the filter. In most cases, you’ll use a vacuum or brush to give it a good cleaning, but some ACs come with washable filters that can be cleaned under running water.

A Lack Of Cool Air

Maybe your AC is giving off a lot of air, but this air isn’t cool. This is another problem that is most often caused by choosing the wrong AC size. If you’re trying to cool a space that is larger than 500 square feet with a 14000 BTU AC, stop. These units are not designed to cool down an entire home, so make sure that you’ve sized your AC properly.

Another common reason for lack of fresh air from your AC is too many open doors, vents, or windows. If the space you’re trying to cool down isn’t enclosed, there’s a good chance that the cool air is escaping. Close open doors, windows, and air vents to fix this problem.

Maintenance

Before performing any type of maintenance on your AC, always be sure to unplug it first. The most important maintenance step is to clean your AC’s filter regularly.

For portable air conditioner maintenance, Compact Appliance says that “regular cleaning of the A/C unit’s filters will go a long way in ensuring the long life of the appliance… This will prevent dust and dirt from building up on the evaporator coil.”

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How much power does a 14000 BTU air conditioner use?

According to HomeGuides by SFGate, the costs of running an AC depend on how much power is being used. The higher the BTU rating, the greater the power consumption, so you can expect a 14000 BTU unit to consume more energy than a 5000 BTU unit.

Power consumption is measured in kilowatts (kWh).

“Converting BTUs to kilowatt-hours, a measurement equal to one kilowatt of power consumption per hour,” says SFGate, “you’ll find that a 7,500-BTU PAC consumes about 2.2 kWh, a 10,000-BTU unit 2.9 kWh, and a 14,000-BTU unit 4.1 kWh.”

How many amps does a 14000 BTU air conditioner draw?

The current draw of air conditioners depends on a few things, but it’s mainly dependent on the BTU rating of an AC.

Hunker says that “the larger the BTU number, the more amps the air conditioner will draw. However, amperage draw differs with standard voltages like 115 volts and 230 volts and whole-house central air conditioning.”

Large room ACs, like 14000 BTU models, typically draw about 10 amps using the standard 115V plug.

How long should you expect a 14000 BTU AC unit to last?

This depends on how well you care for it. If you follow all the proper maintenance steps, you could be using your 14000 BTU AC for 10+ years. Then again, if you fail to clean the filter, use an appropriate power outlet, or keep the AC running on full blast at all times, you shouldn’t expect to get much life out of your cooling unit.

Can this size AC cool multiple rooms?

Technically yes, as long as those rooms don’t exceed the 500 square foot recommendation. It’s definitely possible to cool two small rooms that measure no more than 500 square feet with one high-quality 14000 BTU AC. But the more common trend is to use this BTU rating for large rooms, like a large bedroom or general living space.

Where is the best place to buy this size air conditioner?

You can’t go wrong with shopping for anything on Amazon, and this includes high-quality 14000 BTU AC units. All of the products on our list of best 14000 BTU air conditioners reviewed can be purchased on Amazon. But if you’re skeptical about buying an AC unit online, shop around for the best 14000 BTU window air conditioner Lowes has to offer, or head to Best Buy or Home Depot.

Conclusion

One of our favorite ACs with the 14000 BTU rating is the Koldfront through-the-wall unit, mainly because it has powerful operation but remains energy-efficient with a 9.4 EER. If you’re not looking for a wall AC, perhaps the LG window unit is a better choice. Or maybe you’re looking for a portable model, in which case you can’t go wrong with the hOmeLabs 14000 BTU portable AC.

Related Article – What Temperature Should the Air from an AC Be?