5 Best Window Heat Pumps: Air Conditioner Unit Reviews

5 Best Window Heat Pumps Reviewed

Window Heat Pumps Compared

Considerations When Buying A Window AC Heat Pump

Cooling & Heating Capacity

The performance of a window heat pump depends on its number of BTUs (British thermal units). The more the BTUs, the more powerful is the window ac heat pump. The capacities often range between 5,000 BTUs to 24,000 BTUs.

The heating capacity is usually is lower in a window heat pump i.e., an 8,000 BTU cooling capacity window heat pump may have a 7,000 BTU heating capacity.

Heating Area

A window air conditioner with heat pump relies on heat present in the air, so if the temperature drops low — less heat is produced. The right choice will be to purchase a unit with a built-in heating system, especially for areas where temperatures get really cold.

An area less than 1,000 sq/ft will require a model that is less than or equal to 15,000 BTUs. For areas larger than 1,000 sq/ft, the heat pump window unit should range between 18,000 – 24,000 BTUs. Similarly, a 350 sq/ft area would need a window heat pump of about 8,000 BTUs to function well.

Cooling Area

Here is a breakdown of room size and suggested cooling capacity to help choose one that works best for you:

Energy Efficiency Rating (EER)

A window AC unit with a heat pump has two separate ratings — one for heating and the other for cooling. A heating seasonal performance factor (HSPF) of 9.0 or more is considered to be energy efficient.

If we talk about cooling, a seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) rating of 15 or more is given to an energy-efficient window heat pump.

Look for energy star rated units. Window AC heat pumps with an energy star rating use 20 – 50% less energy than other units.

Noise Levels

A window air conditioner with heat pump tends to make some noise. Some air conditioners make little noise, while others can be quite noisy.

The sound an AC makes is measured in decibels (dB) – the lower the rating, the quieter the sound. Ideally, a 50 to 60 dB rating is soft enough for a heat pump.

Installation Requirements

You can use your standard power outlet to power a window heat pump 115v, but a window heat pump that has a BTU of 18,000 or higher requires a 208 to 230-volt connection. Such machines may require a special outlet, and to install it, you may have to hire an expert.

Most people think a window AC heat pump can only be installed in a single window. But a window heat pump can be installed in an individual or a double-hung window.

If the windows in your house or office are not big enough, you can use a wall sleeve to place the AC.

Extra Features

The best window air conditioner with heat pump should have the following features:

Price & Warranty

There is a considerable variation in pricing, an air conditioner and heat pump window unit can range from  $100 to $2000.

The cheaper variants are ideal for small spaces and offer basic functionality. As the price moves up, so do the available options and the coverage area.

The warranty varies from manufacturer to manufacturer and the type of window heat pump you choose. It goes without saying that the longer the warranty period, the better.

Why Use A Window Heat Pump?

Some benefits of a window heat pump are:

The Basics Of Window Heat Pump Operation

With bone-chilling winters and scorching summers in some areas, having an efficient heating and cooling system is integral for US households. In fact, 75% of US households have central air-conditioning, while others have window units.

A perfect all-season solution is to install a window heat pump. A window AC with heat pump uses the heat from the environment to ensure cooling or heating for a room.

The heat gets absorbed by a cooling refrigerant and passes through several metal coils, and ultimately the heat is dispersed.

Sizing Your AC Heat Pump Window Unit

You need a unit that fits well with the room size. Too big of a unit will start and stop more than often as per the set thermostat. And a small unit will need to run for longer hours to reach the required temperature.

Ideally, a window ac heat pump requires 20 BTU per square feet of space. First, measure the size of the room by multiplying the length by its width. Accordingly, choose what BTU may be ideal for the given space.

BTU vs. Room Size

However, you need to take into consideration the climate conditions in your area, whether your room has a good amount of sunlight, and how high the ceiling is, etc.

To get an exact figure, please use this calculator, which factors in all possibilities and gives a precise BTU per room size.

Steps For Installing A Heat Pump Window Unit

Installing an air conditioner and heat pump window unit can be carried out with minimal knowledge if all instructions are followed to the T. Place your window heat pump properly by following these steps:

1. Choose the right location – the center of the room, should be in a shaded area and near a power outlet
2. If required, install the provided brackets on the outside
3. Place the heat pump window unit in the prepared space – refer to the provided instruction manual for guidance
4. Collapse the accordion panels inwards
5. Lower the top part of the window to keep the unit in place
6. Expand the accordion panels outward and fasten it to the bottom of the window
7. Fasten the provided angle brackets to ensure that the window slash will not move upward
8. You might see a wedge between the two glass pieces as the window is left open. Seal the opening by using the foam that has come with your unit or purchase it from any hardware store
9. Connect the window air conditioner with a heat pump to the socket. But, first, check the voltage of your AC unit. A typical window heat pump 115v or 110v can be connected directly. A window heat pump of 220v or above may require a customized power outlet

Watch this heat pump installation video should you decide to do it yourself.

Safety & Maintenance

Proper care and maintenance will keep your window ac heat pump running efficiently for a good number of years. Do the following regularly:

Get an expert to inspect the ac heat pump window unit at least once every year. A professional will carry out the following tasks:

People Also Ask (FAQs)

Can You Run A Heat Pump In Cold Weather?

As long as the temperature remains above the freezing point, the window heat pump will work fine. However, the lower the temperature gets, the harder the heat pump will need to work to reach your ideal temperature.

Do Window Heat Pumps Need To Be Vented?

It may depend from unit to unit, but ideally, ventilation is required as heat is moved either inside or outside depending on your choice of AC or heater.

What Are The Differences Between An Air Conditioner And Heat Pump?

There aren’t many differences besides the fact that a heat pump can both cool and heat a room, whereas most air conditioners are built only to cool.

To get a better understanding, watch this video.

How Long Can I Expect A Window Heat Pump Unit To Last?

If you keep the window air conditioner with heat pump maintained, it could last you for up to 15 years. The performance of most units go down after ten years, but a few new models promise 15 plus years.

What Are Some Common Problems That May Arise With Window Heat Pumps?

A window-mounted heat pump may have the following issues:

Where Is The Best Place To Buy Window Heat Pumps?

If you want to get a good bargain, buy it online from either Sylvane or Amazon as they have a lot of options to choose from. Apart from these recommended online retailers, there are also other options with a vast collection of window ac heat pump units at Home Depot, Wal-Mart, and Lowes.

It is possible to purchase a window AC unit with a heat pump from your local hardware store but they generally won’t stock a large range of brands.

Conclusion

With global warming drastically changing temperatures, for a comfortable living, you need to have a proper cooling and heating unit at home. Furnace and central AC units can significantly increase your monthly bills and often aren’t the best choice.

So if you want to maintain the temperature in a small area, an air conditioner and heat pump window unit is what you need. They are not much expensive and make less noise, provide efficient heating and cooling, and to top it all; they do not consume a lot of energy.

We surveyed the window heat pump options being sold on the market and picked out the five best window air conditioner with heat units. The one that stands out the most is — the Koldfront WAC25001W. We think it is the best window air conditioner with heat pump option to go for.

Related Article – Check Out The Smallest Window Air Conditioners In The Market