You don’t need a massive central air conditioning system to keep you comfortable all summer. If you live in a small home or apartment, a 15,000 BTU window air conditioner can give you all the cooling capacity you need to beat the heat, decisively and consistently. A window unit could also be the perfect choice if you only need to cool a specific room or living space.
At A Glance: Our Top Picks for 15000 BTU Air Conditioner
Comparison of the Best 15000 BTU Air Conditioners
IMAGE | PRODUCT | |
---|---|---|
Our Top Pick ![]() |
| View Latest Price →Read Customer Reviews |
![]() |
| View Latest Price →Read Customer Reviews |
![]() |
| View Latest Price →Read Customer Reviews |
How to Choose a 15,000 BTU Air Conditioner
Window air conditioners are a popular item. Consequently, there are a lot of options available on the market. Several factors should determine your choice, based on your personal needs and preferences:
Energy Usage Rates
Energy-efficient window air conditioners are usually certified through the federal government’s ENERGY STAR® rating system. These units will consistently outperform the competition, keeping your home cool while consuming ten percent or less electricity.
As a general standard, energy efficiency is identified by an air conditioner’s Energy Efficiency Rating, or EER. When comparing various 15,000 BTU units, always remember that the A/C with the higher EER will save you more money.
Size of the Space to be Cooled
Window air conditioners with a 15,000 BTU cooling capacity are recommended for entire floors, rooms, or apartments in the 550-1050 square feet size range.
If you’re trying to cool an area on the high end of that estimate, a 15,000 BTU unit may not be powerful enough if other factors cause an increased heat effect. These could include ample sunshine penetration through windows, proximity to the kitchen, or having numerous people occupying that space for much of the time.
Installation Requirements
Standard window air conditioners can only be installed in single-hung or double-hung windows. These have window sections that move up and down vertically. Window A/Cs can also be installed in wall sleeves particularly intended for that purpose.
If your home or apartment has neither the proper windows nor a pre-existing wall sleeve, you could have the latter installed. You just have to be sure to install the sleeve in a wall that opens to the outside, so the A/C can vent properly.
Quick Take: Best 15,000 BTU Air Conditioners
These are our recommendations for the best 15,000 BTU air conditioners:
Review of the Best 15,000 BTU Air Conditioners
When you begin your search for a new 15,000 BTU air conditioner, you’ll be looking for something that stands out from the crowd.
Fortunately, there are plenty of standouts available. After an exhaustive search, we’ve found some outstanding window air conditioners that will keep your family cool on even the hottest summer days, without busting your budget.
These are the best of the best and that’s what you want and need.
Best Overall:
TCL Energy Star
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers have awarded the TLC Energy Star full marks regarding the value, cooling efficiency, durability, and sound. It easily cooled their rooms even when used during a heatwave. The remote of this air conditioner has a great range and very easy to use. They also found the customer service very helpful. Buyers recommend the TCL Energy Star to people looking for an exceptional air conditioner unit to cool a large space while being on a budget.
Why it Stands Out to Us
We find the performance of this air conditioner simply exceptional. Its eight-way air outlets provide consistent airflow, thus ensuring perfect cooling to every part of the room. It has an auto-restart feature that ensures that if the power is cut off accidentally, the unit will restart with the previous function settings automatically once the power resumes. This unit will also switch to one of the three modes automatically based on unit setting ad room temperature.
Who Will Use This Most
This unit is perfect for people who value efficiency and performance. This unit uses a 115V outlet, thus eliminating the need to install an expensive 220/240V line. It effectively removes moisture from the air, thus making the environment more comfortable. The three cooling settings make it easier to customize your air-conditioning. It is accompanied by a remote that allows you to adjust the settings without getting up from your comfortable position on the sofa. The 24-hour timer not only increases convenience but also ensures energy savings.
Bottom Line
The TCL Energy Star is one of the best 15000-BTU air conditioners for people who want an energy-efficient unit. It comes with excellent features such as a long-range remote, filter-cleaning reminder, self-troubleshooting, and much more. It adjusts the temperature and fan speed automatically, thus making the room perfectly relaxing and comfortable. Moreover, it turns off the compressor when the desired temperature is reached, thus conserving energy.
Runner-up :
Friedrich Chill Series CP15G10B
PROS
CONS
Our Review
You’ll feel a chill in the air when your new Friedrich Chill Series CP15G10B 15,500 BTU Window Air Conditioner is up and running. But it’ll be a pleasant and refreshing chill, exactly what the doctor ordered on those scorching summer days.
This latest entry the Chill Series line is a fast-acting room cooler designed to cover a 700 square foot area, operating quietly and with advanced energy efficiency. For comprehensive cooling coverage, few models offer more reliable performance than this one.
Bottom Line
The two qualities that most separate the Friedrich Chill Series CP15G10B 15,500 Window Air Conditioner from the competition are its oscillating distribution system and superior EER rating. Because of its modernized design, summer-long comfort is virtually guaranteed if you choose to purchase this Chill Series window-mounted A/C. It is a vigorous and highly-effective appliance that makes an ideal choice for rooms or spaces where you are active and on the move.
Quietest Window A/C:
Amana 15,000 BTU 115V
PROS
CONS
Our Review
For nighttime and family time use, the Amana 15,000 BTU 115V Window-Mounted Air Conditioner has much to recommend. This model gets high marks for smooth, quiet operation, and as good, or better, marks for everything else.
This Amana appliance carries the ENERGY STAR seal of approval, with an 11.9 EER rating. It has all the programming features you could ever want and then some, with the ability to cool a space of up to 700 square feet without stress or strain.
Bottom Line
Looking for a window air conditioner that will cool a bedroom at night without keeping everyone awake? If so, you’ll love the Amana 15,000 BTU 115V Window-Mounted Air Conditioner. Once you learn how to operate the electronic controls, you’ll appreciate its flexibility and the ease with which its output can be personalized. It’s an easy appliance to maintain and will deliver hour after hour of cool refreshment all summer long.
Best Overall Window A/C:
LG 1516 ER 15,000 BTU
PROS
CONS
Our Review
LG has gained a reputation for reliability. The LG 1516 ER is its latest entry in an impressive line of functional and highly-effective air conditioning models. With full push button or remote digital controls, the performance of this unit can be carefully customized to meet the cooling requirements of even the pickiest consumer.
Built to cool spaces up to 800 square feet, this ENERGY STAR-certified, LG model offers unmatched energy efficiency and is easy to program and operate. It is sturdily constructed and includes a package of desirable features that will never go out-of-date.
Bottom Line
At a potent 15,000 BTUs, the LG 1516 ER is a summertime winner. Its variable-speed fan, 24-hour timer, energy-saver mode, and remote programmability will let you personalize its performance to align perfectly with your cooling preferences. Few air conditioners are as unanimously praised by users as this one, and if you join their ranks, you’ll be delighted with the results this ingeniously designed model can produce.
Quietest Window A/C:
Amana 15,000 BTU 115V
PROS
CONS
Our Review
For nighttime and family time use, the Amana 15,000 BTU 115V Window-Mounted Air Conditioner has much to recommend. This model gets high marks for smooth, quiet operation, and as good, or better, marks for everything else.
This Amana appliance carries the ENERGY STAR seal of approval, with an 11.9 EER rating. It has all the programming features you could ever want and then some, with the ability to cool a space of up to 700 square feet without stress or strain.
Bottom Line
Looking for a window air conditioner that will cool a bedroom at night without keeping everyone awake? If so, you’ll love the Amana 15,000 BTU 115V Window-Mounted Air Conditioner. Once you learn how to operate the electronic controls, you’ll appreciate its flexibility and the ease with which its output can be personalized. It’s an easy appliance to maintain and will deliver hour after hour of cool refreshment all summer long.
Best Budget Window A/C:
Frigidaire 15,100 BTU
PROS
CONS
Our Review
Anyone looking for a quality set of features at a surprisingly reasonable cost need look no further than the Frigidaire 15,100 BTU 115V Window-Mounted Median Air Conditioner.
Frigidaire has been at this for a long time, and these recent entries to their product catalog prove that superiority is not always identified by price. With a cooling capacity sufficient to cover 850 square feet of living space, this product is ready to put hot air on notice and bring a cool breeze of relief into your life.
Bottom Line
The Frigidaire 15,100 BTU 115V Window-Mounted Median Air Conditioner packs a lot of power for its size. It is energy-efficient and keeps the air cooled anywhere you put it, thanks to sophisticated air flow controls and remote control capacities.
People who purchase Frigidaire appliances never come away disappointed and you would likely join the ranks of the satisfied if you decide to install this versatile and highly effective window A/C in your home.
Second Runner-up Window A/C:
Whirlpool Energy Star 15,000 BTU 115V
PROS
CONS
Our Review
Whirlpool is a well-known name in climate control technology. The Whirlpool Energy Star 15,000 BTU 115V Window-Mounted Air Conditioner only enhances their reputation for excellence.
This model gets high marks for rapid cooling response and full-area coverage, making it an ideal selection for smaller rooms or apartments in even the hottest locations. This unit has been almost universally lauded by consumers who’ve purchased and installed it.
Bottom Line
The Whirlpool Energy Star 15,000 BTU 115V Window-Mounted Air Conditioner functions efficiently and effectively in moderately-sized spaces. For specific rooms with high levels of activity, this model will handle cooling demands readily and often with some capacity to spare.
This window-mounted appliance has drawn rave reviews from users, in large part because its superior programmability makes it one of the easier air conditioners to manage.
Are All 15,000 BTU Air Conditioners the Same?
The basic performance characteristics of a 15,000 BTU air conditioner will not vary much, regardless of the make and model. Where the differences come is primarily in the features offered and in the overall quality of the product.
The window-mounted air conditioners we’ve reviewed here are all proven performers with attractive characteristics that should appeal to most consumers. The gradations in craftsmanship between these excellent window air conditioners are small. But in comparison to most models, they stand out as reliable and cost-efficient.
You absolutely get what you pay for with these superior performers, which is what you can expect when purchasing products from the leading names in the HVAC industry.
The summertime heat will challenge your determination to stay cool, calm and comfortable. A brand new 15,000 BTU air conditioner can make all the difference, as long as you select one that fits your budget and has the specific characteristics you require in an air conditioner.
Good-quality window air conditioners are energy-efficient, yet flexible enough to allow for customized cooling operation in all outdoor weather conditions. What you want and need is what they will provide, and that’s why you can do no wrong if you stick with appliances that combine logical designs with excellent proven functionality.
Conclusion
The 15000-BTU air conditioners are a great product that helps to beat the searing heat in the summers. However, before buying a particular brand, it helps to thoroughly research and read online reviews of different brands in order to make an informed choice. The above guide is written with the object of facilitating various users and to inform them about the pros and cons of different models. So read it carefully to invest in a unit that is perfect for you.
People Also Ask
In addition to the above reviews, people also ask the following questions in order to have a clear idea about which unit will best meet their needs:
How Many Amps Does a 15000-BTU Air Conditioner Use?
A 15000-BTU air conditioner draws an average of 12.5 to 13 Amps.
How Much Area Will a 15000-BTU Air Conditioner Cool?
Air conditioners that support 15000-BTU can cool an area of almost 875 sq. Ft.
Will a 3000 Watt Generator Run a 15000-BTU Air Conditioner?
An air conditioner uses the most wattage as compared to other electrical appliances in your home or RV. Moreover, it requires more wattage to start than it does to keep it running. For a 15000-BTU air conditioner, you will need at least 3500 watts to start and 1800 watts to keep it running. Thus, a 3000-watt generator will not be enough for a 15000-BTU air conditioner.
What Size Generator Do I Need to Run a 15000-BTU Air Conditioner?
To comfortably run a 15000-BTU air conditioner, you will need a generator of at least 3300 watts.
How Many Watts of Electricity Does it Take to Run a 15,000 BTU Air Conditioner?
A 15,000 BTU air conditioner will consume approximately 1,500 watts per hour if operated at normal settings. The average price of electricity in the United States is 12 cents per kilowatt-hour. Therefore, you’ll pay about 18 cents per hour for the privilege of using your 15,000 BTU window air conditioner. All things considered, that’s not a bad deal at all.
If you would like to play around with these numbers, or see how much watts a smaller unit requires, you can use our AC unit electricity usage calculator.
How Many Square Feet Will a 15,000 BTU Air Conditioner Cool?
Good-quality air conditioners with 15,000 BTUs of cooling capacity will normally cool somewhere between 700 and 850 square feet of indoor space. However, this number may be reduced if a room or living area is unusually warm, either from the inflow of sunlight through windows or heat from another source, such as a kitchen.