Air Conditioning Units that Are Mounted on the Wall

Through-the-Wall

• Through-the-wall air conditioners fit into an opening cut into a wall. A metal sleeve large enough to hold the air-conditioning unit is placed into the opening, and the unit fits inside the sleeve. Through-the-wall units offer an advantage in rooms that contain only one window because the units don't block any sunlight. One disadvantage for this type of cooling system involves the expense associated with cutting through the wall for installation.

Wall and Window

• Certain air conditioners designed for individual rooms can operate as either window-mounted or wall-mounted units. These types of units make a great choice for someone renting a house or apartment because no damage occurs to the structure of the residence, and tenants can take the unit with them when they move. Generally, these wall and window air conditioners don't come with the accessories and hardware needed for installation, so the purchaser must bear this cost.

Mini-split

• The mini-split, which is a recent addition to the wall-mounted type of air conditioners, features one exterior wall mount connected to one or more interior cooling units that include their own thermostat. Hookups between the outside unit and inside units occur through one 8-inch hole through the wall for the conduit. This type of air conditioner costs more than traditional wall-mounted or window-wall types, and locating qualified installers for this new product can prove difficult.

Size

• Before purchasing any wall-mounted air conditioner, make certain that you're buying a model that has the right amount of cooling power for your room. Manufacturers measure air-conditioning cooling capability in British Thermal Units, or BTUs. Find a unit that produces the appropriate amount of BTUs for the size of your room. Determine your room's square footage, and then use a BTU calculator to find out exactly how much cooling capacity you need. BTU calculators can be found at such websites as GoodHousekeeping.com.