How Heavy Is a Casement Air Conditioner?

Window Unit Btu Sizes

• Casement slider window units vary from about 5,000 Btu to around 12,000 Btu. The size of the room each unit can cool efficiently varies according to the amount of cooling Btu and manufacturer. Units in this size range run on regular household current and do not require special plugs, wiring or circuit breakers.

Weight

• The higher the Btu, the more the window unit is likely to weigh. Frigidaire casement window air conditioners may weigh up to 88 pounds in the 12,000 Btu model, even though the dimensions of the unit are the same as the 8,000 Btu unit, which is 10 pounds lighter. By contrast, SPT's 12,000 Btu standard window unit weighs only 68 pounds. A 9,500 Btu LG Electronics casement window unit weighs 82 pounds.

Structure and Support

• The narrow footprint of the casement window unit means more weight must be supported by a smaller area of the window frame than a standard unit. Thoroughly assess the strength of the casement window's frame before choosing a casement window air conditioner. You may need to add metal brackets for support or build a support from wood to avoid damaging the window frame over time.

Other Considerations

• Many casement windows are taller than the window units made to fit them. Frigidaire's Home Comfort units are only 20.25 inches high, for example, and the LG Electronics unit is 20.50 inches tall. Both brands are a little over 14 inches wide. If your casement windows are taller or wider than this, you will need to close the gaps so the unit will run efficiently. Consider boarding up the open area above or beside the unit, installing Plexiglas, metal sheeting or other lightweight, solid material.
  Handling casement window air conditioners can be tricky; wear gloves to protect your hands from sharp edges and have someone assist with lifting and positioning the unit.