The venerable window air conditioner has been a staple of the American home comfort market for decades. Their ease of installation and portable size make them suitable for applications across the country in settings both rural and urban. By large degrees, the basic window unit design has not been improved upon since its inception. The status quo could be about to change with the new u-shaped air conditioner.

What is a U-Shaped Air Conditioner?

A u-shaped air conditioner is a window air conditioner with non-standard architecture. Instead of using a basic rectangular box, a u-shaped air conditioner houses its components in two essentially separate cabinets connect by a narrow bridge. This creates an architecture that, when viewed from the side, makes this unit look like the letter U. Hence the name.

Is a U-Shaped Air Conditioner Superior to Old Window Units?

A traditional window unit is a rectangular box that rests on a window sill. The condenser half is stuck outside, the evaporator portion inside, and the window pane itself is pulled down to cover what the unit and a flimsy screen don't. I'm confident you're familiar with this design, since they're ubiquitous across North America. Of course, as you might expect, this particular design leaves a lot to be desired. Do old fashioned window units cool? Yes, but they're inefficient, noisy, and are terrible insulators. When you absolutely must have relief from the summer heat, a window unit will do in a pinch. A u-shaped air conditioner is a superior option.

Why is U-Shaped Better?

First, a u-shaped air conditioner allows you to put more of the window pane between the home interior and the outside condenser. This matters a lot more than you might think. The compressor is the loudest part of an air conditioner, and because the compressor is in the condenser putting more material between you and the condenser results in a quieter, more tranquil environment. Who doesn't want a quieter and more tranquil home interior? Second, a u-shaped air conditioner has better insulation. Remember that there is more window pane between inside and outside. That's not nothing! Modern windows are much better insulation than you might think. They're certainly better than the flimsy accordion-paper many window units use to fill the gap between unit and frame. The end result is that a u-shaped design lets your home keep more of the conditioned air inside where you want it rather than leaking out through the gaps. Third, a u-shaped air conditioner is easier to install and more securely positioned than a previous generation window unit. Again, the window pane secures the u-shaped design much more effectively than it does a standard rectangular window air conditioner (or heat pump). A u-shaped unit won't fall out when its hit by a stiff breeze or a baseball flying over from the neighbor's yard.

Are U-Shaped Air Conditioner Units DIY?

Yes, of course! Like any traditional window air conditioner, a u-shaped air conditioner is completely do-it-yourself. It gets power from a standard wall plug. All the components necessary for installation come in the box. As long as you have basic tools, you're good to go. There's virtually no one capable of finding this web page that isn't capable of installing a u-shaped window unit themselves.

What Models are Available on IWAE?

At Ingram's Water & Air Equipment, we carry the MRCOOL U-Shaped Window Air Conditioner line. This consists of an 8k model, a 10k model, and a 12k model. These units are 'UltraQuiet' at only 42dB, install easily with the quick-snap bracket, and can blow air up to 20 feet from the operating site. The different operating ranges also mean that it's highly likely you can find one to fit the needs of your bedroom, backroom, garage, shed, workshop, man cave, or other space in your home that's hot, humid and basically unlivable right now. What do we like most about the MRCOOL U-Shaped Window Air Conditioner? Obviously, there are all the features that make a u-shaped design great like insulation, efficiency, and ease of installation. However, what really sets this product apart from clunky, outdated window units are the Smart controls. MRCOOL U-Shaped units can be controlled from the Smart Device of your choice with both Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. Which means voice controls are ready to go. Of course, maybe you would prefer to use your Smartphone. Both iOS and Android apps are available on day one for your convenience. We are living in an interconnected world, so this kind of convenience is a must-have for the modern age.

And Efficiency?

But let's not leave out the ultra efficient inverter technology inside every MRCOOL U-Shaped Air Conditioner. The patented inverter technology can deliver energy savings 35% better than a standard window air conditioner. It's even the very first window air conditioner to be awarded  the Energy Star program's 'Most Efficient' 2020 certification. What's that mean for your bill? It means that when you tear out that old window unit and replace it with a MRCOOL U-Shaped air conditioner, you're going to be saving money. A 35% reduction in the energy you were using to keep cool can be significant. Over a couple of long, hot summers those kind of savings pay for themselves.

Ready to Buy?

When you know you're ready to make a u-shaped air conditioner your next window unit, call us at 270-575-9595. You can also contact us here, or just order right off the site!