sonnyboy said:Should you buy an air conditioner that has too many BTU's for the space it will be used in----then the unit will cycle on & off more frequently & will not dehumidify the space properly---you'll be cool but "clammy?"---dehumidification is a large part of comfort levels---not just cooling power..........Just get the one that's sized appropriately for the space.........(NOT TOO BIG & NOT TOO SMALL)

Yep, but after wasting a lot of money on a 9000 BTU portable that didn't cool well (I knew portables weren't as effecient), I decided to go with "too much" rather than "too little" for my second round. I filled out a few of those A/C sizing calculators you can find on the net. It suggested around 6000 BTU and I knew that wasn't enough. My dilemma was 8000 or 10,000? I went with the 10,000 and I'm glad I did. I'd rather it be 74 and humid than 80 and drier on the very hottest days.

It's figuring out what you really need that I think is the hard part. But if you are like me and aren't sure between an 8000 and 10,000, my choice would be to go for the 10,000. I can deal with the clammy feeling, but I hate having an A/C that isn't quite enough. The price difference was only about $30 at the time, if I remember correctly, so that wasn't an issue.

But you're right, if you know what size is ideal for your room, you don't want to go too little or too large. The right size will keep your A/C around and working longer, keep your electric bill in check and keep the room feeling just right.

I tried the first 5 - 6 models with the zip code 93003 (Ventura, CA). They are all available at the sale prices.

My husband prefers the smaller AC that we saw at Costco. It was roughly the same price. I forgot the mfg. name.

itsken said:slackerace said:Descent101 said:DealWinners said:I am interested but like to know how easy (or difficult) is the installation. Does it lower the property value once we install?

I recently bought my home and was turned off by window unit ACs when shopping around. I moved to CT from the south where everyone has central AC and that's what I wanted. I was surprised at how many homes in the $400,000 price range did NOT have central AC!! I ended up buying a house with central AC; however, the 3rd floor (where my bedroom is) is where the vaulted ceiling crests 20 feet up, and all of the heat builds up there. I got a small unit for the bedroom so that I can keep the AC at 76-78 in the rest of the house. If I wanted it to be 76-78 in the bedroom, I'd have to keep the AC cranked at like 70. Can't afford that!


You can't afford to have an ac set to your temperature but you can afford to have central ac?
I believe central ac takes up more electricity, does it not? Good price on the ACs, original retails seem to be slightly inflated.

I think he's trying to keep the central ac temp higher by using a window ac in the bedroom where he wants it cooler. That's what I did when I was living with my parents. We had central ac but I always wanted it cooler so I got a window ac for my bedroom.

im only looking for a quiet one ,mines old but louder than a jet engine, its ten years old, wonder if they're any quieter these days. i have 2 5000 btu's

The other thing I kept forgetting to mention is that the prices mentioned by the OP are not the everyday prices. At least not at any of the Lowes near me. If Lowes in other zips are actually charging twice as much, all I can say is, "that's some mark up!"

Frigidaire® 10,000 BTU White Air Conditioner (Model: FAC107S1A) was $416.92, now $158

When I click on that link, it shows the price as $208. That's the price it has been all year long. I've never seen that A/C for $416.92. I've never seen it anything other than $208 for the past year. Last years comparable model was also $208. Or maybe $240, but never $400+.

So don't be misled in thinking you are getting a $416 A/C for $160. It's about a $50 discount. Lowes gets their own model number to prevent price matching. But beyond that, they've never charged anything more than $208 at any of my local Lowes for that A/C above.

I just replaced a 16 year old Emerson with the 18,500 btu. The new one is way quieter than the old one. Especially the compressor.

I picked up the 12K BTU unit. I looked through the vents and it had "LG" stamps on the interior parts. Is LG the OEM on all current Frigidaires?

The SCE rebate site is down right now but if I remember correctly, the P is energy star compliant and is good for $50 while the S models are energy star qualified and are good for a $30 rebate.

momoman said:jarhed said:Just picked up my units, FAC107S1A and FAM157S1A. Looked at the "new" models and didn't notice any differences aside from the S in both models is now a P. Asked about it, and the rep said that they do that more to track the year of manufacture than anything else...anyone have some insight on this?

btw, thanks OP!

Quite a few left in Camillus (13031) and around Syracuse, NY.for those who got the 10k unit in socal, are you finding the "S" model on sale for $158, or the "P" model as well? the "P" model is energy star compliant and eligible for the sce rebate (up to $50). the website shows the "S" model. thanks.

Just picked one up from The Pico Rivera (So. Cal) location. B&M price = $208. Online in-store pickup = $158... Went in to pick up the A/C, applied $10 coupon. $160 out the door... All units there are S models.. Did not see any P Models. People are buying them up @ $208, so be quick.. I just informed a few people about the online price, picked up my unit the left... have not installed it yet, so no review on the noise level.. will update...

P.S. if you feel adventurous, you can go in-store with online printout and have them price-match and see if you can get the extra 10% off (the difference I think).. so another $5

The SCE rebate won't fly here in socal. Look at the bottom of your receipt. On mine it says I've received $50 off courtesy of SCE. I suspect the same in other states - that's why the shelf price is $208 but $158 at the register. Is this the same in other states?