Window Wall

As the name implies, a Window/Wall Air Conditioner is an AC unit designed to be installed in an available window frame or through an externally facing wall. A Window AC draws in the air of the room, cools it using refrigeration coils and pushes the cooled air back into the room whilst expelling excess heat through the back of the unit and outside. Unlike a Split System Air Conditioner, Window/Wall units house all their components in a single box and don't need a licensed professional to install it.

Window/Wall Air Conditioners are a great option for cooling a room or an open plan area of 50 square meters or less. The units themselves are generally the most affordable options in terms of upfront costs, because the installation is easy and non-permanent. These types of AC units are perfect for renters who may not be able to get permission for a more involved and costly installation that most other Air Conditioning units require.

Before buying a new Wall or Window Mounted Air Conditioner, measure the dimensions of the room and the size of the window planned to install it in. This will help in choosing the most efficient unit to cool the room and one that will fit securely in the window frame. Many units come with accordion style panels that help seal gaps, so the window can be a little oversize for the unit but always double check this is included.

Many Window ACs are designed with a specific style of frame in mind so make sure you choose a unit that is designed to fit, along with being stable and strong enough to support the weight of the unit.

Note that the Window you choose to install your AC unit in will be blocked, so you can no longer open it to let in fresh air and you may get less natural light in the room as well. Wall Installation may also be an option for some units, just make sure to check that its Heating ventilation will not be blocked as a result.

All Air Conditioning units should be cleaned regularly to maintain good air quality home and ensure it is running efficiently. All AC units will come with an instruction booklet with specific details on how best to clean and maintain the AC unit along with how frequently filters need to be cleaned or replaced. If you have lost or thrown out the instructions, you should be able to download a copy from the manufacturer’s website. Always make sure that the power to the AC unit is switched off at the wall before you do any maintenance.

All Air Conditioning units have a filter designed to trap dust and dirt from the air. If these become too dirty, they will begin to block airflow in the unit and may even become mouldy. The filters can usually be cleaned by simply taking them outside and shaking them off or using a vacuum cleaner, or in the case of especially heavy soil a careful rinse under the kitchen tap then air drying. We also highly recommend checking how your AC is running in advance of high use seasons like summer to avoid awful surprises and long repair wait times.

Although a Window Wall Air Conditioner is generally not as energy efficient as a Split System, they are good options for cooling single rooms or spaces smaller than 50 meters squared. It’s important to choose an AC unit with the right capacity for the size of the room, so always measure before you buy. If a unit is too powerful then it will usually run more frequent cycles to achieve the target temperature in the room, which will prove to be less efficient and more costly to run. This cooling load calculator made by Fair Air in partnership with the Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heating (AIRAH) will help to know which AC unit is most efficient for your home.

It is important to make sure you clearly read and understand the Zoned Energy Rating Label (ZERL) for each Air Conditioner, which can be used to compare models of same or similar sizes and factors in seasonal and regional climate variations in the energy efficiency calculation. This includes the model's performance in Cooling and as a Heater for Reverse Cycle Window Wall ACs.