Whether you own a window, mini-split, or portable air-conditioner (AC), choosing the right-sized air conditioner for your room is essential for your health.
High heat and humidity can lead to a number of serious and dangerous conditions. People with pre-existing problems, the elderly, and newborn babies are especially vulnerable to such complications.
If you have to cool a larger room you may be especially worried about this conundrum. To help you out, here’s a list of the highest BTU air conditioners for 110/120 outlets!
BTUs for Air Conditioners
Energy Star, the energy-efficiency certification program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, recognizes air conditioners with BTUs between 5000 – 34,000. However, the highest BTU air conditioner that can be plugged into a 120-volt outlet is 15,000 BTU.
A 15,000 BTU air conditioner can cool up to 750 square feet of space, which is more than enough for the average consumer. This is evidenced by the fact that 8,000 BTU is the most popular AC size for residential use.
With that being said, let’s take a look at some common BTU ranges for different types of cooling systems:
Portable Air Conditioners
On 110-120V of power, portable air conditioners can generate between 8,000 – 14,000 BTU. This is enough to cool a room that measures between 320 – 700 square feet.
Given that the average living room size measures 340 square feet, most portable ACs will do a decent job of cooling your room. Because these units are portable, they can also be moved around from room to room, allowing them to serve their purpose in multiple settings!
Window Air Conditioners
Window air conditioners range between 5,000 and 15,000 BTUs when they are connected to a 110 – 120 V outlet. They are an excellent option if you have access to a window and are on a budget.
Window-mounted air conditioners give you the most bang for your buck as they are cheaper and can cool a room more efficiently compared to a portable AC. They are also quieter and come in the largest range of BTUs, allowing them to accommodate a greater variety of room sizes.
Mini-Split Air Conditioners
Ductless mini-split air conditioners are made up of an indoor air-handling unit and an outdoor compressor. Their key advantages over portable and window AC units lie in the fact that they are energy-efficient, and may blend more seamlessly into the decor of a room.
When connected to a 110V – 120V power source, the maximum amount of BTU they can generate is 12,000 BTU, which will cool between 450 and 600 square feet of floor space.
As the most aesthetically pleasing and energy-efficient option on our list, mini-split air conditioners cost more than the window and portable units but are worth the investment to many homeowners.
Highest BTU 110V/120 Portable Air Conditioners
The highest BTU portable air conditioner you can safely plug into a 110/120V outlet is 14,000 BTU. Let’s take a look at some of our recommendations:
Whynter ARC-14S Eco-friendly 14000 BTU Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner
Rated as the number 1 portable air conditioning unit by Good Housekeeping Institute, this 14,000 BTU unit’s dual-hose technology makes it capable of cooling a room much more quickly than other portable units.
Environmentally-conscious folks would also be delighted to learn that the Whynter dual-hose AC features the eco-friendly R-32 refrigerant, as well as lead-free components that comply with the European Union’s Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) standards.
If you’re looking for a powerful, ecologically conscious unit for rooms measuring up to 500 square feet, look no further!
Delonghi PACN135EC 3-in-1 Air Conditioner
The Delonghi 3-in-1 is an air conditioner, fan, and dehumidifier rolled into one portable unit, making it a true standout for individuals who need a space-efficient unit. It is also sturdy, compact, and easy to install.
To add to its appeal, this unit comes with Delonghi’s non-drip technology. Portable air conditioners are designed to be used in a variety of settings, and this unit lets you do so without the fear of water damage caused by a leaking air conditioner.
Clocking a grand total of 13,500 BTU, the Delonghi 3-in-1 is appropriate for spaces measuring up to 500 square feet. To learn more about this unit, check out our review!
Window AC Units With Highest BTU 110/120V
If you’re looking to get an AC unit with the highest possible BTU, window units are the way to go. Window AC units go up to 15,000 BTU while using a 115V outlet, meaning that you won’t have to pay for a 240V line installation to cool a larger room.
Perfect Aire 15,000 BTU 115-Volt Energy Star Window Air Conditioner
The Perfect Aire 15,000 BTU window air conditioner is capable of cooling up a 750-square-foot area while being extremely kind to the environment.
This Energy Star-certified unit uses 15% less energy than the average AC unit and also uses a non-ozone-depleting refrigerant known as R32. Compared to the R410A refrigerant, the R32 also has a significantly lower global warming potential.
In addition to its eco-friendliness, this Perfect Aire unit also provides reliable performance and comes with tons of features. Its only downside is its size – this unit requires a window that is at least 28 inches wide.
TCL Energy Star 15,000 BTU 115V Window-Mounted Remote Control
We love the TCL window-mounted AC for its superb dehumidifying abilities – it outperforms virtually every other AC unit in its class. To put things in context, this AC is capable of removing 12.6 gallons of water from your room daily.
In addition to its standout performance, this unit comes at a great price point. It is also Energy Star certified, making it cheap to operate.
Like most 15,000 BTU units, the TCL can be a little loud. However, it remains a solid pick for its energy efficiency, solid range of features, and reliability.
Highest BTU 110/120V Mini Split AC Units
Mini-split ACs have a significant advantage over portable and window-mounted units when it comes to energy efficiency. Because of their powerful performance, the highest BTU mini-split you can plug into a 110/120V outlet is 12,000 BTU.
Senville SENA-12HF/Z 12,000 BTU Mini Split
Senville is known for its energy-efficient units, and this 12,000 BTU Mini Split model does not disappoint. With its 23 SEER rating, this unit uses 56% less energy compared to a unit with a 10 SEER rating. It is a unit that is relatively cheap to run.
Eco-friendliness aside, this Senville mini split model cools 500 – 750 square feet of space, while maintaining indoor and outdoor noise levels that are extremely low. You’ll be able to relax in peace and comfort, and your neighbors will thank you for being considerate!
With its stellar performance, standout energy efficiency, and quiet-as-a-whistle performance, this Senville unit will not disappoint.
Cooper & Hunter(Sophia) 21.5 SEER 12K BTU Ductless Split System(115V)
Mini-split AC units are known to be costly, but the Cooper & Hunter Sophia series mini split air conditioner bucks the trend. Costing just slightly over $1000, this is an energy-efficient, reliable unit that will cool your home without breaking the bank.
DIY enthusiasts will rejoice at the fact that this mini-split air conditioner can be installed without enlisting the help of a technician. That’s right – this is a unit that you can install on your own, which adds to the list of savings you will enjoy over the average mini-split unit.
However, these savings come at the cost of below-average dehumidification and airflow. Whether or not this is a trade-off you’re willing to make boils down to your list of priorities!
Conclusion
We hope this guide gave you a thorough overview of the highest BTU air conditioners you can use in a 110/120V outlet! Whether you opt for a portable, window-mounted, or mini-duct AC, there is bound to be a unit that suits your needs.
Did you find this article helpful? Don’t forget to share it with a friend who might appreciate it! Cooling a relatively large space is possible using a 110/120V outlet, as long as you know where to look!
Last update on 2024-05-10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
