Window air conditioners are low-cost, quick solutions that work as an easy to install cooling units.
While they do work, there are much better options, such as an evaporator cooler, mini-split, or even portable cooling units.
Window mounted A/C units can be loud and take up space around a window blocking it from use.
They also are not the most efficient way to cool a home.
3 Best Alternatives to a Window Air Conditioner
- Mini Split
- Evaporative Cooler
- Portable Cooling Units
Mini split units are the same as a standard big home air conditioner, only in a smaller size.
This makes them much more affordable to buy but more expensive than a window unit.
They also need more technical ability to set up many home DIY kits for a handy type person.
They are much quieter than a window unit and cost less to operate.
Evaporative cooling, sometimes called swamp coolers, are a good way to cool space but only works in dry climates.
They are cheap to run and are simple to work on.
The only real downside to a swamp cooler is they don’t work if the humidity is too high and only work in dry climates such as the American Southwest.
Portable Air conditioning units work much the same as a window unit, only portable.
They often come with a hose that pumps out hot air and must be located out a door or window to work properly.
Often they make some noise, but since they are portable but don’t take up a set spot in a window.
This also makes them much easier to set up since they are basically plugged into an outlet and ready to work.
Summary
There are several alternatives to a window air AC unit, with those above the most used.
If you have a choice, a mini-split unit is by far the best to use.
A swamp cooler is a good option for those living in a dry desert climate.
A portable unit is much like a window unit, only easy to move about and store away when no longer needed.
Of course, a window-mounted AC unit can still be used, with many becoming quieter in recent years and more efficient.