1. Choose your installation path
For a new installation, check the exact unit’s specified sleeve, finished wall opening, rear grille and installation instructions. The wall structure and clearances also need assessment. For a replacement, identify the actual sleeve separately from the old AC. A model number can lead you to documents, but it does not prove what housing remains in the wall.
2. Estimate cooling for the room
Measure the floor area in square feet. The ENERGY STAR chart below assumes an 8-foot ceiling. Adjust its estimate by minus 10% for heavy shade or plus 10% for very sunny conditions; add 600 BTU/h per regular occupant beyond two and 4,000 BTU/h for a kitchen. Higher ceilings and rooms outside the chart need individual sizing. This estimates cooling, not heating demand. Our selector’s ±20% capacity comparison band is our shortlist policy, not an ENERGY STAR rule.
| Floor area (sq ft) | Cooling (BTU/h) |
|---|---|
| 100–150 | 5,000 |
| 150–250 | 6,000 |
| 250–300 | 7,000 |
| 300–350 | 8,000 |
| 350–400 | 9,000 |
| 400–450 | 10,000 |
| 450–550 | 12,000 |
| 550–700 | 14,000 |
| 700–1,000 | 18,000 |
| 1,000–1,200 | 21,000 |
| 1,200–1,400 | 23,000 |
| 1,400–1,500 | 24,000 |
| 1,500–2,000 | 30,000 |
| 2,000–2,500 | 34,000 |
At a shared boundary the selector uses the lower chart band. Original ENERGY STAR guidance ↗
3. Check the power that is actually available
Record the supply voltage, receptacle configuration and circuit/fuse rating separately. Match these against the exact unit’s nameplate and instructions. A receptacle marked 250 V is a component rating, not proof of a 230 V supply. Likewise, a 20 A receptacle does not establish a 20 A breaker. Rated running current is not the specified circuit protection. Unknown or conflicting answers require a qualified electrical check; do not use a plug adapter or change protection to make a candidate appear suitable.
4. Decide whether you need heating
Cooling-only, electric resistance heat and heat-pump operation are separate choices. A heat pump may include electric backup. Check the exact model’s heating output, electrical requirements and permitted outdoor-temperature range. A cooling-capacity match does not prove the unit can heat your room.
5. Compare the documented features
Use exact-generation evidence for an inverter compressor, Wi-Fi and rated efficiency. Compare capacity as well as CEER; the selector does not turn missing efficiency into zero. Manufacturer noise ratings can use different fan modes and test conditions, so an available dBA figure is useful context rather than proof of the quietest model. We have not physically tested the catalog products.
6. Check the full installation package
An installation or trim kit can be supplied with the chassis while the wall sleeve is sold separately. Read which parts the exact sleeve procedure requires, whether the rear grille must change, and whether each required component is included or separately purchased. A generic universal-fit label or similar dimensions do not replace a manufacturer-supported model/sleeve relationship. Confirm every listed condition before ordering.