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      11,500 BTU U-shaped window air conditioner

      GREE GJC12BU-A6DRNJ2A

      Below average efficiency for its size: a CEER of 14.7 ranks #30 of 34 12,000 BTU window air conditioners.

      It cools a room of about 400-550 sq ft, draws about 782 watts and costs about $106 a year to run at typical U.S. use and prices.

      CEER
      14.7 Combined efficiency, higher is better
      Below average · beats 15%
      Cooling
      11,500 BTU/hFor about 400-550 sq ft
      Energy use
      587 kWh/yr35% less than the federal minimum
      Unit size
      21" wide 13" high, 18" deep, 65 lb

      A good fit if…

      • You want a quieter room and a usable window - the window closes into the U, so the compressor sits outside the glass.
      • You want to plug it into an ordinary outlet - it runs on 115 V.

      Think twice if…

      • Running cost matters most - its CEER is below average for 12,000 BTU window air conditioners.
      • You also need heat - it cools only.

      Calculate my running costCheck the size for my room

      Details

      Specifications11,500 BTU, 115 V
      General
      BrandGREE
      Also sold asHOUSE KOBO
      Model numberGJC12BU-A6DRNJ2A
      TypeWindow
      DesignU-shaped (window closes through it)
      HeatingNo, cooling only
      CompressorVariable speed (inverter)
      Voltage115 V (standard outlet)
      RefrigerantR-32 (GWP 675)
      Support bracket includedYes
      On the market sinceNovember 28, 2024
      Last certifiedAugust 2, 2025
      Performance
      Cooling capacity11,500 BTU/h
      CEERCombined energy efficiency ratio, includes standby power14.7
      Yearly energy useENERGY STAR test: 750 hours587 kWh
      Better than federal minimum35% less energy
      ENERGY STAR Most EfficientNo
      Size
      Width × height × depth21" W × 13" H × 18" D
      Weight65 lb
      How it compares with 33 other 12,000 BTU window units#30 of 34
      • CEER (class median 15.0)14.7, tied with 1 other
      • Yearly cost vs. class median ($108)$2 less
      • Width 21" (class median 20.3")narrower than 42%
      • Weight 65 lb (class median 59 lb)lighter than 33%
      • Rank among 12 similar designs (U-shaped)#12

      Compared with the other ENERGY STAR certified 12,000 BTU window units. Yearly cost at 750 hours and 18.0¢/kWh.

      Same unit, other model numbers1

      These model numbers have the same capacity, efficiency, energy use, dimensions and weight as the GREE GJC12BU-A6DRNJ2A: the same unit under another brand, or with a colour or retailer code. Everything on this page applies to them.

      Questions8
      How many square feet does the GREE GJC12BU-A6DRNJ2A cool?
      At 11,500 BTU/h it suits a room of about 400 to 550 sq ft with normal sun and two people, following the ENERGY STAR sizing guide. In a heavily shaded room that stretches to about 440-605 sq ft; in a very sunny one it shrinks to 360-495 sq ft. A kitchen needs 4,000 BTU more.
      How many watts and amps does the GREE GJC12BU-A6DRNJ2A use?
      About 782 watts at full power (11,500 BTU/h divided by its CEER of 14.7), which is 6.8 amps at 115 V. That is 18 W less than the typical unit in its class (800 W), or $2 a year cheaper to run at 18.0¢/kWh. Its inverter compressor slows down instead of cycling, so real use is usually lower. Its CEER beats 12% of the 34 units in the class.
      Can the GREE GJC12BU-A6DRNJ2A run on a standard outlet?
      Yes. It runs on 115 V and draws about 6.8 A, well inside a standard 15 A outlet, but do not share the circuit with a space heater, microwave or other big load. 12% of certified units in this class need 230 V, so a 115 V model is the easy case.
      What are the dimensions of the GREE GJC12BU-A6DRNJ2A, and will it fit my window?
      21" W × 13" H × 18" D, 65 lb. It is narrower than 42% of its 33 competitors and lighter than 33% of them. The window closes into the U-shaped slot, so measure the opening height as well as the width: you need at least the unit's 21" width between the frame sides.
      Is the GREE GJC12BU-A6DRNJ2A U-shaped design an advantage?
      Mostly yes. The sash closes into the unit, so the window stays sealed and daylight comes in, and the compressor is outside the glass, which cuts noise indoors. The trade-off is a window that must slide up and down, and a few extra steps to fit the foam seals.
      Can the GREE GJC12BU-A6DRNJ2A also heat the room?
      No, it only cools. If you also need heat, 5 certified units in this class can do both; see the list of air conditioners with heat.
      Is the GREE GJC12BU-A6DRNJ2A worth buying to replace an old air conditioner?
      An old unit of the same size at 9 CEER would cost about $173 a year to run at 750 hours and 18.0¢/kWh; this one costs about $106, so it saves roughly $67 a year.
      Is the GREE GJC12BU-A6DRNJ2A the same as the HOUSE KOBO KOBOGJC12BU?
      As far as the certified data goes, yes. ENERGY STAR lists both model numbers with the same capacity, efficiency, energy use, dimensions and weight, which means the same unit sold under another brand or with a different colour or retailer code. The full list is on this page.

      Running cost calculator

      Pre-filled with this model. Pick your state and how many hours you run it, or see the yearly cost in every state.

      1. The air conditioner GREE GJC12BU-A6DRNJ2A
      2. How you use it
      Per year
      $165
      Per month of use
      $30
      Per day
      $1.00
      Per hour
      12.5¢
      Power draw
      782 W

      Electricity used: 1,033 kWh a yearAn old 9 CEER unit of the same size would cost $270

      Power draw is capacity divided by CEER, which already includes standby power. Inverter units often run below full power, so real use can be lower. Electricity prices: U.S. EIA residential averages (12 months to July 2026). Days a year start from your state's cooling degree days (NOAA 1991-2020 normals).

      Closest alternatives

      Units with a similar CEER in the same class, and what sets each one apart from the GREE GJC12BU-A6DRNJ2A.

      ModelCEERCompared with this one
      GE Profile PHNT12CCH114.7same CEER, 1.3" narrower, 15 lb heavier, saddle design
      Friedrich CCV12A10A15.00.3 CEER higher, 6 lb lighter, standard box
      Danby DAC120ECBIWDB15.00.3 CEER higher, 0.7" wider, 14 lb lighter, standard box
      Midea MAW12HV1KWT-A14.40.3 CEER lower, 1.6" narrower, 6 lb lighter, standard box, also heats
      Midea MAW12V1UWT15.00.3 CEER higher, 1.8" narrower, 8 lb lighter, standard box

      See all 34 12,000 BTU window air conditioners, ranked

      Source: ENERGY STAR Certified Room Air Conditioners (U.S. EPA), certification of August 2, 2025. How we use the data.