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      12,000 BTU U-shaped window air conditioner

      LG LW1222IVSM

      Below average efficiency for its size: a CEER of 15.0 ranks #21 of 34 12,000 BTU window air conditioners.

      It cools a room of about 450-550 sq ft, draws about 800 watts and costs about $108 a year to run at typical U.S. use and prices.

      CEER
      15.0 Combined efficiency, higher is better
      Below average · beats 38%
      Cooling
      12,000 BTU/hFor about 450-550 sq ft
      Energy use
      600 kWh/yr38% less than the federal minimum
      Unit size
      23.6" wide 15" high, 28.8" deep, 85 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 plan to install it alone - at 85 lb it is a two-person job.
      • You also need heat - it cools only.

      Calculate my running costCheck the size for my room

      Details

      Specifications12,000 BTU, 115 V
      General
      BrandLG
      Model numberLW1222IVSM
      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 sinceJuly 24, 2023
      Last certifiedSeptember 27, 2023
      Performance
      Cooling capacity12,000 BTU/h
      CEERCombined energy efficiency ratio, includes standby power15.0
      Yearly energy useENERGY STAR test: 750 hours600 kWh
      Better than federal minimum38% less energy
      ENERGY STAR Most EfficientNo
      Size
      Width × height × depth23.6" W × 15" H × 28.8" D
      Weight85 lb
      How it compares with 33 other 12,000 BTU window units#21 of 34
      • CEER (class median 15.0)15.0, tied with 13 others
      • Yearly cost vs. class median ($108)about the same
      • Width 23.6" (class median 20.3")narrower than 27%
      • Weight 85 lb (class median 59 lb)lighter than 21%
      • Rank among 12 similar designs (U-shaped)#8

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

      Questions7
      How many square feet does the LG LW1222IVSM cool?
      At 12,000 BTU/h it suits a room of about 450 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 495-605 sq ft; in a very sunny one it shrinks to 405-495 sq ft. A kitchen needs 4,000 BTU more.
      How many watts and amps does the LG LW1222IVSM use?
      About 800 watts at full power (12,000 BTU/h divided by its CEER of 15.0), which is 7.0 amps at 115 V. That is 0 W less than the typical unit in its class (800 W), or $0 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 18% of the 34 units in the class.
      Can the LG LW1222IVSM run on a standard outlet?
      Yes. It runs on 115 V and draws about 7.0 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 LG LW1222IVSM, and will it fit my window?
      23.6" W × 15" H × 28.8" D, 85 lb. It is narrower than 27% of its 33 competitors and lighter than 21% 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 23.6" width between the frame sides.
      Is the LG LW1222IVSM 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 LG LW1222IVSM 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 LG LW1222IVSM worth buying to replace an old air conditioner?
      An old unit of the same size at 9 CEER would cost about $180 a year to run at 750 hours and 18.0¢/kWh; this one costs about $108, so it saves roughly $72 a year.

      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 LG LW1222IVSM
      2. How you use it
      Per year
      $169
      Per month of use
      $31
      Per day
      $1.02
      Per hour
      12.8¢
      Power draw
      800 W

      Electricity used: 1,056 kWh a yearAn old 9 CEER unit of the same size would cost $282

      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 LG LW1222IVSM.

      ModelCEERCompared with this one
      TCL H12W4MW15.0same CEER, 0.6" narrower, 26 lb lighter, standard box
      Danby DAC120ECBIWDB15.0same CEER, 1.9" narrower, 34 lb lighter, standard box
      Whirlpool WHAW-121IN15.0same CEER, 0.6" wider, 20 lb lighter
      Friedrich KCVS12B10A15.0same CEER, 2.3" wider, 25 lb heavier, standard box
      Friedrich CCV12A10A15.0same CEER, 2.9" narrower, 26 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 September 27, 2023. How we use the data.