Best overall
Kühl KCVS12B30B
12,700 BTU · saddle · 230 V
- CEER
- 16.8
- Power draw
- 756 W
- Per year
- $102
Highest CEER of all 34 12,000 BTU window air conditioners: 16.8.
Specs, size and running costBest 12,000 BTU window air conditioners
A 12,000 BTU window air conditioner suits a room of about 450-550 sq ft.
The most efficient of the 34 certified models is the Kühl KCVS12B30B (16.8 CEER). A typical one draws about 847 W and costs about $115 a year to run.
Top picks
Best U-shaped
Midea MAW12U1KWT
12,000 BTU · U-shaped
- CEER
- 16.0
- Power draw
- 750 W
- Per year
- $101
The window closes into the unit: better seal, more light, compressor outside.
Specs, size and running costBest with heat
Kühl+ KHVS12B33B
12,600 BTU · saddle · heats too · 230 V
- CEER
- 15.8
- Power draw
- 797 W
- Per year
- $108
Runs as a heat pump in cool weather as well as cooling.
Specs, size and running cost- Room sizeabout 450-550 sq ft
- Standard 115 V plug30 of 34
- Unit width10.6-30 in
- Weight48-115 lb
- U-shaped or saddle18 of 34
- Also heat5 of 34
Compare all 34 12,000 BTU window air conditioners
Filter by size, brand or features
34 models, ranked by CEER (efficiency). Yearly cost at 750 hours and the U.S. average electricity price.
| # | Features | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kühl KCVS12B30B | 12,700 | $102 | 25.9" | Saddle, 230 V | |
| 2 | Kühl KCVS12B10B | 12,300 | $103 | 25.9" | Saddle | |
| 3 | Frigidaire Gallery GHWW125TF1 | 12,000 | $101 | 19.2" | - | |
| 4 | Midea MAW12U1KWTalso sold as 2 other model numbers | 12,000 | $101 | 19.2" | U-shaped | |
| 5 | Midea MAW12U1KWT-Malso sold as 1 other model number | 12,000 | $101 | 19.2" | Saddle | |
| 6 | Midea MAW12V1WBKalso sold as 14 other model numbers | 12,000 | $101 | 21.7" | - | |
| 7 | Midea MWEUWA-12CRFN8-BCP0 | 12,000 | $101 | 19.1" | - | |
| 8 | Whirlpool WHAW121CWXalso sold as 5 other model numbers | 12,000 | $101 | 19.8" | U-shaped | |
| 9 | Whirlpool WHAW121INV | 12,000 | $101 | 24.2" | U-shaped | |
| 10 | Hisense AWUS1227TWalso sold as 1 other model number | 11,500 | $97 | 20.3" | U-shaped | |
| 11 | Kühl+ KHVS12B33B | 12,600 | $108 | 25.9" | Saddle, Heat, 230 V | |
| 12 | GE Profile AHTR12ACH2 | 12,200 | $107 | 10.6" | - | |
| 13 | Midea 1010451379also sold as 4 other model numbers | 12,000 | $107 | 19.2" | U-shaped | |
| 14 | TCL H12W4KWHalso sold as 2 other model numbers | 12,000 | $107 | 30" | U-shaped | |
| 15 | Danby DAC120ECBIWDBalso sold as 1 other model number | 12,000 | $108 | 21.7" | - | |
| 16 | Friedrich CCV12A10Aalso sold as 5 other model numbers | 12,000 | $108 | 20.7" | - | |
| 17 | Friedrich KCVS12B10A | 12,500 | $113 | 25.9" | - | |
| 18 | Friedrich KCVS12B30A | 12,700 | $115 | 25.9" | 230 V | |
| 19 | GE Profile PWDV12Walso sold as 11 other model numbers | 12,000 | $108 | 19" | - | |
| 20 | Hisense LWCT12W25Aalso sold as 4 other model numbers | 12,000 | $108 | 20.3" | U-shaped | |
| 21 | LG LW1222IVSM | 12,000 | $108 | 23.6" | U-shaped | |
| 22 | LG LW1224IVSM | 12,000 | $108 | 23.6" | - | |
| 23 | Midea MAW12V1QWTalso sold as 12 other model numbers | 12,000 | $108 | 19.2" | U-shaped | |
| 24 | Midea MAW12V1UWTalso sold as 6 other model numbers | 12,000 | $108 | 19.2" | - | |
| 25 | Richmond RMV12A10A | 12,000 | $108 | 18.9" | - | |
| 26 | TCL H12W4MW | 12,000 | $108 | 23" | - | |
| 27 | TCL T12WQ2S | 12,000 | $108 | 20.7" | U-shaped | |
| 28 | Whirlpool WHAW-121INalso sold as 6 other model numbers | 12,000 | $108 | 24.2" | U-shaped | |
| 29 | GE Profile PHNT12CCH1 | 12,200 | $112 | 19.7" | Saddle | |
| 30 | GREE GJC12BU-A6DRNJ2Aalso sold as 1 other model number | 11,500 | $106 | 21" | U-shaped | |
| 31 | Midea MAW12HV1KWT-Aalso sold as 2 other model numbers | 12,000 | $113 | 19.4" | Heat | |
| 32 | Friedrich KHVS12B33A | 12,600 | $118 | 25.9" | Heat, 230 V | |
| 33 | Midea MAW12HV1CWTalso sold as 4 other model numbers | 12,000 | $122 | 19.4" | U-shaped, Heat | |
| 34 | GE Appliances AWGP12W | 11,000 | $113 | 19" | Heat |
More about 12,000 BTU window air conditioners
Yearly running cost by city
A typical model (15.0 CEER) against the most efficient (16.8 CEER), at each city's cooling hours and state electricity price.
| City | Typical | Most efficient |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix, AZ | $219 | $196 |
| Houston, TX | $190 | $169 |
| Miami, FL | $228 | $204 |
| Atlanta, GA | $99 | $88 |
| New York, NY | $126 | $113 |
| Chicago, IL | $76 | $68 |
| Denver, CO | $49 | $44 |
| Seattle, WA | $15 | $13 |
Is this the right size?
The ENERGY STAR guide gives 12,000 BTU for about 450-550 sq ft. Adjust for your room: a heavily shaded room needs about 10% less, a very sunny one about 10% more, add 600 BTU for each person beyond two, and 4,000 BTU for a kitchen.
Questions
- What is the best 12,000 BTU window air conditioner?
- On certified efficiency, the Kühl KCVS12B30B at 16.8 CEER, about $102 a year at typical U.S. use. The best U-shaped design is the Midea MAW12U1KWT (16.0 CEER).
- How many square feet does a 12,000 BTU window air conditioner cool?
- About 450-550 sq ft with normal sun and two people, following the ENERGY STAR sizing guide. In a very sunny room it covers about 10% less; add 4,000 BTU if it cools a kitchen.
- How many watts does a 12,000 BTU window air conditioner use?
- Between 719 and 902 watts at full power for certified models, about 847 W for a typical one. That is about $115 a year at 750 hours and the U.S. average price.
- Does a 12,000 BTU window air conditioner need a special outlet?
- 30 of 34 plug into a standard 115 V outlet; the other 4 need a 230 V outlet. Use the filter above to show 115 V models only.