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Your guide to through-the-wall air conditioners

Your guide to through-the-wall air conditioners

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Choosing a type of air conditioner for your home requires a bit of comparison work. There’s plenty of types to choose from. One option to take a look at is a through-the-wall air conditioner, especially if you only want to cool a small area.

Through-the-wall air conditioners are often compared to window air conditioners as they share several characteristics, such as similar coverage area, pricing and efficiency.

In this blog post, we take a look at the basics of these types of air cons so you can get an idea of whether they are a good choice for your home and lifestyle.

 

What is a through-the-wall air conditioning unit?

 A through-the-wall air conditioner (also known as an internal wall air conditioner or simply a wall air conditioner) is a type of air con that is installed into a wall, such that one side of the unit is fully exposed to the interior room and the other side is fully exposed to the exterior outdoor space.

The unit does not hang out of the wall like a window air con hangs out of the window. The back of the rear unit either sits flush with the exterior wall or hangs out minimally.

 

How are through-the-wall air conditioners installed?

Installation involves cutting a hole in a wall in which to secure the unit. Supporting brackets or sleeves are used support the weight of the unit.

After the air conditioner is installed in the wall, it is plugged into the nearest electrical outlet and weatherproof stripping is put around the air conditioner to prevent outside air and water from entering the building.

 

How do through-the-wall air conditioners work?

 A through-the-wall air conditioner works by sucking hot air from the room into the unit. The hot air that enters the unit is brought over the air conditioning evaporator and cooled. The cooled air is pushed back into the room. The air conditioner pushes the hot air from the condenser out through the vents in the back of the unit so that it does not heat the room.

 

What are the advantages of a through-the-wall air conditioner?

  • They offer a modern and streamlined look. Some people don’t like the appearance of bulky split systems taking up space on their internal walls.
  • In comparison to a window unit, they do not block the use of a window.
  • They’re usually more powerful, and much more insulated than window and portable air conditioners.
  • Many units are reverse cycle and therefore can be used for heating in the winter.
  • The upfront cost of purchasing a through-the-wall unit is less than split and ducted units and are comparable in price to window air conditioners.
  • They can be an economical and space-saving choice for cooling or heating a small room.

What are the disadvantage of a through-the-wall air conditioner? 

  • They are significantly less powerful and energy efficient compared to split and ducted air conditioners. So while they are cheaper to purchase upfront, they cost more to run.
  • They are usually considered a more permanent option compared to split systems. Removing a through-the-wall unit is obviously more complicated and the hole left in the wall will require work to cover up.
  • Installation is often labour intensive.
  • They are louder than split and ducted systems as the compressor is located inside the unit.
  • Repairs and cleaning can be made tricky due to restricted access.
  • They are really only capable of cooling one room. 

If you’d like more information about through-the-wall air conditioners, talk to our expert team. 

We’d be happy to answer any questions you have. We can also arrange for a technician to visit your house, discuss which type of air con will suit your needs, and provide a no-obligation quote for installation.

Simply click here to get in touch with us today.