Finding the right through the wall air conditioner for your home or living space can be a challenge –– especially since there are so many different options available.

Through the wall air conditioners essentially function the same way that window units do –– retrieving fresh air, running it through coils to cool it, then sending the air into the room. Unlike window units though, through the wall air conditioners are installed in a hole in an exterior wall, and require installation of a sleeve.

For those looking to cool a single room, or are worried about a unit taking up space, a  through the wall ac can be a great option to consider.

Here we look at the advantages of through the wall air conditioners, and what factors you should look for.

Benefits of Through the Wall Air Conditioners

There are many reasons why through the wall air conditioners might make sense for you. It’s important to note that the coverage area for this type of AC unit is around 200-800 square feet, so this is not a whole home solution. These air conditioners are meant to cool single rooms or areas and do require a bit more upfront installation work than a window unit. 

Here are a few of our favorite features of through the wall air conditioners:

Visual Appeal

While we’ve made many strides when it comes to air conditioner technology, one element that lags is the visual design. In other words, most people do not want their air conditioner to be the focal point of a room, and actually prefer to place it somewhere unobtrusive.

For this reason, through the wall AC units are a good choice, as they fit tightly inside the wall, and do not jut out too far into the space or draw attention to themselves. They don’t take up window space, which keeps the windows in the room open for their main purposes, like having a nice view. They are also easier to blend in with the decor of the room.

Space Saver

Similarly, air conditioners installed in the wall also save space, as they are often installed higher up or out of the way. This element makes them perfect for particularly small rooms or office spaces that need to take advantage of every square inch.

Convenience

If you are using the air conditioner for a room that isn’t used all the time, these units can simply be turned off when the room isn’t in use.

For those living in colder climates where the AC isn’t needed for most of the year, having an air conditioner installed in the wall cuts down on the amount of time needed to pack, unpack, install, and take down the unit when the seasons change.

Efficiency

Because of the placement of the unit into the wall, these air conditioners tend to be more efficient. As they fit snugly right into the exterior, air gaps and drafts are minimized. This saves you money, as the higher the efficiency of the air conditioner, the less unnecessary costs you will have to incur on your electric bill.

Lower Cost

Buying a through the wall air conditioner is usually a mid to low cost option. These units are a more permanent solution than a window air conditioner, are easy to replace, and last longer. The average pricing for this type of air conditioner, including installation, is around $700 – $1300.

How to Choose a Through the Wall Air Conditioner

Here’s what you should look for when shopping for a through the wall AC to make the most of your purchase:

Specs

What makes the best through the wall air conditioner? The short answer is that it depends on your situation and what is the most important to you.

First, consider size. What is the square footage of the place you are wanting to cool? With that measurement, you can use our BTU calculator to assess the power capacity you will need for your unit. Some units go up to 15,500 BTUs, which can cool spaces up to 600 square feet.

Then, think about your energy efficiency. Do you want to minimize the amount of electricity you are using? If so, look into a unit that has timers and low-voltage startups, which can help you manage your usage much more precisely.

Finally, as mentioned earlier, there is also price to consider. Through the wall ac units are generally a low-range to mid-range price, between $500 and $1200 for the unit itself, plus installation costs which will result in around $700-$2000 total. While you may want to save the most money on the ticket price, it can sometimes be more beneficial to get a more expensive unit that is more efficient, and will save you money in the long term.

 

PTAC

You may run into the acronym PTAC in your research. PTAC stands for packaged terminal air conditioner, and describes a self-contained heating and cooling unit that is installed through the wall.

PTAC units are a great choice due to their energy efficiency and many come with a heat pump so the unit can be used for both heating and cooling a room.

What to ask about

Before you dive into the buying and installation process, consider chatting with a professional regarding things to consider for your particular situation.

Some things you may want to ask about include:

• Cost of cutting the hole in the wall / installation
• Electric wiring or plumbing considerations
• Voltage requirements
• Type of wall sleeve

Most of the time, through the wall air conditioners require professional installation, so it is a good idea to consult a contractor who can guide you on these areas.

Our Recommended Through the Wall AC Units

As we said earlier, the right through the wall air conditioner for you will depend a lot on your specific needs. That said, here are a few units that we recommend:

PTAC Air Conditioner with Heat Pump:

Friedrich PZH15K5SB 15000 BTU Class Select Series 10.2 EER PTAC Air Conditioner with Heat Pump

This unit is a powerhouse ideal for either residential or commercial use, with 14,300 BTU cooling and 13,200 BTU heat pump and electric heat. The PZH15K5SB has an EER of 10.2 making it an efficient system for cooling rooms over 550 sq. ft.

Features include a digital touchpad, a range of compatible thermostats from wired non-programmable to wireless programmable; and an Indoor Coil Frost Sensor that protects the compressor for a longer life.

 

For general home and office use:

GE AJCQ12DWH 12000 BTU Through-the-Wall Room Air Conditioner – 208/230V – WiFi Enabled – Energy Star

The GE AJCQ12DWH 26″ is capable of 12,000 BTU Cooling Capacity with 10.5 CEER rating. While competitor units require a 7.5” minimum extension into the room with front, this slim unit needs only a minimal 5″ extension into the room for sleek, built-in look.

The AJCQ12DWH is WiFi enabled with a built-in GE SmartHQ communication card. This allows you to control the AC from your phone or other devices from anywhere with an Internet connection. Other features include 3 fan speeds, 6-way directional air-flow, an auto dimming touch panel display, and white color-matched sleeve with quick snap design.

 

Through the Wall Air Conditioner with Heat Pump for Smaller Spaces: 

Amana PBH092G12CC 9000 BTU 9.7 CEER, 9.8 EER Thru-the-Wall Air Conditioner with Heat Pump

The Amana PBH092G12CC has a 9,000 BTU cooling capacity with a 1.2 kW** (3,900 BTU) electric heater, plus an 8500 BTU reverse cycle heat pump. It has a 9.8 EER quietly and is ideal for spaces measuring 300 – 400 sq. ft.

Standard features include an electronic touch pad panel, 4-way adjustable air flow options, and 2 fan speeds. The unit is designed for easy installation and maintenance, with a convenient slide-out chassis, permanent filter with polypropylene mesh, and easily removable condenser top that allows quick access to the outdoor coils and other sealed system components.

 

Through the Wall Air Conditioner Accessories

Grilles

Architectural grilles provide an aesthetic face to your through the wall AC unit. They come in different designs, colors, and styles, such as window pane style grilles and linear bar grilles to suit your home.

Wall sleeves

Wall sleeves help securely hold your through the wall air conditioner in place. They help eliminate air gaps and drafts, allowing your AC unit to work more efficiently. We carry a variety of wall sleeves for different AC brands.

 

Buying a Through the Wall Air Conditioner

While the options for through the wall ACs may seem overwhelming at first, the most important elements to take into account are the power needed and energy efficiency required. When weighing out the cost of different units, note that choosing an option with greater efficiency can result in longer-term savings. We recommend consulting a professional before purchasing or installing a through the wall air conditioner.

We’ve highlighted a few of our favorite products up above, but many more are waiting for you to check out in our wide selection of through the wall air conditioners at Total Home Supply. 

Easily compare, shop, and select the one that’s right for you. If you’d like more information, you can contact us, and one of our skilled professionals will help you find the AC unit that will work best for your situation.

As seasons come and go, those in the heating and cooling market develop new technologies designed to keep us comfortable.

With nearly a century of experience in the air conditioning manufacturing industry, Daikin Industries, Ltd. boasts a rich history and proven expertise when it comes to air conditioners and mini splits.

Founded in 1924 by Akira Yamada, this multinational company is headquartered in Osaka, Japan and has operations in several continents. Daikin is widely known as the inventor of variable refrigerant volume systems. The brand is also notable for birthing new innovations in the split system air conditioning industry.

If you are looking to purchase a mini split system, Daikin HVAC products have a time-tested history of quality, while packing cutting edge technologies that make them stand out from the pack. Learn more about the Daikin brand and their trusted, reliable line of mini split systems.

Daikin AC Unit Features

Daikin has built a reputation over the years of high-quality products backed by excellent warranties. No matter what features are important to you, a Daikin AC unit has much to offer across the board –– quite literally. Here are some features of Daikin products that distinguish them from competitors:

• Their mini split wall units have two-area sensor controls that, upon sensing movements, set the temperature to the desired default settings. Conversely, when it detects no movement, it will set to energy saving mode. Pretty smart. (Did we mention that they are also Energy Star-rated?)
• The Comfort Control App allows you to control the temperature from anywhere, even when not at home. This allows you to turn on the AC before getting home, ensuring you get a comfortingly cool welcome upon your arrival.
• Advanced inverter technology enables Daikin AC units to adjust the power as needed, instead of going full-blast all the time. This results in increased energy efficiency, higher utility savings, and longer operational lifespan for the Daikin AC unit. 

Daikin Mini Split Systems

As a market leader, Daikin offers many different types of mini split systems, including multi-zone, single zone, dual systems, and area-specific units. Whatever size and capacity you need, Daikin carries the right mini split.

Multi-zone mini splits

Do you have a sprawling home, or an office with multiple rooms that need to be cooled?If you need to control the temperature of several rooms at once, a multi-zone mini split makes for a great choice. It allows you to provide a cost-effective cooling solution without having to install ductwork. A multi-zone system typically consists of an outdoor unit, combined with a flexible number of indoor units to cool and heat the spaces that you want.

Daikin’s high-quality multi-zone split systems come in a wide range of BTUs, with many different indoor unit types to choose from.

Recommended Daikin Multi-zone Mini Split:

Daikin 5MXS48TVJU 48000 BTU Class Configurable Five Zone Heat and Cool Split System

This multi-zone outdoor unit can support two to five indoor units. It features a newly designed drain pan for better drainage with less ice and water build-up under the unit, especially helpful for Northeastern states with colder climates. The drainage system has 10 drain holes and built-in slopes to facilitate draining. In addition, the PCB board is specially manufactured with enhanced cold climate parts. 

Also new on the 5MXS48TVJU is Daikin’s Intelligent Defrost Mode. This mode allows the outdoor unit to optimize the duration and frequency of defrost operation based on the last cycle of the system. This maximizes operation without loss of heating during the defrost mode for additional indoor comfort.

 

Single zone systems

Maybe you need a mini split unit for a specific room during a particular season, such as a sunroom in winter or attic in the summertime.

For these instances, a single zone system can be the perfect fit, as they allow you to only use (and pay for!) the temperature control in a particular space. Daikin single zone systems operate quietly, and come with inverter technology which helps to reduce temperature fluctuations.

Given their lower capacity, single zone systems can be a very budget-friendly option to get started with a Daikin air conditioning system.

Recommended Daikin Single-zone Mini Split:

Daikin FTX12AXVJU / RX12AXVJU 19 Series 12000 BTU Class Heat Pump 19 SEER Single Zone System

The Daikin 19-Series provides energy efficient, comfort control for one space. This particular unit boasts 10,900 BTUs of cooling while the heat pump offers 13,500 BTUs of heat, with an EER of 12.5 and a SEER rating of 19.

Features include Econo modes, a mold-resistant washable air filter, auto-swing (up/down vertical flow with manual horizontal left/right adjustment), auto fan speed, night set mode, dry function, fan only and on/off timer. The system has 4 fan speeds plus TURBO Mode for enhanced quick cooling.

The indoor units on the new 19-Series also include Blue Fin Protection on the coil to help ensure the condensate reaches the drain pan more easily, as well as an indicator light to let you know which mode you are in: cooling, heating, or fan only, when the system is on. The system can be connfigured with an optional WiFi adapter for smart home integration.

 

Daikin Air Conditioners / Heating Systems

Many of us live in variable climates, where it’s helpful to have multiple temperature controls at the ready. Dual systems that include both cooling power and a heat pump offer flexibility for rooms with different needs throughout the year. Daikin has no shortage of split systems that offer both cooling and heating options.

Recommended Daikin Air Conditioner with Heating Function:

Daikin 4MXS36RMVJUA 36000 BTU Class Configurable Quad Zone Heat and Cool Split System

The Daikin MXS multi-zone series combines inverter technology and heating functions with a flexible array of indoor units in different BTUs, from 7,000 up to 24,000 BTUs depending on the unit type. Depending on indoor units you choose, it can achieve energy efficiency levels of up to 17.7 SEER, up to 9.2 EER, and up to 12.2 HSPF. Total comfort control with added savings!

This is accomplished with the use of a variable speed compressor with inverter technology, which allows for a space-saving design and quiet operation. It also uses Reactive Temperature Monitoring that allows users to set the room temperature, while the system automatically adjusts the output required to reach the desired temperature levels. 

This specific model is rated for 36,000 BTUs of cooling capacity and must be connected to a minimum of two indoor units. A third or fourth unit does not have to be added right away – one or both can always be added at a later date. The system will adjust and allocate the required BTUs needed in each area up to the total of 36,000 BTUs.

 

Indoor units

Perhaps you already know that your Daikin product will need to be installed in a particular location within your space, such as a wall, ceiling, or floor. Daikin offers different types of indoor units that may be purchased by themselves but must connect to an existing mini split system. So, if you have been wanting to add onto or expand your temperature control, we also provide selection of indoor units for your Daikin outdoor unit.

Emura wall units are a popular option when it comes to hooking up additional units to your current mini split network. These units have a sleek design as well as the 2-Area Intelligent Eye mentioned earlier, that controls the unit based on room activity.

However, your space considerations may make it more sensible to go for a floor or ceiling model instead. If you are unsure which type is right for you, consult an HVAC professional.

 

Commercial Units

Do you have a business or office space that requires a high-capacity unit to get the job done?

If you need commercial-grade cooling for small shops, restaurants, and office spaces, indoor units with low sound levels and higher level BTU capacities may do the trick. Daikin offers commercial systems that include features such as 24 hour timers, auto restart after power failure, and self diagnosis with digital display.

Recommended Daikin Single-zone Mini Split for Commercial Application:

Daikin FBQ42PVJU / RZR42TAVJUA 40500 BTU Class SkyAir Commercial DC Ducted Concealed Ceiling Cool Only 16.0 SEER Single Zone System

The innovative SkyAir system is designed to quietly blend into the ambiance of shops, restaurants, small offices or home environments. The outdoor unit is for use with Daikin 42,000 BTU wall mount, ducted, cassette and ceiling suspended indoor units. Indoor units include SkyAir FAQ, FBQ, FCQ, FHQ and FTQ.

This system includes the outdoor inverter compressor unit as well as the indoor DC Ducted Concealed Ceiling Unit. The indoor units feature low sound levels, while the outdoor unit is designed to last and comes with an Anti-corrosion Treatment for the outdoor heat exchanger fin. It has an External Static Pressure (ESP) rating up to 0.8″ W.G, and comes with a digital display and self-diagnosis functionality for pain-free operation.

 

Recommended Daikin Commercial Mini Split with Heat Pump:

Daikin FTQ18TAVJUD / RZQ18TAVJUA 18000 BTU Class SkyAir Cooling / Heat Pump Commercial Vertical Air Handler 15.5 SEER Single Zone System

If your commercial or office space requires both cooling and heating, Daikin also has you covered. The Daikin FTQ18TAVJUD / RZQ18TAVJU 18000 BTU system includes the outdoor inverter compressor unit as well as the indoor Vertical Air Handler. This system will operate in the cooling mode when outdoor temperatures are as low as 23°F up to 122°F and will heat with 100% efficiency when outside temperatures are as low as -4°F with no electrical heat (when paired with the comparable RZQ heat pump model compressor up to 3 tons).

 

This system uses Daikin’s Vertical Air Handler System. The unit is installed completely out of view and air is directed through ducts or venting, making it ideal for spaces with existing duct work, as duct work can be reused from old central air installations. 

Compared to a traditional gas furnace/AC system, a vertical air handler system is cost-effective and can be installed as horizontal left, horizontal right, upflow, or downflow installation configurations. It is designed for zero clearance installation, leaving only 24″ clearance in the front of the unit for service and maintenance.  

Things to consider before you buy

Before you buy a mini split air conditioner, there are several things that you will want to consider.

• First, determine what BTU capacity you will need from the size of your space. This calculation will help you narrow down which ones are in the right range for your needs.
• Other considerations may include whether you would like a residential or commercial unit, as well as whether you will need both heating and cooling.
• Of course, your budget for such a purchase is also an important thing to account for.
• Find a brand that you know will deliver high quality products.

Taken together, these elements can help you narrow down the available options.

Is a Daikin System Right for You?

If you have been searching for the right mini split for your home or other space, consider checking out the options available from Daikin. For decades, people have trusted Daikin as a premium choice for mini splits, and for good reason.

Start browsing our wide array of Daikin products today. You just might find the perfect fit.

Here at Total Home Supply, we are committed to helping you find the right unit for your needs. If you need help deciding which one is right for you, feel free to contact us so that we can point you in the right direction. 

 

 

Portable air conditioners provide a great option for cooling a room, while remaining flexible enough to be moved to other spaces. Unlike fixed wall or window ACs, their portable nature allows them to be used where necessary, or even packed up and moved out of the way when not in use.

Garages are more than just covered parking slots. They can be workshops, hangouts, storage spaces… even birth places for entrepreneurial ideas.