10 Best Window-Type Air Conditioners in the Philippines 2025 | Buying Guide Reviewed by Registered Mechanical Engineer

The most crucial decision to be made when purchasing an air conditioner is choosing the right size, which ultimately means looking at the cooling capacity. The size of the air conditioner should depend on the area where you intend to use it. This way, you can fully utilize the capacity of the AC unit.

Installing a size that’s too small for a large room will be inadequate to cool the whole area by itself, while one that’s too large can easily cool the room instantly, but it’s not cost-efficient. The bigger the unit is, the more energy it uses.

The AC unit’s capacity is measured in kJ/hr (kilojoules/hour) or BTU (British Thermal Unit). To get a rough estimate of the air conditioner’s size, you need to multiply the size of the room (in sq. meter) by 500. For example, if your room size is 25 square meters, you will need an aircon with a 12,500 kJ/hr capacity.

Aside from the floor area, heat load factors or factors such as climate and room occupants should also be taken into consideration. Direct sunlight could significantly decrease the room temperature, so it's better to add at least 10% to the cooling capacity.

Also, if more than two persons are occupying the room at any given time, there should be an additional kJ/hr of 633 per added occupant. The Philippines generally has a warmer climate, so a higher kJ/hr is needed.

Two factors should be examined before buying an air conditioning unitーthe cost of the unit and the cost of using the unit or the electric bill. The electric bill is defined by the cooling capacity of the air conditioner, the duration and regularity of use, and the unit’s Energy Efficiency Ratio. Having a higher EER means lower power consumption. 

The Department of Energy (DOE) states that the standard EER for window-type aircon with cooling capacity below 12,000 kJ/h is 8.3, while the units with cooling capacity above 12,000 kJ/h should meet the minimum standard of 7.8. When buying in stores, you may look at the yellow tag the unit comes with to see the EER or check the list provided by the DOE on their website. 

The ability to control or adjust the temperature is a great feature to maintain the efficiency of the unit, whether on electronic or manual control. A timer and sleep mode settings could determine the specific length of usage, while some have energy-saving or auto-restart modes, thereby saving cost and energy. 

Air direction and airflow control help distribute cooler air within the room, so it's important to recognize this option. 

Some models have purifiers to filter out dust and other particles to purify the air inside the room, which also eliminates bad odors. More advanced air conditioners use newer technologies such as an inverter motor which could save up to 30-50% of energy consumption, ergo cutting the cost of the electric bill.

If you’re a light sleeper, look for a unit that runs quietly, even on a higher cooling level. Most models indicate their noise levels in decibels (dB) within their specifications list. Generally, airconditioners' noise levels range from 50-55 dB, but there are now units that offer lower noise levels.

You must go with the lowest dB as possible. It's normal to have minimal noise when the unit is first turned on and gradually lessens when the motor has already reached its normal running state. The sound and vibration usually come from the compressor, the water produced at heat exchangers, and the blower.