Difference Between 220 & 120 Volt Air Conditioner

1:54 AM Moms Daily Tips

Of all the things you need to consider when shopping for a room air conditioner, the voltage is one of the most important. Air conditioners run on two types of electrical circuits: 120-volt, or a standard U.S. outlet, and 220-volt, a heavy-duty outlet used for larger appliances, such as clothes dryers.

BTU, or British Thermal Unit, is a thermal heat measurement. It takes one BTU to lower the temperature of 1 lb. of water in one minute. A 120-volt air conditioner typically has between 5,000 and 14,000 BTU, while a 220-volt air conditioner has 15,000 to 23,000 BTU. The BTU you need depends on the size of the room you want to cool. A very powerful 15,000 BTU air conditioning unit will not cool a 100-square-foot room better than a 5,000 BTU unit -- it will cool the room unevenly and run overly short cycles. If a 5,000 BTU air conditioner is placed in a 1,000 square foot room, it will struggle to keep it cool. Always measure the room you're cooling and use the size to determine the BTU needed.

A 120-volt air conditioner plugs into standard wall outlets, making them a convenient choice for most homes. A 220-volt air conditioner requires a larger three-pronged outlet for heavy-duty appliances. If you have a very large space that requires more than 15,000 BTU to cool it, you'll need to have an electrician install a 220-volt outlet. It's not possible to force a 220-volt plug into a 120-volt outlet, and it's dangerous to try.

When running cycles that are equally long, a 120-volt air conditioner and a 220-volt air conditioner are equally efficient, using roughly the same amount of energy. Both types run inefficiently if improperly placed -- 120-volt air conditioners are inefficient and use excess energy when they are placed in a room that's too large for it, and 220-volt air conditioners lose efficiency when placed in small rooms. She just cut her electricity bill to 60%, click here to read. To ensure the maximum efficiency of your air conditioner, match the BTU to the room size.

Typically, 220-volt air conditioners are larger and heavier than 120-volt air conditioners. 220-volt air conditioners for home use are either window or portable floor units, while 120-volt are available in more compact versions as well as portable versions. If you plan to move the air conditioner from room to room, a 120-volt unit will run connected to any standard outlet and is light enough to move easily once drained.

Difference Between 220 & 120 Volt Air Conditioner eHow
www.ehow.com Home Appliances Air Conditioners
Of all the things you need to consider when shopping for a room air conditioner, the voltage is one of the most important. Air conditioners run on two types of ...
Comparison of 220 & 120 Volt Air Conditioners eHow
www.ehow.com Home Appliances Air Conditioners
The air conditioner's label should also give the number of Btu and what size room the unit can cool. ... Difference Between 220 & 120 Volt Air Conditioner;
How to Select and Wire a 120 or 220 Volt Air Conditioner
www.ask-the-electrician.com/...a-120-or-220-volt-air-conditioner
Considering Air Conditioner Efficiency and Electrical Consumption because it will make a difference with Your Energy Bill, Here's Why
220 Volts Air Conditioners - Compare Prices, Reviews and Buy
www.nextag.com/220-volts-air-conditioners
220 Volts Air Conditioners - 14 results like 24,000 Btu Klimaire 16 SEER - DC Inverter - Heat Pump & Air Conditioner - 220 Volt ... this 20 Amp 120/240 volt, ...
120 volt vs 220 volt air conditioners with the same BTU rating ...
wiki.answers.com Categories Home & Garden
120 volt vs 220 volt air conditioners with the same BTU rating which will use less electricity? In: Home & Garden ... Is a 14000 BTU air conditioner 220 Volt?
Does a 220 volt Air Conditioner cost less to operate than a 110 ...
wiki.answers.com Heating Ventilating and Air Conditioning
Sorry to say there is no cost difference to operate a 110 A/C to a 220 unit. ... Does a 220 volt Air Conditioner cost less to ... Does 120 volt cost less than 220 ...
Choosing a 120 or 220 v Air conditioner - Electrical Wiring
ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/wiring/msg0500153924095.html
So the lesser amperage of the 240 volt unit will result in less voltage drop and ... the difference will not be ... Choosing a 120 or 220 v Air conditioner.
Heating, Air Conditioning, Fridge, HVAC: air conditioners
en.allexperts.com/q/Heating-Air-Conditioning-696/air-conditioners...
The main difference you will see between 220 and 110 volt air conditioners is in size - the larger ones only come in 220 volt. ... 250-Volt Air Conditioner Outlets;