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The bragging drawback of window tune conditioners are their noise degree , rather insecure installation , and the fact that you ca n’t open up that window for unfermented aviation again until the unit is removed . Traditionally designed windowpane units sacrifice functionality and drastically increase noise in the name of go on a way cool . But what if there was an airwave conditioner designed to excrete those problems — one that minimizes stochasticity , keep safety , and even allows you to open your windowpane ?
TheMidea uranium - mold air conditioneraims to be that air conditioner . Midea is a leading global manufacturer of home appliances . The party ’s products are betray in over 195 countries and include options for kitchens , laundry rooms , and whole - household applications . Midea ’s American branch is headquartered in Parsippany , New Jersey , and it has inquiry and development and emerging tech shopping center in Kentucky and California , severally . Midea ’s missionis “ to supply amazingly well-disposed solutions for the ones who treasure tiny bit at home base . ”
Photo: Tom Scalisi for Bob Vila
Has Midea accomplished this mission with its U - shaped air conditioner ? With a alone design , particular bracketry , and plenty of output , it seems like a great solution for homeowners who do n’t have fundamental aviation . But how good is this windowpane air conditioner ? I put the 12,000 - BTU unit to the test — instal it , program it , and using it for several weeks for find out . Keep reading to learn whether the Midea U - shaped air conditioner is as user - friendly as Midea claim it will be .
Midea U-Shaped Air Conditioner: At a Glance
Rating:9.4/10
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What is the Midea U-shaped air conditioner?
TheMidea U - shaped air conditioneris a especially designed windowpane AC that keeps the noisy constituent of the machine out of doors while keeping cool air deep down . When establish , its atomic number 92 - shape body allows the window to almost entirely penny-pinching , which put the cheap compressor section outside and the fan and ascendancy inside . This design immensely cuts down on the operating noise of U - forge tune conditioners , and that ’s the significant difference between the Midea and traditional windowpane units .
This Midea building block is a 12,000 - BTU modelling contrive for rooms up to 550 straight feet in arena . It come with a remote , Wi - Fi connectivity , and voice adjunct compatibility . Its windowpane bracket meliorate security and makes put in this large windowpane building block a bit soft . It also come with a variety of froth objet d’art of unlike tightness design to further immobilize noise while preventing the elements from making it through the gaps around the window .
Once installed , the Midea 12,000 - BTU unit of measurement is subject of run at noise levels as low as 42 decibels . According to Midea , that ’s just 2 decibel high than the dissonance level in the intermediate subroutine library .
Photo: Tom Scalisi for Bob Vila
How easy is the Midea U-shaped air conditioner to install?
Here ’s the hitch : Installing this Midea unit take a little time . It ’s fairly large and quite heavy at just under 59 pounds . But it ’s the bracket installation unconscious process that drive the longest . First , you need to fit the bracket to the window ’s width ( the kit comes with two unlike arm length for varying window size ) . You then place the groundwork of the bracket against the house and check that they ’re angled correctly before screwing the bracket into the window jamb .
Once the bracket is installed , it ’s prison term to place the unit on and secure it with two offset brackets . Then you skid two retention arms into the groove in the window jamb . This create a very secure initiation that ca n’t be pushed in or pull out easily . The support bracket coupled with a almost entirely closed window makes this the most secure windowpane AC unit installation I ’ve ever nail .
The final whole step is custom - cutting foam pieces and compact them under the window sash on both sides of the air conditioner . Luckily , the outfit comes with a mass of froth for this measure , so it just accept a bit of time and patience .
Photo: Tom Scalisi for Bob Vila
How easy is the Midea U-shaped air conditioner to use?
There are four master methods for using and adjusting theMidea U - shape air conditioner : the control condition panel , the remote , the app , and voice control . Each method acting is sluttish to set up and practice .
Operating the control control board is very square . It has safety button that provide a bit of a tactile “ click ” when press . Unlike other good example with plastic push button that break or those that have no buttons at all ( and hence no “ click ” ) , this social unit is easy to countersink and aline .
The remote control is just as well-heeled to apply . It has a digital exhibit that mimics the display on the unit itself , meaning you do n’t even ask to be able to see the air travel conditioner to make adjustments . Most other unit have remote control with unsubdivided push button buttons , intend you have to be able-bodied to see the display on the AC to tell what you ’re doing .
Photo: Tom Scalisi for Bob Vila
The app is perhaps the easy control method acting to apply . It ’s compatible with iOS or Android , allowing you to create different schedules and timers , set the temperature , set speeds , and more . you may also tie in the Midea to a digital voice helper through the app . It ’s compatible with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa , and take modification with these assistants is straight .
Is the Midea U-shaped air conditioner well designed?
I found that , without a doubtfulness , the Midea is the best - designed window air conditioner I ’ve ever instal or used . Yes , it ’s heavy , and the bracket takes a bit of meter to install , but once it ’s done , it does away with any fear the user might have regarding safety or security . Since parts of the social unit extend up on either side of the part closed windowpane , it ca n’t be pull in out or bear on in almost as well as standard window ACs .
As far as the split design goes , this atomic number 92 - shaped model does an excellent job keeping the noise outdoors while pumping cool air at bottom . Generally address , I keep it on auto and ca n’t hear when it kick on or off unless I ’m right next to it . When it was on the high setting , I measure the wakeless output to be around 63 decibels , and on abject , it ’s quieter than the rest of my nursing home ( three dog and four tiddler make it hard to measure anything below 50 decibels ) .
As a side note , I ’ve also try other window units in my small office , but they ’re always too tacky . I now use a 10,000 - British thermal unit Midea U - shaped social unit there since it ’s the only fashion model quiet enough to run while I ’m on a conference call .
How does the Midea air conditioner perform?
The Midea social unit is design for a 550 - square - foot room , so instal it in an suitably sized way is important . I put mine in an L - shaped outer space of about 500 square feet , and this unit had no problem quietly cooling the whole place on even our warm days of over 90 degrees Fahrenheit . It takes about 15 min to bring down the temperature in the space from 75 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit , but its efficiency fluctuates a scrap count on the humidness ( it takes a little longer on in particular humid twenty-four hours ) . It also kicks on and off expeditiously once the space make its fit temperature , which help oneself reduce energy consumption .
The app and spokesperson - ascendance operations for this AC have been flawless . options are easy to correct , and it has no problem maintaining a Wi - Fi connectedness . Overall , this AC do incredibly well and is a great root for a room or space in the 500 - square - animal foot range . Unfortunately , the 12,000 - BTU social unit is the largest U - shaped unit Midea offers , making it likely to underperform in larger space , and there are n’t yet any bigger units using this pattern .
Is the U-shaped Midea air conditioner worth the price?
The Midea ’s price is higher than many other 12,000 - BTU air conditioners . The interrogation is , is it worth the extra $ 100 to $ 200 ?
I believe this unit is perfectly worth the money for those with the way in their budgets . It ’s easily the quietest air conditioner I ’ve ever used , and the intent is more safe than that of any received window unit . For me , these things are big mess and worth the upgrade in price .
It ’s also hard to overstate how much economic value the app and phonation - control features add . I love being able to set the social unit with my digital help from across the room , but I also appreciate controlling it from my truck or wherever else I may be . With dogs at home , I do n’t want the house set out too strong , but I can also remotely grow the unit down since they do n’t involve temperature below 68 degrees Fahrenheit . computer programming and adjust these mise en scene from anywhere lets me keep my darling safe and well-fixed without unnecessarily ride up the free energy poster .
Is Midea U-shaped air conditioner right for you?
In my opinion , this unit from Mideais right for almost anyone . It ’s powerful , quiet , secure , and easy to utilise . Unlike many other window melodic line conditioners , it wo n’t swim out the phone of a TV or make aliveness room conversation unsufferable . It ’s also desirable for a large office where phone and conference calls are the norm .
However , for some mass , there are better option than the Midea . Anyone anticipate to use this air conditioner as white racket in their sleeping accommodation would do better with a louder automobile , such as thisHisense 8,000 - BTUwindow air conditioner I critique previously . Also , anyone who does n’t have the strong-arm speciality to lift and install a simulation this adult will want to look elsewhere . It is an armful , and arise the unit into a windowpane takes some effectiveness . For those kinfolk , a rolling portable atmosphere conditioner might be a better fit .
For those who need a knock-down yet quiet air conditioner with all the engineering science and frills , the Midea U - shaped air conditioner is a great choice and warrant serious retainer . It ’s the quietest and most strong air conditioner I ’ve tested , and the technology work seamlessly with my phone and Google Assistant . Sure , it ’s a bit heavy , and the brackets take some calculate out , but the termination is well worth the travail .
Where to Buy the Midea U-Shaped Air Conditioner
Meet the Tester
Tom Scalisi is a full - time DIY and construction writer for many of the largest websites in the diligence , including BobVila.com , This Old House , Family Handyman , and Forbes . He has plenty of experience install , using , and assert window air travel conditioner to cool down his otherwise close 70 - year - old home without central air .
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