Midea 8,000 BTU Air Conditioner - geni.us/AZTRp6 All My Favorite Tools - geni.us/VYIp51 DISCLAIMER: This video and description contain affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission.
@@karl2051 I believe it came with the unit. you can see it coiled up on the floor at the start of the video. If not, It is probably just a foam weather strip that you can buy at Lowes, Home Depot, or most hardware stores.
Had one for the last year and it’s hands down the best we’ve ever had. It’s efficient, can make the room absolutely frigid, and it’s as quiet as a whisper.
I picked up one of these units, Costco had the 12k BTU for $299. Fantastic recommendation, I am shocked how quiet this unit runs and how well it cools our large room.
Not good when the compressor turns off and on. Steady noise is good, but can't get that from a regular AC in the North East, the compressor cycles on and off. I've had a Midea U-shaped for 3 months and it's great: quiet and smooth speed changes.
Thank you for the video. I have to give you credit for being brief, concise, to the point and leaving out any unnecessary talk, being respectful of the viewer's time! Again, thank you!
We live in the heart of Texas out in the country. As our old A/C units go out we install window units. But we install them in a ceiling level box inside. The box includes a tray and drain. Outside all one sees is a 16x16 in vent cover and the end of the drain. We wire a receptacle under it so when the unit is installed it's plug comes out along side the receptacle and plugs in. The box frame is screwed together with 2x2s and one 2x4 at the front. And two angled plumber's tapes for strength. Enough of the unit sticks out so the front can be taken off, but the unit is otherwise completely sealed. The box except the front are usually finished sheetrock. The front is four pieces of B/C 1/2 plywood that are siliconed where they touch. Each house has several of these, each on a different circuit breaker. We have had no troubles. They work better than when the unit is taking up a window; and very little water comes from their drains. And the electricity cost to run them is less than the original large single units that ran cold air through floor vents. When a unit goes bad we fix it ourselves which saves us tons. We have done this to 6 homes and everyone is happy with these "boxed in" A/C units. But of course everyone should do their own research and design if they like this idea.
My bedroom windows are low height on the sash so I can't put any kind of standard air conditioner in them. I have to use a so-called portable unit which just has a plate that it vents through. So I used wood blocks to create a removable brace for security. I just velcroed a carefully cut piece of wood up against the side of the window so no one on the outside can lift it up.
I have a plastic adjustable rod with rubber caps. It wedges super tight, keeping the window unit in place without a chance of getting the window open from the outside.
@@MyOver50 I used to fear to drill into the window frame. Within one-time Home Depot visit, one nice staff showed me the hardest metal bit. I tried it, it drill into metal even easier than drill into wood. It was only around $3.
I've had one of the Midea units for over a year now and I love it. The thing is a beast and even when it's cooling at 100%, it's not loud. It has crazy-impressive cooling and the app features/controls are fantastic. It's a great unit.
A major benefit/consideration is reduction of outside noise, like traffic, children, construction, etc. Regular a/c units are essentially hollow inside, allowing outside noise to pass right through them. At least that it is the way with my Frigidaire units. But on all of them, the thin, plastic accordion panels are worthless to muffle outside noise.
Tell me about it! I used to have a regular (for lack of a better word) window A/C and the plastic side panels are indeed worthless. So what I did was take an old box or 2 and cut out pieces of cardboard and put those in front of the plastic panels. It helped a little for sound and a lot for keeping my room cooler. Yes, the panels were hideous but were functional for me!
@@DJPenguino51 - You could use 3 layers of a piece of aluminum-covered bubble wrap with cardboard on either side and then spray paint the cardboard pieces so it would look better. Maybe make little curtains to hand over the cardboard piece inside, or disguise it a number of different ways. Anyhow, that should help a great deal with insulation and noise.
I watched your video yesterday and helped my girlfriend install her Midea-U today. Your instructions were perfect, but a minute after the unit was turned on, error code 07 appeared on the display. Midea does not list error messages online or in the instruction manual, but Amazon explains the problem that many people have had. A piece of black vibration dampening material is wrapped around the 2 copper pipes next to the condenser coil fan (the section of the unit outside the window). If the material extends too far, it will prevent the condenser coil fan blade from turning, causing an error code 07 . In order to make the unit functional and prevent the error code 07, remove the top cover from the outside portion of the unit (3 screws on top, 2 screws on each side and 3 screws in the front. To remove the 3 front screws, a stubby screwdriver is necessary). On the left side, by the compressor are 2 copper pipes with the black material between the pipes. Trim or push the black material away from the fan blade so it spins freely, then install the cover and screws. It is easiest to test the unit before installing it in the window to be sure it functions properly so you can make the repair if needed. The fan on the inside part of the unit did not have a problem and worked normally. sic
One thing that bugs me is that in my area (Oregon) nearly all houses built in the last 50 years have glider windows, so the window units require a DIY panel
@@randomvideosn0where I have casement windows in my living room so when I had a window AC to cool the entire house, I had to put it in the kitchen. I installed my own AC condenser, lineset, and disconnect for a split central AC system and my house gets very cool now.
We got the hardware store to cut a piece of Plexiglass. Took the window out entirely, used a 1x6 against the frame to hold the unit in place, tucked in the plexi on the outside of the wood but inside the frame (well, yeah) and used AC foam to seal the plexi in place. Works fine. We set it on foam to protect the frame and seal the bottom against air leaks.
I've been using this exact unit for over a year now, and it's amazing. It's more quiet than the Govee tower space heater I use in the winter. Another thing I noticed is that there is almost never any visible condensate outside, despite being in the humid south. Looking closer, you can see that the condensate sits in a kind of tray, and the condenser coil also sits in that tray, and I believe the condenser stays hot enough to evaporate the condensate. Most portable AC units don't require a drain line because they do the same thing. They do require a drain in dehumidifier mode though, and my Midea unit does have a dehumidifier mode, but I've never had to use it as it dehumidifies just fine in AC mode only. The one drawback to this unit is that it's hard to actually get a good seal around it. The roll of foam it came with was permanently squished, and I had to get some from Home Depot, no biggie though. All along the bottom of the unit is also very leaky, and inside you can feel hot air coming in, and outside, you can feel cool air leaking out. You really have to take your time sealing everything around it with tape to get a good seal. All in all, an amazing unit, despite the sealing issues.
Bought one of these this year after being happy with our Midea Cube dehumidifier and am happy with it. The ability to just have a 'dry' setting is great. Both the AC and dehumidifier can be controlled from your phone when you're away from home which is a great boon when trying to control moisture and mold in your home.
FYI. The slope issue you talked about is dependent on where the drainage hole is located. My Frigidaire units' drainage hole is located closer to the units' front where a slope wouldn't work, allowing condensation to accumulate and ultimately cause corrosion or buildup of grime and debris.
Some designs intend to keep a puddle of water to splash onto the condenser to improve efficiency. Also we can just drill holes in back to get more drainage.
There needs to be a build up of condensate in the pan in order for the condenser to function correctly. The slinger ring on the condenser fan picks up the condensate and slings it in the condenser to help remove heat.
@@aantonyI did that once. No matter how carefully I planned it, I ended up putting a hole in the coil and let all the smoke out... that was an expensive moment... had to replace an AC unit that day.
I bought a Midea 8,000 BTU unit this spring and what a difference! It cools a lot better then my old unit and it is much much quieter. I'm sold! I am going to replace my other old unit with the 12,000 BTU unit, next spring.
I think the GE version is a reverse U were the U fits on the bottom of the window and wont fall down and they hold the patent so Media flipped the U shape facing up to get around that patent. But the GE ones cost more and are not much better in quality either.
If you would do a video on cleaning the inside of the U-shaped unit, I would be very grateful. The roller-style fan the moves the air into my room has become caked with mildew. I do not know how to take the thing apart. Pls help.
When we moved into our house it did not have any easy way for a central or mini-split system. So after years of no AC I decided it was time and bought one of the Midea units. It's nice to see I made a decent choice for cost and noise.
I bought a Midea unit last year because its more solar friendly. They are somewhat popular in the off grid solar powered RV community. Also, the 12v minisplit units are popular. I like my Midea but still primarily use my EVAP cooler on all but the worst of Arizona summertime highs days. The Midea is quiet and energy efficient. For solar use though you need around 2000w in panels and plenty of battery reserve. That is to get in plenty of power to operate it, charge your batteries, and to do your other daily living needs energy usage.
Welcome to the club! I've had 4 units cooling my entire 2 story house for the last 2 seasons. Very efficient and EXTREMELY quiet. A little fussy on the install, but the price includes its own bracket. I turn mine on in mid June as soon as it gets humid and run until Sept. I was contemplating mini splits, but after putting in one of the mideas i bought 3 more - I'm never goin back
@@ksha1486I had the same issue with mildew smell. I ended up carefully drilling a drain hole into the condensate pan on the outside part of the unit. All sorts of nasty slimy mold came out. Sprayed down with a hose and tried again. No more smell!
I wonder if I could diy mount one of these things in a door? I have a side door in my garage. There are no windows and the garage is all brick construction. I don’t really need to use that door. This my be the solution I have been looking for to a/c my garage without paying $4,000.00 to get a mini split installed. 🤔
I just bought this unit, and I will be installing it this weekend. I am glad to hear that this is a good product. The only issue I have with it after watching this video is how quiet it is. I need a consistent, somewhat loud, sound to fall asleep. Without it any random noise will wake me up.
I just installed a Midea 12,000 BTU unit in my living room. The only reason I got one so big is that it was on sale and was less expensive than the 8,000 and 10,000 BTU units! It is VERY quiet and cooled down the room quickly. I had to use wood block shims since my window is about and inch wider than the max extensions on the side brackets, but I'm pretty handy so that was a minor problem. The only problem was that it was so big that I had to get my son to come over to help me lift it into place. I am 70 yrs old so... I had already installed my other two smaller units (bedroom and kitchen) but this was about the easiest I've ever installed one before (except for the heavy lifting)!
I do not trust inverter compressors because of the failure of refrigerators models using this same technology. I will wait until next year to see what happens.
This would be a no brainer for me if I had this style window. Worse decision I made when building our house was installing Casement windows. They offer no benefits and don't easily lend themselves to AC. This seems like a very nice well thought out AC with a more secure mounting system. I'm going to give a serious thought to replacing 2 of our bedroom windows just to accommodate this AC. Thanks for the video as I've never seen these before.
if you dont want to replace the entire window and have a few tools sitting around in ya garage, take the 4 window pane n bracket screws out, tuck the window away in ya garage for storage till winter, paint up some trim/framing wood to match your window, cut in some grooves, side in a thick piece of plexiglass, or if you wanna be artistic about it, my spouse put in a pretty stained glass panel she got at a garage sale. Then install the unit as normal, place the home made pane on top of the unit, secure it with some L brackets and enjoy your AC without needing to blow abunch of money on a new window/ install costs.
I worked in a place that used window mount heat pumps. I look forward to these AC companies coming out of the stone age to produce window mount heat pumps on a wide availability. At present you have to really dig and filter out the phonies that use heating elements instead of using a switchable heat pump.
I bought and installed three of these last month. Costco had them on sale so I got 3 (total of 36,000 btu) for $1045. I can’t believe how well they work. I am remodeling a 1940s house - looked at central - too expensive. Looked at two mini splits - no good placement options. Went with Midea - that house is 24 miles away and when I head there to work, I press two buttons in the app and all three are set to 72 so it’s cool when I arrive. One thing - they are “smart” so you need wiring from the last five decades - you need a ground. I ran three new circuits for these and it was worth it.
Same, I replaced a 1 year old Toshiba we had in our bedroom after I saw the Costco sale and compared to Amazon. One thing not mentioned in the video, is that at least for us, it makes a pretty big difference in outside noise levels. After we had the unit for a week, we saw how much quieter in general the room was and how much better it cooled, so we bought a second unit from Costco.
We have three of these in our house, and have had them for about 2+ years. I can attest that they are as quiet as advertised, you forget they are there. They do a great job cooling, and generally speaking, are easy to install. My only complaint, as someone who needs to take them out each winter and put them back each summer, is that sealing them up over and over can take some work. I've learned to take the thickest foam I can find at the hardware store and just stack/pack it in tightly. I replace the foam every year. This is minor gripe however, as you'll need to do something similar even with regular units.
@@EverydayHomeRepairs I bought my unit a month or so ago and have already noticed a major mildew or dust problem with it building up on the fan blade. I had to take the front cover off to get to the fan blade and clean it. Please make a follow up video and tell us if you have had the same issue thank you.
@@Truthseeker833Sounds like its not draining properly, fan blades getting constantly wet. I know on standard units often the outside fan spashes the condensation, but the heat and evaporation take care of any possible mildew. But with this split style the condensation maybe can get trapped on the inside if the drain to the other side is clogged.
I have an LG ThinQ window AC unit I put in the garage last year. It's a traditional install, but it is a dual inverter type with WiFi. It was a bit of a PITA to install and required a 2nd person to balance it in the window while I secured it. Beyond that, it's been a great little unit. Quiet, and keeps the garage cool even when it's 98F and 90% humidity outside. I'd certainly consider the Media if I had to replace it, although I have to say that's a brand name I've never heard of and know nothing about.
I have a 4400 sq ft home in Texas and the summers here are no joke. I do have central air but it's not economical to turn on the entire central air just to get a few rooms cold. Plus, other people find the temp I like to sleep in too cold so my bill was really high in the summers. My son's room upstairs runs hot for some reason so we got him a LG dual inverter 8k BTU AC (the smallest they had in this line) and I have it on a schedule every evening which is sweet! When I tell you he likes it cold, I mean, 60 degrees cold. I highly recommend getting these units even if you have central air because we don't need the entire house to get cold, just certain rooms and it does circulate. I'm in the process of getting 2 more units, one for our loft upstairs (where my workout machines are) and another for my bedroom downstairs that has a lot of windows but I think it's not sealed well so it gets really hot in the summer. With my son's AC alone, I've seen a decrease in my electricity bill!
I love my U shape. We replaced our old window units with these and we seen a REDUCTION in our light bill for the month of August. Mind you I live in Texas and August is considered the peak of summer and you know how hot it can get here. August 2022 our light bill was right at $687. August 2023 it was about $498. Efficient YES! My only gripe is the software Midea uses does not work with my custom network setup I currently have in my Home so I cannot test the smart stuff it comes with. We now have 4 of these 2x 8,000BTU and 2x 12,000BTU.
I bought one of these after they were first released. At first I was pretty pleased with it, although I could hear an electrically generated noise from the VFD (I work with VFD'S so I am attuned to that sound - don't like it). As time has gone on it has started to produce a lot more mechanical noise from the fans & maybe compressor. Really irritating noise for me. I should pull it apart and see if there is anything that can be done to reduce the mechanical noise, but that usually goes nowhere. All that being said I am considering buying another one. there is always a risk involved in a first year model - put your money down and take your chances. One other issue is that I like the bedroom quite cold at night, with a traditional window unit that worked - the Media not so much, gets it nice and cool but not cold.
Great video, thanks. Had a 14000BTU loud beast for my downstairs and replaced with the 12000 BTU Midea. After using for a couple months, it is hands down a game changer for window AC units. Easy to install and so quiet, we can watch TV at a normal level. A Lot of times, you do not even realize its on while still keeping everything cool. Recommended to a few people and they love them also. Costco had it for $340ish with the rebate when we bought it.
I bought the Midea a little over a year ago, but I was looking at the GE saddle style (I think that's what they're called) along with another brand. I ultimately went with the Midea, but I was curious how the others would have faired.
@@AtomicAJ74 Ah, that's a great way to describe it--a saddle. It sticks out into the room more than the Midea would since it sits over your wall/ledge, versus just having to accomodate the window. It also vibrates the wall and turns it into a bit of a speaker when running the compressor, so I'm trying to think of ways to lessen that effect. Other than that though, it works great and is way quieter than any window unit I've had in the past, although this is my first inverter A/C so maybe they're all quiet like this. Other than that, I like that it doesn't take up the whole window.
@@eslai My Midea has a similar effect on the wall, but that’s only when the compressor starts and lasts only as long as the compressor ramps up. Once it’s up to speed, it’s just a nominal hum.
@@AtomicAJ74 Yeah I'd expect it to be better than what I'm experiencing--I can hear the hum in the adjacent room that shares the wall. It's a bit unfortunate, but it's as you say, a background hum.
I've had one for a few years. The noise difference is really almost entirely from the technology. I can have the window right beside my AC unit open a little, at the head of my bed, so I can hear the insects singing at night when I'm using the AC. And it's barely any louder than it is with the windows both closed down and it running. It's no louder than the fan that blows on my face at night.
They're a bit of a pain to get setup at first, but once you have it figured out removing them for the winter and reinstalling the next year isn't bad at all. I have three of them now and absolutely love them.
I adore this unit. I’ve had it a few years and it has saved me a ton of money. It has already paid for itself. It’s also quiet with a variable compressor that doesn’t make that clunk sound window units make. To me it’s a mini split window unit. Your review covered maybe 20 percent of its real benefits.
Seeing this a couple weeks after I finally decided to get a window A/C unit & installed this 8000btu Midea unit for my studio based on reviews, and really very happy with it, and glad to see more confirmation!! Just wish the bracket was smaller--they have one bracket for all sizes, so with the small 8000 btu unit, bracket sticks out about 8" more than the unit--but very minor, as good design & quality!!
I remember when they were first announced - seemed cool, but I didn't know about mini splits so nowadays I think it's really impressive. But you know what would be even cooler? If it had a heat mode like a true mini split. Nothing worse than cool mornings in the spring and fall where you're cold in the AM but you're unsure if/when you're gonna get more warm days that might still require the AC. A heat mode would make the decision when to install/remove the unit a lot simpler.
For those experiencing the noise issues coming in from the outside the way we got around this was we'd buy a boatload of window foam insulation from the local box stores and we just fill the Gaps, without covering the vents on the AC unit, and this makes a world of difference. Don't forget to also cover with foam the inside part of your window gaps to prevent any air leakage.
I sure wish I'd found that Midea about two months ago. My HVAC died and went about a week without any cooling in the house. The temps were a bit high and I covet a cool bedroom at night so i went out and picked up a window unit, NOT realising that with our new Andersen windows, the sash design has an interior curb to it (basically not a traditional sash and sill where a window unit can sit comfortably), so it's NOT compatible with window units. I could not seal around the unit and it wouldn't stay put so I had to return the unit in favor of a portable. This does a good job, but it takes up space in the room. The Midea's support frame design looks to be a good fit for my type of windows. Long story short, make sure you check out the mounting design of AC units before purchase to see if they will fit into your window frame!
Based on this video I just bought that Midea 12,000BTU unit for my 600 square foot shop. Thanks so much Scott, I really need this as it is 104 degrees outside now with a real feel of 111.
Installed 3 Midea units a few months ago replacing older units. Big improvement in cooling and energy use and much quieter. Put one in our bedroom and at night I put the unit in cool mode set the temp to 62 and drop the fan speed to 40% can barely hear it and keeps the room ice cold for sleeping
Energy efficiency isn't just a matter of how much electricity it uses within a given period of time, but how quickly it cools down the space. If it cools down the space quicker than the older style unit, then it doesn't have to run as long to get the same result, so therefore a larger energy savings over time.
Both my Midea U and Midea heat pump window ACs came with an unexpected feature: Fresh outside air blowing thru the interior air intake of both units! I’m a professional carpenter and can tell you both entire windows are triple sealed with foam, tape, and bubble wrap. There’s no mistaking it, I put paper strips in front of the interior coils and watched them blow around while the units were off but a wind was blowing outside. Anyway this explains why my house was constantly 75% humid all summer. I wanted to believe these were quality units, but the manufacturer couldn’t be bothered to seal them properly. CHEAP CHEAP CHEAP
I use my Midea for a few months out of the year. There was one time it was running and I forgot it was on to turn it off because it was so much quieter than my old-school window unit. I think the inital set-up takes a bit longer, but besides that, I give it an A+.
Two things to keep in mind - if you ever moved the midea to another window and it's not the same, where are you going to get the foam for the sides. 2). The tray the Midea sets on may dent or mark up your siding.
Most current window AC don't have a drain hole. The condenser fan picks up the water, throwing it against the condenser coils. That gets rid of the water, and it also helps the condenser function better.
a few years ago i had three window units 2 old knob and dial ones from 20+ years ago they work fine still do! bought a new one[digital] with buttons similar to those the circuit board under the buttons did not even last 5 years before it started to turn itself up full or down to the lowest setting would not hold the temp i set it at became useless after that. new is not always better PS i like the noise it is like white noise helps me sleep lol but that's just me
Great video. Any suggestions if you have left to right sliding widows. All my windows are sliders and thinking about hurricane season window unit to get buy for sleeping. Thanks.
I've had one of the 7500 BTU Midea units for the past 3 years. FANTASTIC! It is very quiet in the "quiet mode" but does make a lot of fan noise when at full 7500 btu mode. Once the unit has cooled the room down, it can be put in "quiet mode" where it only pulls 2.5 amps from the wall! (On full power mode it pulls 7 amps. ) The unit cools a 10x10 room perfectly in this 100 degree heet and is reasonable in a 10x12 room. (these are uninsulated "old house" rooms.)
Got one a couple months ago. The normal type ac unit has a much stronger fan and cools the room faster. However, the Media is much much quieter and makes sleeping much more pleasurable. I would trade a quieter sleep for a stronger cooling fan anyday. Don't know about longevity, but for now I am super happy with the Media unit.
On every window AC unit I've ever had, after a year, the fan will eventually start making excessive noise to the point I have to hit the unit for it to quiet down.
@@SethEssington dust and build up. most people think of window units as throwaway replace it every few years systems. you're actually supposed to take it out the window once every year or two and give it a good cleaning. We take ours out every may, take the outter shroud off, give it a good AC coil foaming solution bath, spray all the scale, mold, and grime out, and then left the styrofoam shroud up off the blower fan and clean that too. Takes an hour or two ta do ya first time, after doing it once or twice, easily turns into a 30 minute job once you know what your doing.
A very nice option for an AC. Not sure how this would work with a side to side window though, a bit more tricky, but good to know. Very useful in an RV which needs a quiet AC and one that could run off an inverter. By the way, there is NO Midea Air Conditioner listed under your store link. It is missing. 3:05 - I would never install an AC window unit without a shelf and two brackets holding it up. Those weigh 70 lbs. Instant death if it falls on someone and also you loose $500. Add a bracket. Some newer ones come with a built in stand on the outside. Such rubbish! I took an angle grinder and cut them off. I also drilled a lot of holes in the outermost bottom edge of casing, as this is the water drip pan. Mine came with ZERO holes! Sure fire way to rust it out. Drill large holes. Vacuum up the shavings (this is a must) and repaint the holes with spray paint so no rust happens. No rust!!! This will be water logged all the time. You also want a slope like he said, so that moisture rolls to the outside back end, where it drips out and stays dry. Needless to say, the wooden shelf must be painted to be water proof as well. Paint it thickly. I never use those silly accordion shades either. Thin plastic that cracks and leaks - absolute rubbish builds. I weather strip the window sill and side walls with rubber tape. Or stick foam strips. Install your AC to one side of the window closest to wall. The resulting gap to the other side, gets filled with a piece of thick acrylic that has window film to prevent heat. The light comes in, no light blockage like the opaque accordion blinds. You can remove that anytime you want. If you have side to side windows, then install the same way except the top gets filled with the acrylic panel with foam or rubber edging all around. Remove the panel and open the windows anytime to clean without removing AC. Always keep it modular for maintenance and allow sun to come through. Rubber gasket rolls are very nice to seal up edges. Open your windows all you want this way.
I installed a couple of these last year. They are basically a mini-split packaged as a window unit. The compressor, imdoor, and outdoor fan are all inverter driven variable speed… if you think of it that way it helps underscore the strengths and weaknesses of the Midea. The strengths are obviously quiet and energy efficiency, especially if you size it with some extra capacity so it doesn’t have to run full bore. A weakness is much poorer dehumidification performance than a conventional window unit. When the compressor slows down to just maintain temp, the evaporator coil runs much warmer than a conventional AC that cycles instead of “throttling down.” That means less water is condensed out of the air, so it feels “muggier”. Some people like that and it’s fine in very dry climates, but it does annoy me a little. Overall I like them, especially for a bedroom, but I still prefer a Friedrich Kühl window unit overall. Those are pretty unbeatable.
Added a window unit on one end of our house. No standard windows so I went thru the wall with a standard window unit. You have to have some sheetmetal knowledge to waterproof the bottom though. It keeps the entire house cool during the day since our home stair steps down from that end. Hardly notice the bill for running the window unit all day then the central air evenings and all night. The only downfall is not being able to hear much outside. We live way back in the woods and need to keep predators in check
Just installed one of the 12,000 BTU units f/Costco in an upstairs bedroom this month. So far so good... it was much easier to install (after following along the instructions) and the added support bracket and window being mostly down makes it a great design. Plus it's very quiet and more efficient that the older/traditional window unit it replaced. Time will tell how well they last... but so far so good. On a side note, be SURE and remove the drain plug before running. I temporarily forgot that step and could've been a disaster had I not caught it 30 minutes after running it!!
Bought 3 of the 12k units for a century home that would be impossible to get comfortable AC in the upstairs (these are also a MUCH cheaper solution with far more flexibility). Almost bought the GE cleariew, thankful I didn't. Went with Midea because they were available locally before a heat wave. I am so glad I did. Next year install will be so easy, apple home kit compatibility, app is awesome, especially for an analytical, zero holes, super quiet, and is capable of turning the house into an ice box. Have to contact them though because one has a pretty loud vibration. Kinda po'd that I could have saved $80x3 if I would have bought from Costco instead of HD. Ohh, these are secure also with the clever window locks.
❤This was very helpful to me I’m in the market. They have the portable heat pump units that vent out a window no taking the thing out in the wintertime. Like you to mention that. 😊😊
I am glad these exist, but I am so happy I liv in a new home that is properly insulated and has a good AC. We had to use these in our home that was built in 1960 and it would get moldy, get mildew, leak, it was so nasty. Maybe I accidentally had the dehumidifier setting on, but it was always getting moldy and I could never fix it.
One concern about using a sprinkler on your coils is 1) minerals can coat the fins and make the unit less efficient, if you clean the coils once or twice a year probably not a big deal, but the other thing is potential galvanic corrosion. It does help transfer heat, especially if you live somewhere dry, but there is risk associated with them. I was going to do this myself but decided against it as I didn't want to have scale buildup on the unit or risk the steel frame corroding into the aluminum fins.
2:09 safety tip, if you don’t want to screw into window framws 3:05 5% slope or bubble on level sitting outside will show the bubble just a tad bit away feom outsidw.
One important result left out! Good video, but, how about a temp test comparison of cold air and air flow from the two units. That would have made your video more complete.
my room is located on the third flor and I rarely go upstairs only to sleep, but my central unit upstairs is running so many hours and my electric bill goes high, perhaps installing that type of window unit could lower my electric bill?
We have four U shaped Mideas, all year around - too bad they cannot heat. We love the bracket, how quiet it is and efficiency is pretty good also. As a bonus it integrates with Home Assistant too.
We bought 2 of those Midea (10k btu) units at the start of this summer. Only ended up installing 1 of them, the other is still in the box. It worked so well for our small home. If I had one complaint, I can hear a slight high pitch sound when the fan is running. My partner can't hear it though. Great unit overall.
I have a regular 10K U-shaped unit and then when the newer 12k with ionizer units went on sale at Costco (ended around fathers day 2023) I grabbed one of them for my other 5th wheel. I live in Arizona and have a 5th wheel that I stay in for work out at the work site, and a 5th wheel well out of town where it's nice and quiet. These things put in tremendous amounts of work in the Arizona heat. The one at work hasn't shut down at all in several months. I figure the energy figures are about one month here in AZ. We run the air for parts or all of 8-9 months here, so we can put a decade of average usage on a unit in just a few years. While I sure didn't need the U-shape because neither of my places have sliding windows, the gap allowed me to layer several pieces of foam board in the opening on both installs. It made them both super quiet, I cant hear the compressor stage on either from the inside. It really stinks that these things are so quiet for the work trailer. The environment is not quiet outside, and now I have way less noise inside to mask the background noise. Oh well, I can sleep comfortably in the 70 degree air inside while it barely drops into the 90's overnight. The 12K is a dream. Out at my house in the boondocks, it was always just the drone of the AC all day inside. It was an old unit, and it never fully shut off. Installed the Midea and there was instantly a much more pleasant gentle woosh. It ramps up and down as needed. At home, it only runs from 10am to 9pm, then it shuts off completely. A big plus with the ionizer, it used to get a little musty smelling around monsoon season, this year there was no issue. Best part, I can monitor and adjust from my phone either unit. I paired the installs with the Govee smart thermometers that have alert capabilities. It will send me an alert if the temps go above a preset level, along with relative humidity. I can just put the Midea into the dry mode if its getting above my RH set level. If it continues to climb unchecked I can always have someone go check to see if there was an issue or a leak. Best use of tech I've ever found.
Instead of the U shape, there are now multiple companies making a saddle shape window AC that doesn't block the window. They are "n" shaped instead! You can't have a huge wall width (most I believe need a foot or less), but they provide the same benefit of being able to use the window, plus nothing blocks the window view, the sound is beyond the wall instead of on the other side of the glass which might help noise-wise.
Yeah, I have seen a couple of the N-shaped units. For most homes that would work but this one might be a bit beyond the max opening. Thanks for the feedback!
@@EverydayHomeRepairs Yes, here is one that was recently reviewed by "How To with Doc" @HowTowithDoc, but I do not think it would fit your window with such a deep sill. GE Profile ClearView Window Air Conditioner 8,300 BTU, WiFi Enabled, Ultra Quiet for Medium Rooms, Full Window View with Easy Installation, Energy-Efficient Cooling, 8K Window AC Unit, White
If you are referring to the saddle shape units, those require a condensate drain on the inside. Look on the side of the interior portion (on the right side on the GE model) and you'll see the drain plug. Frankly, I would like to see a unit that was a hybrid of both; interior unit higher, exterior unit lower. The problem with that is packaging for transport.
You’ll _want_ to build out a frame. I installed mine with just foam-board for the insulation against the heat. But I have single-pain terrible windows, so either way I’ll hear sound, even if I had non-slider windows. If I weren’t in a slum apartment, and had to install this in a slider window, I’d build a 3-sided frame with an installable panel, where the 3 sides are glued/biscuit-joined and the 4th side and panel would float. Then shut the slider window to seat the frame, then block the slider window with a stick to keep it sealed against the frame.
Consider an efficient dual hose portable. Wirecutter has done reviews. Get dual or hose in hose design or else the single hose thing will constantly suck in warm humid outside air.
I put the 8000 u shaped midea in a slider window... its still strait forward and uses the support bracket and the foam side pieces...just slide the window up against the side of the unit.. you will have to measure and cut plywood or a board to fit the gap above the unit... ansolutely doable with very good results
Another great video with great info I am wanting to apply one in my shed but I am wanting to add a 60 amp sub panel but wanted to see if u could tell me what's recommended to run a 60 amp sub panel around 60 ft away from main panel what size conductors would I need any info is greatly appreciated
We have a mini split and so far (2 years) it has been the best window air conditioner I have ever owned. It is quite and very efficient. And down here in the deep south (South Mississippi) It has kept our bedroom at 66 degrees.
I learned so much here with this video! I struggle with window units out here in west Trx it’s pretty hot this year too so thanks for explaining everything! I’m glad you shared this great product!
If I recall correctly, every three-decibel (dB) drop in sound level equates to "half as loud". So even if the Midea were measured to be just one decibel louder than was tested here (49 dB instead of 48 dB), the loudness difference between the units (55 - 49) would be 6 dB - which equals 1/4 as loud. That's a pretty substantial improvement! Hope I did these calculations correctly!
i don't think that's right talking about speakers and amplifiers, 3dB louder comes from twice the speaker area or twice the amp power, but the result is "lossy". you don't get "twice as loud", it's just "a bit louder". to really be twice as loud you need more like a 10dB increase. so that difference from 55dB to 49dB is pretty darn good but it's not 1/4 as loud
3 dB is a doubling of power 6 dB is a doubling of voltage or sound pressure level 10 dB is considered to be, to humans, a doubling of apparent loudness. The difference measured in the video of 7 dB corresponds to the the quieter A/C being about 61% the loudness of the louder one.
It is simple to use packaging tape to secure the sash once the unit is installed. The shear strength of the packing tape is incredible and locks the unit in place.
I’ve been using the Midea unit like this for this whole summer. Install really sucked but oh my god was it so nice since it’s right next to my bed. It’s got so much sealing stuff with it I could honestly leave it in through the winter if I get a cover without a doubt that it won’t let the cold in.
Definitely sold on the non-ionizer version. I'm less sure on the ionizer version, as those appliances tend to generate ozone. Corbett Lunsford has talked about ionizers on his channel (and PBS show) and how they often aren't a good idea for regular homes (but because people buy them, often without realizing it, companies are happy to sell them).
generating ozone is kinda the point, it oxidizes organic contaminants that cause smells. Not terribly good to breathe in long-term but it's a good approach to clearing out a smelly room
Installed a 12,000 unit this weekend. Quiet cold only worry is the inverter and power surges have to wait and see. For the cost I can afford to replace it
Midea 8,000 BTU Air Conditioner - geni.us/AZTRp6
All My Favorite Tools - geni.us/VYIp51
DISCLAIMER: This video and description contain affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission.
Hi looks like a perfect unit. I thought you mentioned the outside bracket was extra?? Where did you get it from?? Thanks !
@@karl2051 He said they are usually extra, but this unit has it included.
@@chrisboyd4433 thank you, would you know what kind of tape it was that he used to wrap the foam? Very thin with a brown side. Thanks
@@karl2051 I believe it came with the unit. you can see it coiled up on the floor at the start of the video. If not, It is probably just a foam weather strip that you can buy at Lowes, Home Depot, or most hardware stores.
@@chrisboyd4433 thanks! I haven't opened by box yet so it may be in there.
Had one for the last year and it’s hands down the best we’ve ever had. It’s efficient, can make the room absolutely frigid, and it’s as quiet as a whisper.
I picked up one of these units, Costco had the 12k BTU for $299. Fantastic recommendation, I am shocked how quiet this unit runs and how well it cools our large room.
Nothing beats the sound of a loud ac Puts you right to sleep
Agree! It’s like a huge white noise machine!
Have to agree i hate when its winter and my ac isn't running😂😂. It's way too quiet
Not good when the compressor turns off and on. Steady noise is good, but can't get that from a regular AC in the North East, the compressor cycles on and off. I've had a Midea U-shaped for 3 months and it's great: quiet and smooth speed changes.
Yep, grew up with a box fan in the window at night. Lol. Still have a box fan on low at night to sleep.
Amen, not having it now that I moved, I have found it hard to sleep so I have to put on music every night.
Thank you for the video. I have to give you credit for being brief, concise, to the point and leaving out any unnecessary talk, being respectful of the viewer's time!
Again, thank you!
We live in the heart of Texas out in the country. As our old A/C units go out we install window units. But we install them in a ceiling level box inside. The box includes a tray and drain. Outside all one sees is a 16x16 in vent cover and the end of the drain. We wire a receptacle under it so when the unit is installed it's plug comes out along side the receptacle and plugs in. The box frame is screwed together with 2x2s and one 2x4 at the front. And two angled plumber's tapes for strength. Enough of the unit sticks out so the front can be taken off, but the unit is otherwise completely sealed. The box except the front are usually finished sheetrock. The front is four pieces of B/C 1/2 plywood that are siliconed where they touch. Each house has several of these, each on a different circuit breaker. We have had no troubles. They work better than when the unit is taking up a window; and very little water comes from their drains. And the electricity cost to run them is less than the original large single units that ran cold air through floor vents. When a unit goes bad we fix it ourselves which saves us tons. We have done this to 6 homes and everyone is happy with these "boxed in" A/C units. But of course everyone should do their own research and design if they like this idea.
If you don’t want to screw into the windows you can always use wood blocking to make a homemade window lock without needing to drill holes
or you could pull down the shades when your girlfriend comes over.
Screwing into the window was my biggest concern since it's not wood. Thanks for mentioning your solution, will definitely look that up!
My bedroom windows are low height on the sash so I can't put any kind of standard air conditioner in them. I have to use a so-called portable unit which just has a plate that it vents through. So I used wood blocks to create a removable brace for security. I just velcroed a carefully cut piece of wood up against the side of the window so no one on the outside can lift it up.
I have a plastic adjustable rod with rubber caps. It wedges super tight, keeping the window unit in place without a chance of getting the window open from the outside.
@@MyOver50 I used to fear to drill into the window frame. Within one-time Home Depot visit, one nice staff showed me the hardest metal bit. I tried it, it drill into metal even easier than drill into wood. It was only around $3.
I've had one of the Midea units for over a year now and I love it. The thing is a beast and even when it's cooling at 100%, it's not loud. It has crazy-impressive cooling and the app features/controls are fantastic. It's a great unit.
A major benefit/consideration is reduction of outside noise, like traffic, children, construction, etc. Regular a/c units are essentially hollow inside, allowing outside noise to pass right through them. At least that it is the way with my Frigidaire units. But on all of them, the thin, plastic accordion panels are worthless to muffle outside noise.
Very true, same with my GE window units. Basically the same as an open window as far as noise reduction goes.
Tell me about it! I used to have a regular (for lack of a better word) window A/C and the plastic side panels are indeed worthless. So what I did was take an old box or 2 and cut out pieces of cardboard and put those in front of the plastic panels. It helped a little for sound and a lot for keeping my room cooler. Yes, the panels were hideous but were functional for me!
@@DJPenguino51 - You could use 3 layers of a piece of aluminum-covered bubble wrap with cardboard on either side and then spray paint the cardboard pieces so it would look better. Maybe make little curtains to hand over the cardboard piece inside, or disguise it a number of different ways. Anyhow, that should help a great deal with insulation and noise.
my last unit had foam to cover the panels, they certainly helped
I watched your video yesterday and helped my girlfriend install her Midea-U today. Your instructions were perfect, but a minute after the unit was turned on, error code 07 appeared on the display. Midea does not list error messages online or in the instruction manual, but Amazon explains the problem that many people have had. A piece of black vibration dampening material is wrapped around the 2 copper pipes next to the condenser coil fan (the section of the unit outside the window). If the material extends too far, it will prevent the condenser coil fan blade from turning, causing an error code 07 . In order to make the unit functional and prevent the error code 07, remove the top cover from the outside portion of the unit (3 screws on top, 2 screws on each side and 3 screws in the front. To remove the 3 front screws, a stubby screwdriver is necessary). On the left side, by the compressor are 2 copper pipes with the black material between the pipes. Trim or push the black material away from the fan blade so it spins freely, then install the cover and screws. It is easiest to test the unit before installing it in the window to be sure it functions properly so you can make the repair if needed. The fan on the inside part of the unit did not have a problem and worked normally. sic
One thing that bugs me is that in my area (Oregon) nearly all houses built in the last 50 years have glider windows, so the window units require a DIY panel
Not as bad as all the casement windows! And if I had a dollar for every awning window with smashed glass above an air conditioner...
@@randomvideosn0where I have casement windows in my living room so when I had a window AC to cool the entire house, I had to put it in the kitchen. I installed my own AC condenser, lineset, and disconnect for a split central AC system and my house gets very cool now.
The one window I would like to do this with is a glider window, ugh... Probably better to put a mini split in.
We got the hardware store to cut a piece of Plexiglass. Took the window out entirely, used a 1x6 against the frame to hold the unit in place, tucked in the plexi on the outside of the wood but inside the frame (well, yeah) and used AC foam to seal the plexi in place. Works fine. We set it on foam to protect the frame and seal the bottom against air leaks.
I've been using this exact unit for over a year now, and it's amazing. It's more quiet than the Govee tower space heater I use in the winter. Another thing I noticed is that there is almost never any visible condensate outside, despite being in the humid south. Looking closer, you can see that the condensate sits in a kind of tray, and the condenser coil also sits in that tray, and I believe the condenser stays hot enough to evaporate the condensate. Most portable AC units don't require a drain line because they do the same thing. They do require a drain in dehumidifier mode though, and my Midea unit does have a dehumidifier mode, but I've never had to use it as it dehumidifies just fine in AC mode only.
The one drawback to this unit is that it's hard to actually get a good seal around it. The roll of foam it came with was permanently squished, and I had to get some from Home Depot, no biggie though. All along the bottom of the unit is also very leaky, and inside you can feel hot air coming in, and outside, you can feel cool air leaking out. You really have to take your time sealing everything around it with tape to get a good seal.
All in all, an amazing unit, despite the sealing issues.
That looks like a really cool design for people who live near busy roads and don't want to have their window open so much with a normal window unit.
Bought one of these this year after being happy with our Midea Cube dehumidifier and am happy with it. The ability to just have a 'dry' setting is great. Both the AC and dehumidifier can be controlled from your phone when you're away from home which is a great boon when trying to control moisture and mold in your home.
This is the best AC I have ever had, it's even quitter than my fan! I have Three. You absolutely need one if you live in Texas.
Thanks for the feedback!
FYI. The slope issue you talked about is dependent on where the drainage hole is located. My Frigidaire units' drainage hole is located closer to the units' front where a slope wouldn't work, allowing condensation to accumulate and ultimately cause corrosion or buildup of grime and debris.
Well said and articulated.
Some designs intend to keep a puddle of water to splash onto the condenser to improve efficiency. Also we can just drill holes in back to get more drainage.
There needs to be a build up of condensate in the pan in order for the condenser to function correctly. The slinger ring on the condenser fan picks up the condensate and slings it in the condenser to help remove heat.
@@aantonymy Midea 12k unit drains from the middle. No drilling needed. Very little slope helps so instructions must be followed.
@@aantonyI did that once. No matter how carefully I planned it, I ended up putting a hole in the coil and let all the smoke out... that was an expensive moment... had to replace an AC unit that day.
I bought a Midea 8,000 BTU unit this spring and what a difference! It cools a lot better then my old unit and it is much much quieter. I'm sold! I am going to replace my other old unit with the 12,000 BTU unit, next spring.
I think the GE version is a reverse U were the U fits on the bottom of the window and wont fall down and they hold the patent so Media flipped the U shape facing up to get around that patent. But the GE ones cost more and are not much better in quality either.
If you would do a video on cleaning the inside of the U-shaped unit, I would be very grateful. The roller-style fan the moves the air into my room has become caked with mildew. I do not know how to take the thing apart. Pls help.
When we moved into our house it did not have any easy way for a central or mini-split system. So after years of no AC I decided it was time and bought one of the Midea units. It's nice to see I made a decent choice for cost and noise.
I bought a Midea unit last year because its more solar friendly. They are somewhat popular in the off grid solar powered RV community. Also, the 12v minisplit units are popular. I like my Midea but still primarily use my EVAP cooler on all but the worst of Arizona summertime highs days.
The Midea is quiet and energy efficient. For solar use though you need around 2000w in panels and plenty of battery reserve. That is to get in plenty of power to operate it, charge your batteries, and to do your other daily living needs energy usage.
I have 2 of them. They were great the first year. On year 2 now and one is still great. The second one is so loud now. Makes all kinds of noise
Welcome to the club! I've had 4 units cooling my entire 2 story house for the last 2 seasons. Very efficient and EXTREMELY quiet. A little fussy on the install, but the price includes its own bracket. I turn mine on in mid June as soon as it gets humid and run until Sept. I was contemplating mini splits, but after putting in one of the mideas i bought 3 more - I'm never goin back
@@ksha1486I had the same issue with mildew smell. I ended up carefully drilling a drain hole into the condensate pan on the outside part of the unit. All sorts of nasty slimy mold came out. Sprayed down with a hose and tried again. No more smell!
@@IllMakeUSquirtle… I would recommend using a step bit as one time I drilled thru and hit the fan blade. 😬
I wonder if I could diy mount one of these things in a door? I have a side door in my garage. There are no windows and the garage is all brick construction. I don’t really need to use that door. This my be the solution I have been looking for to a/c my garage without paying $4,000.00 to get a mini split installed. 🤔
I just bought this unit, and I will be installing it this weekend. I am glad to hear that this is a good product. The only issue I have with it after watching this video is how quiet it is. I need a consistent, somewhat loud, sound to fall asleep. Without it any random noise will wake me up.
I purchased the 8k btu Media unit and it is a very welcomed addition to my home. Summertime is so much more comfortable. I LOVE IT!!
I just installed a Midea 12,000 BTU unit in my living room. The only reason I got one so big is that it was on sale and was less expensive than the 8,000 and 10,000 BTU units! It is VERY quiet and cooled down the room quickly. I had to use wood block shims since my window is about and inch wider than the max extensions on the side brackets, but I'm pretty handy so that was a minor problem. The only problem was that it was so big that I had to get my son to come over to help me lift it into place. I am 70 yrs old so... I had already installed my other two smaller units (bedroom and kitchen) but this was about the easiest I've ever installed one before (except for the heavy lifting)!
I do not trust inverter compressors because of the failure of refrigerators models using this same technology. I will wait until next year to see what happens.
This would be a no brainer for me if I had this style window. Worse decision I made when building our house was installing Casement windows. They offer no benefits and don't easily lend themselves to AC. This seems like a very nice well thought out AC with a more secure mounting system. I'm going to give a serious thought to replacing 2 of our bedroom windows just to accommodate this AC. Thanks for the video as I've never seen these before.
if you dont want to replace the entire window and have a few tools sitting around in ya garage, take the 4 window pane n bracket screws out, tuck the window away in ya garage for storage till winter, paint up some trim/framing wood to match your window, cut in some grooves, side in a thick piece of plexiglass, or if you wanna be artistic about it, my spouse put in a pretty stained glass panel she got at a garage sale. Then install the unit as normal, place the home made pane on top of the unit, secure it with some L brackets and enjoy your AC without needing to blow abunch of money on a new window/ install costs.
I worked in a place that used window mount heat pumps. I look forward to these AC companies coming out of the stone age to produce window mount heat pumps on a wide availability. At present you have to really dig and filter out the phonies that use heating elements instead of using a switchable heat pump.
I bought and installed three of these last month. Costco had them on sale so I got 3 (total of 36,000 btu) for $1045. I can’t believe how well they work. I am remodeling a 1940s house - looked at central - too expensive. Looked at two mini splits - no good placement options. Went with Midea - that house is 24 miles away and when I head there to work, I press two buttons in the app and all three are set to 72 so it’s cool when I arrive. One thing - they are “smart” so you need wiring from the last five decades - you need a ground. I ran three new circuits for these and it was worth it.
These units work fine on a "2 wire" system. I have the old "post and tube" wiring in my house and I have two of the units that work just fine.
@@glasslinger Do the smart features work when the unit is off? Meaning can you turn on the unit with your smart phone? Just curious, thanks.
Same, I replaced a 1 year old Toshiba we had in our bedroom after I saw the Costco sale and compared to Amazon. One thing not mentioned in the video, is that at least for us, it makes a pretty big difference in outside noise levels. After we had the unit for a week, we saw how much quieter in general the room was and how much better it cooled, so we bought a second unit from Costco.
@@LoganX00I don't use the smart features. I have no idea! :(
We have three of these in our house, and have had them for about 2+ years. I can attest that they are as quiet as advertised, you forget they are there. They do a great job cooling, and generally speaking, are easy to install. My only complaint, as someone who needs to take them out each winter and put them back each summer, is that sealing them up over and over can take some work. I've learned to take the thickest foam I can find at the hardware store and just stack/pack it in tightly. I replace the foam every year. This is minor gripe however, as you'll need to do something similar even with regular units.
What a great video! We have one of these Midea machines - we absolutely love it! So much better than the standard window ac unit!
For sure, thanks for the feedback!
@@EverydayHomeRepairs I bought my unit a month or so ago and have already noticed a major mildew or dust problem with it building up on the fan blade. I had to take the front cover off to get to the fan blade and clean it. Please make a follow up video and tell us if you have had the same issue thank you.
@@Truthseeker833Sounds like its not draining properly, fan blades getting constantly wet. I know on standard units often the outside fan spashes the condensation, but the heat and evaporation take care of any possible mildew. But with this split style the condensation maybe can get trapped on the inside if the drain to the other side is clogged.
I have an LG ThinQ window AC unit I put in the garage last year. It's a traditional install, but it is a dual inverter type with WiFi. It was a bit of a PITA to install and required a 2nd person to balance it in the window while I secured it. Beyond that, it's been a great little unit. Quiet, and keeps the garage cool even when it's 98F and 90% humidity outside. I'd certainly consider the Media if I had to replace it, although I have to say that's a brand name I've never heard of and know nothing about.
Thank you for informative video. Please include how easy/difficult it is to do routine cleaning of units as part of your evaluation.
I have a 4400 sq ft home in Texas and the summers here are no joke. I do have central air but it's not economical to turn on the entire central air just to get a few rooms cold. Plus, other people find the temp I like to sleep in too cold so my bill was really high in the summers. My son's room upstairs runs hot for some reason so we got him a LG dual inverter 8k BTU AC (the smallest they had in this line) and I have it on a schedule every evening which is sweet! When I tell you he likes it cold, I mean, 60 degrees cold.
I highly recommend getting these units even if you have central air because we don't need the entire house to get cold, just certain rooms and it does circulate. I'm in the process of getting 2 more units, one for our loft upstairs (where my workout machines are) and another for my bedroom downstairs that has a lot of windows but I think it's not sealed well so it gets really hot in the summer. With my son's AC alone, I've seen a decrease in my electricity bill!
I love my U shape. We replaced our old window units with these and we seen a REDUCTION in our light bill for the month of August. Mind you I live in Texas and August is considered the peak of summer and you know how hot it can get here. August 2022 our light bill was right at $687. August 2023 it was about $498. Efficient YES! My only gripe is the software Midea uses does not work with my custom network setup I currently have in my Home so I cannot test the smart stuff it comes with. We now have 4 of these 2x 8,000BTU and 2x 12,000BTU.
I bought one of these after they were first released. At first I was pretty pleased with it, although I could hear an electrically generated noise from the VFD (I work with VFD'S so I am attuned to that sound - don't like it). As time has gone on it has started to produce a lot more mechanical noise from the fans & maybe compressor. Really irritating noise for me. I should pull it apart and see if there is anything that can be done to reduce the mechanical noise, but that usually goes nowhere. All that being said I am considering buying another one. there is always a risk involved in a first year model - put your money down and take your chances. One other issue is that I like the bedroom quite cold at night, with a traditional window unit that worked - the Media not so much, gets it nice and cool but not cold.
Great video, thanks. Had a 14000BTU loud beast for my downstairs and replaced with the 12000 BTU Midea. After using for a couple months, it is hands down a game changer for window AC units. Easy to install and so quiet, we can watch TV at a normal level. A Lot of times, you do not even realize its on while still keeping everything cool. Recommended to a few people and they love them also. Costco had it for $340ish with the rebate when we bought it.
$419.99 from costco, you got some kind of miracle deal
I went with the GE ClearView units which are similar, but they hang down below your window ledge. They're very quiet!
I bought the Midea a little over a year ago, but I was looking at the GE saddle style (I think that's what they're called) along with another brand. I ultimately went with the Midea, but I was curious how the others would have faired.
@@AtomicAJ74 Ah, that's a great way to describe it--a saddle. It sticks out into the room more than the Midea would since it sits over your wall/ledge, versus just having to accomodate the window. It also vibrates the wall and turns it into a bit of a speaker when running the compressor, so I'm trying to think of ways to lessen that effect. Other than that though, it works great and is way quieter than any window unit I've had in the past, although this is my first inverter A/C so maybe they're all quiet like this. Other than that, I like that it doesn't take up the whole window.
@@eslai My Midea has a similar effect on the wall, but that’s only when the compressor starts and lasts only as long as the compressor ramps up. Once it’s up to speed, it’s just a nominal hum.
@@AtomicAJ74 Yeah I'd expect it to be better than what I'm experiencing--I can hear the hum in the adjacent room that shares the wall. It's a bit unfortunate, but it's as you say, a background hum.
I've had one for a few years. The noise difference is really almost entirely from the technology. I can have the window right beside my AC unit open a little, at the head of my bed, so I can hear the insects singing at night when I'm using the AC. And it's barely any louder than it is with the windows both closed down and it running. It's no louder than the fan that blows on my face at night.
They're a bit of a pain to get setup at first, but once you have it figured out removing them for the winter and reinstalling the next year isn't bad at all. I have three of them now and absolutely love them.
Thanks so much for the feedback!
I adore this unit. I’ve had it a few years and it has saved me a ton of money. It has already paid for itself. It’s also quiet with a variable compressor that doesn’t make that clunk sound window units make. To me it’s a mini split window unit. Your review covered maybe 20 percent of its real benefits.
Seeing this a couple weeks after I finally decided to get a window A/C unit & installed this 8000btu Midea unit for my studio based on reviews, and really very happy with it, and glad to see more confirmation!! Just wish the bracket was smaller--they have one bracket for all sizes, so with the small 8000 btu unit, bracket sticks out about 8" more than the unit--but very minor, as good design & quality!!
This 12k unit is 279.00 at Costco now. Been using it for 3 years, no problems.
I had trouble with the unit I had, It would cool down past 74 degrees. It was like the thermostat was broke or mis calibrated.
I have two of these U-shaped window units, one at each end of the house. I can confirm that they are remarkably quiet.
I remember when they were first announced - seemed cool, but I didn't know about mini splits so nowadays I think it's really impressive.
But you know what would be even cooler? If it had a heat mode like a true mini split.
Nothing worse than cool mornings in the spring and fall where you're cold in the AM but you're unsure if/when you're gonna get more warm days that might still require the AC.
A heat mode would make the decision when to install/remove the unit a lot simpler.
Does anyone know if any U shaped AC units come with a heat pump option? This is what I need. Thanks in advance.
@@AAa-qd8hbthey don’t I have one
Agree on the reversing valve for heat! Also a through-the-wall kit would make this the absolute best for replacing a NOISY LG unit.
Maybe you should do the temperature measurements before and after 30 minutes too.
I have the Midea 8000 btu model. It’s fantastic! Works great, whisper quiet - perfection!
For those experiencing the noise issues coming in from the outside the way we got around this was we'd buy a boatload of window foam insulation from the local box stores and we just fill the Gaps, without covering the vents on the AC unit, and this makes a world of difference. Don't forget to also cover with foam the inside part of your window gaps to prevent any air leakage.
I always had to use masking tape to cover the tiny gaps that showed light. Made a surprising difference.
I sure wish I'd found that Midea about two months ago. My HVAC died and went about a week without any cooling in the house. The temps were a bit high and I covet a cool bedroom at night so i went out and picked up a window unit, NOT realising that with our new Andersen windows, the sash design has an interior curb to it (basically not a traditional sash and sill where a window unit can sit comfortably), so it's NOT compatible with window units. I could not seal around the unit and it wouldn't stay put so I had to return the unit in favor of a portable. This does a good job, but it takes up space in the room. The Midea's support frame design looks to be a good fit for my type of windows. Long story short, make sure you check out the mounting design of AC units before purchase to see if they will fit into your window frame!
Based on this video I just bought that Midea 12,000BTU unit for my 600 square foot shop. Thanks so much Scott, I really need this as it is 104 degrees outside now with a real feel of 111.
I love the sound of the AC running at night. In the winter I have a fan going for the same reason.
Installed 3 Midea units a few months ago replacing older units. Big improvement in cooling and energy use and much quieter. Put one in our bedroom and at night I put the unit in cool mode set the temp to 62 and drop the fan speed to 40% can barely hear it and keeps the room ice cold for sleeping
Thanks for the feedback!
Energy efficiency isn't just a matter of how much electricity it uses within a given period of time, but how quickly it cools down the space. If it cools down the space quicker than the older style unit, then it doesn't have to run as long to get the same result, so therefore a larger energy savings over time.
I bought one of these after a friend’s recommendation and loved it so much I just bought a second one for my other room.
Both my Midea U and Midea heat pump window ACs came with an unexpected feature: Fresh outside air blowing thru the interior air intake of both units! I’m a professional carpenter and can tell you both entire windows are triple sealed with foam, tape, and bubble wrap. There’s no mistaking it, I put paper strips in front of the interior coils and watched them blow around while the units were off but a wind was blowing outside. Anyway this explains why my house was constantly 75% humid all summer. I wanted to believe these were quality units, but the manufacturer couldn’t be bothered to seal them properly. CHEAP CHEAP CHEAP
I use my Midea for a few months out of the year. There was one time it was running and I forgot it was on to turn it off because it was so much quieter than my old-school window unit. I think the inital set-up takes a bit longer, but besides that, I give it an A+.
Two things to keep in mind - if you ever moved the midea to another window and it's not the same, where are you going to get the foam for the sides. 2). The tray the Midea sets on may dent or mark up your siding.
Most current window AC don't have a drain hole. The condenser fan picks up the water, throwing it against the condenser coils. That gets rid of the water, and it also helps the condenser function better.
Thank you!!!!!!!
a few years ago i had three window units 2 old knob and dial ones from 20+ years ago they work fine still do! bought a new one[digital] with buttons similar to those the circuit board under the buttons did not even last 5 years before it started to turn itself up full or down to the lowest setting would not hold the temp i set it at became useless after that. new is not always better PS i like the noise it is like white noise helps me sleep lol but that's just me
Me too
Great video. Any suggestions if you have left to right sliding widows. All my windows are sliders and thinking about hurricane season window unit to get buy for sleeping. Thanks.
I've had one of the 7500 BTU Midea units for the past 3 years. FANTASTIC! It is very quiet in the "quiet mode" but does make a lot of fan noise when at full 7500 btu mode. Once the unit has cooled the room down, it can be put in "quiet mode" where it only pulls 2.5 amps from the wall! (On full power mode it pulls 7 amps. ) The unit cools a 10x10 room perfectly in this 100 degree heet and is reasonable in a 10x12 room. (these are uninsulated "old house" rooms.)
The only issue is if you live somewhere cold. Don't you have to uninstall the AC unit in the winter?
Yeah, I am in Illinois and always liked to uninstall in the winter.
Got one a couple months ago. The normal type ac unit has a much stronger fan and cools the room faster. However, the Media is much much quieter and makes sleeping much more pleasurable. I would trade a quieter sleep for a stronger cooling fan anyday. Don't know about longevity, but for now I am super happy with the Media unit.
On every window AC unit I've ever had, after a year, the fan will eventually start making excessive noise to the point I have to hit the unit for it to quiet down.
@@SethEssington dust and build up. most people think of window units as throwaway replace it every few years systems. you're actually supposed to take it out the window once every year or two and give it a good cleaning. We take ours out every may, take the outter shroud off, give it a good AC coil foaming solution bath, spray all the scale, mold, and grime out, and then left the styrofoam shroud up off the blower fan and clean that too. Takes an hour or two ta do ya first time, after doing it once or twice, easily turns into a 30 minute job once you know what your doing.
A very nice option for an AC. Not sure how this would work with a side to side window though, a bit more tricky, but good to know. Very useful in an RV which needs a quiet AC and one that could run off an inverter. By the way, there is NO Midea Air Conditioner listed under your store link. It is missing.
3:05 - I would never install an AC window unit without a shelf and two brackets holding it up. Those weigh 70 lbs. Instant death if it falls on someone and also you loose $500. Add a bracket. Some newer ones come with a built in stand on the outside. Such rubbish! I took an angle grinder and cut them off. I also drilled a lot of holes in the outermost bottom edge of casing, as this is the water drip pan. Mine came with ZERO holes! Sure fire way to rust it out. Drill large holes. Vacuum up the shavings (this is a must) and repaint the holes with spray paint so no rust happens. No rust!!! This will be water logged all the time. You also want a slope like he said, so that moisture rolls to the outside back end, where it drips out and stays dry. Needless to say, the wooden shelf must be painted to be water proof as well. Paint it thickly.
I never use those silly accordion shades either. Thin plastic that cracks and leaks - absolute rubbish builds. I weather strip the window sill and side walls with rubber tape. Or stick foam strips. Install your AC to one side of the window closest to wall. The resulting gap to the other side, gets filled with a piece of thick acrylic that has window film to prevent heat. The light comes in, no light blockage like the opaque accordion blinds. You can remove that anytime you want. If you have side to side windows, then install the same way except the top gets filled with the acrylic panel with foam or rubber edging all around. Remove the panel and open the windows anytime to clean without removing AC. Always keep it modular for maintenance and allow sun to come through. Rubber gasket rolls are very nice to seal up edges. Open your windows all you want this way.
Have seen several videos about this Midea since last year. Very cool U shape design for good window insulation.
Agreed, impressive design
I installed a couple of these last year. They are basically a mini-split packaged as a window unit. The compressor, imdoor, and outdoor fan are all inverter driven variable speed… if you think of it that way it helps underscore the strengths and weaknesses of the Midea. The strengths are obviously quiet and energy efficiency, especially if you size it with some extra capacity so it doesn’t have to run full bore. A weakness is much poorer dehumidification performance than a conventional window unit. When the compressor slows down to just maintain temp, the evaporator coil runs much warmer than a conventional AC that cycles instead of “throttling down.” That means less water is condensed out of the air, so it feels “muggier”. Some people like that and it’s fine in very dry climates, but it does annoy me a little. Overall I like them, especially for a bedroom, but I still prefer a Friedrich Kühl window unit overall. Those are pretty unbeatable.
Added a window unit on one end of our house. No standard windows so I went thru the wall with a standard window unit. You have to have some sheetmetal knowledge to waterproof the bottom though. It keeps the entire house cool during the day since our home stair steps down from that end. Hardly notice the bill for running the window unit all day then the central air evenings and all night. The only downfall is not being able to hear much outside. We live way back in the woods and need to keep predators in check
Just installed one of the 12,000 BTU units f/Costco in an upstairs bedroom this month. So far so good... it was much easier to install (after following along the instructions) and the added support bracket and window being mostly down makes it a great design. Plus it's very quiet and more efficient that the older/traditional window unit it replaced. Time will tell how well they last... but so far so good. On a side note, be SURE and remove the drain plug before running. I temporarily forgot that step and could've been a disaster had I not caught it 30 minutes after running it!!
Bought 3 of the 12k units for a century home that would be impossible to get comfortable AC in the upstairs (these are also a MUCH cheaper solution with far more flexibility). Almost bought the GE cleariew, thankful I didn't. Went with Midea because they were available locally before a heat wave. I am so glad I did. Next year install will be so easy, apple home kit compatibility, app is awesome, especially for an analytical, zero holes, super quiet, and is capable of turning the house into an ice box. Have to contact them though because one has a pretty loud vibration. Kinda po'd that I could have saved $80x3 if I would have bought from Costco instead of HD. Ohh, these are secure also with the clever window locks.
❤This was very helpful to me I’m in the market. They have the portable heat pump units that vent out a window no taking the thing out in the wintertime. Like you to mention that. 😊😊
I am glad these exist, but I am so happy I liv in a new home that is properly insulated and has a good AC. We had to use these in our home that was built in 1960 and it would get moldy, get mildew, leak, it was so nasty. Maybe I accidentally had the dehumidifier setting on, but it was always getting moldy and I could never fix it.
Two years with the Midea window inverter and has work quite good.
One concern about using a sprinkler on your coils is 1) minerals can coat the fins and make the unit less efficient, if you clean the coils once or twice a year probably not a big deal, but the other thing is potential galvanic corrosion. It does help transfer heat, especially if you live somewhere dry, but there is risk associated with them. I was going to do this myself but decided against it as I didn't want to have scale buildup on the unit or risk the steel frame corroding into the aluminum fins.
2:09 safety tip, if you don’t want to screw into window framws
3:05 5% slope or bubble on level sitting outside will show the bubble just a tad bit away feom outsidw.
I have two. They are the best window unit. So quiet. I sleep just fine. In the sixties Fedders made a whisper-quiet model, but, it seems, no more.
One important result left out! Good video, but, how about a temp test comparison of cold air and air flow from the two units. That would have made your video more complete.
Thanks for the feedback, good recommendation 👍
The inverter style compressor ramps down as the room reaches temperature. That’s when it begins using way less power. That would be nice to see.
my room is located on the third flor and I rarely go upstairs only to sleep, but my central unit upstairs is running so many hours and my electric bill goes high, perhaps installing that type of window unit could lower my electric bill?
We have four U shaped Mideas, all year around - too bad they cannot heat. We love the bracket, how quiet it is and efficiency is pretty good also. As a bonus it integrates with Home Assistant too.
Bought the 8000btu model back in February, and its amazing.
We bought 2 of those Midea (10k btu) units at the start of this summer. Only ended up installing 1 of them, the other is still in the box. It worked so well for our small home.
If I had one complaint, I can hear a slight high pitch sound when the fan is running. My partner can't hear it though.
Great unit overall.
I have a regular 10K U-shaped unit and then when the newer 12k with ionizer units went on sale at Costco (ended around fathers day 2023) I grabbed one of them for my other 5th wheel. I live in Arizona and have a 5th wheel that I stay in for work out at the work site, and a 5th wheel well out of town where it's nice and quiet. These things put in tremendous amounts of work in the Arizona heat. The one at work hasn't shut down at all in several months. I figure the energy figures are about one month here in AZ. We run the air for parts or all of 8-9 months here, so we can put a decade of average usage on a unit in just a few years. While I sure didn't need the U-shape because neither of my places have sliding windows, the gap allowed me to layer several pieces of foam board in the opening on both installs. It made them both super quiet, I cant hear the compressor stage on either from the inside. It really stinks that these things are so quiet for the work trailer. The environment is not quiet outside, and now I have way less noise inside to mask the background noise. Oh well, I can sleep comfortably in the 70 degree air inside while it barely drops into the 90's overnight. The 12K is a dream. Out at my house in the boondocks, it was always just the drone of the AC all day inside. It was an old unit, and it never fully shut off. Installed the Midea and there was instantly a much more pleasant gentle woosh. It ramps up and down as needed. At home, it only runs from 10am to 9pm, then it shuts off completely. A big plus with the ionizer, it used to get a little musty smelling around monsoon season, this year there was no issue. Best part, I can monitor and adjust from my phone either unit. I paired the installs with the Govee smart thermometers that have alert capabilities. It will send me an alert if the temps go above a preset level, along with relative humidity. I can just put the Midea into the dry mode if its getting above my RH set level. If it continues to climb unchecked I can always have someone go check to see if there was an issue or a leak. Best use of tech I've ever found.
Dang, you are putting that baby to the test and using all the bells and whistles. Thanks for the feedback and details on your experience.
Hi! Where do you get the bracket? Thank
Instead of the U shape, there are now multiple companies making a saddle shape window AC that doesn't block the window. They are "n" shaped instead! You can't have a huge wall width (most I believe need a foot or less), but they provide the same benefit of being able to use the window, plus nothing blocks the window view, the sound is beyond the wall instead of on the other side of the glass which might help noise-wise.
Yeah, I have seen a couple of the N-shaped units. For most homes that would work but this one might be a bit beyond the max opening. Thanks for the feedback!
@@EverydayHomeRepairs Yes, here is one that was recently reviewed by "How To with Doc" @HowTowithDoc, but I do not think it would fit your window with such a deep sill.
GE Profile ClearView Window Air Conditioner 8,300 BTU, WiFi Enabled, Ultra Quiet for Medium Rooms, Full Window View with Easy Installation, Energy-Efficient Cooling, 8K Window AC Unit, White
If you are referring to the saddle shape units, those require a condensate drain on the inside. Look on the side of the interior portion (on the right side on the GE model) and you'll see the drain plug.
Frankly, I would like to see a unit that was a hybrid of both; interior unit higher, exterior unit lower. The problem with that is packaging for transport.
Can you do a video with a solution for people that have horizontal sliding windows please?
You’ll _want_ to build out a frame.
I installed mine with just foam-board for the insulation against the heat. But I have single-pain terrible windows, so either way I’ll hear sound, even if I had non-slider windows.
If I weren’t in a slum apartment, and had to install this in a slider window, I’d build a 3-sided frame with an installable panel, where the 3 sides are glued/biscuit-joined and the 4th side and panel would float. Then shut the slider window to seat the frame, then block the slider window with a stick to keep it sealed against the frame.
Consider an efficient dual hose portable. Wirecutter has done reviews. Get dual or hose in hose design or else the single hose thing will constantly suck in warm humid outside air.
I put the 8000 u shaped midea in a slider window... its still strait forward and uses the support bracket and the foam side pieces...just slide the window up against the side of the unit.. you will have to measure and cut plywood or a board to fit the gap above the unit... ansolutely doable with very good results
Another great video with great info I am wanting to apply one in my shed but I am wanting to add a 60 amp sub panel but wanted to see if u could tell me what's recommended to run a 60 amp sub panel around 60 ft away from main panel what size conductors would I need any info is greatly appreciated
This video goes over a 60 Amp sub panel installation for a detached garage. We used 6 gauge THHN in conduit.
Love, I love this review of this AC. Have it in my cart on Amazon, just waiting for an authentic review. Thank you so very much
We have a mini split and so far (2 years) it has been the best window air conditioner I have ever owned. It is quite and very efficient. And down here in the deep south (South Mississippi) It has kept our bedroom at 66 degrees.
I have this same AC, it's really good I just wish the blower fan moved more air
i got the 8000 btu only used 100 watt amazing
I learned so much here with this video!
I struggle with window units out here in west Trx it’s pretty hot this year too so thanks for explaining everything! I’m glad you shared this great product!
Thanks for watching!
Does anyone know if any U shaped AC units come with a heat pump option? This is what I need. Thanks in advance.
If I recall correctly, every three-decibel (dB) drop in sound level equates to "half as loud". So even if the Midea were measured to be just one decibel louder than was tested here (49 dB instead of 48 dB), the loudness difference between the units (55 - 49) would be 6 dB - which equals 1/4 as loud. That's a pretty substantial improvement! Hope I did these calculations correctly!
i don't think that's right
talking about speakers and amplifiers, 3dB louder comes from twice the speaker area or twice the amp power, but the result is "lossy". you don't get "twice as loud", it's just "a bit louder". to really be twice as loud you need more like a 10dB increase.
so that difference from 55dB to 49dB is pretty darn good but it's not 1/4 as loud
@@walterw2 Ah - that sounds more like it. Thank you.
3 dB is a doubling of power
6 dB is a doubling of voltage or sound pressure level
10 dB is considered to be, to humans, a doubling of apparent loudness.
The difference measured in the video of 7 dB corresponds to the the quieter A/C being about 61% the loudness of the louder one.
@coffeeabuse:
1/4 the acoustic POWER.. Ears are non linear....
@@Champdrad Bingo! Someone got it right....
I have this unit. It works really well, but awkward to carry to and from the window
Have had mine for 2 years now, best AC window unit imo
I have two of these for over a year now. They're great.
It is simple to use packaging tape to secure the sash once the unit is installed. The shear strength of the packing tape is incredible and locks the unit in place.
I’ve been using the Midea unit like this for this whole summer. Install really sucked but oh my god was it so nice since it’s right next to my bed. It’s got so much sealing stuff with it I could honestly leave it in through the winter if I get a cover without a doubt that it won’t let the cold in.
Definitely sold on the non-ionizer version. I'm less sure on the ionizer version, as those appliances tend to generate ozone. Corbett Lunsford has talked about ionizers on his channel (and PBS show) and how they often aren't a good idea for regular homes (but because people buy them, often without realizing it, companies are happy to sell them).
generating ozone is kinda the point, it oxidizes organic contaminants that cause smells. Not terribly good to breathe in long-term but it's a good approach to clearing out a smelly room
Installed a 12,000 unit this weekend. Quiet cold only worry is the inverter and power surges have to wait and see. For the cost I can afford to replace it
I love my U-shaped Midea. Efficient and quiet!