If you didn’t think air conditioners could be as cool (pun intended) and slick as iPhones, then you need to check out the Windmill AC. Created by a direct-to-consumer startup, the Windmill AC is sold at Home Depot and has quite a bit to offer for homeowners who don’t have central air conditioning.
Good size
The Windmill AC goes against convention and fits snugly into an average-sized window. You’ll need a sliding, double-hung window, with a height opening of at least 14 inches and a width opening of 23 to 37 inches.
The unit weighs just 60 pounds and offers 8,300 BTUs (British thermal units), which is enough to cool a standard 10’ x 15’ bedroom.
The air intake is on the front panel of the unit and the outflow is on the top. You won’t be able to aim cold air directly at you, but it is highly efficient in quickly circulating air and cooling a bedroom.
Competitive price
At $395, the Windmill AC is less expensive than its uglier competitors
Easy installation
If standard AC units require professional installation or some serious installation skills, then the Windmill AC is the easiest AC you’ll ever install. The installation guide recommends budgeting about 45 minutes for installation, but you could easily be done in less than 15.
Controlled by voice or app
The unit comes with a remote control, but you can also control the AC via voice commands (Google Assistant or Alexa) or the app, which means you can turn the unit on and off remotely.
Eco-friendly
Unlike standard window AC units, which are loud, ugly, and bad for the environment, the Windmill AC is an eco-friendly and beautifully-designed alternative. It’s refrigerant, R-32, has far fewer hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) than the commonly used 410a.
The company has partnered with a nonprofit organization called Pachama to support forest management projects around the world. The unit’s end of life disposal is also foreseen thanks to a partnership with Earth911 which will ensure Windmill owners are connected to a nearby recycling facility.