As air conditioners are one appliance that would let you enjoy the hot and humid summer, you cannot ignore the massive weight an AC has. If you are planning to buy one or ship one that you already have to somewhere else, your concern is legit.
Here we will discuss the weight of different types of air conditioners in brief.
How much does an air conditioner weigh?
Generally, the weight of an air conditioning unit can be 60 pounds to 72 pounds. But there are smaller units as low as 30 lbs. Also, industrial and commercial air conditioners can weigh 300 pounds and beyond. As materials used in AC are mostly metal, their weight is relatively high.
There are many types of air conditioners available. Some of them are used for domestic purposes; some are used for commercial use. Also, some are placed in the wall, window and some are installed in the sealing.
Nonetheless, air conditioners are of many kinds in terms of capacity. From 5000 BTU (British Thermal Unit) to 20 tons (12000 BTU = 1 Ton), these air conditioners come in a variety of sizes.
Even there are fixed air conditioners to be set on the wall and portable air conditioners you can carry along to anywhere.
The weight of air conditioners varies due to their air conditioning capacity and the type of air conditioner. The weight of different air conditioners are listed below-
Type basis: Based on different types, weights of air conditioners vary as follows-
Central Air Conditioner:
A central air unit generally weighs between 70 and 80 pounds or 30 to 37 kg. Its cooling coverage area is 500 to 700 square feet.
Window Air Conditioner:
The weight of this type of air conditioner varies widely. The range is about 40 to 120 pounds or 20 to 30 kg.
Split Air Conditioner:
The weight of split air conditioner is around 26 pounds or 12 kg.
Portable Air Conditioner:
Portable air conditioner generally weighs about 66 pounds or 30 kg.
RV Air Conditioner:
RV air conditioners can easily weigh 150 pounds (69 kg) or more.
Ductless Air Conditioner:
The weight of a Ductless air conditioner usually is 26 pounds or 12 kg.
Size basis: The weight of air conditioners also vary according to size. Weight variations for different sizes are as follows-
5000 BTU:
Such air conditioners are the lightest air unit and weigh around 40 to 42 pounds or 18 kg to 20 kg. Their cooling capacity is about 100 sq. ft. to 150 sq. ft.
6000 BTU:
This type of air conditioner weighs around 52 pounds or 24 kg and can cover 150 to 200 sq. ft. for cooling.
7000 BTU:
7000 BTU air conditioner weighs more than 60 pounds or 28 kg. Their cooling capacity is 250 sq. ft. to 300 sq. ft.
8000 BTU:
Air conditioners of 8000 BTU generally weigh between 67 pounds to 70 pounds or 30 kg to 32 kg, and their cooling capacity is about 300 to 350 sq. ft.
10000 BTU:
The weight of 10000 BTU air conditioners varies between 70 pounds to 75 pounds or 31 kg to 35 kg, and their cooling capacity is 400 sq. ft. to 450 sq. ft.
12000 BTU/1 ton:
Weight of 12000 BTU air conditioners are generally 70 pounds to 80 pounds or 31 kg to 37 kg. They are appropriate for an area of 450 sq. ft. to 550 sq. ft.
20000 BTU:
For an area of 1000 to 1200 square feet, 20000 BTU air conditioners are appropriate, and they weigh around 110 to 115 pounds or 50 kg to 53 kg. They are heavier than the others.
2 ton:
The weight of 2-ton air conditioners varies between 28 pounds to 33 pounds or 13 kg to 15 kg, and their coverage area is about 240 square feet.
3 ton:
A 3-ton air conditioner may weigh between 200 and 215 pounds or 90 kg to 97 kg, and their coverage area is up to 360 square feet.
3.5 ton:
A 3.5-ton air conditioner may weigh between 280 pounds to 290 pounds or 127 to 132 kg. Their cooling capacity is more than 400 square feet.
4 ton:
A 4-ton air conditioner may weigh around 300 pounds or 137 kg and cover an area of up to 480 square feet.
5 ton:
A 5-ton air conditioner may weigh between around 340 to 350 pounds or 155 kg to 160 kg and may cover an area of 600 square feet.
10 ton:
The weight of a 10-ton air conditioner is more than 1000 pounds or 455 kg.
20 ton:
A 20-ton air conditioner generally weighs more than 2000 pounds or 908 kg.
Why are air conditioners so heavy?
Air conditioners are both heavy in weight and energy consumption. But the demand for air conditioners is not going down, and it is increasing every passing summer.
Three main components:
The main three attributes of air conditioners are- evaporator, condenser, and compressor. These three components have their own duties.
The evaporator reduces air temperature by cooling them. The condenser is responsible for preparing the refrigerants to be in action. The compressor transfers refrigerant back and forth that helps the air conditioner run.
These main parts, especially the evaporator and the condenser, are made of copper coils.
Compressor used in an air conditioner is also made of copper and can be weighing between 18 to 30 pounds in small domestic use air conditioner, and for the industrial and commercial ones can weigh from 100 to 300 pounds.
Copper:
Copper has a higher atomic mass (63.546 u), among many other materials, making the air conditioner heavier in weight. In an air conditioning system, about 60% of the materials are made of copper.
Also, this amount declines with the size of air conditioning reversely. That means the bigger the air conditioner, the lower the percentage of copper that can be found in a unit.
Other materials:
Other than copper, other metals such as aluminum and iron are also heavy in terms of weight.
Modern day approach is not to reduce the weight; instead, scientists and engineers are working on reducing the carbon footprint of air conditioners and making them more ecologically accepted.
How much does an ac compressor weigh?
In an air conditioner, its compressor is the heart that circulates refrigerant in the system. Mostly made of coppers, an ac compressor weighs higher than any other part of the system.
Compressors are usually located in the outdoor compartment. An ac compressor will be connected with a copper diaphragm that is the heart and soul of an air conditioning system.
The weight of the compressor depends on the capacity of the air conditioner. It also depends on the type of air conditioner. The weight of the compressor is directly proportional to the higher functionality and larger capacity.
On average domestic air conditioners, compressors usually weigh between 18 pounds to 30 pounds. But industrial air conditioners used in commercial spaces and manufacturing plants use much higher capacity air conditioners.
Those air conditioner units have compressors that can weigh between 100 to 300 pounds altogether.
How to measure air conditioners’ weight?
The weight mentioned in an air conditioner might sound too much, given the size of the system. And it only makes sense when you get to know that the tons mentioned in the box are not the weight of the system but the air processed through it.
Identifying the suitable air conditioner for your need is crucial, as you will want a system that will not be too power-consuming or inadequate for your space. Here’s how you can measure your desired air conditioner’s weight.
Measure your room:
This step is easy; you need to calculate the area of your room. That means a simple multiplication between length and width.
Calculation of BTU:
BTU or British Thermal Unit can be calculated by multiplying 20 to the area of your room. It means you have to have 20 BTU cooling output per sq. ft. area in your room.
Adjust with other external factors:
The calculated BTU has to be adjusted with the number of windows, kitchen and sun exposure. The existence of these will increase the BTU calculation.
Now you can buy an AC that matches the BTU calculation.
Can air conditioners weigh only 25 pounds?
There are a few options available in terms of low weighing air conditioners. Most of them, even the smaller ones, weigh more than 35 lbs. There are only a handful of options for air conditioners that weigh equal to or less than 25 pounds.
Final thoughts
Both portable and fixed air conditioners come heavy in weight. And such a useful commodity can be found in different sizes to match every capacity. Although air conditions weigh 35 pounds and above, the comfort they provide is worth the weight. For such a useful commodity, the weight is justified.