Looking at the three vertical window air conditioners with the smallest widths that one can buy to fit perfectly into narrower left-to-right sliding windows.
Overview
Getting a window air conditioner means having a window of the right size for the unit to fit into. Fortunately, most windows accommodate a window unit and can be installed seamlessly into the fitting through the window when it is done by a professional.
Some windows are designed to slide open from left to right and need a specific vertical window air conditioner to fit into the shape of the window. Casement windows are your best bet if your window is particularly small and finding the smallest casement window AC will be best for you.
Are all window air conditioners big and bulky?
Windows have different designs and some of them take on a more vertical, rectangular shape than others with horizontal, rectangular, or square shapes.
A vertical window requires a window air conditioner that can fit through the window without obstructing anything or fitting awkwardly, which is what makes casement windows perfect for this window shape.
Casement window units are shaped like a vertical rectangle, they are smaller in width and length than a normal window air conditioner. So, not all window air conditioners are big and bulky.
What is the smallest vertical window air conditioner?
After comparing some of the smallest vertical window air conditioners, the Frigidaire FFRS1022R1 is considered the smallest one, with dimensions of 14.5 inches in width, 20.25 inches in height, and 23.5 inches in depth.
This is the thinnest vertical window AC unit which you can invest in. In the table below, we have listed and compared the dimensions of the three smallest vertical window air conditioners you can find.
| Vertical AC unit | Width (inches) | Height (inches) | Depth (inches) |
| Frigidaire FFRS1022R1 | 14.5 | 20.25 | 23.5 |
| Koldfront CAC8000W | 14.5 | 20.88 | 23.5 |
| PerfectAire 3PASC10000 | 14.75 | 23.5 | 21.0 |
Choosing the correct size vertical window air conditioner
When it comes to choosing the correct size window unit for your home, there are two particularly important factors to take into account. The size of the window you are planning to install the unit in, and the air conditioner’s cooling capacity in BTUs.
The size of the window is important because the unit you want has to fit into the glass of the window without much hassle or adjustments, to ensure a seamless installation. The BTUs also need to be sufficient for the room’s size in square feet.
Features to look for in small window units
Some features in a window unit make your unit easily accessible. Having digital controls is beneficial for setting your unit at more precise temperatures and the LCD or LED screens display what the unit is doing.
A unit with Wi-Fi allows you to control the unit from your smartphone or tablet, which gives you freedom to control the unit even when you are not home.
Units with dehumidifiers extract excess humidity from the room for better cooling efficiency, while a timer automatically switches the unit on or off, which is energy efficient.
Installation of a vertical window unit
Casement or vertical window air conditioners are much narrower than standard window air conditioners.
To install a vertical casement window unit, you need a minimum window width of 12 and a half inches, and you also have to measure the length of the window to ensure you can install the unit.
For those interested in purchasing one, Amazon has the second smallest unit listed above, which is the Koldfront CAC8000W casement unit for $539.00.
This unit is energy-efficient and has digital controls with features such as energy-saver, sleep, fan, dry, cool, and auto modes as well as a dehumidifier.
Final thoughts
Casement window air conditioner units are built to fit into unconventional types of windows of various sizes. Casement window units cater to homes with narrower windows and vertical units are built to fit into these windows with smaller widths vertically.
There are three brands that have the smallest vertical window units. The smallest and thinnest unit is the Frigidaire FFRS1022R1. The Koldfront CAC8000W casement unit follows closely behind, and the PerfectAire 3PASC10000 is the third smallest unit buyers can consider for their sliding windows.