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Will the window kit fit your window?
Updated
Measure before you buy. Each window kit is a set of panels that slides to fit a range of openings. If your window is shorter than the minimum, the panel will not fit. If it is longer than the maximum, you need an extra panel. Crank-out casement windows need a different kind of kit.
Kit ranges on the listings
| Model | Window range on the listing |
|---|---|
| Midea Duo 12,000 BTU | 19.05 to 63.86 inches |
| BLACK+DECKER BPACT10WT | 20.5 to 59 inches |
| Whynter ARC-122DS | 20 to 56 inches long, 6.5 inches wide |
| BLACK+DECKER BPACT14WT | 20.5 to 49 inches |
| Midea 8,500 BTU | 26.5 to 48 inches |
| Whynter ARC-14S | 20 to 46 inches long, 6.5 inches wide |
| Frigidaire FHPC082AC1 | Kit included. The range was not in the part of the listing we read |
- Midea Duo19.05 to 63.86 inches
- BLACK+DECKER BPACT10WT20.5 to 59 inches
- Whynter ARC-122DS20 to 56 inches
- BLACK+DECKER BPACT14WT20.5 to 49 inches
- Midea 8500 BTU26.5 to 48 inches
- Whynter ARC-14S20 to 46 inches
How to measure
- Sliding window (side to side): open it all the way and measure the opening from side to side. The kit stands on end in the gap.
- Hung window (up and down): open the bottom sash and measure the opening from side to side. The kit lies flat on the sill.
- Check the depth of the sill or track. The Whynter kits are 6.5 inches wide, so the track needs to hold that.
Seal the gaps
Midea's FAQ explains the foam strips that come in the box. The dense foam goes above and below the window sliders to make a tight seal. The softer foam seals the gap between the front and back window sashes. A leaky seal lets hot air straight back in, and Whynter lists a poorly sealed window kit as one of the common reasons a unit does not cool.
Casement and crank-out windows
The kits on these listings are slider panels made for sash and sliding windows. A casement window swings outward, so a slider panel has nothing to sit in. You need a casement seal, often a fabric or plastic panel that closes the open side of the window around the hose. Check the maker's accessory list before you buy. Whynter's FAQ also lists other venting paths: sliding doors with a kit, drop ceiling panels, a wall vent, or a dryer vent where it is compatible.
Hose length
Midea's FAQ says most of its hoses reach about 6 ft fully extended. The Midea 8,500 BTU listing gives a 5 ft hose, and the Whynter hoses extend up to 60 inches. Put the unit within that distance of the window. Do not add hose length the maker does not sell. A long, sagging hose sheds more heat into the room.
Size your own room with the SACC calculator, or compare all seven picks on the roundup page.