During the summer, it is common to find most homeowners installing air conditioners. The one challenge they often face is the units are cumbersome.
Although there are six different types of air conditioners, it is hard to find a window unit that weighs less than 46 pounds or about 21 kilograms. You’ll need a lot of heavy lifting to install bulkier types.
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What is the average weight of an air conditioner?
On average, an air conditioner weighs between 60 and 180 pounds or 27 and 82 kilograms. But since there are different types of ACs, the weight can vary significantly.
For example, window air conditioners tend to be light. They weigh around 30 kilograms on average. You can also buy portable units that also weigh 30 kilograms.
Ductless air conditioners or indoor ACs weigh 12 kilograms. The heaviest air cons are the whole-house ACs weighing up to 80 kilograms.
The weight of an air conditioner increases functionally with its power, measured in tons or BTU. The BTU is a unit of energy. It is an acronym that stands for British Thermal Unit.
One BTU is the amount of energy required to increase the temperature of a pound of water by 10 F. But BTU measures how much heat it can remove in an air conditioner.
A higher rating means you have a powerful AC. The BTU value tells you the power of your air con.
What makes an air conditioner heavy?
Various factors determine the weight of an AC. These include:
1. Copper
Copper is a metal responsible for the heavy nature of air conditioners. It weighs around 253 kilograms (558 pounds) per cubic foot.
All copper components account for about 60% of the weight of smaller air conditioners. However, the weight declines significantly in heavier units.
2. Steel
If copper accounts for 60% of smaller air conditioners’ weight, steel covers the rest.
The primary function of the metal is to provide structural support. It also covers or houses the compressor.
3. Aluminum
The weight of aluminum is about 77 kilograms (169 pounds) per cubic foot. That means you can use it in place of copper.
However, it is not the best conductor of heat compared to the former.
How much does a 5000 BTU air conditioner weigh?
Most air conditioners with a rating of 5000 BTU are not heavy. On average, they weigh approximately 45 pounds or 20 kilograms.
These air cons can cover a room of about 150 square feet. Manufacturers design the machines for window placement. Also, their rating is usually the lowest you will find in most home air conditioners.
How much does a 10000 BTU air conditioner weigh?
A 10000 BTU window air conditioner is best for spaces of up to 450 square feet. It is also ideal for areas with high ceilings, open floor plans, and lots of traffic.
On average, a 10000 BTU-rated AC will weigh around 65 pounds or 30 kilograms.
How much does a 12 000 BTU air conditioner weigh?
A 12000 BTU window air conditioner can cover spaces of up to 550 square feet. The AC has a dehumidifying capacity of around 3.6 pints per hour or 1.7 liters per hour.
On average, this unit will weigh about 72 pounds or 33 kilograms.
How much does a 14000 BTU air conditioner weigh?
A 14000 BTU air conditioner weighs around 80 pounds or 36 kilograms. Many of these units are powerful enough to cover spaces of up to 700 square feet.
Furthermore, they have a dehumidification capacity of about 90 pints per day.
How much does a 2-ton AC unit weigh?
When somebody says they require a 2-ton AC unit, it does not imply they are talking about the machine’s weight.
In this context, it refers to the amount of heat or British Thermal Units the AC can remove in an hour. One ton of AC capacity is equivalent to 12000 BTU per hour.
Therefore, it is safe to assume that a 2-ton AC unit has a rating of 24000 BTU. Most air conditioners with a 24000 BTU rating weigh around 160 pounds or 73 kilograms.
However, you can find some that are as heavy as 220 pounds or 100 kilograms.
How much does a 5-ton AC unit weigh?
A 5-ton AC unit is the most powerful of all ACs. It has a BTU rating of 60000. On average, the units weigh around 240 pounds or 109 kilograms.
But you can also find one that weighs more than 250 pounds.
This table summarizes the average weight of air conditioners
| Air con Rating (BTU) | Coverage (Sq. ft.) | Weight (Pounds) | Weight (Kgs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5000 | 150 | 45 | 20 |
| 10000 | 450 | 65 | 30 |
| 12000 | 550 | 72 | 33 |
| 14000 | 700 | 80 | 36 |
| 24000 | 1000 | 160 | 73 |
| 60000 | 2000 | 240 | 109 |
Conclusion
On average, an air conditioner with a BTU rating of 5000 weighs around 20 kilograms. It is the smallest unit you can find for window ACs.
If you buy one with a rating of 10000 BTU, it will weigh around 30 kilograms. A 2-ton AC weighs between 150 and 220 pounds.