Frigidaire FAH146Q2T 14-000 Btu Through The Wall A/c Review

PROS: Accurate Temperature Controls, Cools the Whole Apartment/Room, Energy Efficient, Quiet, Remote Temperature Sensing
CONS: None!
BEST USES: Cooling an Entire Apartment or Large Room

I purchased this Frigidaire unit to compare it against a comparable GE model (AJCQ12DC) that I also own. Why? Well, the GE unit is louder than it should be, due to a dubious design decision: the outside fan runs ALL the time, regardless of whether the compressor is active. The outside fan even runs when the air conditioner is operating in fan-only mode! In addition to excess noise, this design choice also increases the GE unit's power consumption.

In any case, I decided to purchase this Frigidaire unit to see if it is any better. And it is indeed! While the inside fan could be quieter (it is comparable to the GE's), the Frigidaire's outside fan only runs when the compressor is active. This (correct) design choice significantly reduces both noise and energy consumption. (Note that when the compressor and outside fan are operating, the overall noise level is comparable to the GE unit.)

In addition to reduced noise, the Frigidaire also has several features the GE unit does not.

First off, while this Frigidaire is primarily designed as a "through-the-wall" unit, it can also be installed in a window. This is thanks to a closed "slide-out chassis" design. (Since Frigidaire markets this product as a through-the-wall unit, the window installation kit must be purchased separately.) The option of window mounting significantly increases the versatility -- and long-term value -- of this air conditioner! (By comparison, GE's units utilize an open chassis, whereby the inner "guts" -- compressor, outside fan, etc. -- are exposed and freely accessible. As such, a GE unit can ONLY be installed in a wall sleeve.)

NOTE: Frigidaire designed this air conditioner to be a "universal" unit, to fit almost all other manufacturer's wall sleeves. (And the installation instructions provide instructions specific to each manufacturer's sleeve type.) GE wall sleeves are supported too, and I installed my Frigidaire in an existing GE sleeve, without any issues. (Well done, Frigidaire...)

Next, the Frigidaire has an "energy saver" setting. Said mode cycles the inside fan on for a two-minute period, every 10 minutes. This helps to circulate the air, as well as to help the unit accurately gauge the current room temperature. (If the temperature has increased beyond what you have set, the unit cools the room continuously until the set temperature is reached, at which point it shuts off and resumes the "energy saver" fan cycling.) The "energy saver" mode is the setting I use most of the time.

Third, the Frigidaire provides the option of an "automatic" speed control for the inside fan. In this mode, the unit increases the fan speed, when needed, for cooling (if the temperature difference is more than a few degress), then reduces the speed as the room temperature drops. I also use this setting, along with the "energy saver" mode.

And finally, the Frigidaire has a cutting-edge remote-temperature-sensing feature. Said feature provides a second temperature sensor in the included remote control. You can optionally enable remote temperature sensing, to compensate for difficult-to-cool areas. How it works: you enable remote-sensing via the remote control, and place the remote in your chosen part of the room. (Note that the remote must have a clear line-of-sight path to the air conditioner, so that the remote can communicate the temperature.) The remote then communicates the current temperature to the air conditioner at one-minute intervals. I use this feature as well, and it is outstanding!

The bottom line: while the aforementioned GE unit isn't bad, it cannot hold a candle to this Frigidaire. In addition to superior design/features, the Frigidaire also provides an additional 2,400 BTU of capacity. The only downside is a slight reduction in cooling efficiency (an EER of 9.0 compared to 9.5 for the GE), but the energy savings are likely negligible. Take into account the fact that the GE unit runs its outside fan all the time, and the Frigidaire will likely be cheaper in the long run.

Buy this Frigidaire air conditioner, you will not be disappointed!!!

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