Walk down any street in New York City and you’ll find dozens of window conditioners. They are as ugly on the outside as they are on the inside. I have three different brands in different rooms and they are all ugly.
Step into the Windmill Air Conditioner, one of the most elegant window conditioners I’ve seen. Of course, the air conditioner has to do more than look good; It should work. For our Windmill air conditioner review, I found that it did the cooling job effectively and quietly, despite the relatively low BTU count.
In addition, it comes with an easy-to-use app and connects with Alexa and Google Voice Assistant, making it one of the apps Best smart air conditioner In the market.
Windmill Air Conditioner Review: Price and Availability
Windmill conditioner comes in two sizes. The original 8,300-BTU covers areas up to 350 square feet and costs $415. The new 6000 BTU model is designed for spaces up to 250 square feet and costs $365.
That’s on par with our favorite smart air conditioner, the LG Dual Inverter (9,000 BTU for $488), but more expensive than the second option, Media U Inverter (8000 calories for $359).
Windmill air conditioner: installation
Installing a Windmill air conditioner is easy—as long as you can lift 60 pounds. I couldn’t, but luckily I was able to hook up a burly friend to help me out. If you’re traveling alone, the company offers a premium installation service via TaskRabbit.
My 6000BTU unit is fully assembled, including the side panels. The box also contained adhesive and non-adhesive foam insulation, scissors to cut it, and screws.
If you live on an upper floor, you will likely want to install a support bracket (not included) as a safety measure. I’m on the ground floor and have lattice windows so this wasn’t an issue for me.
The window must be double or single with a minimum opening width of 22 inches and a minimum height of 13 inches.
The instructions are so clear on how to apply the foam and place the unit that it only took us about 20 minutes to install. This was about the same time it took my colleague Mike Prospero to install the Midea U Inverter.
Connecting to Wi-Fi via the Windmill app was also simple. The box comes with a piece of paper with a QR code, which prompts you to download the app.
Windmill Air Conditioner: Design and Remote Control
Let’s face it: Most window conditioners are ugly. Its function is to cool your home, not provide decoration.
The mill wants to change that. Sleek and modern, her conditioner comes in a matte white with rounded corners and a simple perforated front panel. The Windmill is more aesthetically pleasing than the boxy Kenmore that previously occupied the place.
Next to the screen, which automatically dims after 60 seconds, are a series of small, unobtrusive buttons that control power, temperature, Wi-Fi, fan speed (low, medium, high, automatic), and mode (fan, cool, preset). When it’s time to clean the filter, the LED light will turn on as a reminder.
The antimicrobial active carbon filter is located behind the front panel and is washable. The company suggests replacing it every three months, depending on usage.
Unlike most window air conditioners, the windmill emits air from the top rather than the front. While this means you can’t blow cold air over your sweaty body, an upward flow is best in most other situations. The company says that a 45-degree angle is better for room rotation (remember that hot air rises and cool air falls). And it’s definitely best to put the air conditioner next to your bed, so that cold air doesn’t blow directly on your face while you sleep.
The slim, matte white palm-sized remote has the same controls found on the unit itself. I have a feeling it will be lost at some point. Fortunately, Windmill can be controlled via the app or Alexa and Google Assistant (more on that below).
Windmill air conditioner: performance
I admit I was a bit skeptical about whether a 6000 BTU air conditioner could really cool a 250 square foot living room. However, Windmill has proven to be a workhorse.
Within minutes of turning it on, I could feel a difference in temperature. I think the upward airflow really makes for better circulation. It took about 30 minutes to drop from 78 degrees to the set temperature of 70. The smaller windmill air conditioner should be adequate for a bedroom or office (or if you live in an urban center, possibly your entire apartment).
The windmill is fairly quiet. Not quite whisper-level, but definitely much quieter than the old Kenmore. Technical specifications indicate that the noise is recorded at 48 dB, which is somewhat higher than the Midea. For reference, this is similar to the sound of a refrigerator or a soft conversation. The company is still integrating inverter technology, which should not only make its units quieter, but also improve energy efficiency.
Speaking of the environmental impact, Windmill is touting its use of an eco-friendly refrigerant (R32) with a 68 percent lower global warming potential than what is commonly used (R410a). The company is also working to offset the carbon emissions from its products with the help of partner Pachma. They are waiting for an Energy Star rating, which is expected by late July.
Windmill air conditioner: smart home app and control
Windmill offers a mobile app for iOS and Android. I used the QR code on the box to download the app to my iPhone. I turned on the unit’s Wi-Fi pairing mode and easily connected it to my app.
The application has the same controls as the remote control. You can turn the air conditioner on and off, raise and lower the temperature, adjust the fan speed and mode. The lightning bolt icon takes you to the Power and Energy tab, which shows AC power usage while it’s running. Click the three dots icon at the top right for more details about the unit and additional settings, including night mode.
The only drawback of the app is that it does not have a scheduling feature. Other smart air conditioners allow you to create custom schedules, so that they adjust automatically while you sleep or on your way home, for example.
I’ve found myself using the app more than the remote, mostly because I have the remote next to my sofa while taking my phone to other rooms and out of the house. If I forget to turn off the air conditioner before I leave the house, I can take care of it wherever I go.
Windmill supports Alexa and Google Assistant voice commands, but the company is still working on Apple HomeKit and IFTTT compatibility. I don’t have an Echo or a Nest, so I haven’t been able to test the audio functionality. Other reviews indicate that it works smoothly.
Windmill Air Conditioner: Verdict
Function usually dictates form when it comes to window air conditioners, but the windmill air conditioner manages both quite well. It’s powerful enough to cool small rooms, while attractive enough to blend in with your existing decor. When the summer is over, I won’t try to take it out the window or hide it with a blanket.
Installation is easy, application is easy and quiet operation is convenient. I no longer have to turn up the volume on my TV to be able to hear dialogue about the sound of the air conditioner groaning. between the Best smart air conditionerYou may also want to check out a file Midea air conditioner If you want a quieter, less expensive model. But for its price, design, and features, Windmill is a great choice for window conditioners.
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