Lee Wallender is a home improvement writer of nearly 20 years and specializes in home remodeling, repair and maintenance. Cassidy was an updates editor whose main responsibility is to write and edit ...

Q: I am renting a small, old home without central air conditioning. I have a window air conditioner, and the past few years I’ve awkwardly filled in the space around it with a large piece of plywood.

The best window AC units of 2026 from brands like LG and Windmill can help you ride out even the most brutal heat waves.

We got our hands on multiple units and looked for models that are quiet, energy-efficient, and easy to install.

These compact air conditioners provide quick relief from the heat without making you break a sweat to get them installed.

Buying a new AC can be confusing, especially when deciding between a split AC and a window AC. Both are designed to cool a room, but they are different in terms of cost, installation and power ...

As is the case for many people, my home cannot be retrofitted with central air. My 100-plus-year-old Brooklyn apartment, which features prominently in my seven years of air quality reporting for WIRED ...

Installing a window air conditioner is typically a straightforward DIY process that can quickly transform a muggy room into a much more comfortable space. If you have any questions about your specific ...

If you have a window that supports it, we highly recommend window AC units over portable units, based on our lab testing and personal experience with both. Window units are installed in a window, with ...