No idea how much a small air cond would draw, I fear too much for this old house’s circuits. Am I totally out of luck for some summer comfort? Any words of experience out there?
Discussion Forum
Discussion Forum
Up Next
Video Shorts
Featured Story
Add a strap for easy carrying and pouring when working with 5-gal. buckets.
Featured Video
Highlights
Fine Homebuilding Magazine
Fine Home Building
Follow
-
Fine Homebuilding
Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.
Start Free Trial Now -
GBA Prime
Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.
Start Free Trial Now
- Home Group
- Antique Trader
- Arts & Crafts Homes
- Bank Note Reporter
- Cabin Life
- Cuisine at Home
- Fine Gardening
- Fine Woodworking
- Green Building Advisor
- Garden Gate
- Horticulture
- Keep Craft Alive
- Log Home Living
- Military Trader/Vehicles
- Numismatic News
- Numismaster
- Old Cars Weekly
- Old House Journal
- Period Homes
- Popular Woodworking
- Script
- ShopNotes
- Sports Collectors Digest
- Threads
- Timber Home Living
- Traditional Building
- Woodsmith
- World Coin News
- Writer's Digest
Replies
10,000 btu windows unit draws 10amp uses 15amp 120v breaker. Will cool about 300-400sqft in south.
I'm not sure how to read your question. Are you asking if a 15a circuit is adequate, or asking if you can just plug the A/C into an existing branch circuit in the house ? An A/C can go on a 15a circuit, that's SOP here for a window air conditioner; BUT, it pretty well has to go on a dedicated 15a circuit to handle the many start-ups during the day.
Phill Giles
The Unionville Woodwright
Unionville, Ontario
So I could plug in a 5k btu unit, or even a 10k unit, if I'm careful to limit any other hungry appliances on same circuit at same time? I just was not sure how big the a/c draw is. Thanks.. Paul
Before you buy the unit, read the label. It will tell you BTU rating, voltage and amperage.