Best Through-the-Wall Air Conditioners for Commercial Use

Industrial and commercial through-the-wall air conditioners are an efficient permanent cooling solution for a single room. Whether you're using them as a primary cooling source or to supplement the central HVAC system in spaces with heat-producing equipment or lots of direct sunlight, through-the-wall AC units are common in conference rooms, offices, apartments, condos, hotel rooms, and other industrial and commercial applications.

Commercial AC units like these are affordable, relatively easy to install, and durable—with proper maintenance, they can last for 10 years. They're built in a variety of sizes to meet your cooling needs, based on the size of the room, the temperature difference you're trying to make, and the number of people in the space. If you plan to use the unit all year round, you can choose a through-the-wall air conditioner with heat.

The Benefits of Commercial Through-the-Wall AC Units

For many commercial applications, you may be deciding between a window unit and a through-the-wall unit. Both have their advantages in certain circumstances. While through-the-wall AC units are permanent and aren't as easily removed and reinstalled as a window unit would be, they do have their advantages:

• Energy Efficiency: These units fit snugly into a sleeve through the wall, so there won't be any air leaks around the unit. This makes them more energy efficient than a window unit.
• Unobtrusive: A window unit blocks your view, while a through-the-wall unit simply becomes a part of your exterior wall.
• Easy to Maintain: Many through-the-wall units are made with washable filters to make cleaning and maintenance a breeze.
• A Variety of Features: With so many models available, you can choose cooling only, cooling with electric heat, or cooling with a heat pump, along with remote controls, dehumidifiers, and more.

The best industrial and commercial through-the-wall air conditioners are built by trusted manufacturers like Amana and GE, whose legacies for innovation, quality, and reliability span decades. These companies are known for understanding diverse customer needs, engineering innovative solutions, and backing their products with strong warranties and attentive service.

Take a closer look at some of the best through-the-wall air conditioners on the market today:

Through-the-Wall Amana Air Conditioners

Since 1934, Amana has led the way in refrigeration and cooling. Through-the-wall Amana air conditioners are priced right, easy to use, built to last, and backed with the company's standard five-year factory warranty.

Cooling Only

These Amana cooling-only units are ideal in warmer climates where you have no need for heating—or even in colder climates if you have another source of reliable heat during the winter months. The PBC models are available in 208/230V and 115V. They can be controlled from a wired wall thermostat with accessory PBTCK01 and the matching Amana wall thermostat. These compatible accessories are listed with the unit for simplified shopping if you'd like to add them to your order. With quiet operation and an easy-access slide-out filter, these ACs are easy to maintain and popular in cooling-only applications. Take a closer look:

Electric Heat

Amana through-the-wall air conditioners with electric heat are available in two models: the 9,000 BTUH PBE093 and the 12,000 BTUH PBE123. Both have the slide-out chassis for easy installation and maintenance, high and low fan speeds (with a high-speed only option), and an electronic touchpad with remote control. For new installations, the PBWS01G-C wall sleeve accessory is required—you'll find it listed with the unit as an optional purchase. If you already have a 26-inch wall sleeve that is in good condition, you can use that instead.

Heat Pump

Amana through-the-wall air conditioners with a heat pump are available in 7,000 and 9,000 BTUH models with energy efficiencies of up to 10.4 EER. These units offer many of the same features as the PBE and PBC models, including the slide-out filter with a permanent polypropylene filter mesh for easy cleaning. These heat pump units have backup electric strip heating if the temperature gets too demanding for the heat pump.

Through-the-Wall GE Air Conditioners

Over the last 150 years, GE has established a legacy of innovation, leaving its mark in nine different industries. Through-the-wall GE air conditioners are built for easy installation with special paint coatings to protect key components and a washable filter.

Cooling Only

These ACs come in a variety of cooling outputs with an extensive list of features.

The AJCM12DWJ through-the-wall GE air conditioner, for example, has built-in WiFi powered by SmartHQ, electronic cap touch controls, and a large LCD auto-dimming display. With ECO Mode, Dry Mode, and Auto Mode, you can help your unit work as efficiently as possible in a variety of conditions:

• ECO Mode: The fan cycles off during cooling intervals to save energy while maintaining a comfortable temperature in the room.
• Dry Mode: Ideal for humid climates, this mode removes humidity from the room for a more comfortable environment.
• Auto Mode: The system will monitor the room for optimal comfort—you simply set the fan speed to maintain the current temperature set point.

There's also a two-year limited parts and labor warranty on the entire appliance, with a five-year parts and labor warranty on the sealed refrigerating system for your peace of mind.

Electric Heat

GE's air conditioners with electric heat come with many of the same features as the company's cooling-only models. This GE AJEQ14DWJ has a cooling BTUH of 14,000 and a heating BTUH of 10,600, with three cooling and three fan-only speed selections and six-way directional airflow. It also has a timer, remote control, smart fan switch, and an improved corrosion package. It fits snugly in the wall with only five inches of extension into the room for a sleek appearance. Like other GE cooling with electric heat models, this unit is also ADA Compliant and Energy Star Qualified, and it meets UL, CUL, AHAM, and EEV standards.

How to Choose the Best Through-the-Wall Air Conditioners for Your Commercial Application

With so many styles to choose from, it's not as simple as deciding you want a through-the-wall AC unit instead of a window unit or another system. You need to consider your climate region, budget, and special features that will make the most sense in your environment, whether that's an office, conference room, hotel room, or another commercial space.

Take these factors into consideration when choosing your through-the-wall AC unit:

Climate Region

If the challenge is simply in keeping the room cool, with no need for heating at all, you can choose a cooling only model. However, many locations, even in warmer climates, do have occasional uses for heating; in these cases, you'll want a unit with heating capabilities. If the climate in your region doesn't fall below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, a heat pump is a great option. If you're going to be relying on the heating feature more often, electric heat is the way to go. Some heat pump models have back-up electrical heating.

That way, if the temperature happens to drop low enough that the heat pump can't keep up with demand, the electric heating can kick in to keep things comfortable.

Room Size

The bigger the space—and the more people inside—the higher BTUH you'll need. Consider whether your through-the-wall air conditioner is working alone or in conjunction with a central HVAC system.

Energy Efficiency

The upfront cost of the unit is only one consideration for your investment. Energy efficiency not only helps you uphold your green initiatives and standards, it will also help you save money on utilities in the long run. Many through-the-wall AC units have an EER of nine to 11. The higher the number, the more efficient the model is. You can also look for units that are Energy Star certified; according to Energy Star, these certified room air conditioners may use up to 26 percent less energy, depending upon the product class and model.

Appearance

Through-the-wall AC units are generally gray, white, or off-white. Streamlined designs make them as sleek and inconspicuous as possible.

Installation Location

The placement of your unit will depend upon where you have the space on an exterior wall. Outside, you need to ensure proper clearance around the back of the unit.

Noise Level

Through-the-wall air conditioners are louder than some other systems, like mini-splits, but that doesn't mean they're loud. It's common for them to emit around 50 decibels—which is about the volume of a quiet conversation and is, indeed, considered "quiet". These ACs are often engineered for quiet operation because manufacturers understand the need to keep noise levels down in many of the environments where these units are installed.

Smart Features

If you want to control the system remotely, or at least be able to program your temperature settings, you'll look for features like built-in WiFi, remote controls, programmable thermostats, and automatic settings. These features can help you save energy—and money—by automatically adjusting the temperature settings from day to night, from work hours to non-work hours, or from when people are present to when they're not.

Through-the-Wall AC Units at NorthStock

As a leading HVAC distributor, NorthStock carries through-the-wall air conditioners by GE and Amana, two of the top manufacturers in the industry. Each unit is listed with compatible options and accessories, so you can easily add those parts to your order with confidence. Our competitive pricing is combined with fast, free shipping on all orders to the lower 48 states, and you can contact us for volume discounts. Our goal is to make getting the AC units you need quick ad easy.

Our friendly, knowledgeable team is ready to answer your questions and help you place your order.

Contact NorthStock today for more information about the best through-the-wall air conditioners for industrial and commercial applications.