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      13,500 BTU through-the-wall air conditioner

      Friedrich WCVT12B10A

      Below average efficiency for its size: a CEER of 13.2 ranks #10 of 15 through-the-wall air conditioners.

      It cools a room of about 450-700 sq ft, draws about 1023 watts and costs about $138 a year to run at typical U.S. use and prices.

      CEER
      13.2 Combined efficiency, higher is better
      Below average · beats 37%
      Cooling
      13,500 BTU/hFor about 450-700 sq ft
      Energy use
      767 kWh/yr39% less than the federal minimum
      Unit size
      26.5" wide 15.2" high, 21" deep, 110 lb

      A good fit if…

      • You want to plug it into an ordinary outlet - it runs on 115 V.

      Think twice if…

      • Running cost matters most - its CEER is below average for through-the-wall air conditioners.
      • You plan to install it alone - at 110 lb it is a two-person job.
      • You also need heat - it cools only.
      • You want to mount it in a window - it needs a wall sleeve.

      Calculate my running costCheck the size for my room

      Details

      Specifications13,500 BTU, 115 V
      General
      BrandFriedrich
      Model numberWCVT12B10A
      TypeThrough-the-wall
      HeatingNo, cooling only
      CompressorVariable speed (inverter)
      Voltage115 V (standard outlet)
      RefrigerantR-32 (GWP 675)
      Support bracket includedYes
      On the market sinceMarch 12, 2025
      Last certifiedMarch 13, 2025
      Performance
      Cooling capacity13,500 BTU/h
      CEERCombined energy efficiency ratio, includes standby power13.2
      Yearly energy useENERGY STAR test: 750 hours767 kWh
      Better than federal minimum39% less energy
      ENERGY STAR Most EfficientNo
      Size
      Width × height × depth26.5" W × 15.2" H × 21" D
      Weight110 lb
      How it compares with 14 other through-the-wall units#10 of 15
      • CEER (class median 13.9)13.2, no ties
      • Yearly cost vs. class median ($117)$22 more
      • Width 26.5" (class median 26.5")narrower than 0%
      • Weight 110 lb (class median 90 lb)lighter than 14%
      • Rank among 13 similar designs#10

      Compared with the other ENERGY STAR certified through-the-wall units. Yearly cost at 750 hours and 18.0¢/kWh.

      Questions6
      How many square feet does the Friedrich WCVT12B10A cool?
      At 13,500 BTU/h it suits a room of about 450 to 700 sq ft with normal sun and two people, following the ENERGY STAR sizing guide. In a heavily shaded room that stretches to about 495-770 sq ft; in a very sunny one it shrinks to 405-630 sq ft. A kitchen needs 4,000 BTU more.
      How many watts and amps does the Friedrich WCVT12B10A use?
      About 1023 watts at full power (13,500 BTU/h divided by its CEER of 13.2), which is 8.9 amps at 115 V. That is 160 W more than the typical unit in its class (863 W), or $22 a year dearer to run at 18.0¢/kWh. Its inverter compressor slows down instead of cycling, so real use is usually lower. Its CEER beats 33% of the 15 units in the class.
      Can the Friedrich WCVT12B10A run on a standard outlet?
      Yes. It runs on 115 V and draws about 8.9 A, well inside a standard 15 A outlet, but do not share the circuit with a space heater, microwave or other big load. 60% of certified units in this class need 230 V, so a 115 V model is the easy case.
      What are the dimensions of the Friedrich WCVT12B10A, and will it fit my window?
      26.5" W × 15.2" H × 21" D, 110 lb. It is narrower than 0% of its 14 competitors and lighter than 14% of them. It slides into a wall sleeve, so compare the sleeve opening with the unit before buying.
      Can the Friedrich WCVT12B10A also heat the room?
      No, it only cools. If you also need heat, 2 certified units in this class can do both; see the list of air conditioners with heat.
      Is the Friedrich WCVT12B10A worth buying to replace an old air conditioner?
      An old unit of the same size at 9 CEER would cost about $203 a year to run at 750 hours and 18.0¢/kWh; this one costs about $138, so it saves roughly $65 a year.

      Running cost calculator

      Pre-filled with this model. Pick your state and how many hours you run it, or see the yearly cost in every state.

      1. The air conditioner Friedrich WCVT12B10A
      2. How you use it
      Per year
      $216
      Per month of use
      $39
      Per day
      $1.31
      Per hour
      16.4¢
      Power draw
      1023 W

      Electricity used: 1,350 kWh a yearAn old 9 CEER unit of the same size would cost $317

      Power draw is capacity divided by CEER, which already includes standby power. Inverter units often run below full power, so real use can be lower. Electricity prices: U.S. EIA residential averages (12 months to July 2026). Days a year start from your state's cooling degree days (NOAA 1991-2020 normals).

      Closest alternatives

      Units with a similar CEER in the same class, and what sets each one apart from the Friedrich WCVT12B10A.

      ModelCEERCompared with this one
      Friedrich WCVT10B10A13.00.2 CEER lower, 20 lb lighter
      Wallmaster WHVT14B33B12.80.4 CEER lower, 5 lb heavier, also heats, 230 V
      Midea MT12VB113.90.7 CEER higher, 2.4" narrower, 51 lb lighter
      Friedrich WCVT10B30A13.00.2 CEER lower, 20 lb lighter, 230 V
      Wallmaster WCVT12B30B13.90.7 CEER higher, 230 V

      See all 15 through-the-wall air conditioners, ranked

      Source: ENERGY STAR Certified Room Air Conditioners (U.S. EPA), certification of March 13, 2025. How we use the data.