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      16,800 BTU through-the-wall air conditioner

      Friedrich WCVT16B30A

      Below average efficiency for its size: a CEER of 12.6 ranks #14 of 15 through-the-wall air conditioners.

      It cools a room of about 100-150 sq ft, draws about 1333 watts and costs about $180 a year to run at typical U.S. use and prices.

      CEER
      12.6 Combined efficiency, higher is better
      Below average · beats 10%
      Cooling
      16,800 BTU/hFor about 100-150 sq ft
      Energy use
      1,000 kWh/yr35% less than the federal minimum
      Unit size
      26.5" wide 15.2" high, 21" deep, 110 lb

      A good fit if…

      • You want a certified 16,800 BTU through-the-wall air conditioner at a typical efficiency level.

      Think twice if…

      • Running cost matters most - its CEER is below average for through-the-wall air conditioners.
      • You only have ordinary outlets - it needs a 230 V circuit and plug.
      • You plan to install it alone - at 110 lb it is a two-person job.
      • You also need heat - it cools only.

      Calculate my running costCheck the size for my room

      Details

      Specifications16,800 BTU, 230 V
      General
      BrandFriedrich
      Model numberWCVT16B30A
      TypeThrough-the-wall
      HeatingNo, cooling only
      CompressorVariable speed (inverter)
      Voltage230 V (needs a 230 V outlet)
      RefrigerantR-32 (GWP 675)
      Support bracket includedYes
      On the market sinceMarch 12, 2025
      Last certifiedMarch 13, 2025
      Performance
      Cooling capacity16,800 BTU/h
      CEERCombined energy efficiency ratio, includes standby power12.6
      Yearly energy useENERGY STAR test: 750 hours1,000 kWh
      Better than federal minimum35% 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#14 of 15
      • CEER (class median 13.9)12.6, no ties
      • Yearly cost vs. class median ($117)$64 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#13

      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 WCVT16B30A cool?
      At 16,800 BTU/h it suits a room of about 100 to 150 sq ft with normal sun and two people, following the ENERGY STAR sizing guide. In a heavily shaded room that stretches to about 110-165 sq ft; in a very sunny one it shrinks to 90-135 sq ft. A kitchen needs 4,000 BTU more.
      How many watts and amps does the Friedrich WCVT16B30A use?
      About 1333 watts at full power (16,800 BTU/h divided by its CEER of 12.6), which is 5.8 amps at 230 V. That is 470 W more than the typical unit in its class (863 W), or $64 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 7% of the 15 units in the class.
      What outlet does the Friedrich WCVT16B30A need?
      It is a 230 V unit that draws 5.8 A, so it needs its own 230 V circuit with a matching plug (typically NEMA 6-15 or 6-20). If the room has only ordinary 115 V outlets, an electrician has to add one. Only 60% of the 15 certified units in this class are 230 V.
      What are the dimensions of the Friedrich WCVT16B30A, 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 WCVT16B30A 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 WCVT16B30A worth buying to replace an old air conditioner?
      An old unit of the same size at 9 CEER would cost about $253 a year to run at 750 hours and 18.0¢/kWh; this one costs about $180, so it saves roughly $72 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 WCVT16B30A
      2. How you use it
      Per year
      $282
      Per month of use
      $51
      Per day
      $1.71
      Per hour
      21.3¢
      Power draw
      1333 W

      Electricity used: 1,760 kWh a yearAn old 9 CEER unit of the same size would cost $394

      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 WCVT16B30A.

      ModelCEERCompared with this one
      Wallmaster WHVT14B33B12.80.2 CEER higher, 5 lb heavier, also heats
      Friedrich WCVT10B30A13.00.4 CEER higher, 20 lb lighter
      Friedrich WHVT14B33A12.00.6 CEER lower, 5 lb heavier, also heats
      Friedrich WCVT10B10A13.00.4 CEER higher, 20 lb lighter, 115 V
      Wallmaster WCVT12B30B13.91.3 CEER higher

      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.