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      18,000 BTU U-shaped window air conditioner

      Whirlpool WHAW-181IN

      Below average efficiency for its size: a CEER of 14.4 ranks #9 of 10 18,000 BTU window air conditioners.

      It cools a room of about 700-1000 sq ft, draws about 1250 watts and costs about $169 a year to run at typical U.S. use and prices.

      CEER
      14.4 Combined efficiency, higher is better
      Below average · beats 20%
      Cooling
      18,000 BTU/hFor about 700-1000 sq ft
      Energy use
      938 kWh/yr35% less than the federal minimum
      Unit size
      30" wide 20.7" high, 28.8" deep, 106 lb

      A good fit if…

      • You want a quieter room and a usable window - the window closes into the U, so the compressor sits outside the glass.

      Think twice if…

      • Running cost matters most - its CEER is below average for 18,000 BTU window air conditioners.
      • You only have ordinary outlets - it needs a 230 V circuit and plug.
      • You plan to install it alone - at 106 lb it is a two-person job.
      • You also need heat - it cools only.

      Calculate my running costCheck the size for my room

      Details

      Specifications18,000 BTU, 230 V
      General
      BrandWhirlpool
      Model numberWHAW-181IN
      TypeWindow
      DesignU-shaped (window closes through it)
      HeatingNo, cooling only
      CompressorVariable speed (inverter)
      Voltage230 V (needs a 230 V outlet)
      RefrigerantR-32 (GWP 675)
      Support bracket includedYes
      On the market sinceMay 16, 2024
      Last certifiedMarch 11, 2024
      Performance
      Cooling capacity18,000 BTU/h
      CEERCombined energy efficiency ratio, includes standby power14.4
      Yearly energy useENERGY STAR test: 750 hours938 kWh
      Better than federal minimum35% less energy
      ENERGY STAR Most EfficientNo
      Size
      Width × height × depth30" W × 20.7" H × 28.8" D
      Weight106 lb
      How it compares with 9 other 18,000 BTU window units#9 of 10
      • CEER (class median 14.7)14.4, tied with 3 others
      • Yearly cost vs. class median ($169)about the same
      • Width 30" (class median 25.4")narrower than 0%
      • Weight 106 lb (class median 99 lb)lighter than 44%
      • Rank among 4 similar designs (U-shaped)#4

      Compared with the other ENERGY STAR certified 18,000 BTU window units. Yearly cost at 750 hours and 18.0¢/kWh.

      Questions7
      How many square feet does the Whirlpool WHAW-181IN cool?
      At 18,000 BTU/h it suits a room of about 700 to 1000 sq ft with normal sun and two people, following the ENERGY STAR sizing guide. In a heavily shaded room that stretches to about 770-1100 sq ft; in a very sunny one it shrinks to 630-900 sq ft. A kitchen needs 4,000 BTU more.
      How many watts and amps does the Whirlpool WHAW-181IN use?
      About 1250 watts at full power (18,000 BTU/h divided by its CEER of 14.4), which is 5.4 amps at 230 V. That is 0 W less than the typical unit in its class (1250 W), or $0 a year cheaper to run at 18.0¢/kWh. Its inverter compressor slows down instead of cycling, so real use is usually lower. Its CEER beats 0% of the 10 units in the class.
      What outlet does the Whirlpool WHAW-181IN need?
      It is a 230 V unit that draws 5.4 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 100% of the 10 certified units in this class are 230 V.
      What are the dimensions of the Whirlpool WHAW-181IN, and will it fit my window?
      30" W × 20.7" H × 28.8" D, 106 lb. It is narrower than 0% of its 9 competitors and lighter than 44% of them. The window closes into the U-shaped slot, so measure the opening height as well as the width: you need at least the unit's 30" width between the frame sides.
      Is the Whirlpool WHAW-181IN U-shaped design an advantage?
      Mostly yes. The sash closes into the unit, so the window stays sealed and daylight comes in, and the compressor is outside the glass, which cuts noise indoors. The trade-off is a window that must slide up and down, and a few extra steps to fit the foam seals.
      Can the Whirlpool WHAW-181IN also heat the room?
      No, it only cools. If you also need heat, 0 certified units in this class can do both; see the list of air conditioners with heat.
      Is the Whirlpool WHAW-181IN worth buying to replace an old air conditioner?
      An old unit of the same size at 9 CEER would cost about $271 a year to run at 750 hours and 18.0¢/kWh; this one costs about $169, so it saves roughly $101 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 Whirlpool WHAW-181IN
      2. How you use it
      Per year
      $264
      Per month of use
      $48
      Per day
      $1.60
      Per hour
      20.0¢
      Power draw
      1250 W

      Electricity used: 1,650 kWh a yearAn old 9 CEER unit of the same size would cost $422

      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 Whirlpool WHAW-181IN.

      ModelCEERCompared with this one
      Friedrich KCVM18B30A14.4same CEER, 4.1" narrower, 24 lb heavier, standard box
      Friedrich CCV18A30A14.4same CEER, 4" narrower, 10 lb heavier
      TCL T18WQ2S14.4same CEER, 4.6" narrower, 10 lb lighter
      Kühl KCVM18B30B14.60.2 CEER higher, 4.1" narrower, 24 lb heavier, saddle design
      LG LW1822IVSM14.70.3 CEER higher, 4" narrower, 6 lb heavier, standard box

      See all 10 18,000 BTU window air conditioners, ranked

      Source: ENERGY STAR Certified Room Air Conditioners (U.S. EPA), certification of March 11, 2024. How we use the data.