Frigidaire Portable Air Conditioners

Frigidaire manufactures two lines of portable air conditioners.

A standard line that includes

• Frigidaire FFPA0822U1
• Frigidaire FFPA1022U1
• Frigidaire FFPA1222U1
• Frigidaire FFPA1422U1

and

• Frigidaire FFPH1222U1
• Frigidaire FFPH1422U1

And a “smart” line that includes

• Frigidaire FGPC1044U1
• Frigidaire FGPC1244T1

In both lines, note how the first and last letters/numbers are similar for all models. The only numbers that change consistently are the numbers after the letter “A” in the standard line and after the letter “C” in the “smart” line.

These numbers reference the BTUs for each model.

For example, the  FFPA0822U1 is an 8,000 BTU portable air conditioner.

The Frigidaire FGPC1244T1 is a 12,000 BTU portable air conditioner.

In the standard line, the initial letters “FFPA” are replaced with “FFPH” for models that include a heater.

The standard line

The standard line of Frigidaire portable air conditioners consists of six different models.

Four models are standard portable air conditioners. The other two are portable air conditioners that also offer heating functionality (for all year use).

The four standard models each fit into a different BTU size class. There is an 8,000 BTU model, a 10,000 BTU model, etc.

The smart line

The smart line consists of only two models – the 10,000 BTU FGPC1044U1 and the 12,000 BTU FGPC1244T1.

Both of these models are considerably more expensive than their “standard line” counterparts but do come with “smart” functionality. That is to say, these units allow you to control them remotely using a smart device like a mobile phone or tablet. Standard line models do not offer this functionality.

Comparison primer

Before we can compare Frigidaire models to models by other brands in each respective BTU size class, we first need to talk about the two types of specified cooling capacities.

The first type is the standard type that you’re likely already familiar with and the one referenced in Frigidaire model numbers – 8,000, 10,000, etc. BTUs.

The second type involves a more nuanced approach to calculating BTUs:

• outdoor temperature is higher – more indicative of real world conditions
• cooling capacity lost due to the portable AC unit radiating heat back into the room through its exhaust duct is taken into account
• cooling capacity lost due to the addition of outdoor air getting pulled into the room is taken into account. (In short, the portable AC unit exhausts air out of the room without replacing it. This causes an area of low pressure in the room. Higher pressure outdoor air gets pulled into the room.) - more information here

The first type is usually called “ASHRAE cooling capacity”.

The second type is called “seasonally adjusted cooling capacity (SACC)”.

By taking a more nuanced approach to calculating BTUs, the second type – SACC – is much more indicative of the actual BTUs in a real world scenario.

Unlike ASHRAE cooling capacity, it also differs from model to model within the same standard BTU size category.

Let’s take a look.

Frigidaire vs other brands

8,000 BTUs

We’ll start with the 8,000 BTU size class. Here, the Frigidaire FFPA0822U1 has an ASHRAE cooling capacity of 8,000 BTUs but a SACC of only 4,400 BTUs. This means that the FFPA0822U1 loses over 3,000 BTUs due to heat added by ducting, heat added by outdoor infiltration air, and accounting for use during higher outdoor temperatures.

The most “efficient” 8,000 BTU units see less of a drop. The LG LP0818WNR, for example, has a SACC of 5,500 BTUs. This is 1,100 BTUs more than the Frigidaire. Since the LG has a much higher SACC than the Frigidaire, we can safely say that the LG also has a much better cooling capacity than the Frigidaire in real world applications. The LG is therefore our recommendation in the 8,000 BTU ASHRAE size class.

10,000 BTUs

The Frigidaire FFPA1022U1 has a SACC of 6,000 BTUs. Top units in the category have a SACC of 6,500 BTUs. This 500 BTU difference is enough for us not to recommend the Frigidaire and for us to recommend a 6,500 BTU (SACC) unit like the LG LP1018WNR instead.

The Frigidaire FGPC1044U1 has a SACC of only 5,200 BTUs. It’s a definite stay away in the category considering its poor cooling capacity and high price.

12,000 BTUs

The Frigidaire FFPA1222U1 disappoints with a SACC of only 6,500 BTUs.

The Frigidaire FGPC1244T1 is the top performer in the category with a SACC of 7,200 BTUs.

If you can find the FGPC1244T1 at a reasonable price, it’s a great option in the category. Do note that it’s much taller and heavier than other units in the same size class.

The FGPC1244T1 is over 3 ft. tall and weighs over 80 lb. Most other 12,000 BTU units are about 2.5 ft. tall and 70 lb. at most.

The FGPC1244T1 is also the clear choice over the FGPC1044U1. These two units look very similar and offer very similar functionality. But, most importantly, they’re often for sale at a very similar price with the FGPC1244T1 having far superior cooling capacity. If you’re debating between these two units get the FGPC1244T1.

14,000 BTUs

The Frigidaire FFPA1422U1 has a SACC of only 7,800 BTUs. The top performers in the category, the LG LP1419IVSM and NewAir NAC14KWH02, have a SACC of 10,000 and 9,500 BTUs, respectively.

Our testing showed a massive jump in performance even going from units with just under 9,000 BTUs (SACC) to units with over 9,000 BTUs (SACC) like the LG and NewAir.

Here our recommendation is strongly in favor of the LG and NewAir. We do not recommend any sub 9,000 BTU (SACC) 14,000 BTU (ASHRAE) portable air conditioner. This includes the FFPA1422U1.

Conclusion

We have a tough time recommending any Frigidaire portable air conditioner. The one exception is the FGPC1244T1. It offers

• The highest cooling capacity in its size class
• Smart functionality – a feature that most other units on the market simply do not have
• High SACC for its size class

At the right price, the FGPC1244T1 is a great buy in the 12,000 BTU size class.

We cannot say the same for other Frigidaire units. You can simply buy a higher SACC unit in each respective size class. And we recommend those higher SACC units over the Frigidaires.