🏠 Introduction: Beyond the Sticker Price
When Mike started shopping for an air conditioner in early spring 2025, he wasn’t just looking for cooling power — he wanted clarity.
“The question everyone forgets to ask,” Mike said, “is not how much it costs to buy an AC — it’s how much it costs to own one.”
That simple realization shaped how he chose and installed his Amana 11,800 BTU 115V Through-the-Wall Air Conditioner with Remote.
By tracking every dollar spent — from purchase price to power bills — he built a complete cost breakdown for homeowners wondering what real-world expenses look like in 2025.
💰 1️⃣ The Upfront Purchase Price
Mike started with the basics: buying the unit itself.
As of 2025, the Amana 11,800 BTU model typically retails between $700–$850, depending on availability and promotions.
Mike bought his directly from The Furnace Outlet for $779, including free delivery.
What’s included in the box:
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Full Amana wall unit (11,800 BTUs)
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Remote control with digital thermostat
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Front grille and filter
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Energy Guide label (with projected annual cost of $94)
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User manual and mounting hardware
“No surprises — everything I needed to start the install came in one box,” Mike said.
That $779 investment gave him a system rated 10.6 EER (Energy Efficiency Ratio) and Energy Star certification, meaning it was built to use less power per hour than older 10,000–12,000 BTU models.
📘 Reference: Energy Star – 2025 Certified Room AC Models
🧱 2️⃣ Installation Supplies & Wall Sleeve
Unlike window units, through-the-wall air conditioners require a metal wall sleeve for structural support. Mike’s wall didn’t have one, so he ordered Amana’s factory-standard sleeve.
| Item | Purpose | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Amana 26” Wall Sleeve | Holds AC inside wall cavity | $109 |
| Foam insulation tape | Seals sleeve edges, reduces vibration | $25 |
| Weather-resistant silicone | Prevents leaks and drafts | $12 |
| Trim molding & touch-up paint | Finishing around wall cutout | $35 |
| Optional pro inspection | Verified wall cut and slope | $75 |
Total for materials: ≈ $256
“I like to over-budget for small things like caulk and tape — they add up,” Mike said.
📘 Guide: This Old House – Installing a Wall AC
🧰 3️⃣ DIY vs. Professional Installation
Mike’s carpentry skills gave him the confidence to go the DIY route — but he still wanted to know what professional installation would have cost.
Here’s what he found from three local quotes:
| Installation Option | Typical 2025 Cost | What’s Included |
|---|---|---|
| DIY (Mike’s approach) | $150–$250 | Sleeve, sealant, trim materials |
| Pro installation (standard wall) | $400–$600 | Labor, wall cut, mounting, sealing |
| Retrofitting existing sleeve | $250–$350 | Swap old unit, reseal, test run |
Mike’s DIY project took two afternoons, saving him roughly $400.
“Doing it myself wasn’t hard — it was just slow,” he said. “But the satisfaction was worth it.”
⚡ 4️⃣ Power Consumption: The Hidden Monthly Cost
The Amana 11,800 BTU unit has a rated EER of 10.6, which means for every watt of electricity, it produces 10.6 BTUs of cooling.
At 1,120 watts (1.12 kWh/hour), Mike could calculate exactly what he’d pay in electricity.
His local utility rate: $0.14 per kWh
| Usage Scenario | Hours/Day | Cost/Day | Cost/Month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mild weather | 3 hrs | $0.47 | $14 |
| Typical summer | 5 hrs | $0.78 | $23 |
| Heatwave week | 9 hrs | $1.41 | $42 |
Mike averaged around $20–$25/month, totaling $95 for the entire summer — less than what his family spent on streaming services.
🌡️ 5️⃣ Testing the Energy Guide Label
The yellow EnergyGuide label that came with Mike’s unit estimated an annual energy cost of $94, assuming average use and a national electricity rate of $0.13/kWh.
His local rate was slightly higher, so his real-world total came to $97.10 for the season — almost exactly matching the estimate.
“That was one of the first times an appliance actually matched the Energy Star math,” Mike said.
📘 Reference: Energy Star – Reading EnergyGuide Labels
💡 6️⃣ Comparing Cooling Costs: Wall AC vs. Alternatives
Mike’s curiosity didn’t stop there. He wanted to know if his investment truly saved money versus other systems.
| System Type | Install Cost | Avg. Monthly Bill | Lifespan | Maintenance | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Window AC (10k BTU) | $350 | $25 | 5–7 yrs | Basic | Cheapest upfront |
| Amana Wall AC (11.8k BTU) | $850–$1,000 | $18–25 | 10–12 yrs | Easy | Balanced choice |
| Mini Split (12k BTU) | $2,800–$4,500 | $15–20 | 15–20 yrs | Annual pro tune-up | Quiet, most efficient |
| Central Air (3 Ton) | $5,500–$7,000 | $45+ | 15–20 yrs | Annual service | Whole-home cooling |
When he factored in lifetime cost, his Amana wall AC came out ahead in value — nearly half the total cost of ownership compared to a mini split.
📘 Source: Consumer Reports – Comparing AC Types
🔋 7️⃣ Energy Efficiency: How R-32 Helps You Save
Amana’s 2025 models use R-32 refrigerant, which carries heat more efficiently than older R-410A.
That translates to:
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10–15% lower power draw
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Faster cooling cycles
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Lower compressor stress
Mike noticed that his room reached 72°F almost 20% faster than his old window AC — using less energy in the process.
“It’s like getting a turbo boost that costs less to run,” he said.
📘 Reference: EPA – R-32 Refrigerant Benefits
🧽 8️⃣ Maintenance Costs: Keeping It Efficient
Wall units are simple to maintain — and that simplicity translates directly into lower ownership costs.
Here’s what Mike spends annually:
| Maintenance Item | Frequency | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clean reusable filter | Monthly | $0 | Wash & air dry |
| Coil cleaner spray | Twice per season | $10 | Improves airflow |
| Drain cleaning wire | Once per year | $5 | Prevents clogs |
| Silicone touch-up | Every 2–3 years | $8 | Keeps seal tight |
| Optional pro deep clean | As needed | $80 | Only if airflow drops |
Average annual cost: $20–$30 DIY, or $100–$120 if fully professional.
🧾 9️⃣ Total 10-Year Ownership Cost
Mike did what every practical homeowner should — he calculated total cost of ownership (TCO) for his unit over a decade.
| Category | 10-Year Cost |
|---|---|
| Unit purchase & sleeve | $1,000 |
| Energy use ($95/year) | $950 |
| Maintenance | $250 |
| Total | ≈ $2,200 |
Compared to a window unit replaced twice in the same period, the Amana costs less long-term while delivering higher comfort and better aesthetics.
🏗️ 10️⃣ Installation Cost Variables
Not all walls are equal. Mike listed the biggest factors that affect installation price:
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Wall thickness: Thicker = more labor.
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Electrical proximity: Nearest outlet should handle 115V 15A load.
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Finishing: Trim and paint can add aesthetic cost.
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Retrofits: Removing old sleeves or patching miscuts adds time.
In most 2025 cases, a pro-installed Amana runs $1,000–$1,200 total, while DIYers like Mike can finish under $900.
🔌 11️⃣ Annual Power Bill Comparison
Mike compared his 2025 electric bills with 2023 (when he had a 10-year-old window unit).
| Month | 2023 Cost (Old Unit) | 2025 Cost (Amana) | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| June | $28 | $21 | $7 |
| July | $33 | $26 | $7 |
| August | $29 | $24 | $5 |
| September | $24 | $18 | $6 |
| Total (Season) | $114 | $89 | $25 Saved |
“Twenty-five bucks may not sound like much,” Mike said, “but over ten years, that’s dinner for two every summer — and a cooler house.”
🏡 12️⃣ Long-Term Home Value
Mike didn’t expect his AC to affect home resale value — but his realtor told him otherwise.
Because wall units are permanent installations, they’re treated as home upgrades, not removable appliances.
“Buyers see it as a clean, efficient cooling solution — especially in small homes or condos,” Mike noted.
Well-installed, the Amana can increase perceived property value by $500–$800, essentially recouping part of its cost.
⚙️ 13️⃣ Noise, Comfort, and Efficiency ROI
Mike realized that comfort itself is a form of return on investment.
His Amana ran quieter (54–56 dB) and cooled faster than any previous unit, which meant he didn’t need to run it overnight or on maximum power.
Over time, that contributed to additional energy savings — about 8–10% reduction in runtime over the first summer.
💸 14️⃣ The "Hidden Costs" People Forget
Mike kept a realistic list of small but often-overlooked expenses:
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Extension cord (if needed): $15
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Surge protector: $25
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New outlet (if relocated): $50–$100
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Paint & patching: $15
Even with these extras, his total investment remained under $1,000.
🧊 15️⃣ Efficiency Over Time: Does It Stay Cheap to Run?
One of Mike’s biggest concerns was performance drift — would it still run efficiently after five years?
His HVAC friend explained that with regular cleaning and sealing, EER degradation is less than 3% per year — meaning after five summers, it still performs above a 10.0 EER equivalent.
“I realized good maintenance isn’t about perfection — it’s about keeping what you paid for,” Mike said.
🧮 16️⃣ Cost Comparison: Cooling Per Square Foot
To understand real-world value, Mike divided cost by coverage.
| Unit Type | BTU | Sq. Ft. Coverage | Energy Use | Cost per 100 sq. ft./Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Old window AC | 10,000 | 400 | 1.4 kWh/hr | $24 |
| Amana 11,800 BTU | 500 | 1.12 kWh/hr | $18 | |
| Mini Split 12,000 BTU | 600 | 0.95 kWh/hr | $16 | |
| Central AC | Whole house | 3,000+ | 3.5 kWh/hr | $40+ |
Amana delivered nearly the same cooling efficiency per square foot as a ductless system, at one-third the cost.
🧾 17️⃣ The 10-Year “Peace of Mind” Projection
Mike projected his costs for a decade assuming 3% inflation in energy rates:
| Year | Annual Energy Cost | Maintenance | Cumulative Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $95 | $25 | $120 |
| 2026 | $98 | $25 | $243 |
| 2027 | $101 | $25 | $369 |
| 2028 | $104 | $25 | $498 |
| 2029 | $107 | $25 | $630 |
| 2030–2035 | $650 | $100 | $2,200 total |
“After ten years, I’ll have spent about what a cheap mini split costs upfront,” Mike said, “but mine’s been paid off since year one.”
🧠 18️⃣ Mike’s Key Takeaways
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Budget for more than the box. Expect to spend ~30% beyond the sticker price for sleeves, sealant, and materials.
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Track power use early. A simple Kill A Watt meter helped Mike confirm efficiency.
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Maintenance matters. $20 a year keeps $700 worth of efficiency alive.
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Choose R-32 refrigerant. It’s cheaper to run and better for the planet.
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Plan for comfort ROI. Noise reduction, steady humidity, and resale value all add up.
“If I spread my costs across 12 summers, it’s about eight bucks a month,” Mike said. “That’s comfort on a budget.”
In the next topic we will know more about: Longevity & Warranty Guide: How Long Will an Amana Wall AC Last?
