Consumer Reports Air Conditioners

Is it okay to use an extension cord with a window unit air conditioner?

I read in “Consumer Reports” that you should not do so but what can be the problem if you use a heavy duty cord with the right plug and you only have the AC on the cord? (Admittedly I know nothing about electricity or wiring.)
Great. I may have to sweat through the summer.
LET ME BE MORE PRECISE – I MEAN MAJOR APPLIANCE CORD. I was not going to use a flimsy extension cord that is meant for lamps, etc. The more I think of it, the magazine must have been referring to that type of cord. Surely there would be some way to use an AC unit in a house that has outlets in odd places. SO… I MEAN “MAJOR APPLIANCE CORD.”

Thanks for your help. You are all very kind! Thanks.

Have a “cool” summer.

They make a short one around 6 ft. for window 110 powered units. Home depot and most hardware stores sell these.It is a larger wire for this use.I have used these and they work.If you have a 220 powered unit you will have to get an electrician to wire in a new outlet as you cannot use extension cords with these.Caution use only the cord made for window ac 110 units anything else will cause problems AGAIN.THEY MAKE A CORD FOR 110 UNITS AS MENTIONED THIS SHOULD WORK FOR YOU.ADDED INFO I do not understand the thumbs down for several of these answers.YES you can use a cord made for this purpose 0n a 110 powered unit for a short distance. Why do you suppose home depot and electric shops sell the thing with a label for ac or appliance use. partly cloudy gave you the amp. draw ratings for a 110 unit and it is well within specs.He got a couple thumbs down. Many people live in apartments and they will not pay to have these rewired.Ideally you should never need a extension cord ,in the real world they are used. You need to use the proper one correctly to be safe. If you own the home have it wired to avoid these. If renting always use them correctly to prevent problems.

Air Conditioner Buying Guide from Consumer Reports

03 – 06 CADILLAC CTS A/C HEATER CLIMATE CONTROL 04 05 $90.24

00 01 02 03 04 05 IMPALA MONTE CARLO CLIMATE CONTROL $56.21

04 – 07 CHEVY MALIBU A/C HEATER CLIMATE CONTROL 05 06 $90.24

Mercedes BEHR HVAC UNIT A/C Climate Control Heater Core Box Fan Air Conditioning $249.00

BMW E90 CLIMATE CONTROL PANEL WITH HEATED HEAT SEATS A/C $78.00

1238301285 Mercedes Climate Control Panel 300D 300CD W123 REBUILT AQC OR PRG $189.99

Toyota Hilux Pickup Truck 4Runner HEATER AC, A/C CLIMATE Control CONTROLS 84-88 $41.65

06 – 08 KIA OPTIMA MAGENTIS A/C HEATER CLIMATE CONTROL $80.74

06 – 08 KIA OPTIMA MAGENTIS A/C HEATER CLIMATE CONTROL $80.74

Cadillac Seville Climate Heater Control 2000 00 2001 01 2002 02 2003 03 2004 $56.78

jeep grand cherokee climate control/ac/heat control $14.99

ford f series super duty climate control switches $25.00

BMW E46 325 328 330 Climate Control Unit $199.00

92-00 Lexus SC300 SC400 Heater Climate Control display HVAC $42.22

88 89 90 91 92 93 94 BMW 750IL AC HEATER TEMPERATURE CLIMATE CONTROL PANEL $79.00

96-97 FORD EXPLORER MOUNTAINEER DIGITAL CLIMATE TEMP CONTROL A/C F67H-19C933-AG $41.99

01-04 CHEVY VENTURE A/C HEATER CLIMATE CONTROL WARRANTY $99.88

97 98 99 Infiniti Q45 AC Heater Climate Control $49.99

VOLVO S80 AC & Heat CLIMATE CONTROL HEATER CONTROL $64.99

2003 Mercedes ML Climate Control 163 820 03 26 $27.93

05 06 Chevy Uplander AC Heater Climate Control $89.99

Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 4 IV CN9A AC Heater Digital Climate Control J018 Evolution $97.65

02 Dodge Intrepid Climate Control Unit $35.00

1995-1997 Lincoln Continental Climate Control Module F60H-19C933-AD $72.00

98-02 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS EATC AUTOMATIC AC CLIMATE CONTROL 1W7H-18C612-CASR $140.00

1995-2002 Range Rover Climate Heater A/C Control Unit P38 AWR1012 $100.99

Pontiac Bonneville AC HEATER CLIMATE CONTROL 87 88 89 $19.97

GRAND AM [96-98] Climate Control Knobs AC Heat Fan Knob (1) Stock-B $3.99

BMW e34 AC Heater Climate Control Panel M5 525i 540i $19.99

GRAND AM [96-98] Climate Control Knobs AC Heat Fan Knob (1) Stock-5A $6.50

NEW ACCUMULATOR or DRIER RD 10172C $24.89

1991-93 CAPRICE W/R-4 NEW AC A/C COMPRESSOR DRIER XTUBE 15-10189F $218.00

00 01 02 03 04 05 JAGUAR S TYPE AC AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR W/ CLUTCH $139.00

BRONCO AIR CONDITIONER $500.00

2004-05 CHEV CLASSIC W/2.2 NEW AC A/C COMPRESSOR DRIER XTUBE CO20742C $218.00

240 Volvo air conditioner condenser 80 264 Diesel fit other years and models 81 $49.00

73 Buick Century AC Condenser Air Conditioner 350 5.7 $29.99

2006-09 HHR NEW AC A/C COMPRESSOR $218.00

03 04 05 06 07 08 JAGUAR S TYPE AC AIR CONDITIONER CONDENSER $139.00

NEW AUTO AIR CONDITIONER SUB ZERO RECHILL KIT, W/R-134 REFRIGERANT/INSTRUCTIONS $33.00

1980 Buick Regal Grand National G Body Heater Air Conditioner Blower Motor $15.00

NEW COMPRESSOR Camaro 1999 2000 2001 2002 99 00 01 02 $151.76

100% BRAND NEW A/C COMPRESSOR CO 22040C $211.76

99-03 Acura TL CL Type-S A/C air conditioner conditioning hose line fitting OEM $38.70

2 Port Air Conditioner Heat Firewall Bulkhead Gearhead $34.95

100% BRAND NEW A/C COMPRESSOR CO 10541AC $134.89

97 98 AUDI A4 AC AIR CONDITIONER EVAPORATOR CORE $52.00

00 01 02 TOYOTA CELICA AC AIR CONDITIONER CONDENSER $79.00

Ford Air Conditioner $150.00

98 99 00 01 02 03 NEON AC AIR CONDITIONER EVAPORATOR CORE $68.00

NEW AC COMPRESSOR JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE 99 01 02 03 04 $138.75

94-97 98 99 00 01 02 SATURN S SERIES SEDAN AC AIR CONDITIONER CONDENSER $64.00

Ford Mustang Underdash AC Air Conditioner Unit 1966 Working Unit Bad Switch $103.50

100% NEW A/C Compressor w/ Clutch CO 4987AC $124.95

100% BRAND NEW A/C COMPRESSOR CO 4375C $134.89

100% BRAND NEW A/C COMPRESSOR CO 0025LC $134.89

Car Air Conditioner 21mm Female Thread Angle Type Pipe Joint Fitting $5.26

00 01 02 03 MERCEDES ML320 AC AIR CONDITIONER CONDENSER $79.00

01 02 03 04 05 06 ELANTRA AC AIR CONDITIONER CONDENSER 2.0L 4 CYL $65.00

Mercedes w202 w208 A/C ac Evaporator BEHR air conditioner core c-class clk-class $212.90

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