Air Conditioner Installation and Plug Types

Choosing the right air conditioner style and BTU level is important, but don't forget about power! Your air conditioner's chosen spot needs a power source, and it's important to make sure that your new unit has the right plug to match its nearby air conditioner outlet.

The 110 volt, 15 amp plug is the most common. These are the types that work with the standard three-prong outlet that you use for most other household items like lamps or TVs. These plugs have two vertical prongs on top and one grounding prong below. A less-common plug type is the 110 volt, 20 amp plug. Instead of having two vertical prongs on the top of a 110 volt-15 amp plug, one prong is horizontal. These require a special outlet. If you're using a large AC with a very high BTU rating, it may have a 220-volt plug. These air conditioner plugs are unmistakably larger than normal, with both of the top pins laying horizontally and a much thicker build. These also require a special outlet, which may already be in place if a large air conditioner had been in the same spot previously.