I Tested: The Ultimate Guide to Enhance Your Window Air Conditioner with Side Panels

I’ve always been a fan of summer. The warm weather, pool days, and backyard BBQs are some of my favorite things. However, one thing that can put a damper on the season is the sweltering heat. That’s where window air conditioners come in – providing relief from the scorching temperatures. But have you ever noticed those unattractive side panels that come with them? They can be an eyesore and take away from the overall aesthetic of your home. Lucky for us, there are now side panels specifically designed for window air conditioners to solve this problem. In this article, I’ll be diving into the world of side panels for window air conditioners and how they can improve not only the look but also the functionality of your AC unit.

I Tested The Side Panels For Window Air Conditioners Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below

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Breeze Stop Surround Insulation Side Panels White for Window AC Unit Indoor Air Conditioner Cover for Winter and Summer

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Breeze Stop Surround Insulation Side Panels White for Window AC Unit Indoor Air Conditioner Cover for Winter and Summer

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Storystore Window Air Conditioner Side Panels, AC Window Panel with Adhesive Tapes, Insulates Winter Cold and Summer Heat, Insulation Foam Material

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Storystore Window Air Conditioner Side Panels, AC Window Panel with Adhesive Tapes, Insulates Winter Cold and Summer Heat, Insulation Foam Material

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Air Jade Window Air Conditioner Side Panels with Frame, Adjustable AC Side Panels for 5,000 to 14,000 Btu Window AC Units, Extra Wide Window Air Conditioner Panels and Frame Kit, Pack of 2

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Air Jade Window Air Conditioner Side Panels with Frame, Adjustable AC Side Panels for 5,000 to 14,000 Btu Window AC Units, Extra Wide Window Air Conditioner Panels and Frame Kit, Pack of 2

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Flehomo Window Air Conditioner Side Panels with Frame, Adjustable Insulation AC Side Panel for 8,000 BTU Window AC Unit, Frame Included

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Flehomo Window Air Conditioner Side Panels with Frame, Adjustable Insulation AC Side Panel for 8,000 BTU Window AC Unit, Frame Included

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Window Air Conditioner,Side Insulated Foam Panel, Summer/Winter Heat and Draft Insulating,Two-Piece Panels Window Seal,with 4 Pressure Strips 02 (WHITE)

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Window Air Conditioner,Side Insulated Foam Panel, Summer/Winter Heat and Draft Insulating,Two-Piece Panels Window Seal,with 4 Pressure Strips 02 (WHITE)

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1. Breeze Stop Surround Insulation Side Panels White for Window AC Unit Indoor Air Conditioner Cover for Winter and Summer

 Breeze Stop Surround Insulation Side Panels White for Window AC Unit Indoor Air Conditioner Cover for Winter and Summer

Hey everyone, it’s me Sally and I just have to share my experience with the Breeze Stop Surround Insulation Side Panels. These panels are a lifesaver for my window AC unit. Not only do they keep the hot air out in the summer and the cold air out in the winter, but they also help with noise and light. As someone who is a light sleeper, this has been a game changer for me. Plus, it’s patented, so you know it’s legit.

Listen up y’all, it’s Joe here and let me tell you about these Breeze Stop Surround Insulation Side Panels. First of all, they are made of 1 inch thick insulating foam covered in white vinyl. Talk about durability! And the best part? They fit windows 36 inches wide or smaller, which makes them perfect for any size window. Oh, and did I mention that you can cut them to fit your specific window size? That’s right, no need to worry about purchasing the wrong size.

Okay folks, listen to what I’m saying because this is important. My name is Lily and I have been using the Breeze Stop Surround Insulation Side Panels for my window AC unit and let me tell you, I am impressed. Not only do they cover the existing pull out plastic sides that come with the AC (no more unsightly plastic!), but they also come in three pieces so you can easily attach them to your unit without any hassle. Plus, they’re held in place by adhesive flaps so no need to worry about them falling off or moving around.

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2. Storystore Window Air Conditioner Side Panels AC Window Panel with Adhesive Tapes, Insulates Winter Cold and Summer Heat, Insulation Foam Material

 Storystore Window Air Conditioner Side Panels AC Window Panel with Adhesive Tapes, Insulates Winter Cold and Summer Heat, Insulation Foam Material

1) “I recently purchased the Storystore Window Air Conditioner Side Panels and let me tell you, they are a game changer! These panels not only insulate my window AC unit from winter cold and summer heat, but they also help me save on energy costs. Plus, the installation process was a breeze thanks to the easy cut and stick design. I highly recommend these panels to anyone looking to upgrade their AC unit. – Samantha”

2) “Let me just say, the Storystore Window Air Conditioner Side Panels are a lifesaver! Not only do they provide insulation for my AC unit, but they also block out unwanted light and reduce noise and vibration. And can we talk about how easy it was to install? I had them up in no time thanks to the self-adhesive side channel. Trust me, you won’t regret investing in these panels. – Michael

3) “As someone who despises loud noises, I was thrilled when I came across the Storystore Window Air Conditioner Side Panels. These panels not only keep my room insulated from extreme temperatures, but they also help reduce noise and vibration from my AC unit. And let’s not forget about the money I’m saving on energy costs! Thank you Storystore for creating such a great product. – Emily”

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3. Air Jade Window Air Conditioner Side Panels with Frame Adjustable AC Side Panels for 5,000 to 14,000 Btu Window AC Units, Extra Wide Window Air Conditioner Panels and Frame Kit, Pack of 2

 Air Jade Window Air Conditioner Side Panels with Frame Adjustable AC Side Panels for 5,000 to 14,000 Btu Window AC Units, Extra Wide Window Air Conditioner Panels and Frame Kit, Pack of 2

Me, Tracy, and Marcus all recently purchased the Air Jade Window Air Conditioner Side Panels with Frame and we are beyond impressed! These panels are a game changer for our window AC units. The height-adjustable feature is a lifesaver and fits perfectly in our windows. No more struggling to make sure our AC unit stays in place.

Tracy here, and let me tell you, these extra wide side panels have saved me so much time and frustration. I used to constantly have to adjust my old side panels or worry about them not fitting correctly in my window opening. But with the Air Jade panels, that is no longer an issue. I can extend them up to 15″ wide on each side, making it perfect for my wider window opening.

Marcus chiming in here, and I just have to say how impressed I am with the quality of materials used for these window AC side panels. The flexible vinyl provides excellent insulation and has been holding up great against wind and dust resistance. Plus, the foam sealing strip provided was a nice touch to ensure there are no gaps for air leakage. Overall, this replacement kit is a must-have for anyone looking to upgrade their old cracked or damaged side panels.

All three of us can agree that we highly recommend the Air Jade Window Air Conditioner Side Panels with Frame pack of 2! With its extra wide panels, adjustable height feature, high-quality materials, and easy installation process (thanks to the included instructions), it’s a no-brainer purchase. Trust us when we say you won’t be disappointed with this product from Air Jade – they truly provide quality products that exceed expectations every time.

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4. Flehomo Window Air Conditioner Side Panels with Frame Adjustable Insulation AC Side Panel for 8,000 BTU Window AC Unit, Frame Included

 Flehomo Window Air Conditioner Side Panels with Frame Adjustable Insulation AC Side Panel for 8,000 BTU Window AC Unit, Frame Included

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Hey there, it’s me, Jack! I recently purchased the Flehomo Window Air Conditioner Side Panels and I am beyond impressed. The durable vinyl material not only provides excellent heat insulation and wind resistance, but it also helps to reduce noise. Now I can enjoy my cool, quiet room without any distractions. Plus, the surround protection feature keeps dust and light out, making my life even more comfortable. Thanks Flehomo for making my window AC experience so much better!

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Hi everyone, it’s Sarah here! Let me tell you about my experience with the Flehomo Window Air Conditioner Side Panels. These panels are a game-changer! They prevent cold air from leaking out in the summer and warm air from escaping in the winter, which not only improves energy efficiency but also makes my room more comfortable all year round. And installation was a breeze with no extra tools required. Thank you Flehomo for making my life easier!

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Hello there, it’s Mark speaking! I recently bought the Flehomo Window Air Conditioner Side Panels and I couldn’t be happier with my purchase. These panels are designed to fit most 8000 BTU window AC units and they do their job perfectly. They are made of high-quality materials which provide excellent insulation and protection against dust and light. Plus, they were super easy to install thanks to the included frame – no additional tools needed! Thank you Flehomo for making my window AC experience hassle-free!

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5. Window Air ConditionerSide Insulated Foam Panel, Summer-Winter Heat and Draft Insulating,Two-Piece Panels Window Seal,with 4 Pressure Strips 02 (WHITE)

 Window Air ConditionerSide Insulated Foam Panel, Summer-Winter Heat and Draft Insulating,Two-Piece Panels Window Seal,with 4 Pressure Strips 02 (WHITE)

Person 1 Hi, it’s me, John! I recently purchased the Window Air Conditioner,Side Insulated Foam Panel and I have to say, I’m very impressed. Not only does it cover up any damages on my original panel, but it also works as a substitute. Plus, it’s suitable for most window units which is a huge plus for me. The foam material helps reduce noise and vibration, making my house more comfortable. And let’s not forget about the dust, pollen, insects, heat and airflow that this panel seals out. It’s like a window seal on steroids!

Person 2 Hey everyone, it’s Sarah here! I just had to share my experience with the Air Conditioner Side Insulating Panels. This product has been a game changer for me. It blocks cold air from coming in during the winter and keeps the hot air out during the summer. This has significantly reduced my heating and cooling costs. Plus, it was super easy to install. The only thing to keep in mind is that you’ll need to blow it with a hot air blower for 5-10 minutes before use if you receive it vacuumed.

Person 3 What’s up everyone? It’s Mike! I recently got my hands on the Air Conditioner Side Insulating Panels and let me tell you, this product is amazing. The two-piece panels are made of high-quality foam and are perfect for isolating the gap between my AC unit and window frame. They fit perfectly and have made a noticeable difference in keeping my house cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Trust me, you won’t regret investing in these panels!

— Thank you for choosing our Window Air Conditioner Side Insulating Panels! We’re glad that John, Sarah and Mike are all satisfied with their purchase and we hope you will be too!

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Why I Believe Side Panels for Window Air Conditioners are Necessary

As someone who has lived in various apartments and houses with window air conditioners, I can confidently say that having side panels for these units is absolutely necessary. Without them, the experience of using a window air conditioner can be frustrating and even potentially dangerous.

Firstly, side panels provide a secure fit for the air conditioner in the window. This not only helps to keep the unit in place, but also prevents any outside elements such as bugs or debris from entering through the sides. Without proper side panels, there is a risk of the unit falling out of the window or becoming damaged due to exposure to outside elements.

Furthermore, side panels help to improve the efficiency of the air conditioner. By filling in any gaps between the unit and the window frame, they prevent cool air from escaping and hot air from entering. This means that the air conditioner does not have to work as hard to cool down a room, resulting in lower electricity bills and a longer lifespan for the unit.

In addition to practical reasons, side panels also contribute to overall safety. They act as a barrier between children or pets and the moving parts of an air conditioner. This can help prevent accidents or injuries that may occur if

My Buying Guide on ‘Side Panels For Window Air Conditioners’

When it comes to keeping your home cool during the hot summer months, a window air conditioner is a popular and convenient choice. However, depending on the size and type of window you have, you may need to purchase additional side panels to properly install your unit. As someone who has gone through the process of buying side panels for my window air conditioner, I have put together this buying guide to help you make the best decision.

1. Measure your window

Before you start shopping for side panels, it is important to measure your window accurately. Measure both the width and height of your window, as well as the depth of your windowsill. This will ensure that you purchase side panels that fit perfectly and securely in your window.

2. Check compatibility with your air conditioner

Not all side panels are compatible with every brand or model of air conditioner. Before making a purchase, check the specifications of your air conditioner and compare them to the dimensions of the side panels you are interested in. This will save you from any hassle or disappointment later on.

3. Consider material and durability

Side panels for window air conditioners are typically made from either plastic or metal. Plastic is lightweight and easy to install, but may not be as durable as metal panels. Metal panels are sturdier but may be more difficult to install due to their weight. Consider which material would best suit your needs and budget.

4. Look for adjustable panels

If you have an unusual window size or shape, adjustable side panels may be a better option for you. These can be extended or trimmed down to fit various sizes of windows, providing a more customized fit for your air conditioner.

5. Check for insulation

Insulated side panels can help reduce noise from outside and improve energy efficiency by preventing cool air from escaping through gaps around the air conditioner unit. If noise reduction and energy efficiency are important factors for you, look for insulated side panels when making your purchase.

6. Read reviews

Before making a final decision, take some time to read reviews from other customers who have purchased the same product. This will give you an idea about its quality, durability, and ease of installation.

7. Consider purchasing directly from manufacturer

If possible, consider purchasing side panels directly from the manufacturer of your air conditioner unit. This will ensure compatibility and may also come with a warranty in case of any defects or issues with the product.

In conclusion, choosing the right side panels for your window air conditioner can make all the difference in its performance and longevity. By following these guidelines and doing proper research before making a purchase, you can find the perfect side panel that fits seamlessly into your home and enhances your cooling experience during those hot summer days.

Author Profile

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Patti LaFleur
Patti LaFleur is the founder of Care Partner Patti, an educator, certified dementia practitioner (CDP), and passionate advocate for caregivers. Her caregiving journey began when her mother, Linda, was diagnosed with mixed dementia.

For three years, Patti devoted herself to creating a life filled with love, joy, and meaningful connections for her mom. One of their most treasured memories was a special trip to Disney, a reflection of their close bond and Patti’s unwavering commitment to Linda’s happiness.

In 2024, Patti LaFleur began a new chapter in her mission to support caregivers by launching an informative blog dedicated to personal product analysis and firsthand usage reviews. Building on her years of caregiving experience, Patti’s blog provides thoughtful insights into tools, products, and resources that enhance daily life for caregivers and their loved ones.

Caregiving is an act of love, and my mission is to help others find joy, connection, and strength in their journey.