Friedrich · Model KCVM18B30A
18,000 BTU Kuhl Window Air Conditioner
A window-or-wall air conditioner rated at 18,000 BTU for rooms up to 1,000 sq ft. It fits a window or its own wall sleeve.
$1,729
Live price at SylvanePrice checked Oct 27, 2026
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Will it cool your room?
This unit's cooling matches your 861 sq ft room.
Estimated from ENERGY STAR's published annual energy use at about 750 hours of cooling a year (the DOE test standard) and the US average electricity price of 18.44¢/kWh (U.S. Energy Information Administration, Electric Power Monthly Table 5.6.A (residential average, May 2026)). A standardized figure for comparison; your real cost depends on how much you run it, your local rate and your climate.
Local rates vary widely (about 15¢/kWh in Florida to 33¢ in California), and hotter regions run their AC more hours, so your real cost differs.
At a glance
Best for larger open-plan rooms.
Performance
- Cooling capacity
- 18,000 BTU · 5.3 kW
- Power while cooling
- 2,092 W (9.3 A at 208/230 V), about $0.39 an hour
- Heating capacity
- Cooling only
- Room coverage
- up to 1,000 sq ft
- Energy Star
- Yes
- CEER
- 14.4
- Annual energy (cooling)
- 995 kWh
Noise, size & features
- Model number
- KCVM18B30A
- Indoor noise
- Not published
- Outdoor noise
- Not published
- Indoor unit
- 25.94 x 17.94 x 29 in
- Outdoor unit
- None
- Refrigerant
- R-32
- Wi-Fi / app
- Not published
- Outdoor unit needed
- No
- Power supply
- 208/230 V, NEMA 6-15P plug
- Wall sleeve
- Fits a window, or a Friedrich Kuhl sleeve of its size
- Warranty
- 5-Year Warranty
Supply voltage, plug, cooling power, cooling current, refrigerant and warranty are from Sylvane's published specifications for this exact configuration, checked Oct 18, 2026.
Power while cooling: From the maximum cooling draw its retailer lists for this exact model. An hour's cost is at that draw and the US average electricity price of 18.44¢/kWh (U.S. Energy Information Administration, Electric Power Monthly Table 5.6.A (residential average, May 2026)). The compressor cycles once the room is cool, so most hours cost less.
Will it fit your wall sleeve?
Its cabinet is its sleeve: it goes in a window, or through a wall in an opening sized for its chassis (Q, S, M or L). Friedrich says its sleeve sizes have not changed in over 45 years, so a new Kuhl fits an existing Friedrich sleeve of the same size. Its side air intakes must stay clear, so the wall can be no thicker than Friedrich's limit for that size (8½ in. for Q, 7⅜ in. for S and M, 15⅛ in. for L). Source: Friedrich Kuhl brochure (sleeve sizes)
Every through-the-wall AC and PTAC by the sleeve it fitsWhat is good
- Uses R-32 (GWP 675), the low-GWP class new US residential equipment moved to.
What to watch
- Its CEER 14.4 is less efficient than 38 of the 47 other window units we list with a published CEER.
- At $1,729 it costs more than 17 of the 17 other 15,000-18,000 BTU window units we list with a live price.
Installation & the rules that apply
This is a window-or-wall air conditioner. In a window it follows the same rules as any window unit. Through a wall it sits in the maker's own sleeve, and cutting a new opening usually needs a building permit and, in a condo, co-op or historic building, approval first.
In a window, or in its own wall sleeve
R-32
Common questions about the Friedrich 18,000 BTU Kuhl Window Air Conditioner
- How much does the Friedrich 18,000 BTU Kuhl Window Air Conditioner cost to run per year?
- About $185 a year. Estimated from ENERGY STAR's published annual energy use at about 750 hours of cooling a year (the DOE test standard) and the US average electricity price of 18.44¢/kWh (U.S. Energy Information Administration, Electric Power Monthly Table 5.6.A (residential average, May 2026)). A standardized figure for comparison; your real cost depends on how much you run it, your local rate and your climate.
- How energy-efficient is the Friedrich 18,000 BTU Kuhl Window Air Conditioner?
- Its efficiency rating is CEER 14.4, and it is ENERGY STAR certified.
- How many watts does the Friedrich 18,000 BTU Kuhl Window Air Conditioner use?
- It draws 2,092 watts (9.3 amps at 208/230 V) while cooling at full power, per its retailer's specification for this exact model. At the US average electricity price that is about $0.39 an hour; once the room is cool the compressor cycles, so most hours cost less.
- What size room does the Friedrich 18,000 BTU Kuhl Window Air Conditioner cool?
- It is rated to cool a room up to 1,000 sq ft (18,000 BTU · 5.3 kW).
- Do I need a professional to install the Friedrich 18,000 BTU Kuhl Window Air Conditioner?
- Not for a window installation, which you can do yourself like any window unit (it is heavy, so plan on two people). Through a wall it goes in a sleeve made for its chassis size, and cutting a new wall opening is contractor work that usually needs a building permit.
How Friedrich compares with other brands
Both lineups at every size both brands sell in stock, with live prices, ratings and the warranty each listing states.
How the Friedrich Kuhl line compares
Both lines at every size both sell in stock, with live prices, ratings, recalls and what each maker says about its line.
Is a window even the right type?
Compare windows against the other types on price, noise, efficiency and install.
Buying guides for a window or wall unit like this
The questions buyers ask, answered from live prices and real specs. See where a window or wall unit like this fits.
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