How loud is the TCL Q-Series Smart Inverter H8W4MW?

42 dB(A) indoors, about as loud as a quiet library.

How energy-efficient is the TCL Q-Series Smart Inverter H8W4MW?

Its efficiency rating is CEER 15, and it is ENERGY STAR certified.

What size room does the TCL Q-Series Smart Inverter H8W4MW cool?

It is rated to cool a room up to 350 sq ft (8,000 BTU · 2.3 kW).

Do I need a professional to install the TCL Q-Series Smart Inverter H8W4MW?

No. It is a window unit you can fit yourself, no professional needed. Usually no permit.

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Window unitENERGY STAR

TCL

Q-Series Smart Inverter H8W4MW

8,000 BTU TCL Q-Series inverter window AC rated CEER 15 and Energy Star certified, a value-priced quiet unit for rooms up to 350 sq ft with WiFi control.

$399.99

Live price at Sylvane

Price checked Sep 24, 2026

Buy at Sylvane

Running costest.

~$75/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.

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 budget buyers who still want inverter efficiency.

Cooling

2.3 kW

Size

Average

Noise

42 dB

Moderate

Install: Self-fit, no pro neededPermission: Usually no permit

Performance

Cooling capacity: 8,000 BTU · 2.3 kW
Heating capacity: Cooling only
Room coverage: up to 350 sq ft
Energy Star: Yes
CEER: 15
Annual energy (cooling): 400 kWh

Noise, size & features

Model number: H8W4MW
Indoor noise: 42 dB(A)about as loud as a quiet library
Outdoor noise: Not published
Indoor unit: 14.0 x 23.0 x 18.8 in (HxWxD)
Outdoor unit: None
Refrigerant: R-32
Wi-Fi / app: Yes
Outdoor unit needed: No

What is good

Inverter, CEER 15, Energy Star certified, uses 38% less energy than the federal standard
Strong value pricing for an inverter unit
EZ-Install and openable-window design
R-32 refrigerant and WiFi app control

What to watch

Manufacturer does not publish a single dB figure
Standard window mount
Brand support and app polish trail the majors

Installation & the rules that apply

This is a window unit. No EPA Section 608 technician is needed: the refrigerant circuit is factory-sealed and never opened. A plug-in window unit needs no permit, so the friction is with your building rather than the government. Many HOAs restrict window units on appearance grounds, though an HOA regulating how you mount one stands on much firmer ground than one banning cooling outright. Landlords can set conditions, and the falling hazard is taken seriously: New York City, for instance, requires window units to be supported by brackets or mounting rails, and many building insurers and HOAs now require a bracket regardless of city.

Installation

Plug and play

Refrigerant

R-32

GeneralRenters: get written landlord consent firstReviewed June 2026Often blocks install

GeneralCondo / HOA: exterior changes need approvalReviewed June 2026Permit required

GeneralHistoric / listed buildings: consent before any exterior unitReviewed June 2026Permit required

MassachusettsMassachusetts: local historic district approval (MGL c.40C)Reviewed June 2026Permit required

United StatesUS: local mechanical and electrical permits (vary by city)Reviewed June 2026Permit required

See full rules by region

Common questions about the TCL Q-Series Smart Inverter H8W4MW

How much does the TCL Q-Series Smart Inverter H8W4MW cost to run per year?: About $75 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 loud is the TCL Q-Series Smart Inverter H8W4MW?: 42 dB(A) indoors, about as loud as a quiet library.
How energy-efficient is the TCL Q-Series Smart Inverter H8W4MW?: Its efficiency rating is CEER 15, and it is ENERGY STAR certified.
What size room does the TCL Q-Series Smart Inverter H8W4MW cool?: It is rated to cool a room up to 350 sq ft (8,000 BTU · 2.3 kW).
Do I need a professional to install the TCL Q-Series Smart Inverter H8W4MW?: No. It is a window unit you can fit yourself, no professional needed. Usually no permit.