Air King 9155 Window Fan, 16-Inch,White

A window fan that actually ventilates

A box fan can stir the air; this 16-inch window fan actually moves it. After a month of daily use, I’m convinced the Air King window fan is closer to a compact whole-house ventilator than a typical consumer window fan. It’s not fancy, but it’s powerful, thoughtfully designed, and efficient enough to make a dent in cooling costs—provided you use it correctly.

Setup and fit

Installation took me about 20 minutes with a cordless drill. The unit stands roughly 22 inches tall, so the first order of business is confirming your double-hung sash opens high enough to accept it. If your windows are on the short side or not double-hung, plan on a different approach.

I mounted the fan into the lower sash, squared it with a level, and secured it with two wood screws into the side jambs. The included mounting solution is basic; I added a strip of weatherstripping foam along the sides and top to eliminate light gaps and reduce vibration. If you want a cleaner look, paintable foam backer rod works well too. One smart detail is the Storm Guard arrangement: with the fan fixed in place, I can slide the upper sash down to close the window behind the unit. That’s been great for sudden rain and for nighttime security without having to uninstall the fan.

One tip: remove or bypass your insect screen if you care about airflow. Screens add noticeable resistance and accumulate dust that slows things down. I popped mine out and immediately gained performance.

Airflow and performance

The headline spec here is 2470 CFM, and the fan feels every bit of that. In exhaust mode with a couple of shaded, ground-floor windows cracked open as intakes, I can clear a stuffy 1,000-square-foot first floor in minutes and establish a strong, continuous breeze through the house. Cooking odors don’t stand a chance; neither does residual shower humidity when I put it to work upstairs. Used at night during shoulder seasons, it’s a legitimate alternative to running central air.

The key is to give the fan enough makeup air. Starving it by keeping too few windows open makes the motor work harder and ramps up both noise and vibration. Treated like a ventilator—with a defined airflow path from intake window(s) to the exhaust window—it shines. If you prefer intake rather than exhaust, it works, but I got better results using it as an exhaust to create negative pressure and actively pull cool air through other openings.

Noise and vibration

This is not a whisper-quiet appliance. At low and medium speeds, it settles into a steady mechanical hum that fades into the background if you’re in another room. At high, it is loud enough to dominate a small space—but the sound is broad-band and not shrill. In my case, high is a tool I use to do a quick air change; I then drop to medium for continuous operation.

Balance matters. Out of the box, my sample ran true at low and medium, with a slight shudder at top speed. The solution was simple: firm up the install and add a bit of damping. A pair of thin rubber pads under the base and foam along the side rails eliminated most of the window resonance. Also, the more rigid your sash, the less it will act as a sounding board.

Energy use and efficiency

Energy-wise, the fan is rated at 27.44 CFM/W, which is very good for this category. On paper that puts high-speed power draw in the neighborhood of 90 watts (2470 CFM ÷ 27.44 CFM/W ≈ 90 W). In practical terms, even running for eight hours at high would use roughly 0.72 kWh—pennies a day at typical utility rates. On lower speeds, consumption drops further.

This efficiency is what makes the fan a credible AC-reduction tool. On mild evenings, I’ve been able to purge heat and sleep comfortably without turning on the compressor. On hot, humid days, it’s not a replacement for cooling, but it can reduce runtime by pre-cooling the house overnight and clearing heat buildup before the AC kicks in.

Build and maintenance

The housing is impact-resistant plastic, thick enough to feel sturdy without adding a lot of weight. The grille fasteners are accessible, and the motor is permanently lubricated, so there’s no oiling schedule to worry about. That said, airflow depends on cleanliness. I make a habit of vacuuming dust from the grille weekly and doing a deeper clean at the end of the season—remove the grille, wipe the blades, and check for any debris on the motor hub. If you leave your window screen in place, include it in the cleaning; it can clog faster than you expect.

Controls are straightforward: a rotary selector for speeds and a simple toggle for intake/exhaust. Detents feel positive, and the switchgear hasn’t shown any play after repeated daily cycling. The one-year limited warranty is standard fare; I haven’t had a reason to use it.

Day-to-day use

Most of my use has been in an attic window, exhausting. With a shaded first-floor window cracked a few inches, the fan sets up a whole-house flow that you can feel on the staircase. That’s ideal for night flushing, clearing indoor pollutants from DIY projects, and moving out stale air after cooking. In a workshop, it does a solid job as a fume exhaust—just be mindful of makeup air to avoid pulling dust from unwanted places.

Weather is another real-world test. The Storm Guard feature lets me close the sash fully behind the fan when storms blow in. That’s more than convenience; it protects the motor from wind-driven rain, and it’s helpful for security when you’re away. I’ve left the fan in place through a couple of fast-moving storms with no issues.

Limitations and compatibility

• Window size: At 22 inches tall, this unit won’t fit short sashes or many slider windows. Measure before you buy.
• Aesthetics: It’s unapologetically utilitarian—white plastic, industrial grille, functional controls. If you want a decorative appliance, this isn’t it.
• Noise at high: You trade quiet for airflow. If you need bedroom-silent operation at top speed, look elsewhere.
• Sealing: Expect to add your own foam or weatherstripping to get a tight, rattle-free install.

None of these are dealbreakers for me, but they’re worth noting so you aren’t surprised.

Tips for best results

• Use it as an exhaust. Open one or two windows on the cool/shaded side of the house to create a defined airflow path.
• Remove the insect screen in the fan window to cut resistance and prevent dust buildup.
• Decouple the fan from the window with thin rubber pads and seal edges with foam to reduce vibration and noise.
• Clean the grille, blades, and any upstream screens regularly. Performance gains are noticeable.
• Watch the weather. Close the sash behind the fan during storms using the built-in Storm Guard arrangement.

Pros and cons

Pros:
- Strong airflow (rated 2470 CFM) with practical whole-house impact
- Efficient operation (~27.44 CFM/W) keeps energy costs low
- Storm Guard design lets you close the window without uninstalling
- Simple, durable construction with a low-maintenance motor

Cons:
- Loud on high speed; some vibration if installed loosely
- Tall form factor limits compatibility with shorter windows
- Basic mounting; expect to supply your own weatherstripping

Recommendation

I recommend this window fan to anyone who wants real ventilation—people looking to cool a small home or apartment at night without running AC, clear humidity fast, or exhaust odors and fumes efficiently. It’s powerful, efficient, and thoughtfully designed for daily use, with the Storm Guard feature adding genuine convenience. You do give up whisper-quiet operation at the highest speed, and fit requires a suitably tall double-hung sash. If those constraints work for your space, this fan punches above its price and feels like a practical, durable tool rather than a seasonal gadget.