LG 11,800 BTU Through the Wall Air Conditioner, 115V, Cools up to 530 Sq. Ft. for Bedroom, Living Room, Apartment, with Remote, 3 Cool & Fan Speeds, Universal design fits most sleeves, White

Why I chose this LG wall unit

I installed the LG 11,800 BTU through‑the‑wall AC to replace a tired older unit in a mid-size apartment. I wanted a 115V model with smarter energy use, a proper trim kit, and a design that would slide into an existing wall sleeve without hacking up drywall. On paper, this checked all the boxes: R‑32 refrigerant with a 10.6 EER, three cooling/fan speeds, cool/dry/energy saver modes, and a full accessory pack (trim, outdoor grille, insulation foam, washable filter, remote). After a full season of use, I’ve got a clear sense of where it shines—and where you’ll want to pay attention during install.

Installation and fit

This is a true through-the-wall unit; it’s not meant for a window. The chassis is 24" wide, 20.1" deep, and 14.4" tall, and it’s heavy enough that a second person and a hand truck will make your day far easier. The included trim kit looks clean and hides gaps nicely. The documentation gets you there, but it’s terse and diagram-heavy; I ended up doing a dry fit first and then redoing the insulation foam to ensure there was no recirculation path around the condenser. If your sleeve is older or taller than current styles, budget time for shimming or a filler panel. Universal fit is accurate, but “universal” doesn’t mean “identical.”

A couple of practical tips from my install:
- Slope the unit slightly toward the exterior so condensate drains correctly.
- Don’t overstuff foam where the condenser exhausts; you want an airtight interior seal without choking the rear airflow.
- Use the supplied outdoor grille if your existing sleeve’s exterior panel is restrictive or damaged.

Power is standard 115V. A dedicated circuit is wise for a unit this size; check your outlet rating and clearance for the cord and strain relief.

Cooling performance

In a roughly 500–550 sq ft open living area, this LG had no trouble pulling the temperature down from 78°F to the low 70s within a few hours during a humid evening. The airflow is strong for its class, especially on the highest of the three fan speeds, and the coil runs cold without feeling anemic at lower speeds. The directional louvers are basic but sufficient to push air across a room rather than just dumping it straight down.

Dry mode is genuinely useful if you live in a humid climate. It isn’t a dehumidifier with a bucket, but it runs the compressor in a way that biases toward moisture removal; the space felt less clammy at the same thermostat setting, which helped me drop the fan speed at night. On very hot days, I noticed the typical “slinger” effect (a bit of water flicked against the condenser coil to aid cooling), which is normal and actually improves efficiency.

Temperature control is stable with mild swing. In Energy Saver mode, I measured about a 2–4°F window around the setpoint, which is fine for comfort and reduces runtime. If you’re particular about a rock-steady number, leave Energy Saver off and set a slightly higher fan speed.

Noise and comfort

No through‑the‑wall unit is silent, but this one is quieter than the older models it replaced. On speed 1 or 2, conversation and TV volume stayed normal in the same room. Speed 3 is audibly present but not harsh; useful for a quick pull‑down. The compressor engages with a soft thud, then settles into a steady hum.

Two minor rattles cropped up when I first installed it: the front grille buzzed slightly on speed 3, and the trim panel had a faint tick at certain frequencies. Both disappeared after reseating the grille tabs firmly and adding a couple of thin felt pads behind the trim corners. It’s worth taking an extra five minutes to make sure the face is fully snapped in.

One quirk to note for light sleepers: in Energy Saver mode, the fan wakes up briefly at intervals (roughly every few minutes) to sample room temperature. It’s efficient, but you will hear that short spin-up. If that kind of cycling pulls you out of sleep, set a steady fan speed overnight.

Controls and usability

The control panel is angled so it’s easiest to read when you’re looking slightly down at it. If your sleeve is high on the wall, you’ll mostly rely on the remote, which has clear buttons and straightforward mode switching. It’s IR, so it needs line of sight; I had occasional misses from across the room if I didn’t point it directly.

Three fan speeds, three modes (Cool, Dry, Energy Saver), and a basic temperature setpoint cover the essentials without going into smart‑home territory. The display is bright enough to read in daylight but not glaring at night. There’s a filter reminder timer that triggers after a set number of hours rather than on actual pressure drop; I’d rather clean a hair early than late, so that’s a fair tradeoff.

Energy use

At 11,800 BTU with a 10.6 EER, the math pencils out to just over 1,100 watts during steady-state cooling on typical summer days, with brief higher draw at compressor start. Energy Saver mode trims runtime significantly for well‑insulated rooms. R‑32 is a modern, more efficient refrigerant choice with lower global warming potential than older blends; it’s part of why units like this can hit decent EER numbers on 115V without needing 240V service.

If you’re moving up from a much older wall unit, you’ll likely see a measurable drop in consumption for the same comfort level.

Sleeve compatibility and overheating protection

This is the section many shoppers overlook: air path matters. In my first install attempt, I slid the LG into an older, deep sleeve with a very restrictive exterior louver. During long, humid runs, the unit threw a high‑pressure protection code and shut down. The interior was sealed well, but the condenser simply couldn’t breathe through that exterior panel.

Swapping to the included outdoor grille and opening up the rear clearance fixed the issue immediately. If you’re reusing an old sleeve:
- Make sure the back of the sleeve isn’t partially blocked or covered by a fine-mesh screen.
- Verify that the condenser exhaust path matches the unit’s side/back discharge pattern.
- Don’t push the unit so far back that the condenser intake is flush with the rear panel; you want free space around those louvers.

These aren’t exotic tasks—just good airflow hygiene. Get this right, and the LG runs reliably even on hot, sticky nights.

Maintenance

The front filter pops out for a quick rinse. In a city apartment with no pets, I cleaned it every few weeks and never saw a visible restriction. If you’re in a dusty environment or have pets, add coil cleaning to your spring/fall routine; the front shroud comes off with a few screws, and a gentle coil brush plus fin comb keeps performance up. Keep the exterior grille clear of plant fluff and lint.

R‑32 is widely serviceable now, but like most modern room units, this isn’t designed for field recharging. If you ever suspect a refrigerant issue, that’s a warranty or replacement conversation, not a DIY top-off.

What I’d change

• Instructions need more “why,” not just “what.” A simple airflow diagram would head off installation mistakes.
• The control panel angle favors low‑mounted installs; a tiltable face or a slightly different pitch would help high sleeves.
• A little more internal damping on the front grille would eliminate the chance of a rattle out of the box.

None of these are dealbreakers, but they’re worth noting.

Who it’s for

• Apartments, bedrooms, and living rooms up to about 500–530 sq ft with an existing wall sleeve.
• Anyone who wants 115V operation with respectable efficiency and doesn’t need heat.
• Users who prioritize solid cooling and dehumidification without app controls or Wi‑Fi.

Who should look elsewhere: spaces with severely restrictive or nonstandard sleeves you can’t modify, or users who want ultra‑precise, silent operation at night with no fan cycling.

Recommendation

I recommend the LG 11,800 BTU wall AC, with one important caveat: respect the airflow requirements of a through‑the‑wall installation. When installed in a sleeve with a clear, properly sized rear opening and sealed correctly inside, it cools quickly, runs efficiently on 115V, and is quieter than many legacy units. Energy Saver and Dry modes are genuinely useful, the included trim and grille make for a clean finish, and routine maintenance is simple. If you’re reusing an older sleeve, plan to replace a restrictive exterior panel or use the supplied grille to avoid high‑pressure shutdowns. Get the install right, and this LG is an easy unit to live with through a long, humid summer.