Best air conditioner for Ghana: what size, inverter or not, and what to check
How to choose an AC for a room in Ghana: the right size in BTU, why inverter models save power, the 230-volt check, and why used ACs are banned.
By the Landed team · · 5 min read
The best air conditioner for a room in Ghana is a new one, sized to the room, with an inverter (variable-speed) compressor, and built for Ghana's 230-volt, 50 Hz power. Size it by floor area: a bedroom of about 14 to 23 square metres needs about 6,000 BTU per hour, and a large living room needs much more. Bigger is not better. An AC that is too big for the room cools it fast but leaves it damp and clammy.
Here is how to get each of those right.
What size AC do I need for my room?
Air conditioners are rated by how much heat they remove, in BTU per hour (BTU/h). The US government's Energy Star programme publishes this chart for room air conditioners. It assumes a ceiling of about 8 feet (2.4 metres). We have added square metres.
| Room size | Cooling capacity |
|---|---|
| 100–150 sq ft (about 9–14 m²) | 5,000 BTU/h |
| 150–250 sq ft (about 14–23 m²) | 6,000 BTU/h |
| 250–300 sq ft (about 23–28 m²) | 7,000 BTU/h |
| 300–350 sq ft (about 28–33 m²) | 8,000 BTU/h |
| 350–400 sq ft (about 33–37 m²) | 9,000 BTU/h |
| 400–450 sq ft (about 37–42 m²) | 10,000 BTU/h |
| 450–550 sq ft (about 42–51 m²) | 12,000 BTU/h |
| 550–700 sq ft (about 51–65 m²) | 14,000 BTU/h |
| 700–1,000 sq ft (about 65–93 m²) | 18,000 BTU/h |
| 1,000–1,200 sq ft (about 93–111 m²) | 21,000 BTU/h |
| 1,200–1,400 sq ft (about 111–130 m²) | 23,000 BTU/h |
To use it, measure the room's length and width in metres and multiply them to get the floor area. Then adjust the figure from the chart:
- Very sunny room, such as a top floor or a west-facing wall: add 10%.
- Heavily shaded room: take away 10%.
- More than two people in the room most of the time: add 600 BTU/h for each extra person.
- Kitchen: add 4,000 BTU/h.
A room with a higher ceiling than 2.4 metres has more air to cool, so it needs more. If you are between two sizes, ask the installer to look at the room.
Why a bigger AC is not better
Energy Star warns that an oversized unit cools the room before it has had time to remove the humidity. You get cold, damp air and a room that feels clammy. It also costs more to buy and wastes power. In Ghana's humid weather, getting the size right matters.
Horsepower, BTU and kW: reading the label
Shops in Ghana often describe air conditioners by horsepower, such as "1 HP" or "1.5 HP". Horsepower is not the figure that tells you how much a unit cools, so do not compare models on it. Look for the cooling capacity on the label or the datasheet. It is given in BTU/h or in kilowatts (kW). One kilowatt of cooling is about 3,412 BTU/h, so a unit rated 3.5 kW cools about 12,000 BTU/h.
Also look for the power input in watts. That is what the AC draws from the wall, and it is the figure you need if you plan to run it from a generator or solar.
Inverter or non-inverter AC?
Choose an inverter AC if you can. In a conventional air conditioner, Energy Star explains, the compressor works like an on/off switch: it runs flat out until the room is cool, switches off, then starts again when the room warms up. An inverter, or variable-speed, compressor slows down instead of stopping, so it holds the temperature steadily. Energy Star says this cools the room quietly and saves a significant amount of energy.
The saving comes on the electricity bill, so an inverter matters most in rooms where the AC runs for many hours a day. Compare the price difference with what you expect to save.
Check it is built for Ghana's power
Ghana's mains electricity is 230 volts at 50 Hz. The USA uses about 120 volts at 60 Hz. Before you buy, check the rating plate says 220 to 240 volts and 50 Hz. A unit made only for US power is the wrong choice for a home in Ghana.
If power cuts are common where you live, ask the installer whether the unit needs a voltage stabiliser or surge protector.
Can I run an AC on solar or a generator?
Yes, but an AC uses a lot of power, so size everything around it. Use the power input from the label, not the cooling capacity, and check the inverter or generator can handle the moment the compressor starts. Our guide to sizing solar for a fridge, TV and lights shows the method; add the AC's daily use to your list and the panels, battery and inverter all grow.
Why you should not buy a used AC
Ghana banned the import and sale of used air conditioners, used fridges and used freezers under the Energy Efficiency Regulations, 2008 (L.I. 1932). The Energy Commission says the law is meant to stop Ghana becoming a dumping ground for used and inefficient appliances. Its revised rules make carriers of used cooling appliances liable, and extend to used compressors and other parts.
So buy new, and keep the receipt.
Getting the most from your AC
Energy Star's tips work well in Ghana:
- Set the temperature as high as is comfortable. Energy Star suggests about 78°F, which is about 25 to 26°C.
- On humid days, set the fan speed low. Slower air takes out more moisture.
- Keep lamps and TVs away from the thermostat. Their heat makes the AC run longer.
- Use a fan as well to spread the cool air around the room.
- Mount the unit level, so the water drains away properly.
Buying an AC from China
You can also import an AC directly from a factory in China. Since 1 July 2026, electrical equipment from China needs the Ghana Standards Authority's EasyPASS check before it ships. Ask the supplier about it before you pay. Our guides to importing from China to Ghana and calculating import duty in Ghana explain the rest.
Get a new AC delivered to Accra
Landed buys air conditioners from factories in China and stores in the USA, ships them, clears them through Ghana customs and holds them at our Accra showroom. You pay one all-in price in cedis, agreed before you pay, covering the AC, the shipping, the duty and clearing, and our service. The price is locked once your deposit is in.
- Tell us the size of the room, or send the exact model, and get a price.
- Browse air conditioners, fridges and fans and solar panels, inverters and batteries.
