Air King Whole House Window Fans: Which Size Fits Your Window?
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Air King is a long-running American fan maker known for sturdy, no-frills fans built for homes, garages and light commercial spaces. Its whole house window fans are a classic way to cool a home on summer evenings: the fan sits in one window, pulls cool outside air in or pushes warm stale air out, and moves air through every room with an open window along the way. For first-time homeowners who want to cut down on air conditioning, they are a simple and practical tool.
The five models here differ mainly in size and purpose: two 20-inch whole house window fans (9166 and 9166F), two 16-inch window fans for narrower windows (9155 and a 16-inch reversible model), and the 9723, a 20-inch box fan that stands on the floor instead of mounting in a window.
Air King Window Fans Compared
| Model | Blade size | Airflow (high) | Window width fit | Noise (high) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air King 20″ 1/6 HP (9166) | 20 inches | 3560 CFM | 27 to 38 inches | 64 dB |
| Air King 9166F 20″ Whole House | 20 inches | 3560 CFM | 27 to 38 inches | 64 dB |
| Air King 9155 Window Fan | 16 inches | 2470 CFM | 26.5 to 34.5 inches | 64 dB |
| AIR King 16″ White Plastic Fan | 16 inches | 2470 CFM | 26.5 to 34.5 inches | 60 dB |
| Air King 9723 20-Inch 3-Speed Box | 20 inches | 2163 CFM (also listed as 2140) | Not a window fan | 60 dB |
Three terms decide which fan you need. CFM stands for cubic feet per minute, the amount of air a fan moves; higher CFM means faster cooling of a larger space. Intake means the fan pulls outside air in, which is best in the cool evening or early morning. Exhaust means it pushes indoor air out, which draws cooler air in through other open windows and clears out cooking smells or stuffy heat. Finally, Storm Guard is Air King’s mounting system that lets the fan sit in front of the window so you can close the window behind it during rain, instead of removing the fan.
Air King 20″ 1/6 HP for Whole-Home Air Movement
Air King
Air King 20" 1/6 HP Whole House Window Fan with 3-Speeds and Storm Guards for Circulation and Exhausting Air, 9166, Black
Price and specifications are read from the Amazon product page and can change.
Air King 20″ 1 6 HP
Best for: Wide windows needing whole-home airflow
Pros
- 3560 CFM airflow
- Intake or exhaust
- Storm Guard mounting
- Powder coated steel blades
Cons
- 64 dB on high
- Needs 27-38 inch window
The Air King 20″ 1 6 HP whole house window fan, model 9166 in black, is the most powerful window fan in this group. Its 20-inch fan and 1/6 horsepower motor move up to 3560 CFM at 1600 RPM, and the listing says it is strong enough to move air through an entire home or office. It has 3 speeds, button controls and draws 170 watts.
The fan can be set for intake or exhaust. It mounts in windows 27 to 38 inches wide and at least 26.25 inches tall. The blades and grill are powder coated steel, the body is ABS plastic, and the permanently lubricated motor needs little to no maintenance. The Storm Guard feature lets you close the window behind the fan, and it comes with a 1-year limited warranty. Noise is listed at 64 dB.
This is the right pick for houses with standard double-hung windows wide enough to fit it and owners who want to flush out a whole floor of warm air on summer evenings. If your windows are narrower than 27 inches, move to the 16-inch 9155.
Air King 9166F 20″ Whole House for Detailed Speed Settings
Air King
Air King 9166F 20" Whole House Window Fan , Gray
Price and specifications are read from the Amazon product page and can change.
Air King 9166F 20″ Whole House
Best for: Buyers wanting published speed and noise details
Pros
- 3560 CFM on high
- Quieter 50 dB on low
- ETL and OSHA compliance
- Storm Guard feature
Cons
- Listing gives two wattage figures
The Air King 9166F 20″ Whole House window fan in gray shares the core specs of the 9166: a 20-inch blade, 1/6 horsepower motor, 3 speeds, 3560 CFM, intake or exhaust operation, and a fit for window openings 27 to 38 inches wide by 26.25 inches high. It includes the Storm Guard feature and a powder coated steel grill and blade with an impact resistant plastic housing.
This listing gives more detail than most. The front-mounted rotary switch runs at 1600, 1450 and 1100 RPM on high, medium and low, with noise of 64, 57 and 50 dB. That low setting is noticeably quieter, which matters for bedrooms. It is listed as ETL and OSHA compliant. One mismatch: the feature list says 115 watts while the spec table says 170 watts, so treat the exact power draw as unconfirmed.
Choose the 9166F if you like knowing how quiet the fan gets on low, or if the gray finish suits your home. Otherwise it fills the same role as the black 9166. For a room that needs real cooling on the hottest days, a window air conditioner may be the better tool; our 12,000 BTU window air conditioner guide explains that option.
Air King 9155 Window Fan for Narrower Windows
Air King
Air King 9155 Window Fan, 16-Inch,White
Price and specifications are read from the Amazon product page and can change.
Air King 9155 Window Fan
Best for: Narrower windows in smaller homes
Pros
- 2470 CFM from 16-inch blade
- Fits 26.5-34.5 inch windows
- Low 90 watt draw
- Storm Guard feature
Cons
- Less airflow than 20-inch
The Air King 9155 Window Fan is a 16-inch model in white. It moves up to 2470 CFM at 1370 RPM with a 1/6 horsepower permanently lubricated motor and 3 speeds, and it draws just 90 watts. Like the 20-inch models, it can bring fresh air in or push stale air out.
It mounts in windows 26.5 to 34.5 inches wide and at least 22 inches tall, so it suits smaller openings where the 20-inch fans will not fit. Its body is impact resistant plastic, it has the Storm Guard feature, and it carries a 1-year limited warranty. Noise is listed at 64 dB.
This fan suits apartments, smaller homes and bedrooms with narrower windows. It moves about 30% less air than the 20-inch models, so for a large house the 9166 or 9166F will cool faster.
AIR King 16″ White Plastic Fan, 2470 CFM for a Reversible Dial
CAI – AIR King
AIR King 16" White Plastic Fan,2470/1700/1360 cfm,Fits Window Width 26-1/2" to 34-1/2"
Price and specifications are read from the Amazon product page and can change.
AIR King 16″ White Plastic Fan,2470
Best for: Shoppers wanting a dial-reversible 16-inch fan
Pros
- Reverses with a dial
- 2470/1700/1360 CFM speeds
- 6-ft grounded cord
Cons
- Listing has few details
The AIR King 16″ White Plastic Fan,2470 CFM model is another 16-inch window fan, listed under the brand CAI – Air King. Its three speeds deliver 2470, 1700 and 1360 CFM at motor speeds of 1480, 1110 and 820 RPM. It fits windows 26-1/2 to 34-1/2 inches wide and 22 inches high.
The description says the motor reverses with the turn of a dial, switching between intake and exhaust. It has a 3-blade propeller, a Storm Guard feature, OSHA-compliant guards, and a 6-foot grounded power cord. It is tested to the AMCA 230-99 standard, a common industry test for fan airflow. The listing gives 96 watts and 60 dB. The listing does not state a model number or warranty.
It fits the same windows as the 9155, so pick between them based on which details matter to you: this listing gives speed-by-speed airflow and a reversing dial, while the 9155 names a warranty.
Air King 9723 20-Inch 3-Speed Box for Simple Room Cooling
Best for: Portable room-to-room cooling
Pros
- Carry handle
- Steel body
- No window install
Cons
- Not a window fan
- Lower airflow than window models
The Air King 9723 20-Inch 3-Speed Box fan is not a window fan. It is a freestanding box fan with feet for stability, a carry handle and top-mounted rotary controls. It uses a 1/25 horsepower permanently lubricated motor and a 5-blade chemical resistant polypropylene blade, inside a steel body with impact resistant plastic grills.
Airflow is listed at 2163 CFM in the specs and description, though a feature line says 2140 CFM. It draws 105 watts, has an 8-foot power cord, is ETL listed and OSHA compliant, and comes with a 1-year limited warranty. Air King calls it commercial grade and suggests it for dorms, gyms, offices and homes. The listing’s brand field shows an unrelated seller name, so confirm you are buying the Air King product.
Choose the box fan if you rent and cannot install a window fan, or if you want to move cooling from room to room. It will not exhaust hot air out of the house the way a window fan can.
How to Choose the Right Air King Fan
Measure your window first. The 20-inch 9166 and 9166F need windows 27 to 38 inches wide and at least 26.25 inches tall. The 16-inch models need 26.5 to 34.5 inches wide and 22 inches tall. Measure the open width inside the frame.
Match CFM to your space. For a whole house, 3560 CFM from the 20-inch models moves the most air. For an apartment or single floor, 2470 CFM from a 16-inch model is often enough.
Plan intake and exhaust. A common approach is to set an upstairs fan to exhaust in the evening while opening downstairs windows, so cool air flows in low and warm air leaves high. All four window fans here can do both.
Think about noise. If the fan will run while you sleep, the 9166F lists 50 dB on low, and the 16-inch reversible and box fan list 60 dB.
Know the limits of fans. Fans move air but do not remove humidity. In damp climates, pairing a fan with a dehumidifier helps; our dehumidifier comparison covers that.
FAQ
What is a whole house window fan?
It is a powerful window-mounted fan that moves enough air to ventilate several rooms, pulling cool air in or pushing warm air out.
What is the difference between the Air King 9166 and 9166F?
Both are 20-inch, 3560 CFM fans with the same window fit. The 9166 listing is black; the 9166F is gray and lists speed-by-speed RPM and noise.
Can I close the window with the fan installed?
Yes. All four window fans list the Storm Guard feature, which lets you close the window behind the fan.
Whole house fan vs box fan, which should I buy?
A window fan like the 9166 moves more air and can exhaust heat outside. The 9723 box fan is portable and needs no installation.
Which Air King fan is best for a small window?
The 16-inch 9155 or the 16-inch reversible model, which fit windows 26.5 to 34.5 inches wide.
Which Air King fan should I buy for a whole house?
The 20-inch 9166 or 9166F, if your windows are at least 27 inches wide.
