LG LW1223HR Review: a practical window AC with heat that mostly just gets the job done

I’ve been using the LG LW1223HR in a roughly 400–450 sq ft space that’s basically a big combined living/office area. I wanted one unit that could handle both cooling in the summer and take the edge off in winter without dealing with separate space heaters and a window AC. On paper, this thing checks a lot of boxes: 12,200 BTU cooling, supplemental heat, remote, timer, and a slide-out chassis for easier installation. In reality, it’s pretty solid overall, with a few quirks you should know before dropping the cash.

The first thing I noticed is that this is not a small or light unit. At around 93 pounds and with a fairly deep chassis, you don’t just casually pop it into a window by yourself. It feels like a real appliance, not a cheap throwaway AC. Once it’s in and properly supported, though, it feels secure and doesn’t rattle around, which is a good start.

In day-to-day use, it cools the room reliably and the heat function is actually useful, not just a gimmick. It’s not a full replacement for a dedicated heating system in a cold climate, but for shoulder seasons or mild winters, it’s enough to keep a medium room comfortable. Noise-wise, it’s not whisper quiet, but for a 230V unit with this capacity, it’s reasonable. You’ll hear the compressor kick on, but it’s not the kind of roar that makes you turn up the TV to max.

Overall, I’d say this LG is a decent workhorse type of unit. It’s not perfect: there are some reliability complaints in reviews, the installation isn’t plug-and-play, and the 230V requirement will be a dealbreaker for some people. But if you understand what you’re buying and actually need both heating and cooling from the window, it’s a pretty practical option that gets the basic job done without too much drama.

In terms of value, this LG sits in a kind of middle ground. It’s not the cheapest 12k BTU window unit out there, especially once you factor in the 230V requirement and possibly an electrician. But you’re not just paying for cooling; you’re paying for both cooling and supplemental heat in one box, and that’s where it can make sense. If you were going to buy a separate AC and a decent heater, or pay more for propane or wood, then one unit that does both starts to look more reasonable.

Energy-wise, the SEER is around 11.3, which is okay but not high-efficiency by modern standards. It’s not a power hog, but it’s also not a super thrifty inverter mini-split. For someone running it off grid like one Amazon reviewer with a generator and solar setup, the numbers they quoted (around 575W for AC side and ~1280W for heat) line up with a unit that’s reasonably efficient for what it is. For a normal user on grid power, you’re not going to be shocked by the bill if you use it sensibly, but it’s not the cheapest way to cool a space either.

Where the value really shows is in specific use cases: cabins, sheds, mancaves, small rental units, or older homes where running ductwork doesn’t make sense. Several reviewers use it in desert cabins and hot springs resorts, and that’s exactly the kind of scenario where this shines. One hole in the wall or window, one unit, and you get year-round climate control without messing around with multiple devices. If you’re in a mild climate and your main need is just to knock down heat in summer and add some warmth on chilly days, this is a practical setup.

If you only need cooling and already have good heating, I’d say this is less interesting. You’d probably be better off with a more efficient or quieter 12k BTU cooling-only unit, possibly even a 120V model that’s easier to install. The heat function is what justifies the price and hassle here. So in short: good value if you’ll actually use both modes regularly; just average value if you’re basically treating it as an AC and rarely turning on the heat.

Design-wise, this is very much a practical appliance, not something you buy for looks. It’s bright white, boxy, and pretty deep at about 22 inches. Once it’s in the window, it just looks like a standard window AC, nothing stylish or sleek. If you care a lot about aesthetics, you’re not going to be impressed, but honestly, I’d rather it be sturdy than pretty for something hanging out of a window.

The slide in-out chassis is the part I actually liked. You mount the outer sleeve in the window first, then slide the heavy unit into it. That means you’re not trying to balance the full 90+ pounds while screwing it in. You still want two people for the job, but it’s a lot less sketchy than some older units I’ve dealt with where everything is one piece. This design also makes it easier to pull the unit out later for service or if you want to store it in winter and leave the sleeve.

Controls are on the front top-right, standard LG layout, nothing fancy. The display shows the set temperature, and the buttons are big enough to hit without hunting. The 4-way vent is useful: you can push the louvers up/down and side to side to keep air off your face if the unit is near a bed or desk. It’s not as flexible as a mini-split head, but it’s better than those super basic 2‑direction vents on cheaper models.

One thing to keep in mind: this is a 230V unit, and the plug is not your normal household style. It’s a big, horizontal-style plug meant for a dedicated circuit. If your outlet is in a weird spot or behind furniture, factor in the cable length and plug orientation. Also, at around 15 inches high and over 23 inches wide, it will not fit in every tiny window. Measure your window opening carefully before buying. Functionally, I’d call the design practical and a bit old-school looking, but it feels like it’s built to handle real use, not just sit pretty in a catalog.

From a comfort point of view, this LG does a pretty good job keeping the room feeling stable, which is honestly what matters most. The thermostat is fairly accurate; when I set it to 72°F and checked with a separate thermometer a few feet away, it hovered around 72–74°F most of the time. There’s the usual small swing where it overshoots a degree or two, then coasts, but nothing dramatic. You don’t get that annoying cycle of freezing for 5 minutes then sweating for 10 that some cheap units do.

The airflow is strong enough that you feel it across the room on medium or high speed. If you’re sitting right in front of it, yeah, it can feel like a blast of air, so using the 4-way deflector actually matters. I ended up angling it slightly upward and to the side to avoid it hitting directly where I sit. Once that’s set, the room feels more evenly cooled or heated instead of having one frozen corner and a warm opposite wall. It’s still a single-point source, so don’t expect perfect uniformity, but it’s good enough that you don’t constantly think about hot/cold spots.

Noise-wise, for sleeping, I’d call it borderline but liveable. On low, it’s a steady hum plus the compressor sound. If you’re someone who likes a fan running at night, it’ll probably be fine. If you’re extremely sensitive to sound, you might find the compressor cycling a bit annoying. One Amazon reviewer mentioned the compressor being a "tad loud but acceptable" in a bedroom, and that matches my take: definitely audible, but not outrageous for this class of unit.

Humidity control is decent, too. On humid days, the room doesn’t feel sticky, and the AC pulls out moisture at a normal rate for a 12k BTU unit. You’ll sometimes hear a bit of water sloshing or dripping to the rear, which is normal. Overall, in terms of comfort, I’d rate it as solid: good temperature stability, strong airflow with some control, and noise that’s manageable for most people. Not luxurious, not silent, but definitely usable in real life for both day and night if you’re not super picky.

The packaging from LG is pretty straightforward: thick cardboard box, foam blocks, and plastic wrap around the unit. The weight is the main thing you notice. At around 93 pounds, this is not something you casually drag up stairs alone unless you enjoy back pain. The good part is that the packaging does a decent job of protecting the corners and the front grille. Mine arrived without dents or cracks, and other reviewers also mentioned that it was packaged and delivered well.

Inside the box, you get the installation kit: side panels, mounting hardware, and the chassis sleeve. The instructions are okay, not perfect, but clear enough if you’ve ever installed a window unit before. The important thing is that this uses a slide in-out chassis, so you first install the outer sleeve in the window, make sure it’s level and properly supported, and only then slide the main unit into it. That setup is safer and easier than trying to handle the full weight at once, but you still want two people, especially if your window is high or awkward.

One thing to be very clear about: this is not a plug-and-play 120V unit. It needs a 230V outlet, and the plug is a specific style (not your standard household plug). A few people mention running it on generators or custom-wired circuits. If you don’t already have a 230V line near the window, you’re probably calling an electrician, which adds to the total cost. Don’t ignore that part or you’ll be frustrated when the box arrives and you realize you can’t even turn it on.

Once installed, the unit sits solidly if you’ve leveled it with a slight tilt to the outside for drainage. The side panels aren’t premium, but they seal decently if you take your time. I’d still recommend some extra foam or weatherstripping if you want a tighter seal against bugs and drafts. Overall, the packaging is protective enough, and the installation process is straightforward but physically demanding. If you’re not handy or don’t have help, budget for someone to install it, especially because of the electrical side.

Physically, the unit feels sturdy and fairly well built. The metal casing doesn’t flex much when you handle it, and the slide-out chassis feels like it can handle being moved in and out a few times without bending. The front plastic panel is standard LG stuff: not luxury-grade, but not flimsy like the really cheap brands either. The louvers and buttons don’t feel like they’ll snap off with normal use.

Where things get a bit more mixed is long-term reliability, at least based on the Amazon reviews. The overall rating is around 4.1/5 with over 1,300 reviews, which is decent. A lot of people say they’ve been using it for a couple of seasons in hot and cold climates and are still happy. Some are running it off generators or solar setups, which is a bit more demanding than normal use, and it’s still holding up for them. So clearly, many units are working as intended.

But there are also a noticeable number of complaints like the 1‑star review where the unit stopped cooling after just over a month, blowing cold air out the back instead of the front. That sounds like either a refrigerant issue, a valve problem, or something messed up internally. The annoying part is it failed just after Amazon’s return window, which means dealing with LG warranty instead, and that can be more of a hassle. So while I didn’t personally have a failure, I’d say the pattern is: most units are fine, a few lemons slip through.

Because of that, if you buy this, I’d suggest: install it as soon as you get it, run it in both cooling and heating modes several times in the first few weeks, and push it on some hot days if possible. If anything seems off (weak cooling, weird noise, or temperature not dropping), don’t just hope it fixes itself. Use that 1‑year warranty and get LG involved early. Overall, I’d rate durability as "probably okay" but not bulletproof. It feels better built than bargain brands, but clearly not immune to defects.

Performance is where this unit mostly earns its keep. On the cooling side, in a 400–450 sq ft space with average insulation, it can pull the room down from around 80–82°F to a comfortable 72–74°F in under an hour if you keep doors closed. It’s not instant, but it’s not sluggish either. On super hot days (high 90s and sun blasting through windows), it keeps up decently as long as you’re not constantly opening doors. If you actually try to cool the full claimed 570 sq ft and the room isn’t well insulated, expect it to work harder and run longer.

The heat mode is where I was a bit skeptical at first, but it does a decent job as a supplemental heater. This is not a furnace replacement, but if you’re in a place with mild winters or just want to warm up a shed, mancave, or cabin like some of the reviewers mentioned, it’s absolutely usable. It ramps the temp up more slowly than cooling, but once the room is warm, it keeps it steady. You do feel actual warm air, not lukewarm nonsense like cheap space heaters. Just keep in mind: it’s a heat pump-style supplemental heat, and in very cold weather, any heat pump gets less efficient and less punchy.

Noise is okay for the size and power. On low fan, LG claims around 50–51 dB, and it matches that general feel: a steady hum, not silent, but background enough for a living room or office. In a bedroom, if you’re a light sleeper, you’ll notice the compressor cycling, but some people actually like that as white noise. On high fan, it moves a good amount of air, but you’ll hear it. It’s not a jet engine, just a normal strong window unit sound.

One thing that stood out reading other user reviews is mixed reliability. A lot of people are happy and have been running these for a couple of years, especially in cabins and sheds. But there are also a few annoying cases where the unit stopped cooling after about a month, or started blowing cold out the back instead of the front. That usually points to a refrigerant or internal airflow issue. I didn’t have that problem in my test period, but the pattern is there in the reviews, so I wouldn’t ignore it. LG does give a 1-year parts and labor warranty, so if it fails early, you should push for service or replacement quickly and not wait it out.

On paper, the LG LW1223HR is a 12,200 BTU cooling / supplemental heat window unit rated for up to about 570 sq ft (LG calls it a 19' x 30' room). It runs on 230/208V, so this is not your standard 120V bedroom AC. You either need an existing 230V outlet (like older window units or some dryers use) or you’ll be calling an electrician. That’s the first big practical point: if your house or apartment doesn’t already have this, factor that cost in.

Feature-wise, it’s fairly simple but not barebones. You get 2 cooling speeds, 2 heating speeds, and 2 fan speeds, plus a 24‑hour timer, auto restart after power cuts, and a remote. There’s also a washable filter and a filter light reminder, which is handy if you’re the type to forget cleaning them. The 4-way air direction is useful if you don’t want cold air blasting directly on your couch or bed. You can at least angle it somewhat where you want it.

In actual use, the controls are straightforward. The front panel is the usual LG style: big power button, mode button (cool/heat/fan), temp up/down, fan speed, and timer. The remote mirrors that, so you don’t have to walk up to it every time. I didn’t need a manual to figure anything out, which I appreciate. It’s very much a "push mode, set temp, forget it" type of unit.

What matters more is how it feels in practice: cooling performance is solid for a medium room, and the heat mode is genuinely useful, not just a weak fan heater. If you’re coming from a small 5,000–8,000 BTU unit, you will feel the difference. But don’t expect central HVAC-level comfort. It’s still a single window unit, with the usual hot/cold spots, especially if you’re trying to push it close to that 570 sq ft limit.