CoolBot®: Air Conditioner Recommendations

SEED BREEDERS, GROWERS, AND MERCHANTS SINCE 1973

955 Benton Ave., Winslow, ME 04901 • Phone: 1-877-564-6697 • Fax: 1-800-738-6314

Email: [email protected] • Website: Johnnyseeds.com

The CoolBot

transforms any well-insulated room, shed, or trailer into an affordable walk-in cooler using a

standard air conditioner. When choosing an air conditioning unit for use with your CoolBot

temperature

controller, you will want to consider the following factors:

• Intended Use

• Temperature Needs

• Cooler Size

• Quality of Cooler Insulation

BUILDING A COOLER

There are many different options for creating a walk-in cooler for your CoolBot

, including building a shed-like

structure, sectioning off a part of a garage or barn, or repurposing a cargo trailer. The key to building an

efficient cooler is to create an air-tight space and invest in proper insulation. The industry standard insulation

for a walk-in cooler is at least 4 inches of rigid closed cell foam in the walls, ceiling, and floor for a minimum

insulation value of R-25. Please see our website for more information and videos on building an insulated walk-

in cooler for your CoolBot

SIZING THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT TO YOUR COOLER

It is important to choose an air conditioning unit that is appropriately sized for the space you will be cooling.

Please see the chart below for general guidelines for sizing your AC unit to your cooler space in order to

maintain an ideal storage temperature of approximately 38°F/3°C for most vegetables and 42–45°F/6–7°C for

flowers.

*Please note the recommendations in the chart assume that the cooler is relatively air-tight, has adequate

insulation, and that the door is opened no more than 6 times per hour. If these conditions are not met, you will

want to choose an A/C unit with higher BTU’s (British Thermal Units) than those listed to compensate.

Walk-In Cooler

Dimensions

Recommended Air Conditioner Size

For Vegetable Storage

For Flower Storage

4’ L x 4’ W x 8’ H

8,000 BTU

7,000 BTU

6’ L x 6’ W x 8’ H

8,000 BTU

6’ L x 8’ W x 8’ H

10,000 BTU

8’ L x 8’ W x 8’ H

12,000 BTU

8’ L x 10’ W x 8’ H

15,000 BTU

8’ L x 12’ W x 8’ H

18,000 BTU

10’ L x 14’ W x 8’ H

24,000 BTU

CoolBot

: Air Conditioner

Recommendations

SEED BREEDERS, GROWERS, AND MERCHANTS SINCE 1973

Additional Sizing Considerations:

• You may need to install multiple A/C units and CoolBot

controllers for cooling an area larger than

those listed in the chart above.

• If you will be entering and exiting your cooler frequently, you might consider installing vinyl strip doors in

addition to using a higher output AC unit.

• Glass display doors, common among florists, are less efficient than an insulated door so you should

choose a higher output AC unit than is recommended for your cooler size.

• For florists, choosing an oversized AC unit can be helpful because the fan speeds can be kept lower,

so as not to disturb delicate flowers.

• If your desired temperature is 50°F/10°C or above, you can choose an air conditioner with a lower BTU

output than is recommended for your cooler size.

TYPES OF AIR CONDITIONING UNITS

There are several types of air conditioning units, all with varying degrees of compatibility with the CoolBot

controller. It is important to understand their strengths and limitations when choosing a type for use.

Window-Mounted Types

Window-mounted AC units are designed to be easily installed through an open

window and are preferred for use with the CoolBot

because they are durable,

efficient, and offer the widest selection of compatible brands. Several models offer

an Energy Star rating for meeting certain guidelines regarding energy efficiency,

thereby saving you money on electricity.

Mini-Split Types

Mini-split A/C units are generally more efficient and take up less space than window-

mounted types, however, they can cost more than twice as much. These units are

often more affordable and easier to find when shopping outside of the United States.

The CoolBot

is compatible with several mini-split brands but check with the

manufacturer that it will function in the lowest outside air temperature for your climate.

Portable AC Units

Portable AC units are far less efficient than window-mounted and mini-split types. ONLY

Whynter brand models are recommended for use with the CoolBot

, and it MUST be a Dual

Hose Model. These portable units are only effective for keeping your cooler at 50°F/10°C or

above. If colder temperatures are required, you will want to select another type of air

conditioner.

Roof-Mount/ RV Units

Roof-mounted and RV type units are not recommended to use with the CoolBot

AIR CONDITIONER REQUIREMENTS

• You must choose an AC unit with Digital Display and Automatic Restart for the CoolBot

to function

properly.

• Please see the chart on the following page for additional information about specific AC brands and

models that are compatible with the CoolBot

SEED BREEDERS, GROWERS, AND MERCHANTS SINCE 1973

AIR CONDITIONER BRANDS

Not all air conditioner brands are compatible with the CoolBot

, so it is important to select one that has been

tested and approved for this use. The chart below is a guide to choosing an AC unit that is known for being

compatible with the CoolBot

controller. We can NOT guarantee compatibility of any brand or models not listed

in the chart below.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

• All AC units MUST have a Digital Display and Automatic Restart for use with the CoolBot

• LG is the top preferred brand due to their reliability and easy installation.

• If using the CoolBot

in colder temperatures, we recommend selecting a unit from LG Electronics,

Danby, Haier, or GE. Check with the manufacturer for detailed information on the AC unit’s temperature

limitations.

• The chart below lists some models as “Limited Experience - Limited Support.” This means that users

have reported good results, however, we do not have enough data to classify them as “Compatible.”

• For instructions on locating Secondary Sensors or Mini-split installation, please visit

https://www.storeitcold.com/support/.

BRAND

Window-Mounted Air

Conditioners

Secondary

Sensor?

Mini-Split Air Conditioners

Secondary

Sensor?

Amana

Limited Experience - Limited

Support

YES

Not Compatible

Arctic King

Any Digital Display Model

YES

12K BTU and

above

Not Compatible

Beaumark

Not Compatible

Comfort Aire

Limited Experience - Limited

Support

YES

Not Compatible

Daikin

Not Compatible

ONLY for use in coolers kept at

45°F and above.

YES

Danby

Any Digital Display Model from

2011 and After

YES

12K BTU and

above

Not Compatible

Degodi

Not Compatible

Dometic

Not Compatible

Electrolux

Not Compatible

Emerson

Not Compatible

Fedders

Limited Experience - Limited

Support

YES

Not Compatible

Friedrich

Not Compatible

Frigidaire

Any Digital Display Model from

2015 and After Except

FFRA1222U1

YES

12K BTU and

above

Not Compatible

Fujitsu

Not Compatible

Any Digital Display Model

YES

G.E.

Any Digital Display Model from

2015 and After

YES

12K BTU and

above

Not Compatible

Garrison

Any Digital Display Model

(Canada ONLY)

YES

Some 10K BTU

and most above

Not Compatible

SEED BREEDERS, GROWERS, AND MERCHANTS SINCE 1973

BRAND

Window-Mounted Air

Conditioners

Secondary

Sensor?

Mini-Split Air Conditioners

Secondary

Sensor?

Goldstar

Not Compatible

Gree

Not Compatible

Haier

Any Digital Display Model Except

HWE Model

Not Compatible

Kelvinator

Any Digital Display Model

(Australia ONLY)

YES

12K BTU and

above

Not Compatible

Klimaire

Not Compatible

*Top Preferred Brand

Any Digital Display Model Except

LW6017R

Inverter models

DO have

secondary

sensors

Any Digital Display Model

YES

Midea

Not Compatible

Mitsubishi

Not Compatible

Any Digital Display Model

YES

Poineer

Not Compatible

Polar Wind

Not Compatible

Samsung

Limited Experience - Limited

Support

YES

Any Digital Display Model

YES

Sears Kenmore

Any Digital Display Model from

2017 and After

YES

12K BTU units

and above w/

digital display in

the center

Not Compatible

Senville

Not Compatible

Sharp

Not Compatible

Soleus Air

Limited Experience - Limited

Support

YES

Not Compatible

SPT

Limited Experience - Limited

Support

YES

Not Compatible

Tappan

Not Compatible

Toshiba

Not Compatible *Or ANY other AC with a

Toshiba compressor

Not Compatible

Uberhaus

Limited Experience - Limited

Support

Yes

Not Compatible

Westinghouse

Not Compatible

Westpoint

Limited Experience - Limited

Support

YES

Not Compatible

Whirlpool

Not Compatible

Whynter

Not Compatible

SUPPORT

For technical questions and support, please visit https://www.storeitcold.com/support/.

REV 2/12/2019 JG HC