GE AWAS05BWA 5,000 BTU Window AC Review: Simple Dial Controls
A 5,000 BTU mechanical window air conditioner for rooms up to 150 sq. ft. with simple dials, Auto Restart and an install kit for narrow double-hung windows. Best for bedrooms, dorms and offices where simplicity matters most.
By Daniel Brooks
Updated October 8, 2026
The GE AWAS05BWA 5,000 BTU Window AC is a basic, dial-controlled unit built for small rooms, with GE listing coverage of up to 150 square feet. It belongs to the simplest end of conventional window air conditioners: no remote, no app, just a temperature dial, two cooling modes and two fan speeds.
That simplicity is the whole pitch. If you are cooling a bedroom, dorm room or home office and want something you can plug in and forget, the question is whether you can live without a remote, a timer and digital controls. We evaluated it based on the manufacturer’s specifications.
Our Verdict
This GE unit is a no-frills choice for small spaces. Its strongest points are the mechanical controls with 10 temperature settings, Auto Restart after a power outage, an EZ Mount kit with foam insulation, and a fit for narrower double-hung windows starting at 27.125 inches wide. GE lists noise at 52 dBA on low and 56 dBA on high.
The trade-off is convenience. There is no remote control, no timer, no sleep or eco mode, and no inverter compressor. It holds 3.9 stars from 2,067 ratings. If you want dependable, uncomplicated cooling for a room up to 150 square feet and you are happy to adjust it by hand, it is worth considering.
GE 5,000 BTU Window Air Conditioner
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Key Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Brand | GE |
| Model | AWAS05BWA |
| Type | Window air conditioner, fixed chassis |
| Cooling Capacity | 5,000 BTU |
| Room Size (listed) | Up to 150 sq. ft. |
| Efficiency | 11 (listed as SEER) |
| Noise Level | 52 dBA low, 56 dBA high |
| Voltage / Power | 115V, 440W |
| Window Fit | Double-hung, 27.125″ to 36″ wide, 13.375″ minimum height |
| Dimensions | 15″D x 16.36″W x 12.56″H |
| Weight | 36.5 pounds |
| Controls | Mechanical dials, 10 temperature settings |
| Cooling Modes / Fan Speeds | 2 / 2 |
| Compressor | Rotary, no inverter |
| Refrigerant | R-32 |
| Warranty | 1-year limited |
Cooling Capacity and Room Size
GE rates this unit at 5,000 BTU for spaces up to 150 square feet and names bedrooms, home offices, dorm rooms, workshops and studio apartments as typical uses. That is a realistic target for a small room with average sun and insulation.
In practice, 5,000 BTU is the smallest common size for a window air conditioner, so there is little headroom. A west-facing room, a top-floor space or a room with a computer setup running all day will feel the limits sooner than a shaded bedroom. If your room is right at 150 square feet and gets strong afternoon sun, consider stepping up in capacity.
ENERGY STAR publishes this general guide for sizing a room air conditioner by floor area:
| Room Size (sq ft) | Cooling Capacity (BTU/hr) |
|---|---|
| 100 to 150 | 5,000 |
| 150 to 250 | 6,000 |
| 250 to 300 | 7,000 |
| 300 to 350 | 8,000 |
| 350 to 400 | 9,000 |
| 400 to 450 | 10,000 |
| 450 to 550 | 12,000 |
| 550 to 700 | 14,000 |
| 700 to 1,000 | 18,000 |
Adjust for your room: reduce capacity by 10 percent for a heavily shaded room, increase it by 10 percent for a very sunny room, add 600 BTU for each regular occupant beyond two, and add 4,000 BTU if the unit cools a kitchen. Source: ENERGY STAR.
At its listed 5,000 BTU, it lines up with rooms of about 100 to 150 square feet, which matches GE’s own coverage claim.
Installation and Fit
GE lists a fit for double-hung windows from 27.125 to 36 inches wide with a minimum opening height of 13.375 inches. The narrower starting width is useful if your window is too slim for units that need more space. The fixed chassis comes with an EZ Mount kit and foam insulation.
The manufacturer says most people can install it themselves in about 15 minutes. Treat that as a best case. At 36.5 pounds, it is manageable for one person, but a helper makes it safer to hold the unit while you lower the sash and fasten the hardware. Follow the manual and use the supplied mounting parts so the unit is secure.
Noise, Energy Use and Efficiency
GE lists 52 dBA on the low cooling mode and 56 dBA on high, and suggests the low setting for nighttime. The mechanical controls also mean no digital beeps when you change settings, which some light sleepers will appreciate.
The listing gives an efficiency figure of 11, labeled as SEER, and a power draw of 440 watts. Room air conditioners are normally compared using CEER, so check the EnergyGuide label if you want a like-for-like comparison. The compressor is listed as a rotary type with no inverter, so it cycles on and off rather than modulating its output. There are no eco or sleep modes.
Controls and Smart Features
Everything is handled with dials on the front panel: a temperature dial with 10 settings, plus a selector for the 2 cooling modes and 2 fan speeds. There is no remote control, no timer, no Wi-Fi and no voice assistant support.
Auto Restart is the one convenience feature. After a power outage, the unit resumes operation on its own, so you do not come home to a hot room just because the power blinked.
Maintenance and Drainage
The washable, reusable filter slides out for cleaning, which keeps running costs down because there are no replacement filters to buy. Clean it regularly through the cooling season to keep airflow steady.
GE states that no manual draining is required under normal conditions. In very humid weather, check the manual for how to handle any extra condensate. At the end of the season, remove the unit, clean the filter and store it upright in a dry place as the manual directs.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Simple mechanical controls with 10 temperature settings | No remote control or timer |
| Fits narrower windows from 27.125″ wide | No inverter compressor |
| Auto Restart after power outages | No eco or sleep mode |
| EZ Mount kit with foam insulation included | Only suitable for rooms up to 150 sq. ft. |
| No manual draining under normal conditions | Does not fit casement or sliding windows |
Who Should Buy It
| Who Should Buy It? | Who Should Look Elsewhere? |
|---|---|
| Anyone cooling a small bedroom, dorm or office | Rooms larger than 150 sq. ft. |
| Buyers who prefer dials over digital panels | Anyone who wants a remote or a timer |
| Owners of narrower double-hung windows | Smart home users who want app control |
| Homes with occasional power cuts (Auto Restart) | Buyers set on an inverter compressor |
| Renters who want a light, simple install | Casement or sliding window owners |
Final Verdict
The GE 5,000 BTU window air conditioner does the basics and little else. Mechanical dials, two cooling modes, Auto Restart, a washable filter and an install kit for narrower double-hung windows make it an easy fit for a small bedroom, dorm or office. The compromise is the lack of a remote, a timer and any energy-saving modes, plus a compressor without inverter control. If your room is up to 150 square feet and simplicity matters more than features, you can check the current price and details for the GE 5,000 BTU Window Air Conditioner.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size room is the GE AWAS05BWA for?
GE lists it for rooms up to 150 square feet, such as small bedrooms, dorm rooms and home offices. On the ENERGY STAR chart, 5,000 BTU matches rooms of about 100 to 150 square feet, so a sunny or crowded room near that size may need a larger unit.
Will it fit my window?
It is made for double-hung windows from 27.125 to 36 inches wide, with an opening at least 13.375 inches high. It is not designed for casement or sliding windows, so measure your opening before ordering.
Does it have a remote control?
No. The GE AWAS05BWA uses mechanical dials on the unit itself, with 10 temperature settings, 2 cooling modes and 2 fan speeds. There is no remote, timer or app control.
Does it need to be drained?
GE states that no manual draining is required under normal conditions. If you live in a very humid climate, check the manual for guidance on handling extra condensate.
About the author
Daniel Brooks is a home cooling editor at WikiCooling, covering window, portable, through-the-wall and mini-split air conditioners, fans, and dehumidifiers. He researches cooling capacity, energy efficiency, noise levels, installation requirements, and buyer feedback to help homeowners choose the right unit for their room size, climate, and budget.