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frontpage Posted by UN0335 • Apr 1, 2025
frontpage Posted by UN0335 • Apr 1, 2025

Costco In-Warehouse: Midea U 12,000 BTU Smart Inverter Window Air Conditioner

(Availability May Vary)

$280

$380

26% off
Costco Wholesale
210 Comments 83,154 Views
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Deal Details
Costco Wholesale [Deal Reference] has Midea U 12,000 BTU Smart Inverter Window Air Conditioner Unit w/ MShield (White; MAW12AV1QWT-C) on sale for $279.99 valid for in-warehouse purchase for Costco Members only.

Alternatively, if you wish to purchase this unit online, it is available for $299.99. Shipping is free.

Thanks to community member UN0335 for finding this deal

Note, must login to your Costco account w/ an active membership to purchase.

About the Product
  • U-Shaped Groove/Drop-In Install Design
  • 12,000 BTU/32 dBA/1140W
  • 4-Way Air Direction/
  • 5 Cool Setting/4 Fan Speed
  • 550 Sq. Ft. Maximum Coverage Area
  • Energy Star Certified
  • MShieled Air Ionizer Technology
  • Smart Control w/ SmartHome App

Editor's Notes

Written by Discombobulated | Staff
  • About the Deal
    • Product is available for in-warehouse purchase at the reduced/listed price; maximum of $80 Off/discount
    • Easy installation w/ snap in bracket; recommended for areas/spaces up to 550 sq. ft.
    • You may open your window to enjoy fresh air even w/ your AC installed
    • Product Item #2677429 for reference
    • Limit 5 per customer
    • Offer valid through May 4, 2025 or while promotional price/supplies last

Original Post

Written by UN0335
Community Notes
About the Poster
Deal Details
Community Notes
About the Poster
Costco Wholesale [Deal Reference] has Midea U 12,000 BTU Smart Inverter Window Air Conditioner Unit w/ MShield (White; MAW12AV1QWT-C) on sale for $279.99 valid for in-warehouse purchase for Costco Members only.

Alternatively, if you wish to purchase this unit online, it is available for $299.99. Shipping is free.

Thanks to community member UN0335 for finding this deal

Note, must login to your Costco account w/ an active membership to purchase.

About the Product
  • U-Shaped Groove/Drop-In Install Design
  • 12,000 BTU/32 dBA/1140W
  • 4-Way Air Direction/
  • 5 Cool Setting/4 Fan Speed
  • 550 Sq. Ft. Maximum Coverage Area
  • Energy Star Certified
  • MShieled Air Ionizer Technology
  • Smart Control w/ SmartHome App

Editor's Notes

Written by Discombobulated | Staff
  • About the Deal
    • Product is available for in-warehouse purchase at the reduced/listed price; maximum of $80 Off/discount
    • Easy installation w/ snap in bracket; recommended for areas/spaces up to 550 sq. ft.
    • You may open your window to enjoy fresh air even w/ your AC installed
    • Product Item #2677429 for reference
    • Limit 5 per customer
    • Offer valid through May 4, 2025 or while promotional price/supplies last

Original Post

Written by UN0335

Community Voting

Deal Score
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Top Comments

No comment on these specific units but if you're having problems with mold on any AC, you should just turn it to fan mode for 20m or so before shutting off.

All AC's work by transferring heat from one side of the unit to the other side, as part of this process the coils on the inside of the room will be ice cold (so they can absorb the heat in the room and move it to the outside) moisture will condense on the cold coils, it will then drip down in the pan and be directed outside, that's why AC's always dribble water on the outside.

If you shut the unit off there will be a lot of moisture, all over the coils and in the pan. That moisture be food for mold in the right climates..

To avoid this, run it on the fan mode before turning it off, this will dry the unit out and avoid the mold issues
You do lose efficiency doing that. Most, if not all, are designed to hold a certain level/amount of water. They do this intentionally so the outdoor fan will "spray" the water on the outdoor coils, which helps with efficiency by cooling them down.
YMMV, I just spray it all down with coil cleaner, blower wheel and all, spray it with a brand new clean water pump up sprayer after 10 minutes and put a fan on it to dry everything out thoroughly. I use mine in Florida continuously. Way easier than disassembling everything. I maintain 4 of them doing this exact technique. I should do a youtube video of me doing mine, but I am sure it could potentially break the unit one day. So far, 12-15 cleanings later, their all going strong, and clean too.
BTW: This air conditioner 12k uses nearly the same amount of energy as the 8k and idles down to 95W or so when cooling minimally. The 8K Idled back about the same cooling minimally. The main difference is that the 12K can ramp up to using 780W or so while the 8K maxed out at like 460W.

210 Comments

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Apr 9, 2025
85 Posts
Joined Jul 2014
Apr 9, 2025
MEGAONE302
Apr 9, 2025
85 Posts
Where's the deal, 2am EST over here.
1
Apr 9, 2025
99 Posts
Joined Nov 2009
Apr 9, 2025
ayrton1
Apr 9, 2025
99 Posts
Quote from kylefifa :
Do I need to bring back the air conditioner iwhile requesting price adjustment at counter

https://customerservice.costco.co...com-orders
Apr 9, 2025
31 Posts
Joined Sep 2019
Apr 9, 2025
Soulatude
Apr 9, 2025
31 Posts
It's Live. Just snagged one.
Apr 9, 2025
606 Posts
Joined Jul 2005
Apr 9, 2025
blahbbs
Apr 9, 2025
606 Posts
Quote from FancyClass417 :
Can you provided a picture when you can of how you do it?
This isn't my video, but it shows what I'm talking about pretty well:
https://youtu.be/weRHRXbhAk4?si=JhE_IUefv1m3ZlpS
Apr 9, 2025
85 Posts
Joined Jul 2014
Apr 9, 2025
MEGAONE302
Apr 9, 2025
85 Posts
It's live, just got one. Thank OP...
Apr 9, 2025
40 Posts
Joined Apr 2019
Apr 9, 2025
Fnaticx
Apr 9, 2025
40 Posts
Quote from robsnyder22 :
YMMV, I just spray it all down with coil cleaner, blower wheel and all, spray it with a brand new clean water pump up sprayer after 10 minutes and put a fan on it to dry everything out thoroughly. I use mine in Florida continuously. Way easier than disassembling everything. I maintain 4 of them doing this exact technique. I should do a youtube video of me doing mine, but I am sure it could potentially break the unit one day. So far, 12-15 cleanings later, their all going strong, and clean too. BTW: This air conditioner 12k uses nearly the same amount of energy as the 8k and idles down to 95W or so when cooling minimally. The 8K Idled back about the same cooling minimally. The main difference is that the 12K can ramp up to using 780W or so while the 8K maxed out at like 460W.
Is this more efficiency or the same as a 12k 21 SEER MINI SPLIT Air conditioner?
3
Apr 9, 2025
40 Posts
Joined Apr 2019
Apr 9, 2025
Fnaticx
Apr 9, 2025
40 Posts
Quote from DukeWoolworth :
The best, most efficient and quietest air conditioner on the market. Heavy sumbitch, too (64#), and setting up the bracket an hour's work first time. I have three, now to be their third year. Great price, unchanged. Our Costco had plenty. Sale lasted for weeks.
Is this more efficiency or the same as a 12k 21 SEER MINI SPLIT Air conditioner??
3

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Apr 9, 2025
40 Posts
Joined Apr 2019
Apr 9, 2025
Fnaticx
Apr 9, 2025
40 Posts
Quote from topshelf207 :
Bought two of the 8k models a few years back in September of that year. Put them away for the winter in October and the following May one of them didnt work. Home depot was great about taking it back as a return, even though it was months later. I had to get an RMA from Midea though. I still may buy another one with having experienced that. They are just so damn quiet compared to regular window AC's. But really if you have the space in your breaker panel, the way better option it to just install a mini split heat pump. It's not really that hard for a DIY'er, even with the models that require vacuuming the lines. (I installed a 24k btu Senville mini split in my garage 3 years ago)
Is this more efficiency or the same as a 12k 21 SEER MINI SPLIT Air conditioner?
3
Apr 9, 2025
40 Posts
Joined Apr 2019
Apr 9, 2025
Fnaticx
Apr 9, 2025
40 Posts
Quote from MichaelM25 :
Yeah, this is a good deal. I have both the 12 K and the 8K. The quietest and the most efficient units on the market. I wish it had the heating function as well, would've paid more. Also to keep in mind, I don't think it has fresh air function so you need to open your windows once in a while.
Is this the same or more efficient than a 12K MINI SPLIT 21 SEER air conditioner
3
Apr 9, 2025
647 Posts
Joined Nov 2013
Apr 9, 2025
Widowmaker
Apr 9, 2025
647 Posts
Quote from benagood :
Good deal! Prices are often less in-store so get it at the store if you can. These also go on costco clearance during summer, so you can probably do better if patient.
These are quiet! Also, mine dont get along with GFCI outlets. Dont put on a GFCI outlet.
I have an 8k and a 12k. The 8k is a year older than the 12k. Both work really good. The 12k is used in our master during summer and keeps the master cold. We save $$$ by not cooling the entire house, and the power company cant cut it when demand is high (like they do to our central AC). The 8k is used for festivaling/car-camping. Inverter ACs start gently and dont require an oversized generator or a hard-start kit just to start them. I run the 8k on a 12V to 120V sine inverter.

I have the Midea 12k w/heat pump and there is a GFCI built into the power cord of the ac unit. Power cords with built in GFCI shouldn't be plugged into a GFCI receptacle.

If the plug on yours has 2 buttons ("test" and "reset") then there is a GFCI built into the plug.
Last edited by Widowmaker April 9, 2025 at 04:35 AM.
Apr 9, 2025
311 Posts
Joined Dec 2017
Apr 9, 2025
androidfan44
Apr 9, 2025
311 Posts
Quote from blahbbs :
This isn't my video, but it shows what I'm talking about pretty well:
https://youtu.be/weRHRXbhAk4?si=JhE_IUefv1m3ZlpS

Midea has now added multiple water drain hole plugs at the bottom.
Apr 9, 2025
886 Posts
Joined Nov 2011
Apr 9, 2025
topshelf207
Apr 9, 2025
886 Posts
Quote from Fnaticx :
Is this more efficiency or the same as a 12k 21 SEER MINI SPLIT Air conditioner?
Less efficient.
1
Pro
Apr 9, 2025
1,275 Posts
Joined Nov 2010
Apr 9, 2025
AJR214
Pro
Apr 9, 2025
1,275 Posts

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank AJR214

I bought this12k Midea from Amazon Dec 29, 2023 for $198 - a deal I couldn't pass up (it's $450 on Amazon now). I want to say it was a scratch and dent sale, but can't remember. I do know when I received it there was a ding in the back corner of the drip pan. I opened the unit cover to make sure there was no damage inside. I'm glad I opened it bc there was some blue strong sticky substance most likely meant for insulation or protectant that "melted" and attached to the fan blade. If i turned it on it probably would have burned out the motor. I removed the blue stuff and cleaned up the blade. I had read about possible mold issues and people complained about no drainage. While I had it open I drilled a hole in the corner to allow drainage of water. Being in FL I know the humidity and moisture accumulate and didn't want it to overflow or leak inside the house.

I have a 3/2 2,000 sqft house with a standard A/C unit in central Florida. I keep the A/C at 75 during the day, 74 at night. It is just me and my wife at this point and she likes it cold at night. We were putting the A/C at 71 for a while, but we were cooling down the ENTIRE house when we didn't need to wasting all that energy. Then I bought the 12k Midea to install in the master bedroom which is ~400 sqft (I think the 8k would have been too small). Since Jan 2024, it is on automatic timer at 8:30pm set to 68° and turns off at 6:00am. We leave the main A/C at 75 for the rest of the house. It's been wonderful, quiet, and cold now for 15 months with no issues. I permanently mounted the unit. Installed the bracket with concrete screws and made sure it's hurricane stable. Sprayed expanding foam sealing around all the cracks. I can still open the window if needed, but we never open the windows unless it's a cool crisp evening which are rare in Florida. Highly recommend this unit. I may get another for our Florida Room/Lanai. It's a big room of top to bottom windows looking out to the pool and can soak up some sun and you can tell the room is about 4-5 degrees warmer than the rest of the house.

Quote from Musicaholic8000 :
Read some reviews. People still complain of mold and it's not the easiest to disassemble. Real pain to clean the blower wheel as it's like 2ft long.
https://youtu.be/esPGXI-nVjI?si=LiFYHgfSkE__Ix-4
I have not had any mold issues. I check the unit, clean the filter, and drilled the drain hole. The unit runs only at night though so it may be different for others. I believe this video was made for the motor noise issue the guy was having. Great teardown video and good to know the motor can be replaced easily if it wears down or gets squeaky.

Quote from soldiersinx :
Is this the updated model with the drain plug and revised bracket?
If it's not, drill a 3/8" hole in the back of the drip pan how it's angled when you put it in. Open the cage with the 6 or 8 screws and find the corner where there are no coils or parts to hit with the drill bit.

Quote from bamx2 :
Due to power limitations, I am looking for the 8K BTU model. Will it be available at Costco ?
What power limitations? This is 110V, not 220V. Wattage use is higher due to 110V, but as long as you don't share the 15 or 20A circuit with a microwave or hair dryer, you should be fine.

Quote from njbasile :
I would be be careful if you were going to use this for a bedroom. I don't find mine to be as quiet as advertised.
Seems people have had varying degrees of db noise. The video of the guy replacing the motor is night and day from the beginning squeal to the end whisper fan. I sleep right next to the unit and while I hear the compressor kick on faintly or the blower ramp up when it needs to cool faster, once I'm asleep I don't hear any of it. I hear the beep when it turns on and off with the timers. What was more annoying was the white led lights that lit up the room. I took a piece of black 1/8" foam board and cut it the width and height of the display and taped it over the panel. I can flip it up if i need to touch the controls, but I use the app 99% of the time.

Quote from Fnaticx :
Is this more efficiency or the same as a 12k 21 SEER MINI SPLIT Air conditioner?
Depends on how you use it I would presume. As stated above, I use it to just keep the master at 68 rather than use the central air all night. In reality, it's cheaper and more efficient to have a window shaker in every room (when sized right for each room) than it is to have central air. Problem is they take up window or wall space, their ass sticks out, and people don't like the way they look in a "nice" home. But you can adjust the temperature per room vs whole house and even if you had 4 or 5 units running at once, it still consumes less energy than the 4,500W a central air takes when running. And if one unit breaks, you're spending $250-$500 to replace it vs $5,000-$8,000 to replace the central unit. The 12k Mini splits can be more efficient at 220V than this Midea, but I'd say it would be pretty close. Mini splits are just more involved with installation.
Last edited by AJR214 April 9, 2025 at 06:18 AM.
1
Apr 9, 2025
1,548 Posts
Joined Feb 2010
Apr 9, 2025
DallasGG
Apr 9, 2025
1,548 Posts
For those that have installed this, is it a lot more involved than a traditional non-u shaped window air conditioner? Also, compared to a traditional 12k btu window air conditioner, does it seem much lighter when carrying it. I noticed in the specs, it's 13 lbs lighter.

Edit: I found this youtube video and this guy goes into alot of detail on installation. I found it very helpful since I have never installed a u-shaped A/C unit before.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h...iu6k&t=15s
Last edited by DallasGG April 9, 2025 at 07:17 AM.

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Apr 9, 2025
34 Posts
Joined Mar 2011
Apr 9, 2025
getjustin
Apr 9, 2025
34 Posts
Quote from arla-sd :
The 8k BTU variant is Wirecutter's top pick for a window air conditioner. I have this 12k BTU model, and I rather like it - it's quiet, and it keeps the space at a steady temperature. While installing it properly is annoying, the upside is that it comes with a mounting bracket and some pretty decent insulation, so it's going to have a much tighter fit than most other window air conditioners.
Wirecutter is just a ruse to create product links with referral codes. They used to be great, but anymore the reviews are trash and the articles have become more about listing products the writers and editors use (again, to plug referral codes.)
1

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