Insignia NS-AC8WU3 BTU Window Air Conditioner

Introduction
Congratulations on your purchase of a high-quality Insignia product. Your NS-AC8WU3 represents the state of the art in air conditioner design and is designed for reliable and trouble-free performance.
Safety Instructions
- Do not use this appliance near water.
- Clean only with a damp cloth.
- Do not block any ventilation openings. Install according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus (including amplifiers) that produce heat.
- Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or grounding-type plug.
- A polarized plug has two blades with one wider than the other.
- A grounding type plug has two blades and a third grounding prong.
- The wide blade or the third prong is provided for your safety.
- Do not attempt to modify or extend the power cord of this appliance.
- Make sure that the available AC power matches the voltage requirements of this appliance.
- Do not handle the plug with wet hands. This could result in an electric shock.
- Unplug the power cord by holding the plug, never by pulling the cord.
Electric Shock Hazard
- Keep ventilation openings in the appliance enclosure or built-in structure clear of obstruction.
- Do not touch the interior of the chiller compartment with wet hands. This could result in frostbite.
- Do not use mechanical devices or other means to accelerate the defrosting process, other than those recommended by the manufacturer.
- Do not damage the refrigerant circuit when handling, moving, or using the refrigerator.
- Do not use electrical appliances inside the food storage compartment of the refrigerator, unless they are of the type recommended by the manufacturer.
Grounding requirement
- This refrigerator must be grounded.
- This refrigerator is equipped with a cord having a grounding wire with a grounding plug.
- The plug must be inserted into an outlet that is properly installed and grounded.
- Improper use of the grounding plug can result in a risk of electric shock.
Operation of Current Device
- Plug in the air conditioner.
- The power supply cord will have TWO buttons on the plug head.
- Press the TEST button. You will notice a click as the RESET button pops out.
- Press the RESET button. Aga, you will notice a click as the button engages.
- The power supply cord is now supplying electricity to the unit.
Features
- 8,000 BTU is ideal for rooms up to 350 sq. ft. (32.5 sq. m) of living space
- Three unique fan speeds and a temperature range of 60° F-86° F(16° C-30° C) keep you cool and comfortable
- Specially designed to fit vertical sliding windows
- Digital controls make it quick and easy to adjust your settings
- An oscillating fan lets you manually adjust the side-to-side motion
- Included remote control works from up to 26.2 ft. (8 m) away
- Auto-restart function restores your previous settings in the event of a power outage
- 4.9 ft. (1.5 m) power cord easily reaches nearby outlets
- Simple white color looks modern and matches any
Package contents
- Window air conditioner
- Mounting hardware
- Remote control
- AAA batteries (2)
- User Guide
Tools required

Installation Hardware


Air Conditioner

Support Bracket

Control Panel

| Item | Description | |||||
| Display | Shows the set temperature in °F or °C (to switch, press and hold the (up) and (down) buttons at the same time for three seconds) and the Auto-timer settings. Error codes: EH(xx), EL(xx), EC(xx), PH(xx), PL(xx), PC(xx). | |||||
| LED button | Press to turn on/off the display lighting and the control panel beep sound. | |||||
| TIMER button and indicator LEDs | Press to turn the timer on or off. The ON or OFF indicator lights turn on to show the status of the timer. The timer initiates the Auto Start program. | |||||
| ECO (Energy saver) button and indicator LED | Press to turn energy saver mode on or off. This function is available on COOL, DRY, and AUTO (AUTO-COOLING and AUTO-FAN) modes. | |||||
| MODE button and Mode indicator LEDs | Press to change the air conditioner mode. Mode LEDs indicate the mode selected. Your air conditioner automatically initiates the Energy Saver function in the Cool, Dry, and Auto (only Auto-Cooling and Auto-Fan) modes. The LEDs indicate the mode selected. | |||||
| (Up) and (Down) buttons | Press the (Up) or (Down) button to change the temperature setting. | |||||
| Item | Description | |||||
| FAN button and indicator LEDs | Press to change the fan speed. The LEDs indicate the speed selected. | |||||
| SLEEP button and indicator LED | Press to turn sleep mode on (LED on) or off (LED off). The temperature will then increase (in cooling mode) by another 2° F, after an additional 30 minutes. | |||||
| SWING button and indicator LED | Press to initiate the auto swing feature. When auto swing is ON, press the SWING button to stop the louver at the desired angle. | |||||
| (power) button | Press to turn your air conditioner on or off. The Energy Saver function is automatically initiated in Cool, Dry, and Auto modes. | |||||
Remote Control
| ITEM | DESCRIPTION | |||||
| Mode indicator | Indicates your air conditioner mode selected. | |||||
| TEMPq TEMPpbuttons | Press to lower or raise the temperature setting. In Timer mode, press to decrease or increase the time. | |||||
| ON / OFF button | Press to turn your air conditioner on or off. | |||||
| SWING button | Press to turn on the horizontal louver movement. Press and hold (two seconds) to turn on the vertical louver movement. | |||||
| I SENSE button | Press to turn on the temperature sensing. Press and hold simultaneously with the TIMER OFF button for five seconds to lock the remote control buttons. | |||||
| LED DISPLAY button | Press to turn on/off the display lighting and the control panel beep sound. | |||||
| SLEEP button | Press to turn on sleep mode. | |||||
| FAN speed indicator | Indicates the current fan mode. | |||||
| FAN SPEED button | Press to cycle through the available fan speeds, including HIGH>MED>LOW. | |||||
| TIMER ON button | Press to turn the timer on. If your air conditioner is on, it sets the amount of time your air conditioner runs before it turns off. | |||||
| TIMER OFF button | Press to turn the timer off. If your air conditioner is on, it sets the amount of time your air conditioner waits before it turns off. | |||||
| °C/°F button | Press to select Celsius or Fahrenheit for the temperature display. | |||||
Display Screen

| ITEM | DESCRIPTION | ||||||||
| Timer on the indicator | Lights when the timer is on. | ||||||||
| COOL mode indicator | Lights when cool mode is selected. | ||||||||
| DRY mode indicator | Lights when dry mode is selected. | ||||||||
| Horizontal louver swing indicator | Lights when the horizontal louver swing is on. | ||||||||
| Vertical louver swing indicator | All of the LEDs turn on when the remote is turned on. | ||||||||
| Fresh feature indicator | All of the LEDs turn on when the remote is turned on. | ||||||||
| Sleep mode indicator | Lights when sleep mode is turned on. | ||||||||
| LOW fan speed indicator | The lights when the low fan speed is selected. | ||||||||
| MED fan speed indicator | Lights when medium fan speed is selected. | ||||||||
| HIGH fan speed indicator | Lights when high fan speed is selected. | ||||||||
| °F indicator | Lights when the Fahrenheit temperature display is selected. | ||||||||
| FAN mode indicator | Lights when fan mode is selected. | ||||||||
| DATA transmission indicator | Lights when the remote control is transmitting data to your air conditioner. | ||||||||
| SET TEMP indicator | Lights when the display shows the set temperature. | ||||||||
Using the remote control
- Do not mix old and new batteries, or batteries of different types.
- Do not leave batteries in the remote control if you don’t plan on using the device for more than two months.
- Do not dispose of batteries as unsorted municipal waste. Refer to local laws for proper disposal.
- Slide the cover of the battery compartment off.

- Insert two AAA (included) batteries. Make sure that the + and – symbols on the batteries match the symbols in the battery compartment.

- Reinstall the cover.
Before You Mount
- Note to Consumer: Keep these instructions for future reference.
- Note to Installer: Be sure to leave these instructions with the Consumer.
- Completion time: Approximately one hour.
- Skill level: Installation of this appliance requires basic mechanical skills.
- We recommend that two people install this product.
- Proper installation is the responsibility of the installer.
- Product failure due to improper installation is not covered under the Warranty.
- You MUST use all supplied parts and use proper installation procedures as described in these instructions when installing this air conditioner.
- If any piece of hardware is missing,
Understanding the window requirements
Your air conditioner is designed to install in standard double hung windows with opening widths of 22-36 in.
(55.9-91.4 cm) and a window height of 13.5 in. (34.3 cm).
The lower sash must open sufficiently to allow a clear vertical opening of 13.7 in. (34.9 cm). Side louvers and the rear of the AC must have clear air space to allow enough airflow through the condenser for heat removal. The rear of the unit must be outdoors, not inside a building or garage.
Wooden windows

Vinyl-clad windows

Dealing with storm windows
- Make sure that the storm window’s drain holes or slots are not caulked or painted shut. Accumulated rainwater or condensation must be able to drain out.
- Attach a piece of wood across the entire window sill with nails or screws to correctly angle your air conditioner. Your air conditioner should be tilted back about 3-4° downward toward the outside. After proper installation, condensate should not drain from the overflow drain hole during normal use. If it does, adjust the angle of your air conditioner.
- You must secure the support bracket to the added wood piece using the provided 1” type A screws. Refer to Step 2: Installing the support bracket on page 18.

Installing your air conditioner
- Remove your air conditioner, support bracket, and hardware from the box and place them on a flat surface.
- Remove the packing material.
- Find the center of your window and lightly mark it with a pencil.
- Press the left spring push pin and adjust the left extension arm out, then do the same for the right extension arm.

- Measure the width of the inner windowsill. Make sure that the center of the support bracket lines up with the center of the window, then adjust the extension arms to the width you just measured. The support bracket will be offset to the left when centered.
- Cut bracket sealing foam strips to length and apply to the bottom of the bracket.
Bottom view

- Open the window where your air conditioner is being installed.
- Place the main support bracket into the window opening, making sure that the horizontal bracket and extension arms are located on the indoor side of the window.

- Lower the bracket until it rests on the windowsill.
Wooden window

Use
- If your air conditioner turns off unexpectedly due to a power outage, it will automatically restart with the previous settings when the power resumes.
- The cooling circuit has an automatic three-minute delay if your air conditioner is turned off and on quickly. This prevents overheating of the compressor and possibly tripping the circuit breaker. The fan continues to run during this time.
- The relative humidity of the room should be less than 80%. If the unit is used in a condition with a relative humidity over 80%, water will condense on the surface of your air conditioner.
- For optimum performance, outdoor temperatures should be from 64° F to 109° F (18° C to 43° C), and indoor temperatures should be
be from 60° F to 90° F (16° C to 32° C).
You can control your air conditioner by using the control panel on the front of the unit or by using the remote control. If using the remote control, always point it at the control panel on your air conditioner.
- Plug in your air conditioner (be sure to follow the power cord instructions on page 4).
- Turn the power on to your air conditioner using the ON/OFF button.
- Select the Cool mode setting.
- Adjust the louvers for comfortable air flow (see Controlling air flow on page 29).
- Make sure that the air flow, both inside and outside, is not obstructed.
- Once the room has cooled, adjust the thermostat to a comfortable setting.
Turning your air conditioner on/off
- Plug in your air conditioner, then press on your air conditioner, or ON/OFF button on your remote control to turn your air conditioner on or off.
Selecting an air conditioner mode
Press the MODE button repeatedly, on your air conditioner or your remote control, to cycle through Auto, Cool, Dry, and Fan modes. An indicator lights to show which mode is selected.
- Auto: Your air conditioner automatically selects cooling or fan, depending on the temperature you have selected and the room temperature. Fan speed cannot be adjusted, and it starts or stops based on the room temperature. You can adjust the temperature setting up to 86° F (30° C) or down to 60° F (16° C). The display shows the set temperature.
- Cool: Your air conditioner cools your room, with the compressor turning on and off and the fan remaining on to maintain the temperature you have selected. You can adjust the temperature setting up to 86° F (30° C) or down to 60° F (16° C). The display shows the set temperature.
- Dry: Your air conditioner operates as a dehumidifier. Some degree of cooling may occur as well.
- Fan: Your air conditioner circulates or exhausts air but does not cool the room. The display shows the actual room temperature, not our set temperature.
Selecting the fan speed
Press the FAN button repeatedly to cycle through the available fan speeds. Choices include Auto, Low, Med, or High. In Dry mode, the fan speed is set to Low automatically.
Using ECO (energy saver) mode
While using the ECO mode, the fan runs for three minutes after the compressor shuts off, then cycles on for two minutes at 10-minute intervals. When the room temperature is above the set temperature, the compressor turns back on and starts cooling again.
- Press the ECO button on your air conditioner to turn on ECO mode when using Cool, Dry, or Auto (auto cooling or auto-fan) modes.
Setting the Timer
- Press the TIMER button on your air conditioner, or TIMER ON on the remote control, until the Timer On LED or (on the remote control) lights.
- To set how long to wait before your air conditioner turns on, press / (up/down arrows) to adjust the delay time from 0.5–10 hours in half-hour increments, then 10–24 hours in one-hour increments.
- Press the TIMER button on your air conditioner, or TIMER OFF on the remote control, until the Timer Off LED or (on the remote control) lights.
- To set how long you want your air conditioner to run, press / (up/down) to adjust the delay time from 0.5–10 hours in half-hour increments, then 10–24 hours in one-hour increments.
- Press TIMER ON until the Timer Off LED lights.
- To set how long to wait before your air conditioner turns on, press / (up/down) to adjust the delay time from 0.5– 10 hours in half-hour increments, then 10–24 hours in one-hour increments.
Use Of Remote
- To turn on the I SENSE feature, aim the remote control toward your air conditioner and press I SENSE. The remote displays the temperature at its actual location and sends a signal to your air conditioner every three minutes.
- To turn off I SENSE, press I SENSE again.
Using the check filter reminder
- The check filter indicator lights (the LED above the SWING Insignia NS-AC8WU3 BTU Window Air Conditioner button on your air conditioner) automatically after 250 hours of operation. See Cleaning the air filter on page 30.
- To reset after cleaning the filter, press and hold the SWING button for three seconds. The light turns off.
Sleep mode
- Press the SLEEP button to turn on sleep mode. The sleep indicator on your air conditioner, or the remote control lights.
- To turn off Sleep mode, press the SLEEP button again. The sleep indicator on your air conditioner, on the remote control, turns off.
Turning the display on or off
- Press the LED button on your air conditioner or the LED DISPLAY button on your remote control to turn your air conditioner display on or off.
Locking air conditioner settings
- Press I SENSE and TIMER OFF for Insignia NS-AC8WU3 BTU Window Air Conditioner two seconds again to unlock the remote control.
Controlling air flow
- The louvers on the front of your air conditioner let you Insignia NS-AC8WU3 BTU Window Air Conditioner direct the air flow up or down and left or right throughout the room as needed.

Understanding sounds
- These sounds are part of your air conditioner’s normal operation.

Cleaning & Maintaining
- Dust the cabinet and front with an oil-free cloth, or wash with a cloth dampened in a solution of warm water and mild liquid dish-washing detergent. Rinse thoroughly and wipe dry.
- Never use harsh cleaners, wax, or polish on the cabinet.
- Make sure that you wring excess water from the cloth before wiping around the controls. Excess water in or around the controls can damage your air conditioner.
- Open the front panel of your air conditioner.
- Grasp the center of the filter, then pull up and out.
- Wash the filter with warm water, then rinse thoroughly. Gently shake excess water from the filter, and let it air dry. Make sure that the filter is thoroughly dry before replacing it. OR Vacuum the filter to remove dust and other debris.

Storing your air conditioner
- If you plan to store your air conditioner during the winter, remove it carefully from the window (see Removing your air conditioner from the window on page 30) and cover it with plastic or return it to its original box.
Removing your air conditioner from the window
- Turn your air conditioner off, and disconnect the power cord.
- Remove the sash sealing foam from between the windows, then unscrew the safety sash lock.
- Retract the integrated window locks, if used.
- Remove the screws and retract the anti-tip brackets.
- Remove the side arm foam blocks from both sides of your air conditioner.
- Keeping a firm grip on your air conditioner, raise the window sash and carefully remove your air conditioner.
Specifications
| Dimensions (H × W × D) | 13.5 × 19.2 × 22 in. (34.2 × 48.7 × 55.8 cm) |
| Weight | 53.1 lbs (24.1 kg) |
| Power requirements | 720 W |
| Current | 8.78 A |
| Annual energy cost | $43.00 |
| Cooling power (BTUs) | 8,000 |
| Volume | 48 dBA |
| Environmental temperature variance | 60° F-90° F (16° C -32° C) |
| Power cord length | 4.9 ft. (1.5 m) |
| Recommended room size | 350 sq. ft. (32.5 sq. m) |
| Temperature setting range | 60° F to 86° F (16° C to 30° C) |
Troubleshooting
| PROBLEM | POSSIBLE CAUSE | POSSIBLE SOLUTION | ||||
| The air does not feel cold enough. | The room temperature is below 60° F (16° C). | Cooling may not occur until room temperature rises above 60° F (16° C). | ||||
| The temperature sensor behind the air filter is touching a cold coil. | Make sure that the temperature sensor does not touch a coil. | |||||
| The temperature is set too high. | Lower the set temperature. | |||||
| The compressor stopped when changing modes. | Wait three minutes after changing the mode. | |||||
| My air conditioner is cooling, but the room is too warm. No ice is forming on the cooling coil behind the decorative front. | The air filter is dirty, restricting airflow. | Clean the filter. See Cleaning the air filter on page 30. | ||||
| The temperature is set too high. | Lower the set temperature. | |||||
| Air directional louvers are positioned improperly. | Position the louvers for better air distribution. | |||||
| My air conditioner turns on and off rapidly. | The air filter is dirty, restricting airflow. | Clean the filter. See Cleaning the air filter on page 30. | ||||
| The outside temperature is extremely hot. | Set the fan speed to a higher setting to bring air past the cooling coils more frequently. | |||||
| There is noise when my air conditioner is cooling. | Air movement sound. | This is normal. If it is too loud, set the fan to a slower setting. | ||||
| The window is vibrating. | Check the installation instructions or with the installer to make sure that your air conditioner is correctly installed. | |||||
| Remote sensing (I SENSE) is deactivating prematurely. | The remote control is not within range. | Place the remote control within 26 ft. (8 m) and a 180° radius of the front of your air conditioner. | ||||
| The remote control signal is obstructed. | ||||||
Legal notices
FCC Statement
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
FCC Caution
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate this equipment.
EMC guidance
- Don’t use near active HF Insignia NS-GLSBFSCW1 Glass Scale surgical equipment or the RF shielded room of an ME system for magnetic resonance imaging, where the intensity of EM disturbances is high.
- Use of accessories, transducers, and cables other than those specified or provided by the manufacturer of this equipment could result in increased electromagnetic emissions or decreased electromagnetic immunity of this equipment and result in improper operation.
- Otherwise, degradation of the performance of this equipment could result.
One-Year Warranty
Definitions
The Distributor* of Insignia-branded products warrants to you, the original purchaser of this new Insignia-branded product (“Product”), that the Product shall be free of defects in the original manufacturer of the material or workmanship for one (1) year from the date of your purchase of the Product (“Warranty Period”).
How to obtain warranty service?
If you purchased the Product at a Best Buy retail store location or from a Best Buy online website, please take your original receipt and the Product to any Best Buy store. Make sure that you place the Product in its original packaging or packaging that provides the same amount of protection as the original packaging. To obtain warranty service, in the United States and Canada, call 1-877-467-4289. Call agents may diagnose and correct the issue over the phone.
Where is the warranty valid?
This warranty is valid only in the United States and Canada at Best Buy branded retail stores or websites to the original purchaser of the product in the country where the original purchase was made.
Customer Support
- Ph: 1-877-467-4289
- Website: www.insigniaproducts.com
INSIGNIA is a trademark of Best Buy and its affiliated companies. Distributed by Best Buy Purchasing, LLC 7601 Penn Ave South, Richfield, MN 55423 U.S.A.
©2021 Best Buy. All rights reserved.
FAQs
Q: What is the cooling capacity of the Insignia NS-AC8WU3?
Ans: With its 8,000 BTU cooling capacity, the NS-AC8WU3 is perfect for spaces up to 350 square feet.
Q: Does this air conditioner have multiple cooling modes?
Ans: Indeed, in order to maximise comfort and efficiency, it has several modes, such as cool, fan-only, and energy-saving modes.
Q: Can I control the air conditioner remotely?
Ans: Indeed, the NS-AC8WU3 has a remote control that lets you change the fan speed, temperature, and mode from across the room.
Q: What energy efficiency features does this model have?
Ans: When the room achieves the appropriate temperature, the unit’s energy-saving mode cycles the compressor and fan to use less power.
Q: Is the unit suitable for both cooling and dehumidifying?
Ans: Indeed, the air conditioner lowers the humidity in your room by removing moisture from the air while it is operating.
Q: What are the dimensions and weight of the unit?
Ans: The unit weighs roughly [enter weight] pounds and has dimensions of [insert measurements]. For precise specifications, consult the handbook.








