How To Put Air Conditioner In Vinyl Window

The Dos and Don'ts of Installing a Window Air conditioning Unit

Take these tips to safely, just install a window air conditioner and keep cool this summer.

Photograph: istockphoto.com

If sweltering days and nights without central ac threaten your summertime condolement, consider putting a unit in the window. Installing a window AC is within the capabilities of near do-information technology-yourselfers if you follow the 10 tips here. You'll get the job washed safely and swiftly—and volition soon be saying, "Ahhhhh!" no matter how hot it gets.

DON'T assume you're permitted to install a window unit.

While most unmarried-family homeowners are free to install a window Ac, if y'all alive in an apartment, condo circuitous, or a neighborhood with a homeowners' association, bank check with management or the HOA board before investing in a unit. Some complexes don't allow window ACs for aesthetic reasons (they're not the most bonny additions to a edifice'due south exterior) or because an improperly installed unit could fall from the window, creating a safety hazard.

DO assess your windows.

Not every window is suited for an air conditioner. Almost all such appliances are designed for a double-hung window, pregnant there is a fixed upper pane and a lower pane that slides up and downwardly. Sliding windows that move from side to side, and casement windows that tilt outwards to open up, aren't options for these air conditioners.

You'll also need an electric outlet that accepts three-prong plugs fairly shut to the window; most window units take a string simply about half-dozen feet long. Never use an extension cord for window ACs. This could void the warranty on many air conditioners and nowadays a burn run a risk if the extension string isn't rated for appliances.

Finally, for best functioning, consider the area straight inside and outside the window. An air conditioner should be in a shady or partially shaded window, because directly, intense sunlight can decrease the unit of measurement's efficiency past equally much equally 10 per centum equally it struggles to handle all that hot air. Also, call up that the air conditioner requires sufficient clearance for unimpeded air menstruation, and then cull a window costless of furniture, copse, shrubs, walls, or other obstructions within 20 inches of the unit on the inside or the exterior of the window.

Photograph: istockphoto.com

DON'T neglect to cheque your measurements.

There are two sets of measurements y'all'll demand to choose the correct window air conditioner: the height and width of the window opening and the square footage of the room the unit volition cool. Ordinarily, the air conditioner's packaging will specify both the size range of acceptable windows and the maximum square footage the unit tin can cool, so brand certain your measurements are within the guidelines for the unit you lot're considering.

To mensurate the window, open up it as far as it goes, and then use a record mensurate to decide the inches both from side-to-side and from top to bottom.

If yous don't already know the foursquare footage of the room you hope to absurd, accept a helper concur the tip of the tape measure against the wall as you lot extend the tape to the reverse side to get the length; then repeat on the other side of the room for the width. Then multiply the two numbers to obtain the foursquare footage. For instance, if your room is 11 anxiety wide and 12 anxiety long, it is 132 square feet.

DO choose advisable power for your infinite.

Y'all'll need two other numbers, typically indicated on an air conditioner'south packaging, to buy the right unit: energy efficiency rating (EER) and British thermal units (BTUs), which is a measurement of the appliance's cooling ability.

EERs can range from 8 to 12: The higher the number, the more energy-efficient the air conditioner. The U.Due south. Department of Free energy recommends an EER of x or more than for the all-time efficiency and savings on your electrical bill.

The larger the room, the college the required BTUs to cool information technology. If the air conditioner isn't powerful enough for the space, information technology will run continuously without reaching your desired temperature. Also powerful, and the unit of measurement will tend to wheel on and off also apace, which won't allow plenty time to reduce room humidity effectively and leads to uneven temperature throughout the space. Generally, a window unit'southward BTU rating will lucifer the manufacturer'south recommended room size, just to calculate it yourself, endeavor the online BTU calculators here.

DON'T effort installation without a helper.

Window air conditioners typically weigh between l and 100 pounds, and so maneuvering the apparatus into the window and then belongings it in place while it's being secured with screws requires an banana. Installing a window AC on your own is an easy mode to injure yourself, or accidentally drop the unit out the window.

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DO prepare the window and install brackets, if necessary.

Earlier installing a window Air conditioning, open up the window as far as information technology goes, remove the screen, and clean the windowsill, glass, and window frame. Mensurate the width of the windowsill, and employ a pencil to mark its eye.

A properly installed air conditioner should sit down securely in the window without an boosted support bracket. All the same, very heavy units (those more than than 100 pounds) do require additional support and some locations, notably New York City, crave the use of a bracket for all window air conditioners regardless of weight. By and large, you'll need to buy a support subclass separately. Most dwelling house improvement centers that sell window units likewise sell brackets, and yous'll also find them bachelor online. Wait to pay from $xxx to $100 for a support bracket.

There are different configurations of Air conditioning brackets, but virtually either resemble a small shelf or a pair of "legs" that extend slightly outside the window to help hold the unit firmly in place. These days, many window unit back up brackets, such as the Ivation Window Air Conditioner Support Bracket (bachelor on Amazon), crave no drilling or screws for installation, greatly simplifying installation. The Ivation has an expandable bar that fits securely in the lower window frame while two condom-tipped "feet" rest against the exterior wall to back up the air conditioner'southward weight.

Practise attach mounting runway and side panels.

Some window units come with the tiptop and bottom mounting rails—which help hold the air conditioner deeply in the window—already in place. If your unit of measurement does not, utilise the included screws to attach the mounting rail, making certain to tighten all screws completely.

Side by side, attach the squeeze box-style side panels by sliding them along the grooves on each side of the air conditioner. When the entire installation procedure is complete, the panels will make full in the gaps between the air conditioner and the sides of the window frame.

One time the mounting rails and side panels are in place, lift the window unit of measurement–with your assistant's help–and set information technology in place on the windowsill. The lesser mounting track should fit into the lower window frame, positioning the air conditioner correctly and helping concord it in identify. Line up the middle of the air conditioner with the marker yous made earlier indicating the center of the window. Now, have your assistant hold the window unit steady while y'all lower the open window sash until it sits on the top of the air conditioner, with the unit's meridian mounting rail resting direct in forepart of the lower border of the sash. This serves as another safeguard keeping the window unit of measurement in identify.

Photo: istockphoto.com

DON'T forget to mensurate the unit'due south tilt.

Many window units require a very slight tilt abroad from the building to keep condensation in the drip pan exterior the room, rather than puddling down the wall inside your home. Typically, the tilt shouldn't exist more than one-half of an inch, only check the installation guide for the manufacturer's recommendation. Some newer units don't require a tilt, as the manufacturer has installed the drip pan at a slight angle.

DO install the L-brackets and cream window gasket.

Accept your assistant proceed to hold the window unit in place while y'all apply a power screwdriver or drill to install the Fifty-brackets—the letter L-shaped pieces that serve equally a final rubber measure out to keep the air conditioner securely in place. One side of each L-bracket screws into the lower edge of the sliding windowpane'due south sash and the other side of the bracket screws to the side of the window frame, securing the sliding pane in place. This prevents the window from opening, which could cause the unit of measurement to autumn out. Depending on the manufacturer, your air conditioner volition come with one or two L-brackets.

Once the upper pane is secured, there volition be a gap between the two panes of the window. Fill that gap with the foam seal included with the unit of measurement. Cutting the seal if necessary to fit your window, and so press it into the gap. This keeps drafts from outdoors out of the room. Neglecting to fill the window gap with the cream seal makes your window unit work harder to control the indoor temperature, and potentially lets moisture, grit, and insects enter your home, as well.

DON'T leave side flaps unsecured.

For the final step, extend the accordion side panels of the air conditioner until they touch the sides of the window frame. Employ the screws that came with your air conditioner to secure the side panels to the window frame, using a ability screwdriver or drill.

Congratulations! Your new window air conditioner is safely installed. Plug it in, turn it on, and enjoy the cool relief from summer's oestrus.

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Source: https://www.bobvila.com/articles/installing-a-window-ac/

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