How To Install An Air Conditioner In A Small Window
In that location's no simpler, more than affordable way to cool down a room than with a window-mounted air conditioner. These compact units are reliable, durable, able to absurd virtually any size room, and today'southward models are exponentially more free energy efficient than units congenital just ten years ago. Plus, window air conditioners are like shooting fish in a barrel to install.
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Here, I'll share some tips on what to consider when buying an air conditioner, and and then how to install it deeply and remove it for wintertime storage.
Size the Room
Window-mounted A/C units come various sizes and cooling capacities, ranging from nigh v,000 BTU to 25,000 BTU (British thermal units). As a general rule, you need near 20 BTU of cooling for every foursquare human foot of living infinite. So, for example, a 12x16-ft. room would crave an air conditioner with a cooling chapters of approximately four,000 BTU (12 10 xvi = 192 sq. ft. 10 20 = iii,840 BTU).
Hither'south a simpler, no-math way to determine which size air conditioner to buy. Listed below are the most common sizes of window air conditioners for rooms ranging from 150 to 1,600 square anxiety:
It's critically important to choose a model with a cooling capacity sufficient to cool the room. If you lot cull a unit that's too small, it'll struggle to keep the room cool on the hottest days. And choosing a unit of measurement that's likewise big—a common mistake—is only as problematic.
An oversized air conditioner will pump too much moisture back into the room, raising the humidity to unsafe levels, especially for those with animate difficulties. Excessive moisture tin also create a breeding ground for dust mites and mold. Plus, a too-big A/C unit is louder and burns more electricity than a properly sized unit.
Buy the Best
If you lot're looking for a new window A/C, well, you lot're in luck.
Summer might be hot, but so is the competition to sell these appliances, with anywhere from 1.74 1000000 to five.4 one thousand thousand existence sold in whatever given year recently, co-ordinate to statista.com and U.S. Department of Energy.
That competition helps you, as manufacturers hold down prices and outbid each other to add features such as voice control, app control, manus-held remotes, timers, and features like a dehumidifier setting. Bells and whistles are nice, simply more than so is the increased energy efficiency of these appliances.
Check Your Window
About window-mounted air conditioners are designed to fit into double-hung windows, but nearly units can likewise be placed in swing-out casement or sliding windows. (Bank check with the air-conditioner manufacturer for specific installation instructions.) Here, I'll discuss installation for double-hung windows, which are past far the most popular style of window.
Start by raising the lower sash, and so measure the height and width of the opening. Be sure to have those dimensions on hand when shopping for an air conditioner to ensure it'll fit comfortably into the window. As well, go along fire safety in mind when deciding where to install the air conditioner: Don't place information technology in an egress window that serves every bit the only means of escape should a fire erupt.
Consider Energy Efficiency
The energy efficiency of a room air conditioner is designated past its EER number, which stands for Energy Efficiency Rating. The EER is calculated by dividing the unit of measurement'south BTU rating past the wattage of the unit of measurement. For example, a 12,000 BTU air conditioner that uses 1,200 watts of electricity has an EER of 10.
⚠️ Don't misfile EER with SEER—Seasonal Free energy Efficiency Ratio—which is used to calculate the energy efficiency of fundamental air-conditioning systems.
Window A/C units typically take ratings between about viii and 12. A rating of 10 or higher is considered ideal for saving electricity and lowering your utility bills. And be sure to expect for features such as digital temperature controls, variable fan speeds, and sleep settings, which too tin can help conserve power.
Installation
Installing a window air-conditioner is all-time done with two people. Even small air conditioners are heavy and awkward to lift. And the last affair y'all desire is for your A/C unit to fall out window or onto the floor.
💡 Save the air conditioner'southward original box and packing materials; you tin can use it after for storing the unit.
Start past reading the installation manual and familiarizing yourself with all the included hardware and fasteners. Virtually units come with a kit that includes adjustable window extensions and metal mounting brackets. These parts will ensure a secure and airtight fit in the window opening. And for additional support, specially for larger air conditioners, consider purchasing a steel support subclass and mount it to the outside house wall, straight below the windowsill.
Raise the window's lower sash and set the A/C unit centered on the windowsill. Nearly the weight will be hanging out the window, so be sure to go on a firm grip on the unit. Now pull down the lower sash until it contacts the pinnacle of the A/C unit directly behind the metal flange running across the top of the unit. Keep down pressure on the lower sash; information technology's preventing the unit from toppling out the window. The installation kit typically includes two pocket-size L-shaped metal brackets, which are used to prevent the lower sash from being raised.
Fix one bracket on the far left, elevation edge of the lower sash. Then, use a cordless drill to screw the bracket to the upper sash. Repeat to install the remaining bracket to the far right side of the lower sash. Depending on the A/C unit, you may too demand to drive short screws through the metallic flange running across the top of the unit and into the lower sash. With the brackets screwed in identify and the lower sash locked in positioned, and the A/C unit of measurement is secured.
Next, attach the two squeeze box-like extensions, i to each side of the A/C unit of measurement. (Note that in some cases you must install the extensions prior to setting the unit in the window; check the installation manual for specific details.) Pull out each extension to close off the space to the left and right of the air conditioner. Screw the vertical mounting flange of each extension to the window jambs. Take the thick foam-prophylactic weather condition stripping and stuff information technology into the gap along the top edge of the lower sash to block out insects and hot air.
When properly installed, the A/C unit volition tip slightly to the outside. This is of import to allow condensation to drip outside, not into the room.
Power It Up
Air conditioners draw a off-white amount of electricity, and so exist mindful of the circuit into which y'all plug the unit. If the same circuit powers other high-energy appliances—refrigerators, dryers, ovens—consider plugging in the air conditioner elsewhere. If y'all're using an extension cord, it'southward important to use a cord that'southward specifically designed to handle the electrical load; these heavy-duty cords are normally labeled as, "air-conditioner cord" or "major-appliance cord."
And be sure to cheque the air filter monthly throughout the cooling flavor to ensure information technology's clean and clear of obstructions.
Removal for Storage
Removing a window air-conditioner unit tin exist difficult, then unless y'all really need access to the window or desire to create a better seal for winter, information technology'southward all-time to leave it in place and protect it with a skid-on cover.
If you lot make up one's mind to remove the air conditioner, once more, information technology's best to have 2 people. Commencement by reversing the installation steps, but be very conscientious not to unscrew the two small Fifty-shaped brackets until you've slid the air conditioner into the room far enough so that it'due south resting securely on the windowsill and not tipping in or out.
Later removing all the hardware, heighten the lower sash and elevator the air conditioner out of the window and ready it onto a thick blanket spread on the floor. Vacuum the outside of the unit—especially the louvered vents—then wipe information technology downwardly with a damp cloth.
Place the air conditioner back into its original box, using the dense-foam packing material to protect it from damage. Put all the screws, brackets and other installation hardware items in a re-sealable plastic bag, and put the bag in the box. Set the box in a absurd, dry place for the winter. And if the storage room has a physical flooring, place two 2x4s below the box to enhance it up and protect information technology from moisture.
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