How To Use A Window Air Conditioner
There'due south no simpler, more affordable way to cool down a room than with a window-mounted air conditioner. These meaty units are reliable, durable, able to cool nigh any size room, and today's models are exponentially more free energy efficient than units built only ten years ago. Plus, window air conditioners are easy to install.
🛠Yous love fixing stuff. We beloved fixing stuff. Allow's practise information technology together.
Hither, I'll share some tips on what to consider when buying an air conditioner, and then how to install it securely and remove it for winter storage.
Size the Room
Window-mounted A/C units come up various sizes and cooling capacities, ranging from about 5,000 BTU to 25,000 BTU (British thermal units). As a general rule, yous demand most 20 BTU of cooling for every square foot of living space. So, for instance, a 12x16-ft. room would require an air conditioner with a cooling capacity of approximately iv,000 BTU (12 ten 16 = 192 sq. ft. ten 20 = 3,840 BTU).
Here'south a simpler, no-math style 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 one,600 square feet:
It'due south critically important to choose a model with a cooling capacity sufficient to cool the room. If you choose a unit that'southward too small, it'll struggle to proceed the room cool on the hottest days. And choosing a unit that's too large—a common mistake—is just 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 breathing difficulties. Excessive wet can also create a breeding footing for grit 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 yous're looking for a new window A/C, well, y'all're in luck.
Summer might exist hot, but and so is the contest to sell these appliances, with anywhere from 1.74 million to 5.4 million being sold in any given year recently, according to statista.com and U.S. Section of Energy.
That contest helps yous, equally manufacturers hold downward prices and outbid each other to add features such as voice control, app control, hand-held remotes, timers, and features like a dehumidifier setting. Bells and whistles are prissy, but more so is the increased energy efficiency of these appliances.
Cheque Your Window
Most window-mounted air conditioners are designed to fit into double-hung windows, but most units can as well exist placed in swing-out casement or sliding windows. (Check with the air-conditioner manufacturer for specific installation instructions.) Hither, I'll discuss installation for double-hung windows, which are by far the most pop style of window.
Start by raising the lower sash, and and so measure the meridian 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. Likewise, keep burn condom in heed when deciding where to install the air conditioner: Don't place information technology in an egress window that serves as the only means of escape should a burn erupt.
Consider Energy Efficiency
The free energy efficiency of a room air conditioner is designated by its EER number, which stands for Energy Efficiency Rating. The EER is calculated by dividing the unit of measurement'south BTU rating by the wattage of the unit. For example, a 12,000 BTU air conditioner that uses ane,200 watts of electricity has an EER of 10.
⚠️ Don't misfile EER with SEER—Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio—which is used to summate the free energy efficiency of central air-conditioning systems.
Window A/C units typically take ratings between about eight and 12. A rating of 10 or college is considered ideal for saving electricity and lowering your utility bills. And be certain to look for features such as digital temperature controls, variable fan speeds, and sleep settings, which likewise can assistance conserve power.
Installation
Installing a window air-conditioner is all-time done with two people. Fifty-fifty small air conditioners are heavy and awkward to lift. And the concluding thing you want is for your A/C unit of measurement to fall out window or onto the floor.
💡 Salve the air conditioner'southward original box and packing materials; you tin can utilise it afterwards for storing the unit.
Commencement past reading the installation manual and familiarizing yourself with all the included hardware and fasteners. Near units come with a kit that includes adaptable window extensions and metallic mounting brackets. These parts will ensure a secure and airtight fit in the window opening. And for additional support, especially for larger air conditioners, consider purchasing a steel support bracket and mount it to the outside house wall, directly below the windowsill.
Enhance the window's lower sash and set the A/C unit centered on the windowsill. Nigh the weight volition be hanging out the window, so exist certain to keep a firm grip on the unit. Now pull downwards the lower sash until it contacts the top of the A/C unit straight backside the metal flange running beyond the superlative of the unit. Keep downward pressure on the lower sash; it'due south preventing the unit from toppling out the window. The installation kit typically includes 2 small L-shaped metallic brackets, which are used to prevent the lower sash from being raised.
Set 1 bracket on the far left, pinnacle edge of the lower sash. Then, apply 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, yous may as well need to bulldoze short screws through the metal flange running beyond the superlative of the unit of measurement and into the lower sash. With the brackets screwed in place and the lower sash locked in positioned, and the A/C unit is secured.
Next, attach the two accordion-like extensions, one to each side of the A/C unit. (Annotation that in some cases you lot must install the extensions prior to setting the unit in the window; check the installation manual for specific details.) Pull out each extension to shut 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-rubber weather stripping and stuff information technology into the gap forth the top edge of the lower sash to cake out insects and hot air.
When properly installed, the A/C unit will tip slightly to the outside. This is important to allow condensation to drip exterior, not into the room.
Power It Up
Air conditioners depict a fair amount of electricity, so be mindful of the excursion into which you lot plug the unit. If the same excursion powers other high-energy appliances—refrigerators, dryers, ovens—consider plugging in the air conditioner elsewhere. If you lot're using an extension cord, information technology's important to utilise a cord that'southward specifically designed to handle the electric load; these heavy-duty cords are usually labeled as, "air-conditioner string" or "major-apparatus cord."
And be certain to cheque the air filter monthly throughout the cooling season to ensure information technology's clean and clear of obstructions.
Removal for Storage
Removing a window air-conditioner unit can be difficult, so unless you really need access to the window or desire to create a ameliorate seal for winter, it'south all-time to leave it in identify and protect it with a slip-on cover.
If y'all decide to remove the air conditioner, again, it's best to have 2 people. Start by reversing the installation steps, but exist very careful not to unscrew the two minor L-shaped brackets until you've slid the air conditioner into the room far enough and then that it's resting deeply on the windowsill and not tipping in or out.
After removing all the hardware, raise the lower sash and elevator the air conditioner out of the window and set information technology onto a thick coating spread on the floor. Vacuum the outside of the unit—especially the louvered vents—and so wipe it down with a clammy cloth.
Identify the air conditioner back into its original box, using the dense-foam packing cloth to protect information technology from harm. Put all the screws, brackets and other installation hardware items in a re-sealable plastic bag, and put the bag in the box. Set up the box in a cool, dry identify for the winter. And if the storage room has a concrete floor, place two 2x4s beneath the box to raise information technology up and protect information technology from moisture.
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Source: https://www.popularmechanics.com/home/how-to/a6030/how-to-install-a-window-air-conditioner/
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