Advice on installing an air conditioner into a window sleeve that's too big? June 25, 2010   Subscribe In the apartment I'm moving into, each room has a wall sleeve (just below the window) for an air conditioner. We tried installing one of my air conditioners in there tonight, and it's too small to fit the space. It mostly fills it, but even with the fins on either side of the air conditioner pulled out, there are still spaces above and below. Does anyone have any advice on how to properly install the air conditioner?What a dealRises Above Expactations Very Good Product for the PriceDoes great for a little guy I ordered 3 of them, all three not working from day one!This units fits where others won'tUnit not configured properly. Great productFrigidaire's warranty is a lie.←Previous...Get fast answers from reviewers See all 427 answered questions Customers also viewed these itemsFrigidaire FFRA0511R1 5, 000 BTU 115V Window-Mounted Mini-Compact Air Conditioner with...

1,143Frigidaire 5,000 BTU 115V Window-Mounted Mini-Compact Air Conditioner with Full-Function...246Frigidaire 5,000 BTU 115V Window-Mounted Mini-Compact Air Conditioner with Full-Function...202Frigidaire 6,000 BTU 115V Window-Mounted Low Profile Air Conditioner with Full-Function...Window air conditioners are cost-effective and can provide relief quickly. Window-mounted air conditioning units are a cost-effective alternative to central air when renting or when installing central air is cost-prohibitive or otherwise inconvenient. A window air conditioner can also provide immediate relief on a hot day if central air installation is in your future plans but not yet a reality. Make sure that your window unit is installed properly, especially when it has the potential to fall from several stories up. Installing these units is not difficult, but there are some common installation mistakes you should avoid. Sizing The most common problem when installing a window air conditioner is often simply installing a unit of the wrong size.

To operate efficiently and effectively, a window air conditioner should have a cooling capacity of 20 British thermal units per square foot of space in the room. A unit that is operating in a room with high ceilings or in direct sunlight may need to have a slightly larger capacity, but it is important to understand that bigger is not always better. An oversized window unit running in a small room will not cool better than a smaller unit. A smaller unit running for a longer period of time is more efficient than a larger unit continually turning itself on and off. The most practical and economical way to stay cool is to make sure the window unit is the right size for the space. Weight Distribution When installing a window air conditioner, many people simply open the window, slide the air conditioner into it, and close the window as far as it will go. This installation method forces the window itself and the window sash to bear the weight of the air conditioning unit and could potentially damage the window.

This is especially true with vinyl replacement windows, which can be easily broken or warped by a heavy air conditioner. When installing your unit, take the time to attach a strip of wood to the outside of the house just underneath the window to help support and distribute the air conditioner’s weight. If the unit is extremely heavy, use L-brackets to install a shelf for it to sit on. Make sure the shelf is constructed of expanded metal or another porous material so it does not block the water draining out of the unit. how to choose an ac unitKeep It Level Air conditioners remove water from the air as part of the cooling process, much like a dehumidifier. buy central ac unit onlineThis causes condensation to collect inside the unit and drain from a hole in the back. top of the line ac units

Many people incorrectly believe that window air conditioners should be installed at an angle to help facilitate this drainage. In reality, air conditioners are built with gutters and channels that direct the water where it needs to go when the unit is level. Tipping the unit can direct the water away from the proper channels and into parts of the air conditioner where it should not be. This may actually make it more difficult for the unit to drain. Always make sure that the air conditioner is level when it is installed and allow the internal channels to direct the condensation to the drain on their own. Insulation As is true of all heating and cooling appliances, a window air conditioning unit must work harder when it is located in a poorly insulated room. Unfortunately, placing an air conditioner in a window requires keeping the window open and creates an opening between the inside and outside of the house. Fill the space between the top and bottom window panes with a strip of insulating foam.

Most air conditioners come with foam that can be cut to size; if yours did not, or if last year’s foam is worn out, replace it with a new piece of foam from the home improvement store. The plastic curtains that slide out from the sides of the air conditioner will keep insects and animals from entering the open window, but it won’t stop much air. Consider purchasing accordion style insulation panels instead to help create more insulation. How to Choose an Air Conditioner Buying a room air conditioner: How big? One Size Doesn't Fit All Matching the air conditioner to the room you want to cool is your first consideration. If it's too small, it simply won't cool the space. If it's too large, it will cool the space so quickly that the thermostat will shut the unit down before it can lower the humidity level in the space. The result is a cool room that feels damp and clammy. Room air conditioners are "sized" according to their cooling capacity, expressed in Btu per hour.

You'll find the rating on packaging or in product literature; it typically ranges from 5,000 to 25,000 Btu. Units below 12,000 Btu start at $250 to $300. Those in the 12,000- to 15,000-Btu range cost from $450 to $600, while large units go up to $1,200. Air conditioners rated at 15,000 Btu should be enough to cool most rooms up to about 875 sq. ft. How do you get more precise than that? There are several different formulas. Most of the ones you'll see in stores simply compare the square footage of the room to Btu capacity. The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM), a Chicago-based industry trade group, offers a more complete formula that includes window area, sun exposure, insulation levels, how the room is used and other variables. How Much Do You Need? For a calculation of the cooling capacity your space requires, use our Air Conditioning Calculator. You can get a free copy of the formula from the AHAM fax-on-demand service or through the organization's site on the Web.

Although the form looks daunting, it takes only a few minutes with a calculator and tape measure to figure out the square footage of the room and measure a few other variables. Whichever way you determine the size you need, remember that for the 115V circuits typical of bedrooms and living rooms, you'll have to stay below 15,000 Btu; units above 15,000 Btu usually require a 230V circuit. And if you want to cool a large, open L- or T-shaped space, you're better off with two smaller units rather than one large one. "The goal is to keep the cold air from pooling on the floor," explains Hank Rutkowski, director of technical affairs for the Washington, D.C.-based Air Conditioning Contractors of America. "Two units prevent cold spots in front of the air conditioner and warm spots around the corner." Where to Find It Amana Home AppliancesAmana, IA 52204800-843-0304 The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers 20 N.Wacker Dr.Chicago, IL 60606312-984-5800 Box 4808Syracuse, NY 13221