Vertical Mount Air Conditioners Good Questions: Vertical Mount Air Conditioners Alicia wrote in about a hot topic issue: So, considering it was sweltering in my house last week and we haven't even hit June yet, I'm gonna have to get some sort of AC solution. The problem is my windows open left to right, not up and down. Do they make vertical window AC units? Is there another way to get AC into your house besides central air, which I'm guessing is just too cost-prohibitive to get installed? (Note: Include a pic of your problem and your question gets posted first.Email questions and pics with QUESTIONS in subject line to: LA(at)apartmenttherapy(dot)com)Link To All Good Questions By chance, we were at Home Depot last night, picking up some extra air conditioner accessories, so this query was submitted at a most fortuitous time. We were there because we needed wider vinyl panels for the window mounted unit we just purchased. Noted was a large congregation just within the entrance;

many were in the process of carting off air conditioners of various sizes and shapes, so you might be doing yourself a big favour by purchasing a unit soon before the heat returns. But back to your question. A portable air conditioner might be the answer to your dilemma, since you're correct in assuming a central air conditioning system can be expensive (there are various factors involved in cost, so only upon inspection of your home can a quote be figured). Home Depot has a selection of portable AC units that can siphon off excess condensation via a window mounting hose. To illustrate how this works, they happened to have a unit hooked up to a faux horizontal opening window display, complete with a window vent kit that is able to be installed in both a horizontal and vertical position. Cost might be an issue, as these portable units start in the $400 range, but the ability to cart the unit away when unneeded seems like a great option. There are actually some window mounting AC units specifically made for horizontal opening windows.

Frigidaire makes Slider Casement units that provide 8,000 to 12,000 BTU cooling capacity for rooms up to 640 sq. ft. Korean manufacturer LG (who makes many of Sears' Kenmore air conditioners) offers a 10,000 BTU vertical mount unit for $339. ac wall unit with heatAnd then there is a range from Fedders, which claims to fit windows from 21"-40.5" high and needs 15.5" minimum in width. cost to replace outside hvac unitJust make sure you study up on matching the specifications of the unit with the size and cooling needs of your home; vertical window ac unita great resource of reviews and information here. Installing an Air Conditioner into a Window Window air conditioners are single, self-contained units that exhaust heat and humidity from the room to the outside.

They have louvers on the back and sides that bring in fresh air. The air runs through coils, which are cooled by the compressor using refrigerant, and then the fan pushes the cool air back into the room. Shop All Window Air Conditioners How do I choose a window air conditioner? The four most important things to keep in mind are window type, window size, BTUs and plug type. Window Type There are three different window types � standard windows (single and double hung) that slide up and down, slider windows that slide left and right, and casement windows that swing out. One style of air conditioner will go through a standard window, and taller, thinner models air will go through a slider or casement window. All air conditioners will come with a window installation kit with accordions to block the excess space on one or both sides of the unit. For slider and casement windows, if you have a particularly tall window you may need to purchase additional Plexiglas, wood or another filler to seal the space above the air conditioner.

Shop Standard Window Air Conditioners Shop Slider/Casement Window Air Conditioners Window Size You need to measure width, height, and depth. Please measure twice and order once. You have to support a window air conditioner either from the bottom with a bracket to the exterior wall, the sides with a window kit or both. If you are installing the air conditioner with a window kit, it�s important that you account for at least three to four inches for the accordians to fit into the space between the window and the air conditioner.It is preferred to have the correct size air conditioner run for longer to properly remove humidity from the room � learn more. Plug Type There are two parts to plug type: voltage and amperage. What are the pros and cons of a window air conditioner? Window air conditioners require very little installation and you can normally install them yourself so there is low upfront cost. They are a good choice and are energy efficient if you are cooling one or two rooms and there are many to choose from.

Most window air conditioners are quiet but, since the whole system is contained in one unit they can be louder than split type air conditioners where the compressor sits outside. Window air conditioners obstruct at least part of one window and you need to either remove them or winterize them for the colder times of years. How do I install a window air conditioner? All window air conditioners come with a window installation kit which most people can install without professional help by sliding the unit into their window. Units with larger BTU capacity (usually 10,000 BTUs and up) are too dangerous to install in one piece because they are much heavier � these units will have a slide-out chassis. A chassis is the framework that supports the guts of the air conditioner. The chassis is designed to slide away from the back of the unit, which is called a sleeve. You remove the chassis and install the sleeve into the window. Then, you secure a bracket supporting the sleeve to the exterior wall.

After the back of the unit is secure, you slide the chassis back into the sleeve. Shop Fixed Chassis Air Conditioners Can a window air conditioner go through a wall? Depending on the thickness of your wall, air conditioners with a slide-out chassis can go through a wall. You may need to install brackets to support the sleeve within the wall. You must check the thickness of your wall and the depth from the edge to the louvers of the air conditioner. Space between the edge of the air conditioner and the louvers must be more than the thickness of your wall. Most slide-out chassis air conditioners will fit into a wall that is 8� thick or less, you should always measure. If your wall is too thick it can block the side louvers from venting properly which will cause your unit to burnout overtime. Then you need to look into a rear-venting through-the-wall air conditioner with a separate wall sleeve to ensure it will fit into your wall and vent properly. Do some window air conditioners have heat?