5:48 am ET August 11, 2014 In the dog days of summer, sometimes a fan just doesn’t cut it anymore. If you are considering a window air conditioner unit, don’t bother to pay a professional to install it. It’s easy to do by yourself—and you shouldn’t worry about dropping the unit out the window. A window air conditioner is removed from its metal housing before installation, and the housing is light and easily maneuvered into place. Knowing that, you can easily install even the largest window air conditioner yourself, following the guidelines below. All you need is a screwdriver—ideally, a cordless drill with a screw tip—and if you’re installing a used unit that doesn’t come with a window kit, a few pieces of scrap wood will help, too. Remove casing: Once you’ve chose a model to fit your window, remove the front panel according to your model’s directions, and then remove screws on bottom and sides holding the metal casing to the window air conditioner.

Pull the rear of the case, and shaking from side to side, slip it off the unit. Fasten casing to window: Most contemporary window air conditioner units come complete with metal channels that fit into standard window frames. If yours does not, a top and bottom channel should be included in your window installation kit. Simply place over the pre-drilled holes in the housing and screw together with sheet metal screws. If you don’t have a kit, screw scrap wood to the rear of the window sill to support the air conditioner. Drive screws through the inside of the housing bottom into this support. Measure two pieces of wood to the width of your unit; then cut and screw across the top and bottom. Now lower the window and screw the channel or your DIY wood into the window frame. Slide air conditioner into casing: Check to see that there is no movement, and then you can lift the air conditioner and slide it into the installed housing. Replace the front panel and attach expandable side panels to cover the open window area.

If you don’t have these, make your own: measure the area to be covered, cut a piece of quarter-inch plywood to fit, and you can use silicone sealant to secure it in place. Install foam insulation around unit, and your window air conditioner installation is complete. Updated from an earlier version by Howard Stier. Home / Helpful Tips / How to Install a Window Air ConditionerHow to Install a Window Air ConditionerBeware of Duct Cleaning Scams Have you ever wondered why some companies can offer a whole-house duct cleaning service for $59 when others are charging $450 or more? The answer is simple; it’s most likely a scam. For years, less-than-reputable companies have been advertising in the local paper, coupon magazines and online, luring unsuspecting home owners with their promises of […] Which Air Filter is Best for Your Home? When you think about home maintenance and upkeep, what tasks come to mind? We’re betting that changing your air filter probably isn’t high on the list, but don’t feel bad, many homeowners don’t change their air filters as often as they should;

most will remember when the dust starts to accumulate on furniture and lamps, […] Dryer Safety Tips Every Homeowner Should Know Did you know that average U.S. household cleans 50 pounds of laundry every week? Over the course of a year, a family of four could easily generate more than a ton of dirty clothes; 4 ton home ac unitthat’s a lot of stress to place on your washer and dryer. absorption cooling unitAs you can imagine, quite a bit of lint […]central ac unit schematic What is the SEER rating of your existing air conditioning unit? If you’re like most homeowners, you probably don’t a have a clue or even know what a SEER rating is, but it’s something you should definitely learn more about if you’re in the market for an A/C upgrade.

As of January 2015, all air […] How to Finance a New A/C System Summer is just around the corner, which means your air conditioning unit will be working harder than ever to keep your home cooled. If you haven’t participated in a maintenance plan or had it tuned up recently, this could put a strain on it. One thing you definitely do not want to deal with during […] Spring Home Maintenance Tips Now that spring is officially here, it’s time to tidy up around your home and get ready for those warmer temperatures. Not only will you need to spend time in the yard trimming trees and mowing your lawn, but you will also need to pay attention to several indoor tasks that should be addressed as […] Don’t Miss These JEA Rebates! Whether you are a homeowner or a business owner, you may be eligible for several rebates available through the Jacksonville Electric Authority (JEA). These include heating and cooling rebates, as well as those for insulation and sealing.

And with tax season coming to an end very soon, now is the perfect time to upgrade your […] 2015 – 2016 HVAC Federal Tax Credits What You Need to Know About 2015 – 2016 HVAC Federal Tax Credits What is the cost? We realize that occasionally – well more often than not – the choice of whether to replace or repair your home’s heating and cooling (HVAC) system falls under this question. Regardless of how incredible the publicized ad is or […] Is a Zoning System Right for Your Home? With a standard HVAC system, you can only control the temperature of your Jacksonville area home as a whole unit. If you would like more flexibility in controlling your home’s temperature while saving energy, you may want to consider a zoning system. How a Zoning System Works Zoning systems divide a home into two or more sections […] Understanding Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) is defined as the conditions that make up the indoor environment of a home, including temperature, humidity, purity, and freshness.