Smart BuysWindow air-conditioners for your NYC apartment that won't be eyesores We may all dream of apartments with central airconditioning, but we're not all getting them (especially not in a city whose housing inventory is largely prewar and, consequently, hard to retrofit). In-window A/Cs are just going to have to do for most New Yorkers to make it through the hot summer months. But let's be honest: Most A/Cs on the market are eyesores. Ever redo your space only to have its design-magazine-worthy vibe harshed by a circa-1980s-looking window unit?On to the good news: Plenty of models now take aesthetics into consideration. We've compiled a handful that would pass muster with even your harshest of design critics. But first, some useful info: Most in-window A/Cs range from 5,000 to 15,000 BTUs, and their cost goes up depending on how much power they have. If you're looking to cool a small room you can go for lower BTUs, but if it's a living room or large bedroom you're hoping to cool down, err on the side of more BTUs experts recommend.

(To be safe, for a space of over 400 square feet, opt for at least 10,000 BTUs.Here, our picks—culled from real New Yorkers—of visually pleasing A/Cs:Friedrich's Kühl series A sales associate at P.C. Richard told us this series from Friedrich is the "best looking, commercial-grade, and quiet" air-conditioner on the market. home ac parts tampaPrices start at around $679 for a 5,000 BTU edition—pricey, yes—and go up from there. mr slim ac cleaning(This 10,000 BTU edition is for sale at P.C. Richard for just over $1,000.)cost of 10 ton ac unitA digital remote control (that comes with the unit) allows you to control the temperature from another room, and an optional FriedrichLink WiFi module lets you command the unit with any compatible smart device (and a free app).

If you're looking for super-sleek design, this unit might be the very best way to go (it looks like it could have been designed by the team at Apple). Instead of those ugly plastic wings we're used to, the side extensions are a solid white material that look much more modern and clean. Like the Kuhl series, you can control it via an app on your Smartphone. There's a small caveat, though: The only size currently available is 8,000 BTU, so don't depend on it for any room larger than 350 square feet. It's priced around $329.Haier Serenity Series ESAQ408P If you're looking for a particularly quiet A/C (maybe you're a sensitive sleeper and need something for your bedroom), you may want to try one of Haier's "Serenity Series," which has consistently been rated the quietest around (barely louder than raindrops, according to teh company). We wouldn't say this is as sleek looking as the two above, but it's not horrible-looking either and at less than $350 for an 8,000 BTU model, is a fairly good deal. 

It's comes with a full-function remote, energy save mode, dehumidify mode, sleep mode, auto cool and a 24-hour on/off timer. After way surpassing its Kickstarter goal, this air-conditioner (which looks like it arrived from the future) is available for pre-order via IndieGoGo, with a sales price starting at $299 ($100 less than the retail price). You'll have to wait until 2017 to actually get it, but it may very well be worth the wait considering how teeny tiny its footprint is. It also boasts simple installation and remote connectivity features. Could this be the window A/C of our NYC dreams? Apparently nearly 4,000 backers think so. (Note: It'll be 5,000 BTUs, so it'll probably only cover a room of 160 square feet or less).Cool new gadget alert: As you may have noticed, a lot of new air-conditioner models can be synced up with smartphones, but we've also recently learned about an A/C device called Tado ($179), which works with all remote-controlled A/Cs, effectively making any unit "smart," and saving you money and energy.

(It looks chic, too!)If you think insurance for your condominium is covered by your association fees, think again. Typically, your monthly condo fees are used to fund a building insurance policy. This generally provides coverage for perils outside of your unit like the building’s structure and covers liability if someone is hurt on the property outdoors. But if your unit is robbed or damaged, building insurance will not provide coverage for your personal possessions. You also won’t have protection from personal liability if someone is injured inside your unit. To protect your belongings and yourself, you need to purchase a personal home insurance policy for condos (called an HO-6). Condo and co-op owners should first review their association's master insurance policy to find out what that policy covers, and what it doesn't. In most cases, that building insurance policy should cover physical damage and liability for common areas such as the hallways, roof, basement, elevator, boiler and common walkways.

Co-ops and condominium associations also can obtain coverage for sewer backups, seepage, floods, earthquakes, employee dishonesty and changes in municipal rules and regulations. For older buildings, another option is liability coverage for claims resulting from exposure to lead-based paint. In some cases, the building association's insurance policy also covers the standard fixtures in each unit. The condo owner might only be responsible for personal property inside the unit and for any additions or alterations made to the original structure, such as new carpeting. In other situations, the building policy covers only the bare walls, leaving condo owners responsible for insuring anything inside a unit such as cabinets, carpeting and bathroom fixtures. Under the general terms of HO-6 condominium owner coverage, your policy should cover your personal property from 16 perils: A basic condo/co-op policy should also provide liability protection for incidents such as someone tripping and falling while inside your unit.

In addition, if a covered peril should make your condo or co-op uninhabitable, your policy should include a provision to cover additional living expenses incurred if you have to find temporary shelter elsewhere. When discussing your policy with your agent or insurance company, make sure you have enough liability coverage. Cash or replacement value. You can insure your personal possessions for either the cash value or their replacement cost. With cash value coverage, you receive the value of the item minus depreciation, while replacement value pays the current cost to replace the item.What level of deductible can you afford? A higher deductible can mean lower insurance premiums, but if something happens, be prepared to pay out that high amount. Unit or loss assessment. If your co-op or condo building is damaged by an insured disaster or its members are sued, and the cost of that damage is not fully covered by the association's policy, this type of coverage would pay for your share of an assessment charged to all unit owners.

Generally HO-6 homeowners/condo policies do not include coverage for either floods or earthquakes. If you live in an area where either might occur, consider adding coverage.Most policies set limits for items like jewelry, collectibles, and computers. If you own expensive items, you can pay extra premiums to have those items fully insured under what is called a floater. Without a floater, a policy will cover such items only under general categories and offer reimbursement up to a maximum of only a few thousand dollars (limits vary). For example, a standard policy may cover only up to $1,000 for jewelry without a floater.Insurance companies offer an array of discounts. Factors that could reduce your premiums include smoke detectors, alarm systems, deadbolt locks, closed-circuit television, a secured-entry system or a doorman. If you insure your unit with the same company that underwrites your building's insurance policy, you might get an additional reduction in premium. You also could qualify for a multi-line discount if you purchase your condo/co-op and auto insurance from the same company.