Installing an air conditioner into a horizontal window, which is a window that slides left and right instead of up and down, is similar to installing an air conditioner into a vertical-sliding window. Horizontal-sliding window air conditioners are commonly called slider air conditioners or slider casement air conditioners. Before buying your air conditioner, measure the window opening, so you know how wide of a unit you can install. Choose the window where you’ll install your air conditioner. The window should be within reach of a three-pronged outlet. Plugging your air conditioner into an extension cord may not provide enough power to the unit. Slide the window open. If the windowsill is old, weak or shows signs of damage, it may not be able to support the weight of the unit. Replace the windowsill or select another window. Cut a strip of weatherstripping the same width of the window opening. Remove the adhesive backing from weatherstripping and position on the windowsill so that the unit will be on top of it when in place.

Press the weatherstripping firmly to help it stick to the windowsill. Attach the support bracket to the windowsill with screws using an electric drill or screwdriver. The top of the bracket should tilt back slightly, between 1/4 inch and 1/2 inch, so that when the unit is in place, it will also tilt back, letting rain easily slide off of it instead of pooling on top of it. The directions that come with your air conditioner will indicate how to assemble the bracket, if it does not come pre-assembled, and where along the windowsill to install the bracket. Most brackets are installed somewhere in the middle of the sill to best keep the unit from falling out on one side or the other. Attach the support bracket to the exterior siding with screws using a screwdriver or electric drill. Depending on the size and weight of your unit, the exterior portion of the bracket may attach directly beneath your windowsill or further down the siding beneath the window. Assemble the air conditioner if necessary.

You will likely need to attach air conditioner guides along the sides and top of the unit. These guides will attach with screws, but special tools you need, like a hex wrench, will come with the unit. The guides essentially frame the unit and provide a place for a plastic curtain component. best buy wall ac unitsMeasure the length of the side guides and cut weatherstripping this same length. uv light on ac unitRemove theadhesive backing from weatherstripping and attach to the back of the side guides. ac window unit horizontalWhen the unit is in place, these side guides and the weatherstripping will help create an airtight seal. Measure the height of your sliding window and subtract the height of your unit. You will cover this gap with a plastic curtain, which will come with the unit.

Cut the plastic curtain with scissors, so that, once attached to the unit, the curtain will cover any gap between the unit and the top of the window frame. For example, if the unit is 40 inches high and the window opening is 56 inches high, then cut the plastic curtain so that it is 16 inches high. Slide the curtain into separate curtain frame, which comes with the unit, and attach curtain frame to unit, sliding the frame legs into the side guides. You may need to use screws and a screwdriver to attach frame to unit, though it may also just slide into place. Slide air conditioner into window opening until it rests against the support bracket and is flush against the side window jamb. Ask someone to help you, since the unit will be heavy. Bend at the knees when you lift the unit into place. Make sure the unit is evenly positioned in the window opening and supported by the bracket. Screw the bracket to the air conditioner using a screwdriver. Doing this from the outside of your home will likely be easier than trying to work around the unit while inside your home.

The bracket will attach by one or more screws to the back of the unit. Drill holes through the unit’s bottom guide into the window track. Insert screws into holes and screw in, attaching the bottom of the unit to the window. Attach the curtain frame to window jamb with screws, pre-drilling holes with an electric drill and using screwdriver to screw in screws. Line up an L bracket, which comes with the unit, in the lower corner of the window, where it meets the jamb. Drill a hole through the hole of the L bracket and into the window frame. Place screw in hole and screw into place. This L bracket will stop anyone from opening the window from the outside. Things You Will Need An assistant Measuring tape Scissors Screwdrivers (Phillips and flathead, though you may only need to use one type during your installation) Wrench (though you may not need, depending on the hardware that comes with the air conditioner) Slider casement air conditioner, which will include necessary hardware and support bracket (you can also buy support brackets separate from the air conditioner at most home improvement stores) Electric drill Ladder (optional) Weatherstripping Tip References Frigidaire

: Installation Instructions: Slider Casement Air ConditionersFrigidaire: Installation Instructions: Slider Casement Air Conditioners Suggest a CorrectionDon't Throw Your Money Out the Window...The summer heat is here and the time has come for many to buy or drag out that window unit you'll soon be hovering around to stay cool. You've shopped around for hours to get that perfect unit or broke your back lugging it up the stairs, but soon that will all pay off, right? There are many things that can go wrong here and that pleasant thought of "chilling out" in front of the tube you were carrying around in your head can quickly be dashed by the sound of your unit crashing to the ground. Luckily, you have found this hub, and because of it, you will not only be able to preserve those happy thoughts; you'll be confident that the you've done the right thing in the off-season to keep your unit running properly and not worry about your unit falling on that stroller who walks under your window everyday.

Tips to Installing a Window A/CProperly installing your window A/C unit is more about rules of thumb than step by step instructions. With so many variable units, brackets and window types, it would be hard to cover all of them. Instead, the following thoughts are things you need to know or keep in mind so that you don't damage the unit, break your window, or hurt yourself in the process. Ask for help - I've not seen too many lightweight units in my 15 years of experience. I'd hate to see you lounging in the A/C because you slipped a disk and smashed your fingers, boarding up the where the window used to be, replacing a broken windowsill, or watching your unit hit the ground as the temperature hits the roof. This is an interesting alternative to a brace that doesn't require screwing to the window framing. Use a brace or bracket - I've noticed everything from flower pots to video tapes on window sills holding the back end weight of the unit. Though I'm sure it seems like a good idea at the time, it's really not.

Purchase a proper window air conditioner support brace or bracket and install it according to its' instructions. There are many options available in the market today. Take measurements of your window sill and unit to be sure you purchase the right type. If you're on a first floor with low windows, perhaps you could build something to support the unit from the ground with items you already have available but otherwise, I don't suggest any make-shift contraptions. If you choose to go without a bracket, be sure to secure the unit to the window with the provide screws and braces. Do not just slap the unit into the window opening and walk away.NOTE: You will see that many installation instructions will show you how to mount and secure the unit directly to the window without the use of a bracket. While this is common practice, it is my personal opinion that supporting the total weight of the unit with a bracket will keep the window from absorbing it and the vibration the unit will create. Protect your window's framing - Purchase some type of adhesive foam weather stripping to apply to your window frames where the unit will be making contact.

If you can't afford this purchase, many bracing systems will leave room for you to at least throw a towel between the unit and the sill, perhaps even around the sides and top. This is especially important to those with wood or plastic window frames. A side benefit of this protection is the fact that it will seal up small gaps between the unit as well, keeping out bugs and warm air. Tip the unit just slightly toward the outside - The unit will condensate and it needs to be tipped ever so slightly toward the outside so that it doesn't try to drain forward into the house. Choosing the Best Location for Your Window Air Conditioning UnitChoosing a good location is important because it's quite likely you won't be moving your unit on a daily basis. Be sure there is an electrical outlet close enough to your chosen window that the unit cord will reach. Do not use plug adapters or extension cords on your unit. If you don't have an outlet near the window in which you want to place the unit, perhaps have an electrician install one for you.

Especially if you plan to stay in your home for a long time so that you can use this primary location year after year. Make sure that the unit will be clear of obstruction on both the inside and outside. The outside of the unit must be able to dispurse heat so if it's covered up, it can cause the unit to operate at less than its intended performance. You may want to consider placing the unit in a bedroom window. The area where we sleep is a highly prioritized area to cool as sleeping in the heat can be very restless. If you live in a 2 floor home, you may want to consider placing the unit in a 2nd floor window. Cooler air will travel downward in the home as it displaces the warmer air thus cooling a bit more area than it would from the 1st floor. This is especially true when using a fan to push the air down stairwells. Regardless of where you locate the unit, coupling the use of the unit with the use of a fan can really help move the air around your home. For instance, if you've placed your unit in a bedroom that you're not in during the day, place a fan outside the door to pull the cool air out of the room and push it around other areas of living space.

A couple of strategically placed fans can really cool down a larger area while running only one window a/c unit. Storing Your Window Air Conditioner for the WinterOf course summer doesn't last forever and before we know it, winter will come creeping back our way. Make sure that when you're done using your window air conditioner for the season, you care for and store the unit properly. This will insure that your unit will work for you again next year. Clean the air conditioner and coils. Take out, wash and dry the filter. Wrap up the unit in a trash bag or cover it up with a towel to keep dust and such from getting into the unit during storage. Keep the unit stored in a dry area to prevent promoting corrosion. Store the unit upright, meaning, the same position it would be in for operation. Storing the unit on it's side can allow oil to drain out of the areas in the motor that it should be. As a result, when you fire up the unit next year, it will be running without oil in the right place and can damage the motor.

If you did store it on it's side, be sure to allow the unit to sit upright for a day so that the oil drains back into the proper area before running the motor. Keep Those Happy Thoughts!By keeping in mind these tips and following your product's instructions, you should be able to relax and enjoy the cool air that your window unit will give you now and for years to come. More About HVAC Heating and Cooling Homes With High Ceiling Rooms Ef...Heating and cooling a room with vaulted or high ceilings as well as how to better cool and heat the second floor of our homes are very commonly asked questions about our HVAC system. Find out a few options and tips you may try to use to help you accoHow to Clean Air Ventilation Ducts YourselfCleaner duct work equals cleaner air and less dusting. Learn how you can improve the quality of the air in your home without any cost and specialized tools. More by this AuthorAir ConditionersHow to Maintain & Clean Your Air Conditioner YourselfCleaning your condenser (air conditioner) yourself is easy, free and increases the efficiency of the system.