A few more tips on installing your window a/c If you haven't installed your window a/c yet, it's probably at the top of your weekend to do list.  Be sure to check out our recent post focusing on all things A/C, and these tips from Lessons from a Small Landlord columnist Craig Roche:Pick a window that isn’t over the entrance and is away from where people walk, if possible. Most people don’t like to get dripped on when they are fishing out their keys. Also, if you drop your A/C unit, you won’t kill someone.Get the right sized unit for your apartment and for your window.  It's not just a question of matching BTUs to the size of the area being cooled. Small A/C units don’t fit in large windows (they’ll fall out), and even small units don’t fit in some small windows. If you just moved to a brownstone, you’ll probably need to upgrade to a bigger or wider unit as original brownstone windows are too big and too thick to grab the slots around the A/C. Use brackets. New York City law requires that window air conditioners installed in buildings six stories and higher be secured with metal brackets or mounting rails.

(More info is here.)Get rid of the accordion-style ear flaps around your A/C unit and replace them with a custom-made plexiglass template. Some hardware stores will do this, or you can call Liberty Cool. This will seal much better than the ear flaps, and lets a lot more light into the room. However, it doesn't seem to help much with the streetnoise.If they'll do it, pay your landlord or super to install your A/C unit, especially the first time. They know how the windows in your apartment are set up, and can show you what works and what doesn’t.Seal the area around and under the A/C unit with old towels or foam. You wouldn’t expect the fridge to work well with the door open, would you?Don’t open the window that the A/C is sitting in. Otherwise, when you open your window, your A/C will fall out. In fact, you should lock it shut with a cut-off broomstick or a 2x4 sized to fit between the top of the window and the bottom of the frame.  If your landlord will let you, drive a screw through the inner window into the outer window for even more security.

If you have bars on your window, or your windows are too wide, don’t despair! You can get a portable air conditioner. These gadgets have a giant hose that plugs into the window; the main unit is safely on the floor. They are slightly more expensive than window units and slightly less efficient, but they are far easier to install and store.Put pigeon spikes on top of your unit if you can. I had a pair of turtle doves build a nest on my A/C unit one weekend, and I spent the next month sweatily watching them raise their chick. Had I turned on the unit, I would have quickly had a roasted squab.Glue some cloth or carpet to the top to deaden the sounds of water from upstairs units banging on the metal lid of your unit.Finally, ensure that your unit is sloped enough so that the water drains away from the window. Otherwise it can pool and create mold and rot problems, and your apartment will smell dreadful. Even a small angle is sufficient; just enough to ensure that the water flows out rather than in.

Related posts:Summer’s coming: Here's what you need to know as A/C season nearsThe Appliance Doctor: Quick fixes for impatient New Yorkers in a high-end appliance worldIs spending $350 to get your a/c cleaned worth it?Care for some mold with that a/c?3 ways to get around a/c-unfriendly window barsout ac unit not workingDeadlines for air conditioning requests:how much does it cost to run ac unit Request due by July 1, 2016window ac units best price Request due by January 1, 2017 All students will be housed in Elwell Hall which is fully air conditioned. It is not necessary to submit a request or doctor’s note for summer air conditioning. All campus apartments and Elwell Hall are air-conditioned. A limited number of rooms in our other residence halls have been

designated as air conditioned rooms; either with a wall-mounted or window air conditioner. The wall-mounted units will be turned on at the beginning of each semester and will remain on throughout the semester. The window units have been permanently installed to reasonably withstand winter temperatures and will not be removed at any time. All students living in a residence hall room with university provided air conditioning will be billed the air-conditioned room rate regardless of need or request for air conditioning. For reasons of need or convenience, you may provide your own floor model air-conditioning unit not to exceed 10,000 BTU's with no fee charged by the university. You do not need to submit an AC request form or doctor's note to bring your own floor model unit. Here is an example of a permitted floor model unit. Students may not provide or install their own window air conditioner. Students who have a medical need for air conditioning: review and complete this air conditioner request form.

Requests for medical need must be accompanied by a doctor's note and received by the deadline to be assured placement in an air conditioned room. New students - complete Steps 1 & 2 Current students - select air conditioned room or apartment during the H.O.S.T. process Complete this air conditioner request form by the dates indicated above. Air conditioning requests received after the deadline will be accommodated only if there are air conditioned rooms or spaces available. This means roommate requests, living learning community participation or other housing accommodations may be disrupted to fulfill an air conditioning request. Once our air conditioned rooms are filled, we will not be able to accommodate your request. Your physician must fax a note confirming your medical need for air conditioning to the Residence Life Office at 570-389-5070 by the dates specified below. Air Conditioning Requests are currently closed. Interested in being a CA? Apply to be a GHD