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. how to size ac window unitIf you don’t have a kit, screw scrap wood to the rear of the window sill to support the air conditioner. small ac unitDrive screws through the inside of the housing bottom into this support. ac outside unit does not turn onMeasure 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.Page 1: Installation InstructionsCheck condition of window - all wood parts of window adding a piece of wood as shown in FIG.2, or by removing must be in good shape and able to firmly hold the needed storm window while room air conditioner is being installed. All models have a 3-prong service plug to provide proper service and safe positive grouding.

Do not change plug in Hardware (in plastic bag) any way. Do not use an adapter plug. If your present wall outlet does not match your plug, call a qualified electrician Qty. Hand tighten, but allow for any changes later. 3. Shift cabinet left or right as needed to line up center of 3. Install support brackets (with sill angle brackets cabinet on center line marked on stool. Loosen screws so filler panels slide easily. DO not push on controls OR finned coils. 3. Be sure chassis is firmly seated towards rear of cabinet. Installation of front is the reverse of removal outlined in Section 1. 5. Nail framd to spacers to spacers with front flush with nails). 2. Cut or knock out a hole on each side of center stud. 3. Measure between inside edges of every other stud as shown NAIL SPACERS TO STUDS in FIG. OVER 81/2" Prepare and Install Cabinet 1. Slide chassis from cabinet. Refer back to Step 1 of Window Mounting. Place cabinet into opening with bottom rail resting firmly on bottom board of wooden frame.