Show All ItemsI can't take responsibility for your installation, theft, break ins, and your A/C falling out of your window. Step 1: Materials required:Show All Items The unit I am working with is a Haier 8000 BTU from Walmart. Yours might be different but the idea is the same. 1/4" Rubber Foam Weatherstrip Plexiglass - Home Depot Screws, self drilling, 1/4" C-channel Aluminum pieces 3/8' and 1/2' sold in 8' length Silicone - Home Depot Nut Rod Coupling  and a screw that fits.« Many people have inexpensive air conditioners that are intended to fit into a double-hung (vertically sliding sash) windows and want to use them in horizontally sliding windows. If you already have some of these air conditioners or are attracted to them because their price tags are significantly lower than that of casement units, portable units, or central air, it is possible to make a frame to adapt them to sliding windows. These solid, simple frames require no exterior brace. 

This is perfect for apartment dwellers and those who only need an air conditioner a few months of the year.  It takes about an hour and some basic lumber and tools to construct these frames.  Once built, your air conditioner can be installed and uninstalled in minutes.  (Please note that window air conditioning units aren't intended to be permanently installed.  These frames also make it simpler to remove them at the end of the warm season.) The units pictured include unfinished plywood.  However, this can be finished, painted or replaced with plexiglass or other materials, as the sheet lumber simply covers an opening and is not structural. 2X4s *(2 or less but the amount varies) 12 deck screws (or other long wood screws) These window sills in the picture are fairly deep, allowing for the use of 2X4s. You may be able to substitute other lumber for shallower sills.Step 1: Take MeasurementsShow All Items« PreviousNext »View All Steps DownloadDon'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.car ac repair parts This is an interesting alternative to a brace that doesn't require screwing to the window framing.car ac unit price 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. window ac unit costs

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.