If you have a wall-installed air conditioner that serves only as an eyesore anymore, you can yank it out and seal the hole yourself. Just make sure to get appropriate siding or other material to patch the exterior of the house when you’re done. If you can’t find an exact match, you can have paint computer-matched to your existing color. Here’s how to remove an air-conditioning unit and patch the hole: ½-inch sheetrock quick-dry joint compound drywall tape replacement shingles to match 2-by-4-inch boards batt insulation 1 sheet of plywood 220-grit sandpaper miter box or circular saw cordless drill drywall saw utility knife mud knife taping knife wonder bar 1. Remove trim around the unit on the inside and cut away caulk on the outside. 2. Remove the front of the unit. 3. Remove the motor and fins from the inside. 4. Remove the metal shell, using a wonder bar to pry away from the opening. 5. Frame the opening with 2-by-4’s. Measure and cut a piece of drywall to the opening dimensions.

6. Screw the drywall into the 2-by-4 frame. Apply a thin layer of joint compound in the gaps. 7. Press tape into the joint compound and cover with another layer of compound. Cover screw heads with compound to fill depressions. Spread a second layer of mud to joints, feathering out to minimize seams. Let dry and then sand mudded area smooth. 8. Insulate the opening with fiberglass insulation with an R-factor of at least 13. The paper side goes toward the interior of the home. Note: Don’t compress the insulation as you install it. The insulation value actually comes from the air space between the fiberglass strands, not the actual fiberglass. 9. Measure and cut a piece of plywood to the opening dimensions. Screw into the 2-by-4 frame. 10. Nail in siding/shingles to match the existing exterior. 11. Caulk around the edges of the siding/shingles to seal the seams. 12. Paint inside and outside as desired. Replacement For No-Longer-Needed In-Wall Air Conditioner?

Q: We updated our new house with central AC, so we no longer need the wall AC that was put in by the previous owner. We've yet to remove it because we have no idea what to put there to fill the hole that will be left. There is another room that runs about 2/3rds the length of the wall behind this one, so we can't add a transom type window along the top. I've been hesitant to hang art because I think it will look off balance. Any suggested would be appreciated! Editor: Leave your suggestions for Caro in the comments - thanks! • Have a question for our community? Send us yours with a photo or two attached (questions with photos get answered first).Mold is all around us and in every breath we take. It plays an important role in the natural process of decay and is used to make everything from cheese to penicillin. If allowed to grow unchecked inside your home, however, mold can result in damage to both the structure and your health. Exposure to most mold usually only causes minor allergic reactions—such as sniffling, watery eyes, and sneezing—that subside a few hours after leaving the infected area.

Some people are more sensitive than others and may experience a stronger reaction that can include difficulty breathing and asthma attacks. Several types of mold release toxic substances called mycotoxins. carrier central ac unitsExposure to high concentrations of mycotoxins from Stachybotrys (a greenish-black green mold that grows on cellulose material such as wallpaper, cardboard, and wallboard) or Chaetomium (a white to gray colored mold found on decaying wood and water damaged drywall) may lead to more severe health issues including chronic bronchitis, heart problems, and bleeding lungs.1 ton window ac cheapest There is still an ongoing debate in the scientific and medical community about the health effects of this so called “toxic” mold.ac unit liquid line

Mold feeds off organic matter and requires a moist environment to grow. Typical areas where mold can accumulate in the home include: If the mold is limited to an area of less than 10 square feet, then you might be able to clean it up yourself. Areas larger than that should be handled by a professional. If you decide to enlist a professional, make sure they are trained and experienced in mold cleanup. It is also a good idea to request and check references from past jobs to determine the quality of their work. If you suspect mold in porous surfaces or carpets, it is best to throw them out. It is virtually impossible to get mold out of these materials. Since mold loves moisture, it’s important to remove the source of water to prevent it from returning. Potential problem areas to address to keep mold at bay include: When replacing your central air conditioning unit, be sure it is sized properly for the house and climate. While an oversized unit will cool the house down faster, it won’t remove as much moisture from the air.

You might also consider adding a dehumidifier to the central system if you live in a climate with high humidity or use a portable model for problem areas. If your home still smells moldy or members of your family are having health issues, there could be a hidden mold problem. Mold can grow unseen under wallpaper, dry wall, ceiling tiles, and in heating and air conditioner vents. If hidden mold is suspected, have the house inspected by a professional. If you think there might be mold in your HVAC system, do not run the unit until the problem has been solved. Though mold will always be with us, a little diligence on your part can help keep it in check. Prevention and early detection are important, so catch it early and you’ll breathe easier.We have little tolerance for high days, little tolerance for expensive bills and mixed tolerances when it comes to harming our planet . But new technology on the home cooling front could be a small solution to all of these problems.

The Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia Barcelona is developing hydroceramic walls that can cool themselves and potentially eradicate the need for air conditioning. The walls are created from two ceramic layers separated by bubbles of hydrogel, a substance that can swell up to 400 times its original size by absorbing water. What happens is, when the air around the hydrogel heats up, the water evaporates and cools the surrounding air. The technology actually works similarly to the way our bodies cool us down by evaporating water in the form of sweat. Although still in prototype phase, the walls can either replace air conditioning units or work in conjunction with them. Using the two together would allow you to set your AC around seven degrees Fahrenheit higher than you normally would when you’re looking to achieve a comfortable temperature on a hot summer day. This would cut power usage by 28 percent and would reduce carbon emissions by about 56.5kg a month on most units, according to City Metric.