We know an AC unit must be angled to allow runoff. But what is the maximum angle and what is the issue with having to large of an angle? I've seen people say the angle is "5/16" or "3/16" but this is nonsense as an angle is not a length. I am installing a window unit and would like to try and get the optimal angle if there is one. All the window air conditioning units I have looked at—a total of about six different models—had a drip basin which is tilted toward the outside. Or if they have a drain hose, then the pan is tilted toward an exterior corner where the hose nipple is. So leveling the bottom of the a/c should be the right thing to do. If it is tilted too far, that could cause water to accumulate in the wrong place and interfere with the condenser, or maybe just overflow onto the sill bypassing the drainage system altogether. Just has to be angled enough not to get water in your house. The 3/16 to 5/16" is the difference in height from the inside to the outside.

That sort of difference seems about right to me.As summer officially arrives today with a hot, steamy vengeance, air conditioners throughout the city are going full blast. If you have a window A/C unit in your apartment, here are some reminders to make sure the unit is safely installed:The air conditioner should have enough capacity to sufficiently cool the room and have a dedicated outlet with the proper amount of electrical current.air conditioner window unit freezingThe window and window frame in which the unit is mounted should be secure and in good condition.importance of air handling unitThe air conditioner should be braced from underneath with metal brackets, mounting rails, or similar supports, or firmly fastened from inside with supporting angles. ac unit vibration noise

The metal brackets and angles should be attached to the exterior of the building and be strong enough to support the size and weight of the unit.Do not use loose objects to support the A/C unit, such as bricks, wooden blocks, plywood, etc. We’ve even seen phone books and videocassette tapes wedged between the air conditioner and the window sill (although the digital age has made those items rare).If the position of the air conditioner needs to be adjusted with shims, they should be independently secured to prevent shifting caused by vibration, wind, or ice.Do not put items such as flower pots, satellite dishes, bird feeders, etc. on top of the A/C unit.The air conditioner should remain in place when the window is opened, or secured so that the window cannot be opened accidentally. It’s OK to tilt the unit for drainage if it’s not at a steep angle.An air conditioner should not be installed in a window that opens on to a fire escape.An improperly secured window-mounted air conditioner is considered an unsafe item in a Local Law 11/98 facade inspection.

To ensure compliance, Rand recommends that management establish building-wide installation guidelines for all residents to follow.One suggested rule is that window air conditioners be installed only by someone deemed "qualified," such as the building superintendent, a maintenance person, an exterior contractor, or a technician from the store where the unit was bought. (Currently there are no licensing requirements for installers.)To maintain a uniform standard of safety, residents should be discouraged—if not prohibited—from installing window air conditioners on their own, especially on street-facing facades.For more information on window air conditioner safety tips, see the New York City Department of Buildings guidelines and our Ask the Engineer column on Installing Window Air Conditioners.Stay cool—and safe!Installing a window A/C unit is not difficult but must be done right so as not to fall. Most units come with a bracket to hold a unit in place but there are many different sized windows and walls that brackets attach to.

The most common method is to use the window as support and along with a bar on the top hold it in place. With this method the window itself holds it in place and from falling out. Small holders with screws than hold the window in place and from opening. Another method is to use a bracket that the unit sits on. The brackets come in all shapes and sizes to fit the window and the unit. Example Window A/C Unit Bracket on Amazon TopShelf A/C Bracket TSB-2438 Window AC Mounting Bracket (No Drilling Needed) Brackets give good support to a window air conditioner since they are built specifically for that propose. They work much like a table and a unit will be fully supported from falling. If a bracket is bought be sure it matches your window style and A.C unit size. Building your own supports can also be done. Angle bars with the pre-drilled holes are often used since they can be cut at the right length and screwed into place. A combination of a bracket and window bar is what gives the most safety.

Since there are many styles of windows there is no one size fits all. If in doubt simple be sure to have a good bracket that the unit can sit on. Be sure the bracket is installed right with good length screws and following the install instructions that come with it. Always side with cation when installing a unit especially if it is located in a walk way that someone might go under.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.