How to decide on (and set up) a brand new window air conditioner

Measure the dimensions of your window

It might sound apparent, however many a home-decorator has failed by forgetting this easy step. There are not any normal sizes for home windows, and we’re sure by the legal guidelines of physics right here, so that you’ll need to be sure you know the utmost top and width of your window so you’ll be able to suit your equipment in there.

You additionally must determine the way you’re going to seal the gadget, because it received’t do a lot good if air is leaking in by way of the highest or sides. In case you have home windows that shut by sliding vertically, you’re in luck, since most models include built-in facet panels that reach out and might be sealed with foam tape.

In case you have home windows that slide horizontally, issues are a little bit extra difficult however nonetheless doable: you’re going to need to set up a panel of plexiglass that you simply’ve custom-cut to your window’s dimension with a plexiglass knife. It’s simpler than it sounds, in the event you’re in any respect helpful, and you’ll seal it in place utilizing the identical foam tape from above.

In case you have extra intricately designed home windows — perhaps they’re arched, or awning, or open like doorways (generally referred to as “casement home windows”) then you definitely’re going to should get inventive. Take into account that, in the event you want an particularly giant Air Conditioning unit you would possibly want to put in assist brackets as properly.

Choose the suitable BTUs

An air conditioner’s energy is measured in British Thermal Models, or BTU, outlined by the quantity of warmth required to boost the temperature of 1 pound of water by one diploma Fahrenheit. The upper an A/C’s BTU, the extra chilly air it’ll pump out. You establish what number of BTUs you want by measuring the sq. toes of the room to be cooled, and this chart gives a tough information (although it varies by room dimension). One other tough means is to multiply the room’s sq. footage by 20; a unit with BTUs bigger than that ought to adequately do the job.

If cash isn’t an enormous concern, you is perhaps tempted to err on the facet of going large, however that may backfire in case your air conditioner finally ends up powering on and off all day. Not solely is that this irritating, since window air conditioners usually make extra noise than central air, nevertheless it’s additionally vitality inefficient: The unit will use probably the most vitality when powering on, and if it does that a number of occasions per day, you would possibly find yourself utilizing a number of occasions extra vitality than crucial, which hurts each your electrical energy invoice and the atmosphere. It’s greatest to correctly approximate how a lot house you need cooled and go from there.

For instance, this 5,000 BTU Frigidaire unit is small, compact, and might cool as much as 150 sq. toes — excellent for a small, single room, or a comfortable studio condominium. On the opposite facet of the spectrum is that this huge 25,000 BTU Frigidaire unit, which is rated to chill 1,600 sq. toes — like a big eating room, front room, or an prolonged hallway.

However don’t purchase simply but! There’s a little bit extra to think about.

Resolve what number of air conditioners you need

Typically talking, a window A/C can successfully cool one room, however relying on the format of your property, you would possibly be capable of cool a number of areas with one unit.

You need to take into account the dimensions of the doorways between the rooms, how shut the rooms are, and whether or not you’ll be able to arrange flooring followers to circlulate the air by way of your property. Two smaller models might be much less environment friendly in the event you’re operating them each all day, however will also be extra environment friendly if you find yourself cooling just one room at a time — they usually’re going to be simpler. One giant unit might be extra environment friendly than two smaller ones so long as it’s not underpowered for the house.

Lastly, you’re going to need to take into account the dimensions as a matter of inconvenience. This stuff get heavy — particularly the actually large ones — and in the event you hope to put in them your self or take away them from the window throughout winter, that is perhaps cause to go along with a number of small models slightly than one giant one. And on that notice:

Easy methods to set up your air conditioner