How To Properly Install A Window Air Conditioner

A Complete Guide on How to Install a Window AC Unit in Your Room

With summers effectually the corner, you must surely be looking for means to beat the scorching heat. Co-ordinate to Meteorologists, the 2021 summer in the Usa will exist hotter than usual, making an air conditioner a must-take when preparing for the season.

If you are looking for a classic, affordable selection to cool down your room, then a window air conditioner is an first-class choice. It is a reliable selection that tin can cool a room of various sizes. Newer models make less AC racket and are more than free energy-efficient than those built a decade agone. You can as well easily install a window aircon without calling a professional person, and this guide answers all your questions on how to install a window AC unit.

Quick Summary: This article will talk over all that y'all need to know when installing a window Ac unit:

Things to consider before going for window AC installation
How to set for the window air conditioner installation?
How to install a window Air conditioning unit of measurement?
Dos and don'ts of installing a window air conditioner
How to make your window AC unit smart?

Things to Consider Before Installing a Window AC Unit

For finding the correct window air conditioner, at that place are many factors to consider, such as the size of your room, the blazon of window you take, its orientation, energy efficiency rating of the AC, and how much insulation the unit will require.

1. Size of Your Room

Finding the right AC size is of import equally a large unit will struggle to remove moisture from your room, while a small unit won't absurd properly on hot summer days.

To find the perfect size of window Ac for your room, yous get-go have to consider the cooling capacity, which is measured in British Thermal Units (BTUs). Window air conditioners mostly come in 5,000 to 25,000 BTUs. You crave twenty BTUs for every square footage of the area.

The first pace is to measure your room's size. Find out the width and length of your room, and then utilise this formula:

Length x Width = Surface area

To measure the area of a rectangular room, Fifty-shaped room, or T-shaped room, y'all volition outset have to mensurate the shortest length and width of the room. Multiply them to go to the main area. And then calculate the expanse of the individual spaces in your room by measuring their length and width and multiplying them. Add all the areas to become the total expanse of your room.

2. Determine the Blazon of Your Window

Agreement the type of window you have is essential equally window air conditioners are not designed to fit every window blazon.

If y'all accept a sliding window or a casement that opens outwards, you can't install a window air conditioner. A double-hung window in which in that location is an upper pane and lower pane that slides upwardly and down is the nearly suitable for window air conditioners.

3. Free energy Efficiency Rating of Your Window Air conditioning

For choosing the appropriate unit for your room, focusing on the correct free energy efficiency rating (EER) is of import. A college EER number is always better. In the instance of window air conditioners, the EER rating ranges from viii to 12. A rating of 10 or higher is considered ideal for energy conservation.

4. Window Orientation

If you are installing a window AC unit in the south or westward-facing window, and so it would get directly sunlight for the virtually part of the day. A window air conditioner, in that instance, will not be able to handle the extra oestrus. Moreover, the intense direct calorie-free tin subtract the unit'south efficiency past about ten%.

Consider installing your window Ac in an east or due north-facing window where information technology won't get harsh sunlight.

Moreover, consider the direction of rain. Does your window receive direct rain? Y'all tin can likewise embrace your window air conditioner to protect it from rain and direct lite when needed.

5. Amount of Insulation

Insulation is essential to trap cooled or heated air in your room and for protection against stiff winds and pelting when installing a window Air-conditioning. If there are gaps around your window unit, air volition escape, and outdoor air will enter the room, causing your Ac to work harder and energy efficiency to decrease.

The amount of insulation required depends on the number of gaps. These can exist identified by holding a candle and moving it around the Air conditioning; if the flame flickers, there is a gap. Insulation is also required in the spaces between the glass panes.

Your window Ac may come with insulating foam; if not, you can easily get flexible foam for insulation. For more information on window insulation, read our guide.

Preparing For Your Window Air Conditioner Installation

Follow the guidelines below to fix your window for a seamless installation process:

1. Make clean & Inspect Your Window

Thoroughly inspect the window and make sure that it is in skilful status. Check for rot or any other damages around the window frame. Your priority should be focusing on the necessary repairs. Yous would not want to notice a problem later installing the unit.

It is besides a good idea to properly clean the window every bit you won't be cleaning it until afterward the end of the flavour when information technology's time to remove and store the Air-conditioning unit from the window.

2. Remove Obstructions Around the Window

If yous have decorative items or plants on your window sill, it's time to remove them. You volition want to articulate the area as much every bit y'all can so in that location are no obstructions when installing a window AC unit. If you accept installed a tempest window frame, information technology's likewise fourth dimension to remove it as it can interfere with the overhanging part of the unit.

3. Check the Load on the Circuit

Check the load on the circuit yous want to use for your window AC unit. If the other devices are also plugged in the same circuit, there are chances of tripped breakers or a blown fuse, even with a uncomplicated appliance such equally a hairdryer. A separate excursion that will solely power your window AC should be added.

How to Install a Window AC Unit?

Several windows ACs installed in the building.

After ensuring that you have checked all the points mentioned in a higher place, it's time to install your window air conditioner!

Firstly, take your air conditioner out of the box, of course, and gather all the equipment that y'all may need, such as a screwdriver, screws, brackets, measuring tape, and scissors. Adjacent, very important, call your assistant! You'll need an extra pair of hands for the process. Also, don't forget to read the user transmission. You volition want to make sure that you lot do everything according to your window AC installation guide.

Footstep ane: Mark the Eye on the Window

Pull the bottom sash of your window as far as it can go. Adjacent, mensurate the dimensions of the window and mark the center. Marking the heart will ensure that the side panels evenly reach both sides of your window. Else the installed unit of measurement will appear uneven and unsymmetrical.

Stride 2: Install the Weather Strip

If your AC manufacturer has provided a weatherstrip, install information technology to block incoming air that may protect your window from possible damage when you're installing or removing the window Air conditioning unit.

Step 3: Attach the Side Console to the Window Air Conditioner

Slide the side panels onto your air conditioner and spike them using the provided screws. Ensure that you lot have tightened the screws and there are non whatever gaps to forbid warm air and pollutants from entering your dwelling.

Step 4: Place Your AC in the Window

With the help of your helper, pick upwards your unit and insert it safely in the window. Later that, close the window, making sure that the lesser window sash perfectly sits on the AC.

Step 5: Secure the Sash & Install L-Brackets

To forestall the window sash from being lifted accidentally, you lot need to secure it. Insert two screws through the upper AC case into the window sash. To prevent the wood from splitting up, drill pilot holes for screws going into your window frames.

Next, install L-brackets outdoors to hold the air conditioner in place. Use screws to attach the L-bracket to the upper window sash. This prevents the lower sash from accidentally opening.

Note: You cannot utilise L-brackets with all types of windows. If your window is a vinyl window, you tin use wood strips to place between the sash and the top of the window frame.

Step half dozen: Fasten the Side Panels

In this pace, you need to extend the side panels yous initially installed with the air conditioner to the window sash track. After that, secure them in place with screws.

Footstep 7: Make full In the Gaps

About there! Use foam insulation to fill the gaps between the upper window sash and the lower window sash. If your Ac comes with a foam strip, cut it and use it to fill up the space; otherwise, you lot can buy information technology separately.

Voila! You have installed your window air conditioner. At present plug it in to savour a relaxing environment. Pair it with Cielo Breez smart Air conditioning controller for smart air conditioning, set schedules, location and temperature-based triggers from your phone, and more.

Dos & Don'ts of Window Air Conditioner Installation

When wondering how to install a window AC unit, you must also wonder if all the steps are necessary. In addition to the step-by-footstep guide, in that location are some tips and must-dos that y'all should follow when installing a window air conditioning unit to get the job done rapidly and securely.

Do Attach Panels and Rails for Support

To properly arrange your window unit of measurement in its place and prevent its fallout, use screws to attach the superlative and bottom mounting rails. After that, attach the side panels by sliding them along the grooves on either side of the unit of measurement. Make sure that panels fill in the gaps between the window unit and the sides of the window frame.

Do Install L-Brackets

A window air conditioner can be installed without additional support, merely it would require additional support if information technology's a large unit of measurement (more than 100 pounds). For support, yous would need L brackets. They come up in pairs and are L-shaped to concur the organisation deeply in its place. These back up brackets transfer some of the weight of the Air-conditioning off the window sill. The L brackets also foreclose the window from opening and causing the unit to autumn, and minimize damage to the window. The latest versions in the market don't even require any drilling.

Do Install Foam Seals

The gap between the two panes of the window needs to exist filled to prevent drafts. If you don't fill up the gap, your unit of measurement will accept to work harder to command the temperature and volition fail to forestall moisture and dust aggregating in your room. You should fill it with a foam seal that usually comes with the window unit of measurement.

Exercise Take In Account the Tilt

Window air conditioners need a tilt so that the moisture accumulates in the bleed pan rather than falling down inside your room. The tilt should be merely half an inch but read the installation guide for the verbal number. Some newer models don't crave the tilt as the drip pan is already installed at a slight bending.

Do Provide Sufficient Area for Airflow

Brand sure that there are no shrubs, furniture, or walls obstructing the Ac inside 20 inches. If your window Ac is suffocated, it won't piece of work effectively.

Don't Try to Install On Your Own

A window unit is between 50-100 pounds, and installing it on your own can put your safety at risk. Even if yous tin can carry it, securing it in its place with screws can exist a challenge. Then, it would best to install information technology with a helper.

Don't Go out the Side Panels Unsecured

The side panels demand to be firmly secured, and then at that place is no consequence with the air conditioner falling out of the window. Y'all can do that past using the screws that come with your air conditioner package and drilling them in the side panels.

Don't Forget to Check the Measurements

Your AC needs to fit your window properly and for that, taking measurements is essential. Measure the height and width of the window. Before going for AC shopping, measure the foursquare footage of your room and so purchase the arrangement accordingly. The Air-conditioning'due south packaging specifies the maximum foursquare footage it can cool/heat, so check it out.

Don't Use an Extension String With Your Window AC

When installing a window Air-conditioning, brand sure there is an electrical outlet nearby. Practice non use extension cords as there is a take chances of burn, and it could also void your Air-conditioning warranty.

Brand Your Window AC Smart

After you are done with your window air conditioner installation, you volition be looking for ways to maintain a perfect room temperature. Achieving the ideal settings manually tin become quite difficult. That is why yous need to make your window AC smart.

You tin become for a smart Air-conditioning controller that works with ductless mini-divide, window, or portable AC. A smart controller can acquire your desired temperature and humidity settings, set weekly schedules, continue you aware of your usage patterns, and be controlled from anywhere in the world using your phone.

In improver to automatically changing the settings co-ordinate to your preferences, smart AC controllers tin can also help in reducing your energy usage and relieve up to 25% on your electricity bills! Read this commodity to learn more about the benefits of smart air conditioning.

At present that y'all know all about how to install a window Air-conditioning unit, gather all your tools and commencement working. You will be enjoying a cool room in no time!

January 20, 2022