You must be seeking methods to beat the sweltering heat now that summer is approaching. According to weather forecasts, the summer of 2022 in the United States will be uncomfortably hot.Perhaps, necessitating the use of an AC when preparing for the season. If you are searching for a basic, economical solution to cool down your space, then a window air conditioner is a good choice.
It’s a dependable alternative for cooling rooms of varying sizes. The latest ones are quieter and more energy-efficient than ones from a decade earlier. You can also install a window air conditioner without hiring a professional.
If you want to know more, this tutorial will answer all of your questions about how to do so.
The installation
The nice part is that installing your window air conditioner should only take a few hours. Units can also be readily removed for storage once the summer heat has passed.
Likewise, you may be able to pack up and transport the unit with you when you move to a new home. In a rental home or for business tenants, this is a fantastic alternative.
Things to consider
There are numerous aspects to consider when choosing the correct window air conditioner, including the size of your room, the type of window you have, its direction, the energy-saving rating of the AC, and the insulation the unit may need.
Let’s discuss some basic factors to consider before installing:
Size of the room
Finding the perfect AC size is crucial since a large unit will struggle to reduce the moisture content from your room, while a tiny unit would struggle to keep your room cold on hot summer days.
To calculate the area of a rectangular room, an L-shaped room, or a T-shaped room, you must first determine the space’s shortest length and width. To calculate the total area of your room, add all of the areas together.
Type of window
It’s critical to know what kind of window you have because window air conditioners aren’t built to fit every style of window.
A window air conditioner cannot be installed in a sliding or casement window that opens outwards. The most suited window for window air conditioners is a double-hung window with an upper and lower glass that glides up and down.
Window orientation
If you put a window air conditioner in a south or west-facing window, it will receive direct sunlight for almost the whole day. In that instance, a window air conditioner will be unable to cope with the increased heat.
Furthermore, the harsh direct light can reduce the unit’s efficiency by 10%.
Take into account the rain’s direction as well. Do you have a window that gets direct rain?
When needed, you can cover your window air conditioner to protect it from rain and direct sunlight.
Amount of insulation
When installing a window air conditioner, insulation is necessary to keep cool or heat in your room and to guard against high winds and rain. If there are holes around your window unit, air will flow and enter the room.
Perhaps, it makes your air conditioner work harder and lowers your energy efficiency. The degree of insulation necessary is determined by the number of gaps present.
Holding a candle and rotating it around the AC will reveal these gaps; if the flame flashes, there is a gap. The spaces between the glass panes must also be insulated.
How to install?
It’s time to install your window air conditioner after you’ve double-checked all of the above criteria!
To begin, remove the air conditioner from the box and gather all necessary tools, including a screwdriver, tape measure, and cutters. You’ll want to make sure you follow your window AC installation instructions to the letter.
Mark the center
Pull your window’s bottom sash as far as it will go. Next, determine the window’s measurements and indicate the center. If you mark the middle, the side panels will reach both sides of your window evenly.
Otherwise, the finished product would appear uneven and asymmetrical.
Put the weather-strip in place
Install a weather-strip provided by your AC manufacturer to restrict incoming air and protect your window from damage when installing or uninstalling the window AC unit.
Attach the window’s side panel
The side panels should be slid onto your air conditioner and secured using the included screws. To prevent warm air and pollution from entering your home, make sure the screws are tight and there are no gaps.
Place your AC
Pick up your unit with the help of your assistant and place it safely in the window. Close the window after that, making sure the bottom window sash is exactly aligned with the AC.
Install L-Brackets and secure the sash
You must secure the window sash to prevent it from being lifted accidentally. Place two screws into the window sash from the upper AC casing. Drill pilot holes for screws going into your window frames to prevent the wood from splitting.
Next, attach L-brackets outdoors to keep the air conditioner in position. Attach the L-bracket to the upper window sash with screws. This keeps the lower sash from opening by accident.
Glue the side panels together
In this stage, you need to extend the side panels you initially placed with the air conditioner to the window sash track. After that, use screws to fix them in place.
Fill in the missing pieces
We’re almost there! Fill up the gaps between the upper and lower window sashes with foam insulation. If your air conditioner comes with a foam strip, cut it and use it to fill the space; if not, you can purchase one separately.
Bonjour! You’ve completed the installation of your window air conditioner. Now you may experience a soothing environment by plugging it in.
For smart air conditioning, establish schedules, motion, and temperature-based triggers from your mobile, and more, pair it with a smart AC controller.
Conclusion
To conclude, after you’ve finished installing your window AC, you’ll be looking for ways to keep your space at a comfortable temperature. Manually achieving the ideal settings might be tough.
That is why you must make your window air conditioner smart. Now that you know how to install an AC for casement windows, gather your tools and get to work. In no time, you’ll be relaxing in a cool room!