Window A/C unit for unconventional window - HALP!

[archibaldcrane]

Hey kids. I recently moved into an old studio apartment in Koreatown, and for some dumb reason I thought I'd be ok with not having air conditioning.

Well, it's fucking hot, and I'm not OK.

Obvious solution is to get a window AC unit. My apartment isn't that large (probably 300 sq. ft. total or so) so a single window unit should do the trick.

The problem is, my windows. They are old as fuck, half of them are completely unopenable/unremovable, and the ones that do open are very narrow and tall - not conducive to window units. The window itself also opens outwards and might get in the way of a window unit where it hangs out of the window.

Here's some reference photos:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...e/IMG_0030.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...e/IMG_0032.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...e/IMG_0031.jpg
The window is approximately 16.5" wide and 49" high. The distance from the edge to the "hinge" of the bar is 13.5", and the exterior opening (where it could clear the window hanging open" is about 14.5".

Obviously whatever type of unit I would fit in there, I'd have to buy a custom storm window to cover the top half.

I'm not a -super- handy guy with stuff like this, but I'm competent. I have a drill, screwdrivers, hammer, etc.

The problem is finding a window unit that is aligned vertically, and then...honestly I've always had central air - I don't know what goes into mounting one, especially in a window as old as this.

The other option would be to buy a stand-alone portable unit with an exhaust hose like this:
9,000 BTU Sunpentown Portable Air Conditioner Reviews - Walmart.com
but given how my windows push open, I'm not sure how easy it would be to feed the exhaust line out and then seal the rest of the very tall crack that would be remaining.

Advice, product recommendations, do's/dont's would all be appreciated. It's too fucking hot in here.

[saracrow]

In my last apartment, i had similar windows. We purchased an AC unit from Costco that looked something like this

http://content.costco.com/Images/Con...uct/279541.jpg

now it sits on the floor and has an exhaust hose that fits into a plastic strip that can either go into your window vertically or horizontally. Since our window cranked open, we modified the plastic 'seal' portion with a larger piece of plastic that fits into the window better.

These floor units have a drain on the back of them, that you need to empty every few days, other than that they are pretty self contained. Also they have wheels on the bottom of them, so you can roll them into another room if needed.

[melbufrauma]

move somewhere that has AC

[Kryssan]

They make window units narrow enough for that window - the issue is the size of the room you're trying to cool and whether or not those units would be able to handle it. Also, I would recommend against the portable unit... they have tanks on them for storing the condensate made by the unit, and they have to be dumped out every few hours/days of operation (depends on the humidity of the area and the unit). The AC unit will turn itself automatically if it gets full.


Other than that, the issue I guess would be covering up the rest of the window...

[archibaldcrane]

Year lease, signed 3 weeks ago.

@saracrow That looks like what I might end up doing, it's just the window is so tall it's a lot of area to seal, not sure how I would do it efficiently.

@kryssan Yeah, the reviews I've read some people said they barely ever had to empty the tank, and some said they had to do it every 4 hours. Los Angeles is pretty arid, it's not terribly humid here (right now it's 97 degrees outside, 22% humidity) so I -think- the water buildup wouldn't be a huge problem, but I don't really know... As far as window units - it's hard to find one that is under 14" wide, most are horizontally-aligned.

[Kryssan]

Well, if you wanted to be really ghetto about it, go with the portable unit; as long as you put it on something to rise it up half a foot or so, you could buy some tygon tubing, a level switch, a container, and a whizzbang or similar pump and route the pump's outlet through the window.


I would go looking around for a window unit that would work personally. My experience with the portables has been dumping the tank every few hours. However that is mostly east coast Norfolk area talking right there, and I didn't use one when I was on the west coast so don't really know.

[archibaldcrane]

Hmm.

Now I'm thinking, instead of feeding the hose out, closing the window as much as possible, and then trying to seal the rest....

I just buy a 16.5" X 44" or so storm window, leave the "real" window wide open, put the storm window in and run the hose and blocking seal beneath it. That should work and be relatively hassle free right?

Now, where do I get a storm window with the right dimensions? Lowe's and Home Depot don't....appear to do custom sizes....

[Mizango]

Archi stop fronting, everyone on BG knows you have a whole gaggle of bitches at your disposal, hand them bitches palm leaves and have them get busy.

I was going to log on AIM and pitch my idea there but I am not home yet.

[Mizango]

In my last apartment, i had similar windows. We purchased an AC unit from Costco that looked something like this

http://content.costco.com/Images/Con...uct/279541.jpg

now it sits on the floor and has an exhaust hose that fits into a plastic strip that can either go into your window vertically or horizontally. Since our window cranked open, we modified the plastic 'seal' portion with a larger piece of plastic that fits into the window better.

These floor units have a drain on the back of them, that you need to empty every few days, other than that they are pretty self contained. Also they have wheels on the bottom of them, so you can roll them into another room if needed.

No but seriously these thing work fantastic and actually pump really cold air. We use them with generators when we are on site from time to time when we are doing maintenance or swapping out on clients servers so we don't nuke ze blades seeing as the AC is usually down for up to 8 hours.

I didn't bother to read but I figured I'd cosign this idea.

[Mistress Stowastiq]

Eh I am a bit rusty on this but I worked for a ac company at one time doing customer service and dispatch. Still, you should get pro advice before messing with anything major like ac in the house, especially if it is an old house that has electrical/wiring that may or may not need to be brought up to current building code. (see "protip: bg medical advice" thread for theme.)

There are these little collapsible spacer panels designed to fill in the space between an AC unit and the top of the window. They are adjustable for various sized windows and they are not permanent. I am mentioning the spacers because they can save trouble with having an odd window size. You can get a pro installed unit or go to a large home improvement place and get your own as well.

Choosing size of the ac is related to how strong your window frame is as well as how many rooms you want cooled and fire/safety regulations plus availability of safe nearby power outlets. I brought up some things below that might help you.

If you want a permanent unit, you probably need a professional ac company to install it.

Be concerned with:

1. Knowing how many rooms you want cool. On the size of the nearest plug you will be using for it, make sure it is able to handle the power/plug size of the potential unit. Some utility companies have discounts or rebates for energy conservation compliant unit installs and this also motivates landlords to install things for tenants. Whether you own or rent, you could benefit from finding out what programs offer rebates and what units qualify.

2. Sturdiness of window ledge and all weight bearing surfaces that will come into contact with the ac unit.

3. Fire and safety regulations not violated by unit install. (if it will block a fire escape for instance).
If you rent, this is important too. Owning changes things but there are fire & safety/insurance, housing assoc requirements that homeowners also need to abide by.
Find out before you install something because it sucks when the landlord requires you later to rip out a unit that violates county fire & safety requirements for the property.

With fire and safety code in some counties, the installation as well as the unit, outlets and contractor need to pass regulation. Some complexes are not legally allowed to let tenants install units if they are not licensed contractor HVAC installers themselves.


Most professional ac contractors know all of the above requirements and save you the hassle of having to learn yourself. Even if you get a professional, make sure your landlord is aware and is ok with the install prior to having a pro come out and install stuff. Landlord likely has their own HVAC dood that they prefer to do it at some pre-arranged rate.

[kuronosan]

You need what is called a Casement Unit. You can find them at Sears or Home Depot.

[archibaldcrane]

You need what is called a Casement Unit. You can find them at Sears or Home Depot.

Looked at them, but it's hard to find one narrow enough, and the fact that the windows open out like that means they don't get "out of the way" for the ass-end of the unit to hang out the window

Like this: Kenmore 6,000 BTU Slider/Casement Air Conditioner

[netz]

Now, where do I get a storm window with the right dimensions? Lowe's and Home Depot don't....appear to do custom sizes....

I make 'em, too bad you're on the other side of the country!

Go to a glass shop.

[archibaldcrane]

Probably going to go with plastic.

[kuronosan]

Sears does custom windows.

[Rockstaru]

Homebrew Air Conditioning | gmilburn.ca

If all else fails.

[kuronosan]

That's interesting though... Home Depot did our windows and they measured everything and did custom sizes. Although we had to pay quite a bit for it. If this is just an apartment and not a house it won't really be worth it.

Here's what you can do - buy a Royal Sovereign portable AC unit. It's one of the best on the market. You will probably have to vent it or drain it since it's portable but it's the next best thing if you can't do anything with your windows.

The only other thing you can do is DIY your windows, which isn't a bad option either. You pretty much will need to measure the windows, custom order the frames/glass, and then put them in yourself (which just requires caulk and too much free time and a lot of materials).

[archibaldcrane]

Decided to go with this one: Sam's Club - 11,000 BTU Portable Lightweight Air Conditioner

Now I'll just have to figure out what size/where to get the storm window made. Should be fine, I'm sure the big box home improvement stores will do it.