Can a window air conditioner be permanently installed thru the wall?
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Answers:
Of course you can, but the problem is that when the A/C goes out, your chances of finding one the exact same size is slim. You can buy what is known as through the wall units, like what you see in a hotel room. Several different companies make them now. You buy the "sleeve" and A/C unit separately. These units can be easily removed by sliding them out of the sleeve for cleaning, repairs, etc., and when the unit goes bad, you just slip it out and buy a new one that will slip right back into the same sleeve.
Yes, I have done it. I just hired a handyman and he cut the hole, installed the air conditioner and that was that. It works great.
Yes, it can be. (It was often done that way in older motels for example.)
However, because of the width, you will need to cut a 1-3 studs depending on where the hole falls - and will need to properly build a header and sill above and below the hole you create in the wall.
Yes.. but planning is essential. Plan on getting standard sized air conditioner and make the whole a teeny bit over-sized so you can fit a second generation air conditioner in it because walls last a lot longer than a window air conditioner.
You will be cutting through a wall so be sure that there are no electrical or plumbing runs in the wall area chosen. Plan it close to a plug on the inside so you will not need extension cords for a permanent installation.
Be prepared to do all of the normal maintenance, like winterization, etc.
A window air conditioner needs free ventilation around it to allow it to cool effectively on the outside. A Friend of mine had one like this.. he actually built a removable box for winter protection which he stuffed with insulation to ensure that it was weatherproof. It simply snapped off in the summer..
The header mentioned in the other answer may be needed or the wall could sag (most exterior walls are load bearing walls so).
Most definitely! In fact that is the way they were previously installed, window mounting only strarted in the last decade. You can get assistance from Home Depot or Lowes on how to cut the exact size of hole through the wall. You also will be needing brackets to support it from behind, you may find them at both of these places.
yes remenber to flash it properlyand seal it well
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