How do I re-install an air-conditioner in a horizontal window?
Question:I live in an apartment, am renting and thus, cannot remove and replace windows. However, I have an old, horizontal sliding window in my room and need to put my air conditioner in it for the summer. Any idea how I could do this? I need something to hold it in and something to put in the space between the AC and the top of the window -- not plastic, accordian stuff, because it won't hold in a hard wind. Suggestions?
Answers:
Just get a sheet of plywood and cut to fit window, cut out the opening for A/C and screw plywood into frame. If you can't fit a whole sheet in your car buy a half sheet or have them cut it for you. You can screw two brackets to the outside to support A/C.
Use a piece of 5/8" plywood. Measure the opening and cut plywood to size. Then measure dimensions of the air conditioner and cut a corresponding hole in the plywood. Attach cleats to the plywood and then run screws thru the cleats into the windowframe. Use appropriate fasteners to attach AC to plywood after you slide it into the whole.
You will need a jigsaw, screwdrivers and some screws.
Fix the air conditioner in place securely. Once all that is done, including the electric lead and drip pipe, then you go about in-filling the empty space. This could be a variety of materials to suit what is already there, what you can afford or what is easiest for you to manage. Make a frame around the empty space, which will give you something to attach the in-fill material to. Secure firmly, paint or varnish or finish as you desire. Good luck.
There is likely a (vertical) groove in the window frame where the sliding widow fits into when fully closed. I would measure the size of the opening when the A/C is sitting in the proper position on the sill.then ad 1/4" so the excess fits snugly into the frame groove when installed. This will afford you a tight fit. Have a piece of Melamine or plywood cut to you measurements at a home Improvement store. You can also add self stick foam weatherstripping around the perimeter of the wood to further insulate the piece.
If your window sill is narrow you may want to install exterior AC support brackets to support he rear weight of the unit. You can buy or fabricate out of lumber. http://www.amazon.com/window-air-conditi...
After the wood "plug and supports are in place simply install the A/C as usual. You may need to slip a short dowel or strip of wood in the bottom window track to secure the window in the new position.
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