How to Support Your Window AC Unit Without Damaging Your Home
Installing window air conditioners can be difficult and time-consuming. When installing the unit, make sure it has enough support to maintain the integrity of your window, property, and this pretty pricey item.
Even if you plan to take the unit down after the cooling season is through, the equipment can be taken down as well, leaving only a few screw holes in your home.
Support from the Outside
- Measure the window’s width where the unit will be installed and mark the center point with a pencil. Next, arrange a window air conditioner bracket on the sill so that the top half rests on the window frame and the bottom anchor is flush with the side of your house.
- Use a level to check the bracket’s angle and read the manufacturer’s instructions for installation. For example, to drain condensation, certain window air conditioners require installation at a modest rise, which means the bracket must be inclined toward the ground. Other units won’t work unless they’re level. Thus the frame should be as well.
- Make sure the bracket is appropriately adjusted for your unit, and use a pencil to mark the holes for the frame. Finally, remove the frame and set it aside.
- Drill pilot holes in the bracket based on the marks and secure them in place. Wood screws for wood and vinyl frames and siding, or sheet metal screws for metal framing, should be used to attach it to the window frame and the side of your house.
- Install the window air conditioner, resting it on the bracket and, if necessary, attaching the accordion panels, as directed by the manufacturer.
Interior Assistance
- attach a short angled bracket to the bottom sash and flush with the window frame on one side of the window. Using the bracket as a reference, mark the screw holes with a pencil. Rep the process on the other side of the window.
- Using the marks you made as a guide, drill pilot holes for the brackets, being cautious not to go through the frame.
- To keep the window AC in place, secure the brackets to the bottom sash and frame. It keeps the unit from slipping out of the window if the window is accidentally opened.
Examine your Windows
An air conditioner isn’t suitable for every window. Almost all of these appliances are made to fit a double-hung window with a fixed top pane and a sliding lower pane. These air conditioners do not work with sliding windows that move from side to side or casement windows that tilt outwards to open.
REMEMBER: Double-Check Your Measurements
To choose the correct window air conditioner, you’ll need to know the height and breadth of the window opening, as well as the square footage of the space the unit will cool. The size range of permitted windows and the maximum square footage the unit can cool is usually specified on the air conditioner’s packaging, so check sure your measurements are within the restrictions for the team you’re considering.
DO NOT try Installation Without the Assistance of a Friend
Window air conditioners typically weigh between 50 and 100 pounds, requiring the assistance of another person to position the appliance into the window and then hold it in place while the screws are tightened. Installing a window air conditioner on your own is a surefire way to harm yourself or drop the unit out the window.
Absolute Air offers a wide array of services, including, but not limited to, air conditioning installation, AC repair, heating installation, heating repair, metal fabrication (for all types of ductwork), refrigeration, and gas line installation. Our trained team of technicians can also service and work on equipment brands such as American Standard, Train, Carrier, York, Goodman, Rudd, and Mitsubishi, to name a few.
If you have a service request not mentioned here, give us a call.
