Window Air Conditioner Installation Guide
Houses and apartments in Toronto, ON without a central A/C system often rely on window air conditioner as an acceptable alternative. Not only are they quite affordable, but window ACs can also be energy efficient as well. By following these tips, you can install a window air conditioner on your own in preparation for the intense summer heat.
Related: How much does a central AC cost?
SELECT AN AC SIZE SUITABLE TO THE SIZE OF YOUR HOME
Considering that energy-efficient air conditioners are everywhere, you might be caught off guard and regret purchasing an old A/C model that eats up a lot of energy. Even though your current unit is still working and can maintain a cool home, the benefits offered by a more energy efficient unit capable of reducing utility bills along with great savings are very tempting. Efficiency is not the only thing that matters when shopping for a new air conditioner. Do not forget your A/C’s size in the equation and check your window if it is a good fit. Buy a unit that is strong enough to generate a steady supply of cool air to your home or to the specific room where it is located.
MAXIMIZE A GROUNDED POWER SOURCE
Cleveland A/Cs consume a lot of energy, along with other household staples like the refrigerator and microwave. Hence, it is a must to plug it on grounded three-prong power sources. The use of an adapter capable of converting a 3-prong tip into a 2-prong one is handy in protecting yourself from getting electric shocks. Your unit is also safe from grounding since its wiring is not within the room.
BLOCK THE VENTS
Efficiency is a crucial factor when we talk about cooling your Cleveland home using a window A/C. Therefore, it is vital that the cool air stays confined within the room as much as possible. Do this by blocking the vents within that particular room. You may think it is simple, but spending tons of money in maintaining warm HVAC vents is not an appealing thought. Blocking or obscuring the vents does not take long. You’ll even have one less worry regarding the price of maintaining a cool home.
LEAVE YOUR WINDOWS AJAR AND TAKE OFF THE SCREENS
Before everything else, you need to leave your windows ajar and take off the screen prior to the installation of a Cleveland window air conditioner. The usual screens have four pull tabs that enable them to shift from their current position. But you need to know the location of the screen once the cooling season begins. You can comfortably lounge inside your home while still allowing some fresh breeze penetrate inside.
POSITION THE SILL LIP IN ITS PROPER PLACE
When you start to install your home’s window air conditioner unit, set the lip of your air conditioner on the window’s ledge. The position of the lips must be in the center, and it is handy in maintaining the balance of your air conditioner’s bottom portion. To secure the lip of the unit, ask someone else to help you do this. Likewise, make sure that it has a snug fit on your window sill’s slot.
CLOSE THE WINDOW ABOVE YOUR AIR CONDITIONER’S LIP
As soon as you are sure that the bottom portion of your air conditioner has a snug fit, proceed in closing the window and adjust its top. It is imperative to close the window to obstruct the front portion of your A/C’s lip. Your aim is to position your unit’s bulky part and let it fall just over your window. But you must ensure that the bottom and top portions are in position.
SECURE YOUR WINDOW’S TOP
As soon as you have set your Cleveland window air conditioner in the right place, proceed in carrying out the corresponding installation finishing touches to be assured that it will stay in place from start to finish of summer. Surely, you want a closed window all the time to prevent your A/C unit from falling and result in extensive damage. It is true that you want your unit intact and do not also want to hurt anyone down below. Hence, putting blocks on top of it will make sure that your window stays immobile. If you have extra money to burn, buy some clips to secure your window in the right position. Safety is not your only concern when you want to obstruct the top of your window. You likewise want to protect your family from criminals and offenders of the law to enter your home by just simply opening a room where your window air conditioner is located.
WIDEN YOUR AC SHUTTERS
After making sure that your air conditioner is positioned vertically, you can now go ahead and obstruct it horizontally to promote efficiency. Your air conditioner comes with a couple shutters on each side. Just slide it outside to hide your window’s opening. A small finishing nail is enough to do wonders and ensure that a shutter stays in its position and prevent it from sliding back in, which is typical among this specific home appliance.
ELECTIVE LEVERAGE OUTSIDE
Meanwhile, use a 2X4 board as an added leverage to your Cleveland air conditioner outside if it is positioned on the ground. For maximum safety, dig some hole on the ground. It will act as a brace between the two boards utilized to make sure that your A/C unit does not move. You need to be cautious though as you take off the weeds during summer, but securing it there provides you unparalleled peace of mind for the extra support it provides.
SECURE THE ROOM FOR MAXIMUM EFFICIENCY
The final step in installing your Cleveland home air conditioner is to secure the room for maximum efficiency, most especially when the weather is unusually cool. Utilize a conventional “blanket door” to close off portions of your home that are often left open, like the kitchen and the family living room. Be wise during summer and set-up a “cool room” within your house to keep your energy bills from skyrocketing but also not jeopardize the cool and comfy room you are yearning for.
For those people who do not have the money to spare for a central air conditioner system or a portable unit, owning a window air conditioner is just as good. To ensure that you are cool and comfy during summer, and safe too, install your window A/C unit the right way. You can learn the ropes of a successful air conditioner installation process by just doing the steps stated previously. It is truly handy as the temperature begins to soar at the beginning of the cooling season. Surely, even your family and good friends will turn to you for expert installation tips.