Room Air Conditioners in New Windows…
Does anyone know a place to get a brace system for a room air conditioner that will mount over a window jamb on new Anderson 200 series windows? All the brackets that I have found require that they be screwed into the jamb and are actually designed for a flat jamb like those found on old wood windows. As we live in a place where air conditioning is really a necessity for a few weeks, the installation of ducts in our 210 year old house seems too expensive for the return. Although I could probably manufacture a custom bracket since I only need it for one unit, I thought that perhaps the problem had already been solved in a more moisture resistant material, like plastic. Any ideas?
Thanks
–Tim
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bump
"I can't say I was ever lost, but I was bewildered once for three days."
You could do what we did; get some redwood stock, sized to fit into the channel for the windows (we did that on some) or wide enough and thick enough to span the sill and touch down on solid wood on either side.LONG WAY:Get a profile gauge out and press it into the plastic sill; transfer that profile onto the end of the piece of redwood (redwood to resist any rot that the constant condensation might build up).Set up your table saw and take variable height slices out of the redwood until you reach the profile; in essence, using the table saw blade to "nibble" out the profile of the plastic sill with all its attachments.Check fit; place redwood cap (guess that's what it is, just like what my dentist has done to some my teeth) over plastic, place air conditioner on top of it, close window and screw air conditioner's top frame into the lower sash (to stop someone from opening the window and emptying it into the street).Mark the redwood cap with your own clever indelible system to remember for next year, and when you put away the air conditioner, use painter's blue tape to tape it on top of the air conditioner.SHORT WAY:Take the stock sized to fit into the channel floor and use and angle gauge to get something approximating the slope of the window sill within the plastic channel.
Run it through a table saw with the blade angled to match the floor of the channel.
Put the now cut and sloped piece of wood into plastic channel, making sure it rises up above the plastic, so that all the weight of the air conditioner rests on the wood, which rests entirely in the bottom of the channel (yes, this is only 1.5 inches wide, but it works fine!).
Install air conditioner into window, with above notes on marking and keeping pieces.
This is the simple installation we did when we figured out we didn't need to do the fancy installation.Having made the rigs, we've done these two things for past 7 years and they work like a charm.
Hope this helps.
NotaClue
Edited 6/11/2005 4:31 pm ET by NotaClue
Thanks for the suggestions. We expect the windows to arrive next week and I will be able to start on the job.
--Tim
First, if your dead set on installing the AC unit in the window, I don't have a whole lot of suggestions.
On the other hand I have seen a creative way of dealing with a similar situation:
On a new house AC became an issue. The AC man pointed out that while he could tie a guest wing into the main AC system it might not be the best way of doing it. The HO had pointed out that the two room bump out would be seldom used and would likely remain closed for most of every year.
The AC man pointed out that a reasonably efficient window unit and removal of this area would allow him to use a smaller and more efficient unit. One better matched to the area that would be used 90% of the time.
Of course the idea of a window unit in the house cause the architect to throw a fit. Peace, for the most part, was restored when a carpenter suggested that the unit could be installed below the window and that plantings would shield this from view.
Plan went something like this:
The interior wall adjoining the wing would be insulated and an exterior, gasketed, door was to be installed. This also greatly improved the noise resistance. The AC unit would be provided for measurement.
The carpenter framed in an opening below the window and helped install and seal the unit in place. This seal is something that is difficult or impossible to get with a unit installed in the window itself. I ran a dedicated 120v/20A circuit. Should the unit be removed at some later date the carpenter provided sheathing and siding, primed and painted to match the existing job, and a couple of pieces of framing to provide nailers and a cripple.
In the end it looked good and worked out well. The HO especially liked that the AC unit under the window freed up the window. It didn't block the view and left the window operable. They also noted that unless you looked quite closely it was hard to see the AC unit and even though the unit was on the front of the house it didn't mar the look the architect was going for.
Edited for spelling.
Edited 6/3/2005 9:28 pm ET by 4LORN1
I agree. They look alot better framed in a wall opening than hanging out a window.
Another option is one of those min-split systems.
Tim,
I have those same window and I too feel that a window A/C is the answer for the 2 weeks a year when A/C might be nice..
My solution is planter boxes (I have planter boxes planned for all of my windows so it's a simple matter to build a brace off the planter box to the window unit).. In the fall I'll remove the planter boxes and only a cleat will remain. A cleat that matches the trim so it won't be visible.. For Halloween and Christmas I'll be able to use those same cleats as the bases for ornaments.
Split system.
http://www.mitsubishielectric.ca/hvac/A01-02M02.html
I like split systems, they look nice and most are efficient, but they are pricey. For the same size system you could buy three or four window units.
"I like split systems, they look nice and most are efficient, but they are pricey. For the same size system you could buy three or four window units."
...but you only need one system and all those windows stay unobstructed....
Yes, they are pricey compared to systems for ducts. And because of that, there's a lot of bad experience around here with discount brands.