Replies

1. 
   lindenboy | Oct 22, 2007 04:40pm | #1

   don't window a/c units only recirculate interior air?  any draft would be caused by the installation -- ie. missing weatherstripping around the hole.  make sure the transition between the window jamb and a/c unit is weather stripped properly, and you shouldn't have a draft.

   j

   "It depends on the situation..."
1. 
   roger g | Oct 22, 2007 05:01pm | #2

   You are 100% correct.

    

   roger

2. 
   dovetail97128 | Oct 22, 2007 05:16pm | #3

   lindenboy, Not all. I have one that has an operable damper to allow switching from outside air /re-circulate. Most that I have seen have this same feature. I just take mine out every winter and re-install in the spring.
   They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.

1. 
   lindenboy | Oct 22, 2007 05:18pm | #4

   so on those units that have the very cool feature to allow for a fresh air intake (as you described), one could simply cover up the damper grill with something and cut the draft.  covering the damper intake would still allow air to circulate around the outside parts of the a/c unit avoiding the dreaded moldy unit (as much as possible anyway)."It depends on the situation..."

2. 
   Piffin | Oct 22, 2007 06:09pm | #8

   same here 

    

   Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

3. 
   housenut1 | Oct 24, 2007 02:49am | #10

   I think you may be right because the other unit in my daughter's room is not drafty at all.  Thanks for the tip.

2. 
   john7g | Oct 22, 2007 05:44pm | #5

   My Dad used to have a cover for his and put it on every winter.  His reasoning is that the metal components can conduct heat out of the house.

1. 
   dovetail97128 | Oct 22, 2007 06:03pm | #7

   john, My dad did the same. Simple plywood box, fastened with screws to a frame around the window.
   weather stripping at the seal. Put it up with the storm windows, take it down with them .
   They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.

1. 
   john7g | Oct 22, 2007 06:18pm | #9

   IIRC Dad had layered styrofaom on the inside of the box as well.

2. 
   housenut1 | Oct 24, 2007 02:51am | #11

   I had not thought about that.  Thanks for the tip.

3. 
   popawheelie | Oct 22, 2007 05:57pm | #6

   Couldn't you just cover the outside and let air circulate around in it from the inside? I don't think it will mold if you let inside air into the unit. The place where it will mold is at the condensate drain pan and drain tube. It's not that hard to fix if it gets clogged.

   The big wall units I worked with were quite drafty. The tenants wanted to do all sorts of stuff to them but I refused. They were older people on a fixed budget.

1. 
   housenut1 | Oct 24, 2007 02:54am | #12

   I guess in the past we just covered the outside and it worked well based on what you said.  I am going to try to weatherstrip it effectively and see how I do this year.

   Thank you