How To Seal Window Air Conditioner

Whether you lot alive in a rented space, or you'd but rather cool the room you spend virtually of your day in, window units win out over central air. Nevertheless, installing them can exist hard.

Once you have the right sized unit sitting where you want it, the side by side question is how to seal a window air conditioner in place.

I've put together a step-by-step guide to answer that question for you, so keep reading. By the time you're done you lot'll be able to install and seal your new window air conditioner like a pro.

Or at to the lowest degree, supervise information technology like a pro.

To seal your window air conditioner once it's properly seated and locked in place, you lot need to seal both the outside and inside. Use exterior caulk on the outside of the unit but use weather stripping on the inside.

That'south the down and dirty, and I'll embrace information technology in more detail below. Simply beginning, for those who are wondering about the entire install process, hither is the A to Z of installing and sealing a window air conditioner.

Earlier Yous Start

First, check to make sure in that location's a 3-prong ability outlet close to your window. Most air conditioning units only have a cord that's maximum 6 feet long. Extension cords are non to exist used with window air conditioners and could void your warranty.

male with tool belt and hand drill — Make certain to have all the tools needed for installation.

If an extension cord is immune past the manufacturer, brand sure it's rated for appliances.

Then brand sure you accept the post-obit in reach:

Someone to help you elevator it if necessary
Your owner'due south manual
A screwdriver
Measuring record
Pencil
Any brackets and screws came in the box (make sure you have all the parts you should have)
Scissors (Optional, depending on the unit)
Weather stripping (If non included with air conditioner)

Before attempting to install anything, you should also make certain your windows are in skilful condition. They demand to be able to support the weight of your air conditioner, so if there is whatsoever rot or damage to the frame, this needs to exist addressed kickoff.

Make sure the windowsill has been cleared of any debris that could impede a secure fit and make it more than difficult to seal.

Finally, brand sure you lot follow all of the manufacture's recommendations.

How to Install a Window Air Conditioner

Every bit mentioned above, you might need an extra gear up of hands for this job, since window air-conditioning units tend to exist heavy.

Window type air conditioner — Avoid air leaks by sealing your window properly.

Be sure yous do all you can to install your unit properly. In doing and then, y'all reduce the chances of air leaks in the first place. Meaning there's less take chances you lot're going to need worry about how to seal a window air conditioner.

Step i. Measure

If you accept unmarried or double hung windows—significant they open and shut up and downwards—you want to find the heart betoken of the window. Employ your measuring tape and pencil to make a mark on the frame or sill in the center.

Brand a mark on the bottom, center spot on your air conditioner as well.

Centering your air conditioner volition ensure each side panel tin reach the sides of your window.

Step 2. Attach Weather condition Stripping

If your new air conditioner came with weather condition stripping, now is the time to attach it. And even if information technology wasn't included, make sure to have some available. This is an important step towards properly sealing your unit, and then use it carefully.

Step 3. Install the Extensions

If this is a brand new window air conditioner, in that location'due south a good take a chance the extensions take come up already attached to the unit of measurement. If not, they will need to be slid into the channels at the side of it.

Step 4. Install the Mounting Brackets

There is something important to note here. Depending on where you live, information technology might be the law to take mounting brackets supporting your window air conditioner. It's up to yous to know this and provide brackets if necessary.

If brackets came with your new unit of measurement, follow the manufacturers instructions to install them. And since we're mainly interested in sealing your window air conditioner in, here'south another tip.

As mentioned above, you may have received weather stripping with the purchase of your unit. Place a strip of it beneath the unit likewise. If it wasn't included, make sure to get some before y'all brainstorm the install process.

One other bespeak on the mounting brackets. They should be installed as to allow the window air conditioner to tilt simply slightly. Enough so that as condensate drains, it volition do so down to the ground.

Step v. Set and Secure the Air Conditioner in Identify

If you need the help of another person to do the heavy lifting, brand sure someone is available.

Lift the unit of measurement onto the window frame, and so slide the back end out on the brackets. Be sure to match up the centering marks y'all made earlier. When it's in place, pull down the upper window sash and so that it meets the unit of measurement and offers some stability for it.

Follow the manufacturer'due south recommendations to secure the unit in identify.

Pace 6. Spike the Accordion Panels

Now that everything is locked in place, extend both side panels until they meet the window frame. In one case done, spike them in place with screws.

Step 7. Seal Your Window Air Conditioner in Place

Every bit mentioned at the outset, you need to seal your window air conditioner on both the inside and exterior.

If yous followed the steps above, y'all'll have already placed weather stripping beneath and to the sides of the unit. If you're only here after the fact to do some extra sealing, the selection is yours. Pull out the unit and place some conditions stripping nether information technology at present, or just place some to the sides and tiptop.

The atmospheric condition stripping will help address any larger gaps and will keep hot air from entering and absurd air escaping.

To go the perfect seal on the outside of the unit, utilise exterior caulk all around the perimeter.

An culling to weather stripping is spray foam insulation. The kind yous get in a tube from Lowe's or Home Depot. If you never plan to remove your window air conditioner, information technology's fine to utilize directly.

If you lot're installing and removing your air conditioner seasonally, be aware that the spray foam is hard to remove. One suggestion is to fill up gaps with a plastic handbag and then spray the foam over acme of that.

Finally, you can use plexiglass, rigid insulation, or even plywood on either side of the air conditioner. Particularly if the squeeze box extensions aren't long enough. Cut what you need to size and so utilise the sealing tips mentioned above.

Decision

If you lot're installing a new—or even quondam air conditioner—information technology's the best time to add the additional sealing components. Whether you utilise weather stripping, cream, or anything else.

Why? Because in that location's a good chance you'll demand to remove the unit to get a proper seal.

Either way, sealing your window air conditioner is worth it in the end. That hot air you're trying to go abroad from won't find its mode within, neither volition all sorts of bugs.

Hopefully, the info higher up helped. Thanks for reading. And while you're hither, why not run across if in that location's anything else we can assist you lot with in the related articles below.

Source: https://applianceanalysts.com/seal-window-air-conditioner/

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