Room Air Conditioner: Installation Tips

Room Air Conditioner Installation Tips

Window Air Conditioner Installation Tips

Window type AC units are specifically designed to be installed in a window. The operations manual included with your model will provide you with the specific requirements the window should me, such as the size and type of construction.

• There should be at least 20 inches of open space behind the unit, so that the heat may discharge properly. Restriction of outside air flow will greatly reduce the cooling efficiency of the air conditioner.
• Consider the location of the window you'll use. A window unit installed near a corner of the room may seem to run louder than in another location, because of the sound reflected by the nearby wall.
• Be sure to install the security bracket (also called the window locking bracket). The security bracket keeps the window securely closed against the AC's cabinet and won't allow someone from the outside to raise the window.
• Avoid having curtains that will be pulled into the air conditioners front grille. The blockage in air flow will reduce the cooling efficiency of the unit and can lead to frost accumulating on the coils.
• When the AC is installed, keep in mind that the unit should have a tilt toward the back (1/4 - 1/2"). If the back of the unit isn't installed slightly lower than the front the unit can leak condensed water from the front grille.
• The drain plug does not have to be installed in all cases. The air conditioner is designed to operate with about 1/2" of water in the base pan. This water is picked up and slung onto the condenser to help discharge heat. This helps to improve cooling efficiency. In humid conditions it may be necessary, or preferred, to remove the plug to allow excess water to drain out.

Portable Air Conditioner Installation Tips

Portable air conditioners are designed to be used in just about any location of your home. The units can be rolled almost anywhere and used as long as there is a window within approximately 5 ft that the exhaust hose can be connected to. Below are a few other guidelines that will help you get the most out of your new machine.

• The vent hose will extend approximately 5 ft. from the rear of the portable unit. You do not have to try to cover or damp the outside exhaust opening. The force of the air being expelled throughout the vent hose will keep insects out of the vent system.
• If it is very humid in your area, "P2" or "FL" may display on your machine's control panel. This simply means that the drain pan at the bottom of the unit needs to be emptied. During less humid conditions, the unit should run without requiring regular draining because most of the condensed moisture will be evaporated as it is blown across the condenser coils.
• When it is time to empty the air conditioner's drain pan, if possible, tilt the unit slightly toward the back to drain all the condensed water in the base pan out completely.
• If the unit is prompting you to drain the base pan frequently, check the mode that the unit is set to run in. If the unit is running in Dry mode, the machine will act similar to a dehumidifier and will remove moisture from the room air. This will cause the base pan to fill up faster than if the unit was in cool mode.
• The fan speed setting can also be lowered, and the temperature setting can be raised slightly if the unit is displaying "P2" or "FL" too frequently during very humid weather conditions.
• When choosing an installation location, try to place the unit in an open area. If the unit is too close to nearby walls cold air from the unit can be deflected back toward the unit causing it to cycle on and off rapidly.