Window ac unit buying guide

So you’re ready to buy your new window mounted a/c unit, well here are a few helpful tips to think about so you make the right choice.

What size is the window? window a/c’s are designed to fit standard residential construction window sizes (generally 24”-36” in width) However, some cities such as Chicago and New York were front runners in skyscraper and large building design and use much larger windows for maximum light and air movement; since many of them were built in an era when a/c and electrical systems didn’t exist or were prohibitively expensive to be worked into the design. So be sure to measure your windows as these older building windows can extend all the way to 48” wide in some cases. If you buy an a/c that doesn’t properly fill the window, the remaining space will need to be filled with custom cut plexi-glass or another material to compensate for the difference, as the accordion panels on the a/c aren’t made to extend past 36.” Another alternative is to purchase foam insulating side panels made by frost king to place beside the accordion panels and fill in any remaining space beyond 36.” For Midea a/c’s please be sure to purchase additional  2x3 foam (Midea Side Curtian Foam) to properly fill the gap.

What size a/c unit should I buy? Heating and cooling output is measured in BTU’s or British Thermal Units. To find out how many BTU’s you will need for your space, first find the square footage of each room or the intended room by multiplying the length of the room by the width of the room (room length x room

width) = square footage. Once you have calculated how much square footage for each location you intend on installing a unit, you can use this chart or our (btu calculator link)

Securing your window ac unit: It is important to note that window a/c units can be a dangerous projectile capable of causing fatal injuries. It is extremely important that the ac unit is properly secured into the window frame. Most localities require a support bracket underneath ac’s greater than 10,000 BTU’s. However, codes and rules change from city to city so i’d suggest doing a quick search for your particular location to find out about any special requirements.  In NYC, due to its population density, brackets are always required and the window needs to be fastened shut so it cannot open. These brackets can be an under mount or cross bar mount firmly fastened to the building envelope. The bracket should be able to fully support the a/c when the window is open, and the window should be fastened shut. Be sure to choose a bracket large enough for your unit which will be dependent on the size and weight of your a/c unit.