AC Installation: Basic Steps for Installing a Window Unit

If you would like something stronger than a ceiling fan to keep you cool, you should consider getting an air conditioner in at least one room of the house. Smaller units can be installed by the average homeowner, but you will need a professional to put in a whole house unit. Fortunately, most areas do not get hot enough to require central conditioning, which means that a smaller unit is all that most people need. So pick a room that you are in most often, such as a bedroom or family room, and install an air conditioner against the window.

Before you buy the product, measure the opening in the window that it will go in. The unit you buy should come with mounting brackets, so the next step is to install them in the window using the AC installation instructions that come with the product. You will have to open the window to do this, so that it is resting on top of the air conditioner. Attach the unit to the brackets so that it stays in place. If it is not tightly in place, the product can fall and either be destroyed, or require you to complete the AC installation all over again. Just make sure to read the instructions carefully during this step to avoid problems.

There should be extensions on both sides of the unit that you can pull out to attach to the frame of the window. This creates a secure connection. The next step is to put a small strip of foam between the air conditioner and the window so that there is not a draft due to a gap. The foam sometimes comes with the product, or you can buy it separately at a home improvement store. Another way to ensure that conditioned air does not leave the house is to put caulk around the product. Using both the foam and the caulk should create a tight seal so that there is no unwanted draft.

Most conditioners also come with a drainage hose that is to be attached to the outside of the item. Once this is attached, you can turn on the AC to make sure it works well. It should cool off the room quickly. However, if you find that your house is hot in general, and you want more than one room cooled off, you should look into getting central conditioning, which is common in warmer areas. These require professional AC installation, so do not try to install one on your own.

If you are not comfortable installing this type of AC, you can call a professional company or even a handyman, as it usually just involves paying attention to the included instructions. If you do aim to do it yourself, make sure you have the proper tools, which should be listed in the directions. You should also have another person there to help you, as you may need someone to hold the item in place while you attach it to the window.