Casement windows have a beautiful aesthetic appearance, but when a window air conditioner is installed, they take on a horrifying appearance. The price of these systems regrettably reflects the fact that the majority of window A/C units are not built to withstand the special structural problems posed by casement windows. While any window A/C unit can be converted into a casement one with a little imagination, doing it correctly pays off. Fortunately, installation isn’t as challenging as it might seem. You can get cold air in no time if you set out an afternoon.
How To Install A Casement Window Air Conditioner: What You’ll Need
Although you do need to be prepared for this project, the HVAC experts from City Energy Heating & Air Conditioning concur that the materials and knowledge required are minimal. If you instal your air conditioner correctly and have these tools available, you should be able to avoid paying for installation and air conditioner repairs:
- Measuring Tape
- Screwdriver
- A Ladder
- Pencil
- Drywall T-square
- Plastic Cutter
Here are some more supplies you need have in addition to the actual A/C unit and everything that comes with it:
The base of the unit will be made of wood planks.
To close the upper gap, use particle boards or plastic sheets.
You’re almost ready to start now that you have those supplies and tools at hand. I hope you’ve looked at your AC’s SEER rating. Making your home as energy-efficient as you can is preferable. There are some considerations you should make before getting started. Your safety comes foremost on the list. By no means are these air conditioners lightweight, especially when it comes to squeezing them through an open window.
Make sure you’ve prepared well for this part by having a friend nearby who can assist you. Additionally, it pays to proceed slowly during the installation process and to treat it seriously. Although it may be tempting to accelerate the process in an effort to get chilly air, shoddy installation will have consequences in the future. Therefore, take your time, move slowly, and try to avoid raising the unit by yourself. Now that it’s resolved, you may go forward.
Set Up The Support Base
There would be a lot of weight resting on the flimsy window sill due to the unstable nature of casement A/C systems. For the structural integrity of the window and to prevent the unit from toppling from the inside or the outside, the support base is made to lessen and disperse this weight. All support must come from the support base since there is nothing to pinch the unit in place as other models may. It is therefore crucial to correctly instal this component.
You should receive a metal platform with your casement window unit. By doing so, it will be supported and kept in place over the top of the windowsill. You should first instal a hardwood basis of your own before installing this. Even with the included metal platform, the windowsill will still experience significant strain; placing a constructed wooden platform before the metal one more evenly distributes the unit’s weight and relieves the stress on the windowsill.
Find Your Center Point
A solid and long-lasting unit installation requires finding the exact centre point. The measurements of your equipment must be determined, and they can change depending on the manufacturer. Mark the middle of your wooden foundation with a line drawn with a pencil. To draw a more exact line from the measurement to the mark, use your t-square.
Install The Platform Assembly
The included metal platform can be installed once your hardwood base is in place. The platform will have a longer end than the other; place it outside. Drive a screw into the metal platform’s centre hole while aligning it with the mark you created on the wooden foundation. Make sure it is properly inserted.
After that, head outside of your setup. As you climb your ladder, fasten the metal platform to your house by screwing it into the siding on the outside. You should check to confirm that it is securely screwed in and that your base is solid once more.
Slide Your A/C Unit In Place
Return inside and call out to your companion. Be sure you have adequate space between the windowpanes before attempting to move the A/C unit up and onto the platform. Push it out an additional four to five inches to allow for potential mistakes. Once that is finished, lift the unit up slowly. By merely gripping one side, a corner in each palm, divide the weight between you and your companion. It is most prone to slip and fall out at this point in the process, so proceed with caution as you nudge it into position.
Make sure the window sash is tucked under the metal bracket that is located on the side of the unit. The item is kept safely in your window in this manner.
Ensure That There’s A Tilt
Although it seems contradictory, you’ll want to make sure that your platform has a tiny tilt. Since window A/C units lack the convenience of integrated water drainage, any extra water they pull from the air must be expelled by gravity. The water won’t be able to drain from your unit without a quarter-inch drop. Make sure the tilt is pointing downward at the exterior grass since the water shouldn’t be draining inside, as you may expect. Remember that the weight of the unit will cause even a slight dip to become more obvious with time.
Cover The Gap Above Your Unit
Your window A/C unit will have a sizable space above it once it is installed. If you have casement windows, you cannot avoid this. Tough plastic sheets that are available in transparent or coloured options can be used to close this gap. Clear will resemble a typical window in appearance. You can also use thin particle board, which is available at places like Home Depot or Lowes. Additionally, other materials like plexiglass and clear acrylic function well. For this stage, cut the plastic with a plastic cutter, making sure to leave a small space around the window’s dimensions.
