How to install a Window Air Conditioner in a Brownstone with Security Bars?

Hey OP -- if the rent is really cheap you may just want to pay to have the correct bars put on yourself. Get in touch with the LL and explain the prob. Have 3 bids in hand for the work. Ask if he/she will pay for all or part of the replacement. Good luck -- it's hot out there!

Posted by: guest at July 8, 2008 2:57 PM

I don't think the ACs that sit mostly inside the window are slim enough outside for these bars. You can find out.

I think your choices are to (1) get the more expensive portable, non-window ACs, or (2) replace the bars (whether at your, or your landlord's expense is something you'll have to work out) with one of the two types that allow for window AC - either the kind with straight bars with a big box below for an AC, or those curved ones you see, generally on the front of buildings, because they are less ugly than the box kind.

If you are paying, and won't be there all that long, my guess is that the portable ACs might be cheaper than paying for the iron work. But I'd see how much more (if any) electricity they use before I made my final decision.

Posted by: guest at July 8, 2008 3:03 PM

Z, who did the work?

Posted by: guest at July 8, 2008 3:37 PM

It is possible to install an AC in your window. I have flush window bars on my garden floor window also (no bump-out to accommodate an AC). I purchased what's called a "solid sides" AC unit (by Friedrich). The bulk of the machine will sit INSIDE your window with only about three inches on the outside which might accommodate your window bars. I don't recall where I bought my unit since it was about 10 years ago, but it might have been at Elgot on Lexington Ave/68th Street or an appliance establishment on 18th or 19th Street between 5th & 6th Ave. It's important to measure the distance between your window bars and your window sash and then take it to a dealer and see if they sell a unit that will fit.

Posted by: guest at July 8, 2008 3:39 PM

ground floor are utilities included?

Posted by: guest at July 8, 2008 3:40 PM

Pricing for new bars and installation will cost between $200 and $400 depending on how much custom work is needed versus taking something off the shelf.

But we just had a new custom guard crafted and installed (in a similar 1st floor brownstone) for $325.

Posted by: guest at July 8, 2008 3:42 PM

You should be able to install a thru-wall sleeve type air conditioner, you'll just need to make a plywood panel to cover the rest of the window opening and probably have to brace the unit on the inside.
The thru wall types are not as efficient as a window model.

Posted by: guest at July 8, 2008 5:25 PM

Ditto 5:25. Thru-the-wall unit is best option with, of course, the sleeve (add: $75?). For 'gates' on the side/s I recommend one-inch thick polystyrene insulation (from packaging). If you want something harder, go to Staples and get plastic backboard and cut to size. GL.

Posted by: guest at July 8, 2008 5:50 PM

We got one of those air conditioners that mostly come into your room and don't stick out too much so they work with bars. however, when it broke we couldn't find another one at home depot or lowes. Think they may be discontinued. It is really a pain - the good news is basement apts are not as hot since they don't get as much sun...

Posted by: guest at July 8, 2008 7:07 PM

Ok OP. I was thinking your landlord didnt want pay the extra cost for running an ac unit but, that's not the case here.

Posted by: guest at July 9, 2008 12:27 AM

The thing to keep in mind is a window AC will have vents on the side of the unit that you do not want to cover up and probably won't make it outside the building. That is why you need a thru-wall type AC- it is designed to only vent out the back. Remember to angle it slightly down and away from the building so condensate drains properly. You might have to attach a hose to direct condensate away from the foundation if it produces a lot of water.
I also would be wary of using just styrofoam to fill the open window space because you are so close to trash cans. At least plywood will give you some warning of a rat incursion. You could even wrap the outside face of the plywood in a sheet of the galvanized tin used to fireproof cellar ceilings for better rat proofing.

Posted by: guest at July 9, 2008 11:41 AM

The freestanding ACs kind of suck. They are expensive, don't cool well, and frequently need to be drained.

I don't recommend if it can be avoided.

Posted by: guest at July 9, 2008 3:46 PM

i had a very similar problem in an old apartment. the LL was not cooperative w/ changing out the bars. I found a really tiny BTU GE model at walmart for $120 bucks. I had only 3" of play from the window frame to the bars. 11:41 is correct, you only need to be concerned with where those vents are at the side, as this is where all the heat/water is expelled and you don't want that draining back into the room. measure the clear space you have and then go to the stores and measure where the vents are on the AC units you see. who cares if the bulk of the unit is on the inside. just make sure it is stable.

Posted by: guest at July 9, 2008 3:57 PM

We have the same situation, but it turns out there is 6" clearance between the sash and the bars, which was exactly what we needed. PC Richards had two or three models that fit within 6". They were all small units--about 5200 btus--but adequate for our room.

Take a tape measure when you go shopping. The units on display probably wont have the accordion frames installed (which would help with the measuring), but you can estimate what the exterior depth will be by measuring from the holes in the AC sleeve where the accordion attaches.

Posted by: guest at July 9, 2008 4:00 PM

I have the same situation (including the cheap-o LL). But you'd think in this day and city there would be more and better options for this situation.

Basically, I took the cue from one or two of my neighbors and bought a standard window unit which I set on a shelf just inside the window and fashioned wood to close off and vent the sides and top out.

More specifically, I had a wood shipping crate I'd found on the street. I removed the top and bottom. I put it in the window, turned so the top became the front/outside and bottom became the back/inside, used wood to close off the remaining window width, and then installed the A/C at the back/inside of the box (using the accordion sleeves to secure the 2-3 inch gap between the unit and the box for venting.)

I got lucky that I had the wood crate and only had to adapt it, but I also considered calling a handyman/carpenter to throw a quick box together with the right measurements.

Another option I considered was to buy a through-the-wall air conditioner with the cover (as mentioned in other posts) which would basically do the same thing (as through-the-wall a/c's are "back-breather's"). Unfortunately, those units tended to be more cost-prohibitive and harder to find with the right voltage. My A/C cost $325. The one t-t-w unit with cover that fit my needs was going to come to $950.

I also looked into the ductless unit, but those also tend to be high-voltage and usually require permenant installation. And are similarly expensive.

The windowless A/Cs are shockingly clumsy, expensive, ugly, and archaic. Again, in this day and city, you'd think...

Posted by: guest at July 9, 2008 4:33 PM

3:57 here >

3:40 is asking if utilities are included in your rent because obviously the LL would NOT want you running an AC unit at his/her expense. Although I paid my own utes, my LL absolutely forbade AC units in her building without explanation. (my guess is crappy old wiring) She went to the expense of putting bars on EVERY window on the building even the upper floors to prevent them. Question > is it even legal for landlords to refuse AC units in the windows if the tenant pays utilities?

Posted by: guest at July 9, 2008 4:37 PM

We found a Carrier unit that has a very shallow front end and fits inside the space between the bars and the window. Not sure if they are still making residential units but check out their website.

Posted by: guest at July 9, 2008 4:57 PM

If your landlord put a clause in the lease barring AC's and you agreed to it, it is legal. Window bars are another issue though.

Posted by: guest at July 9, 2008 7:24 PM

Has anyone noticed how the more we use air conditioning, the hotter it gets?

Posted by: guest at July 9, 2008 9:33 PM

honeybun, get outta there and move to a decent building in the suburbs.
they are gonna eat your ass cupcake.

Posted by: guest at July 9, 2008 10:46 PM