A/C Dilemma
We are long-time renters in an all-rental brownstone. Our bedroom is on the back half of the garden floor of the building (the rest of the living space is upstairs on the parlor floor). The only “window” in the bedroom is sliding glass doors leading out to the backyard. In the summer, the bedroom gets…
We are long-time renters in an all-rental brownstone. Our bedroom is on the back half of the garden floor of the building (the rest of the living space is upstairs on the parlor floor). The only “window” in the bedroom is sliding glass doors leading out to the backyard. In the summer, the bedroom gets unbearably hot. In the past, we’ve managed to make do with a dehumidifier, powerful fan, and sleeping with icepacks on our heads (no kidding). However, due to some health issues, we need to have air conditioning this summer. A window-unit airconditioner is out because there is no window. A portable airconditioner is also out because there is no good place to vent the exhaust, because we need access to the sliders to get outside to the yard, which we use daily. Anyone have any ideas? I’m thinking of approaching the landlord and seeing if he would put a through-the-wall air conditioning unit in. I’d be willing to contribute a portion of the cost to do this. Landlords out there – is this something you think you’d agree to? What percentage of the cost would you expect a tenant to contribute? Half? All? Any ideas, or alternatives, are greatly appreciated.
don’t you also have a gate outside the sliding glass door? You may also want to consider that for security. Then cut a hole for the gate’s door knob/lock in the wood frame to be able to get out. No security issue.
what about a smaller window unit on its side with a wood piece cut to fit above, plus the dowels in the door track for security? or would a window unit not run properly in a sideways position? you could frame it a bit so that it wouldnt fall out when you opened the door.
The portable ACs are never as good as a regular window unit, never. You’re likely to be disappointed with the output.
Or just a small, sleeved hole for the portable duct.
***Bid half off peak comps***
Okay then CMU’s solution is the best. You could have wood dowels cut to fit in the track of the sliding glass door to prevent it from being opened.
I had the same issue in a place I used to live. One day I came home, and my boyfriend had installed an ac similar to what cmu described. It was a normal room size ac inserted into a cutout in the plywood. I don’t remember exactly how the plywood was secured to the top of the door but I think it was with clamps attached to the exposed lintel. I put a 1″ pipe in the bottom track to keep the door from being opened. It was a couple of inches shorter than the length of the track so I could get it out easily to open the door. I felt very secure. This is one of the nicest things anyone ever did for me!!!
No. They exhaust the condenser cooling air which they get from inside the room, which is why they’re less efficient. The water condenses and some pump them out, some you have to empty periodically.
I think the portable ACs only exhaust water. You could drain this into a bucket or a sink or bathtub if there’s one nearby.
If your a rental then I hate to say it, but if the LL agrees, then you will have to incur the charges, and if you move probably leave the Ac.
Do you at least have a screen on the door that you can leave opeN??