Proper way to install AC in metal window?
For safety issues and to comply with the NY City Building code, it is recommended you use a bracket when installing your A/C unit. There is a new bracket on the market that doesn’t require any drilling, tools or fasteners and it installs in just minutes. Very convenient and great for someone who wants to install their own A/C unit. Good Luck.
ezinstall
in Appliances 11 years and 1 month ago
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5 replies
cate | 12 years and 1 month ago
What is the proper way to secure an AC unit in a metal window? Does anyone have a rec for someone who does this, and what would be a typical charge? Would an outfit such as PC Richard that sells AC also install it? Thank you.
needmtg | 12 years and 1 month ago
Do you mean the standard double-hung aluminium window? Don’t see the problem. You may need to use a piece of wood the same depth as the metal lip on the outside sill ( 3/4 ply may work ) to reduce the load on the a/c bottom (and to reduce vibration,) but I don’t use it always. The metal window lip engages the lip on the a/c on the inside, so prevents the a/c moving outward. If you’re talking about the screws you supposedly need to keep things safe, there are other ways. If it’s your place, you can carefully drill holes in the facing edge of the window and use that to screw in angle brackets to prevent the bottom sash opening. You don’t need to screw anything else. Tape works for the side curtains (use black electrician’s tape, least visible). In fact a long strip of duct tape on the sash face and window edge is enough to stop the top sash from being lifted accidentally, but may leave marks when removed. This is for lighter a/cs. For anything over 8000btu, you may need outside brackets.
stevecym | 12 years and 1 month ago
I have installed a lot of these for pay over the years and this is well said. As CMU says, a piece of wood in the track of the lower frame will keep the weight of the a/c from bending the frame (keep in mind that most units have a relief that sits down in the frame, so the wood should take this into acct and not be as high as the track in the frame but lower; this is imporatant as that relief is what prevents the ac unit from kicking out on the bottom and landing on the brain of the guy on the sidewalk below). also, what I do is CAREFULLY drill a couple of holes through the top most piece of the ac unit – where it rests on the bottom sash – and screw some sheet metal screws in. what you have to be careful of here is to not hit the glass inside the sash. this is all very easy if you stop to look at it and even myself, who does a lot of this work, did not always install a/c in aluminum or vinyl windows as I did not always live here in the city where these are prevelant – so I learned it on my own in my first apt. Steve
needmtg | 12 years and 1 month ago
I second the CAREFULLY, Steve. Was in a hurry one time and drilled too deep. A crack in the glass developed and spread over the next year. Luckily I was planning to change the entire window, with a wooden one…
Townie | 12 years and 1 month ago
For the standard double hung aluminum window ac install that requires no drilling into bottom sash and allows both windows to be cleaned without removing ac use this method. Get a 3/4 inch diameter piece of copper plumbing pipe cut to the exact width of the window opening measuring from inside of spring channel to spring channel. This will be wedged into window opening acting as the support for the upper flange of the ac unit. The ac no longer needs the window for support instead rests on this pipe. You may need to slightly pinch or squeeze the ends of the pipe to fit in the channel . It should be very tight fit. You can drill two holes in the ac units upper flange and into the pipe to secure it. This pipe will completely support the ac leaving the windows untouched.