window air conditioners
HI all, hope everyone is staying safe. I’m considering purchasing a GE ajcq12ach air conditioner. Its the type of AC that I can install in my ground level window that currently has the old fashioned wrought iron bars (typical on brownstones). This AC unit vents thru the back, and most of the actual unit is inside of the room. My concern is noise? Has anyone installed one of these and can you tell me if it’s noisy due to the compressor actually being in the room? Many Thanks!
jneretin
in Heating and Cooling 5 years ago
18
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18 replies
stevecym | 5 years ago
i am in the process of buying a window unit. but the prices for the materials for a split unit has me thinking “should I” make the jump.
GreenThinker | 5 years ago
@slimc Pioneer Mechanical Corp, Electric was included in the price. It was a detached house, so everything was run on the outside in covers, no plaster work.
RobertGMarvin
in Heating and Cooling 5 years ago
This looks like a brilliant design. I thought it would be good for my kitchen, which has window bar, until I looked at the illustration of the outside.
kaiapapaya | 5 years ago
Off topic on bars, but I wonder why these split units aren’t more available:
https://www.hammacher.com/product/over-sill-low-profile-air-conditioner?promo=search.
scuds | 5 years ago
Ignore the above naysayers, you can MacGyver a through wall into a window bar window. You need to get the sleeve too, and then build some sort of panel on either side of the sleeve to fill in the open space at the window, similar to the accordion pieces that come with a normal window AC. This type of AC is the perfect solution for a window with bars, as it does not vent except directly through the rear. The sleeve will stick into the room obviously, but this is certainly cheaper than hiring an ironworker to modify the bars or install mini-split system usits.
greenworks | 5 years ago
Yes, say you want to cool/heat three different rooms/zones. You can get one condenser unit (exterior) that would power each individual interior unit in each of the three rooms. Despite the fact that it’s one condenser, each interior unit for each zone operates independently.
stevecym | 5 years ago
thank you queensbrklyn. and thank you boo. so when you say three zone, am i do assume that each air handler is a zone? so you put 3 air handlers in?
greenworks | 5 years ago
A bunch of people in our neighborhood have had mini splits installed, including us.
Do we regret it? No, but It’s not the easy slam dunk that the manufacturers and installers make it out to be. If you care about aesthetics, you have to open walls to run electrical and the refrigerant lines. We weren’t about to have everything run outside the house with the ugly (to us) line covers. We already had a bunch of plaster repair to do so it was a no brainer for us to include mini split in SOW but if your walls are intact, that repair gets expensive.
If you’re landmarked I think you also may have some issues.
There’s the cost of the units, then electrical (not usually included in “installation” price). Also not included was the plaster repair.
Again, we don’t regret it but it’s not as easy as popping a unit in a window, or even marginally more difficult.
As to green thinkers numbers those seem in line for the actual install, not including plaster repair or electrical.
kaiapapaya | 5 years ago
In 2013 I did a three zone for $8500 during an alt-2. This was with a Mitsubishi Mr Slim system. I couldn’t be happier. The equipment is not that expensive, the installation was. The install was Two days with two guys and was the most I had paid for any of the trades. I had the electricity done separately. The demo and restore of walls and ceilings were getting done anyway, The plumbing of the air handler condensate was easy going to the cellar and into the main. This is a big concern, the air handlers generate a lot of condensate. The ones I plumbed to the backyard watered my plants.
I needed 220 run to the backyard, and each unit needed its own circuit (mostly so there could be shut off). I find them very,very, very cost efficient. They are mounted near the ceiling which is the best place for cooling. At night I only run the bedrooms and they would cycle off for a long time. Being able to close the windows is a huge advantage when running ac.
slimc | 5 years ago
GreenThinker, what company did your family member use and were they happy with the work?
GreenThinker | 5 years ago
A family member just had 2 outdoor condenser units installed, 1 condenser is for 3 indoor units; 1 condenser is for 1 indoor unit. Total 4 handlers. Total Cost: 7k
The condensers do use less energy depending on how many handlers are on. They “step up or step down” depending on the cooling requirement.
Each condenser needs 2 spaces in a panel box, it’s a double pole breaker.
stevecym | 5 years ago
can someone tell me what a mini split costs for a small house? say a condensing unit (if that is what it is called) and 4 “air handlers” (if that is what they are called)? these being for two 12×15 bedrooms, a like size dining room, and a living room a bit larger?
do these things use less current if you only have the air handlers on in the bedrooms?
and how much space do these use in the panel box? how many breakers for all of the above?
thank you all.
steve
greenworks | 5 years ago
Like n-p said, use a portable a/c. Easy and cheaper than the other suggestions- we have had a couple when we had window bars and they work fine. Pay attention to the noise ratings – some are quiet, others very loud.
These are what I’m talking about: https://www.homedepot.com/b/Heating-Venting-Cooling-Air-Conditioners-Portable-Air-Conditioners/N-5yc1vZc4m4
kaiapapaya | 5 years ago
Adapting window bars can be a real issue. I would check with J&R. They may have a unit that will fit in the narrow bar space. Most window A/C’s could use better installation, those plastic accordion side panels are a big $ and efficiency suck. I have built custom oak insulated panels. I have never done it but the difference between a window or a wall AC is just inches. I would try to build a temporary “wall” in the lifted window. This box would give a nice place to build legs and insulate it, and cut down the noise a bit, and make it easy to pitch the condensate drip away from the building.
shahnandersen
in Heating and Cooling 5 years ago
Or you could build a box out on the iron bars (if not in a landmark district), so that a normal window A/C could fit. Any iron contractor could do this.
GreenThinker | 5 years ago
Consider a mini-split ductless unit. Would end up being twice the cost of the unit you were looking at, but it’s the best long term solution.
yudashasom | 5 years ago
That won’t work.
You will probably need a portable/floor standing unit.
But as Neo Grec said, J&R can help you out.
NeoGrec | 5 years ago
Looks like it’s a through-the-wall model or PTAC. Can it be installed in a window? One thought: the guys (Mario, Ralph, Bill) at J&R Appliances on 7th Ave in Park Slope are AC experts. Give them a call and ask if they have ever installed this model or if they have suggestions for a unit to fit a window with iron bars. They specialize in brownstone installations and will know what’s currently available.