Window AC in wall?
#1
09-06-15, 11:21 AM
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Window AC in wall?
I was thinking about installing a small AC unit in a wall. Do you generally use a "window AC" unit for that?
#2
09-06-15, 11:34 AM
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You can certainly do that however you might want to consider upgrading to a mini split system. With a mini split system all you have going through the wall is the electric and refrigeration lines the compressor stays outside and there is less noise. Also mini split systems can also be heat pumps so you can use them all year round. They are more expensive and they require a professional install that is not necessarily required of a window unit but they are better in many ways.
#3
09-06-15, 11:49 AM
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Welcome to the forums.
You don't normally mount a window unit in the wall. It doesn't come with the right mounting hardware and the exhaust ports can be blocked by the wall. Plus depending on how you mount it.... it's not removable for service.
There are actual wall mounted A/C's available. They come with a sleeve that gets installed permanently in the wall and the unit just slides into it. You will find that the thru-the-wall units are more expensive than their window mounted counterparts.
Through the Wall Air Conditioners - The Home Depot
You don't normally mount a window unit in the wall. It doesn't come with the right mounting hardware and the exhaust ports can be blocked by the wall. Plus depending on how you mount it.... it's not removable for service.
There are actual wall mounted A/C's available. They come with a sleeve that gets installed permanently in the wall and the unit just slides into it. You will find that the thru-the-wall units are more expensive than their window mounted counterparts.
Through the Wall Air Conditioners - The Home Depot
#4
09-06-15, 12:03 PM
It is done all the time here. However you have to leave room (at least about six inches) on each side for the vents.
I cut the hole a foot wider then fill the space between the opening and the A/C with in insulated panels. The panels are basically 1x2 boxes filled with insulation and skinned on each side with 3/8" plywood.
The plywood is left off of the side of the panel toward the the inside of the house and insulation not yet added. This allows you to screw the panel to the opening casement through the side of the panel. Insulation and the front plywood is then added. Panels should be as close to the inside as possible so as to not block side vents. They should be painted before installation.
If the AC has top vents similar methods must be used to avoid blocking the vent.
I cut the hole a foot wider then fill the space between the opening and the A/C with in insulated panels. The panels are basically 1x2 boxes filled with insulation and skinned on each side with 3/8" plywood.
The plywood is left off of the side of the panel toward the the inside of the house and insulation not yet added. This allows you to screw the panel to the opening casement through the side of the panel. Insulation and the front plywood is then added. Panels should be as close to the inside as possible so as to not block side vents. They should be painted before installation.
If the AC has top vents similar methods must be used to avoid blocking the vent.
#5
09-06-15, 12:46 PM
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And what about these portable units that attach to some holes that run outside? Any opinion on these units? Seems like it would be less work to install some exhaust pipes. SPT 14,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner-WA-1420E - The Home Depot
One possible problem I might run into is that the backbone of the whole roof runs close to where I would need to install a wall AC unit. Not sure if I even have room. You can look at the space between the French doors to see what I'm talking about. Not much room. The beam above splits the wall.
One possible problem I might run into is that the backbone of the whole roof runs close to where I would need to install a wall AC unit. Not sure if I even have room. You can look at the space between the French doors to see what I'm talking about. Not much room. The beam above splits the wall.
#6
09-06-15, 01:43 PM
Most portables I have seen at HD are single hose. That link doesn't say single or double hose. Single hose are inefficient and don't cool well because they exhaust the cooled inside air outside to cool the condenser plus they draw in hot outside air to make up for the exhausted cooled air. Two hose units are much better because they use the second hose to draw in outside air to cool the condenser.
#7
09-06-15, 03:31 PM
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One more question.... Are there carbon filters for wall mount AC units? The air I will be drawing from is close to the neighbor's roof where there are sewer exhaust pipes. Sometimes when the breeze is just right it can smell along that side of the house.
#8
09-06-15, 04:00 PM
Group Moderator
I've never seen them with a carbon filter on the fresh air in side. You could add one but I'm not sure how effective that would be. I don't think a carbon filter would remove that type of odor.
#9
09-06-15, 04:55 PM
The air I will be drawing from is close to the neighbor's roof where there are sewer exhaust pipes.
Last edited by ray2047; 09-07-15 at 01:11 PM.
#10
09-07-15, 12:48 PM
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Go here to see some examples of Mini Split systems and their prices........
Ductless Mini Splits - The Home Depot
These systems never draw in outside air but they do have a blower on each unit inside of your house which is very quiet. Portable units do a fair job but they really don't cool as efficiently as a traditional window unit or even better a central unit that is ducted. The nice thing about these units is that you don't need to run ducts anywhere and they are also thermostatically controlled.
This type of unit takes away concerns that you might be drawing in harmful fumes like carbon monoxide or in your case sewer gases. The indoor unit can be mounted right above the french doors and the noisy compressor will stay outside. These are all sized according to room size and as I said before they must be professionally installed. One caveat they do have though is that the refrigeration line can be run only so far but the plus is that the outside unit when installed correctly is not as noisy as a traditional ducted central air unit.
Ductless Mini Splits - The Home Depot
These systems never draw in outside air but they do have a blower on each unit inside of your house which is very quiet. Portable units do a fair job but they really don't cool as efficiently as a traditional window unit or even better a central unit that is ducted. The nice thing about these units is that you don't need to run ducts anywhere and they are also thermostatically controlled.
This type of unit takes away concerns that you might be drawing in harmful fumes like carbon monoxide or in your case sewer gases. The indoor unit can be mounted right above the french doors and the noisy compressor will stay outside. These are all sized according to room size and as I said before they must be professionally installed. One caveat they do have though is that the refrigeration line can be run only so far but the plus is that the outside unit when installed correctly is not as noisy as a traditional ducted central air unit.
Last edited by PJmax; 09-07-15 at 03:50 PM. Reason: corrected link
#12
09-07-15, 04:51 PM
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Thanks Becky I must have accidentally cut part of the link off. I see Pete has fixed it thank you Pete I think the information will be helpful. I found a link for the Home Depot but these same types and even brands are available about anywhere. As with anything it pays to shop and weigh the options before buying.
