Sliding Window Air Conditioner

Gone are the days when air conditioners were made to fit into static sash windows. Nowadays, people prefer to have sliding window air conditioners for their chic appearance and easy mobility. With their sleek designs and enticing color appearances, these air conditioners are available for both horizontal sliding windows and verticals sliding windows.

Selecting the Unit

A vertical sliding window is the one which can be pushed and pulled from bottom to top whereas a horizontal sliding window slides from left to right. Online stores and sales catalogs for air conditioners can help you out additionally in deciding your air conditioner units to hold air conditioners. Some of the brands that manufacture sliding window air conditioners are:

• Whirlpool
• Haier
• Frididare
• Maytag
• Amana
• Fedders
• Emerson

A sliding window air conditioner is about 20 inch long, 14½ inch wide and 22 inch high. The BTU (British Thermal Unit) consumed by a regular air conditioner is between 5000 - 18000 (roughly 115 Volts).

Requirements for Installation

• Plywood
• Wood screws
• Nuts
• Screw driver
• Foam weather stripping
• Air conditioner

Remember Before Installation

• Air conditioners are heavy appliances. So make sure that you lift them with utmost care.
• See to it that your window has an electrical outlet nearby. This is a mandatory check before installation of the air conditioner.
• Check for any cracks or anomalies in your windowsill as the base needs to be strong enough to sustain the air conditioner.
• Measure the window dimensions beforehand to determine the size of your air conditioner.
• When removing the sliding part of your window, do not exert undue force on the frame as it can lead to damaging your windowsill.

Installing the Air Conditioner

• Use a screwdriver to first remove the screen and the sliding part of your window.
• Take a large wooden board to make the platform. Chalk out 2 pieces of 2x4 inches from the board to use them as a base for the platform. Fix them over the windowsill using foam weather stripping. This is a useful form of adhesive as it is low cost and water resistant. (Definitely a better choice than fixing with nails.)
• Take a plywood to create the window frame. Cut a piece out of the plywood in the size of the window and make a hole in it big enough for the air conditioner to fit in.
• Fit the plywood piece in the window opening of the sliding window fame and with the help of drill and screws, secure the plywood fit.
• Fit the air conditioner into the plywood opening. Use screws to secure the fit of the air conditioner and the metal support braces (that come with the air conditioner kit) properly. Fix back the sliding part of your window into the frame.
• Your conditioner has been successfully installed into your sliding window unit.

These air conditioners are quite convenient to fit and use. They come with additional advantages such as full featured remotes, electronic controls, four way directions, safety power cord, multiple cooling systems and ultra quiet operations. They range between $250 - $500. Sliding window air conditioners are such durable home appliances that suit best for small and cozy apartments. They are also economical as their energy consumption is less than other air conditioners.