A miniature, efficient, easy-to-use window climate system is an excellent solution for small apartments, small offices, suburban summer cottages. Its important advantage is monoblock. Thanks to her, the installation of an air conditioner in the window is carried out in the simplest way.
The arrangement of all functional parts in one housing makes it possible not to lay pipelines. Lightness and an elementary connection scheme allows you to do all the work with your own hands. However, for a flawless result, you need to know how to correctly perform installation work.
You will find everything about the rules and order of arrangement, fixation and connection of window air conditioning equipment in our article. We will tell you about the rules and technological intricacies. We will show you how to choose the right place for the unit.
The content of the article:
- Briefly about the features of a window air conditioner
- Choosing the best location
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Air conditioner installation requirements
- The sequence of assembly technology
- Mounting the air conditioner in the frame
- Self-diagnosis of problems
- Conclusions and useful video on the topic
Briefly about the features of a window air conditioner
It is not necessary to install a window climatic unit in a wooden window frame or a plastic glass unit. This air conditioner can be perfectly integrated into the wall or door leading to the garden. But windows are rightfully considered the most suitable place for him, given the design features.
In window climatic systems, the outer part is placed together with the compressor block in one housing. Therefore, as we already wrote, there is no need to connect them with pipes and drill walls for these purposes, pave furrows in them for track devices. In addition, this design excludes freon leaks occurring due to depressurization of working lines.
In a window air conditioner, all functional components are located in one housing, which eliminates the need to lay a route connecting two blocks in conventional systems
But we note right away that the placement of both functional components in one case does not negate the need to install part of the system on the street, so that the equipment was able to freely capture air from the street for processing and supply of cold or heat (depending on the season) to the treated room.
In order for the air entrapment to be complete, in fact, a third of the device, or even half of it, must be outside the enclosing structure. That is, the installation must be done so that the air intake grille is completely behind the wall or window frame. As a result, the weighty part of the body turns out to be outside.
Monoblock equipment in a window opening or other structure must be positioned so that fresh air from the street can freely flow into the intake grilles
Since it will not be possible to completely install the air conditioner on the windowsill of a plastic window, various supporting structures are erected for its outer part. Their task is to receive the load, albeit not heavy, but still having a rather serious weight, equipment.
The most commonly used support structures are wall brackets fixed with anchor bolts in the wall. Less often, platforms are built to hold the climatic units, which rest on the window sill or on the same brackets. Even less often - the window sill is built on the side of the street.
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The task of the installer is to securely fix the monoblock equipment in the opening and choose the right method to ensure the stable position of the unit
The choice of the optimal mounting method should take into account the bearing capacity of the structures in which the installation is planned and the weight of the device. If necessary, additional strengthening of structures is carried out
The free space around the housing of the climatic equipment is filled in accordance with the seasonality of operation: sliding plastic curtains are sufficient for summer. For a stationary location, it is better to fill the opening with a board or brick using seals
To eliminate the occurrence of drafts and heat leakage, a porous seal is laid around the perimeter of the body
Installation method for monoblock window air conditioner
Installation of a monoblock window instead of a window
Filling free space
Laying the sealing tape
It is not recommended to install a window air conditioner in a window or other structure that is directly illuminated by the sun. Electrical components and plastic parts must never be heated. If there is no other way out, then for the equipment it is required to arrange a canopy that excludes the effects of rays, and at the same time rain and snow.
Choosing the best location
It is necessary to avoid heating indoors as well. In order to correctly install a window air conditioner in a room, you need to choose a place remote from stoves, fireplaces, boilers, all types of radiators, boilers and even refrigerators. From their influence, the climate system will not work correctly.
The equipment must be protected from active exposure to water. For this reason, do not place the air conditioner next to a kitchen sink or bathroom. If water gets inside the case or steam in large quantities settles on the internal electrical components, it should be immediately disconnected from the power supply and a technician should be invited to inspect.
Only a certified repairer will be able to determine if the functional elements of the window equipment are damaged by water penetrating under the hull. And also in order to exclude the slightest possibility of exposure to water, it is forbidden to place a mini-climate system in bathrooms, bath buildings, showers, laundries, swimming pools.
Direct exposure to water and domestic steam on the inside of the air conditioner is undesirable. Installing them in rooms with a characteristic increase in the level of humidity is not recommended by the manufacturer. In cases of violation of the rules, the manufacturer relieves itself of obligations to fulfill warranty obligations
To eliminate the influence of electromagnetic waves on the operation of a window air conditioner, it should not be installed next to any type of electrical equipment. Even a radio receiver is capable of knocking down the working process. The permissible distance to electrical appliances is stipulated by the manufacturer in the manual for the product, usually it is 1 m.
It is not recommended to connect the climate system to the network via an extension cord. The power point should be located relative to the chassis so that the cord is long enough for a direct connection. On the other hand, the distance between the electrical installation product and the body must not be less than 50 cm.
Also, it is not allowed to place devices near the air conditioner that are potential sources of gas leaks. This category includes boilers, gas water heaters such as water heaters, gas convectors, stoves and cylinders filled with blue fuel.
To protect against atmospheric phenomena, rains, snow falls, icicles falling from the roof and other negativity, a visor is installed above the window air conditioner, built like a canopy
In order to ensure a stable inflow and outflow of air in the volume indicated by the manufacturer, all grids intended for air inlet and outlet must be completely open. Owners must have free access to service the unit. And the masters of the service center need to provide an opportunity for inspection.
A window air conditioner is absolutely not suitable for installation in warehouses of building mixtures and in apartments in which building materials are stored for major repairs. It should not be installed in boiler rooms. It is also not suitable for the kitchen of a catering establishment.
Air conditioner installation requirements
To eliminate the threat of electric shock, climatic equipment must be grounded. For this, a socket with an appropriate contact is used. Do not ground the telephone line or water supply.
The rules for choosing a place for installing an outlet supplying an air conditioner will acquaint next article, which is worth reading to all real and potential owners of a window climate system.
To power the window air conditioner, you will need a separate line with a circuit breaker installed at its inlet. It is better to lay the branch from the electrical panel, and not from the junction box.
In the manufacturer's manual attached to products supplied to the market, there is always a diagram explaining the principle of equipment location and regulating the standard distances
The mono-air conditioner should be located at a distance of at least 75 cm from the plane of the floor, but not more than 150 cm. The distance from the rear of the unit to the nearest obstacle in the form of a wall or similar structure must be at least 0.5 m. This is necessary to ensure free air flow.
At the same time, there should be no gaps around the perimeter of the case. Their absence is achieved by installing the curtains included in the kit. All types of seals and sealant are used, in short, everything that can be used to eliminate gaps with drafts.
To install a window air conditioner in a plastic window, the light-conducting element is completely removed from one section. The space remaining after fixing the air conditioner is closed with sliding polymer curtains
It is also necessary to ensure the slope of the building towards the street. It is necessary to tilt the body so that the inner edge of the body rises above the outer edge by about 1 cm. Such an inclination is necessary so that the moisture condensing on the body flows back to the street, and does not drip into the room and does not moisten the building structures with a seal.
The sequence of assembly technology
Before installing a mini climate system, you should carefully study the instructions that a caring manufacturer must attach to their products. It describes in detail all the actions in the conduct of which there may be some differences, but in general, everything is done in a standard manner.
A window air conditioner can be installed not only in window openings, but also in walls or garden doors. It is important to follow the technological rules. Fastening is possible only to solid structures from above with brackets or installation on a solid support
The whole cycle of work includes a number of stages following each other, these are:
- Arrangement of the opening, selected with a perforator, glass cutter, grinder, the dimensions of which correspond to the dimensions of the frame available in the complete set.
- Fixing the frame. It is previously unscrewed from the air conditioner body. Then they are placed in the opening so that the fit along the bottom line is as tight as possible, and the minimum gap remains on top. After fixing the frame, the side gaps are filled with sealant from the street side.
- Installing the air conditioner in a fixed case. Before this, you should check whether the porous sponge seal, laid along the perimeter of the frame, is not damaged.
The hole for installing the frame in the wall or sash of a wooden door is selected in accordance with its dimensions. They make it a little more so that it remains possible to freely lead this frame into the opening. The frame should fit snugly into the seat.
The rods for filling the window opening are usually available in the monoblock configuration. They are hermetically connected to the frame in which the air conditioner is placed, and are equipped with mounting holes for attaching to structures.
With plastic windows, everything is a little more complicated - you need to cut out the glass completely from the sash, focusing on the height of the air conditioner. As in the case of wall mounting, there should also be a slight gap at the top. It is filled with a sealant.
Buyers of window models do not need to think about how to reduce the window frames to install an air conditioner. All points are provided by the manufacturer. The side space is filled with sealed curtains that move along guides according to the "accordion" principle.
Mounting the air conditioner in the frame
Let's analyze the process of installing a window air conditioner using the example of General Climate window climate systems. These monoblocks are actively demanded by compatriots, they are suitable for operation in our conditions. Anyone who has tried their work in practice is satisfied with the performance and quality of cooling.
Installation of a window air conditioner in a wall differs from installation in a window only by arranging the opening. However, it is impossible to mount monoblocks in thick walls, the wall thickness should not exceed 220 mm
We will fix the air conditioner in the case in the following order:
- Carefully, trying not to displace the seal inside, we immerse the air conditioner in the previously installed and fixed frame. We carefully introduce the unit until we "rest against" the rear wall of the structure.
- We connect the cable to the socket on the air conditioner housing, designed to connect the power supply line. We wind up the excess cord, fix it with tape and place it under the unit.
- We twist the fasteners into the lower "slide" of the frame.
- We remove the front panel of the window air conditioner from the packaging, put it in its place and fix it.
- We start the air conditioner and check if the case vibrates while the system is operating.
If vibration has been detected, it must be eliminated by eliminating small gaps with a seal, large ones with wooden wedges. If it is not possible to eliminate it, all the work will have to be redone by dismantling the equipment. Once again, you will need to check the geometry of the opening and, if necessary, correct it in a way that depends on the material of the wall.
Before installation, the monoblock is removed from the package, the front panel and the filter are removed from it, the fastening screws are unscrewed and taken out of the frame. After fastening, all parts are mounted in their regular places.
If mistakes are made in the formation of an opening in a plastic window, the hassle will be much more. The contractor will have to completely change the light guide element and the upper jumper to which the frame was attached. However, in most cases, the matter is by simple filling the gaps with a sealant or sealing compound.
At the end, a tray is placed under the mini air conditioner, into which the condensate flows. If necessary, a tube is connected to assemble it. It all depends on how the owners are going to service the equipment and how it is more convenient for them.
The following photo selection will illustrate the steps for installing window climatic equipment:
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We remove the light-conducting panel from the window frame. It is desirable that the glass does not have to be cut
We glue a tape seal around the perimeter of the opening. If it was not included in the package, we buy the material recommended by the manufacturer of the air conditioner
We install sliding curtains in the grooves intended for them. We start up tightly, with effort we push it all the way
We fix the sliding curtains necessary to cover the space in the opening with the screws provided
We install an air conditioner with curtains fixed to the body in the prepared opening in the window frame. It is better to do this operation together, after which you need to push the transom from above
All moving parts of the plastic window, the contact of which with the air conditioner exists or is possible, are fixed by screwing metal corners to them and to the frame
We fill the free space in the window by sliding the curtains apart, as in our case. If a stationary installation is supposed, it is better to close the gaps with a board, plywood, brick or other material.
From inside the room, we fix the position of the monoblock with brackets, screwing them to the window sill
Step 1: Preparing the window for the air conditioner installation
Step 2: Bonding the porous sealant
Step 3: Installing the sliding curtains
Step 4: fixing the sliding parts
Step 5: Installing the air conditioner in the opening
Step 6: fixing the position of the flaps
Step 7: filling the empty space
Step 8: fixing with brackets from the inside
If initially the design of the plastic window was not designed for the installation of a monoblock air conditioner, all glass is removed from the sash planned for installation. Then they act like this:
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In panel houses of the old housing stock, window openings are generally not adapted to the installation of any climatic equipment in them. A support structure is required there.
The support frame is fixed to the concrete wall with the obligatory use of dowels. Fasteners need to be bought with a bearing capacity margin of at least 10-15 kg
After installing the housing, the free space is closed in the example with a mosquito net, on top of which a thick plastic wrap is glued. Instead, you can put a plexiglass panel, but it will give an additional load
All gaps in the plastic window, formed during installation in the air conditioner frame, must be filled with a sealant and sealed with tight tape
Stage 1: Construction of the support structure
Step 2: Attach the base frame
Step 3: Installing the enclosure and mosquito net
Step 4: Insulate the perimeter of the air conditioner
From the inside, the joints can be sealed with tape according to the budget option. However, it is better to close it with a plastic molding, a plinth or a corner for a bath - it is more beautiful and more reliable. To protect against possible damage, exposure to water and dust over the protruding part of the window air conditioner install the visor, the features of the device of which will be introduced by our article.
Self-diagnosis of problems
If your air conditioner suddenly stopped cooling the air in the room entrusted to it, you can independently determine the cause of the problem:
- Does not work. This could be due to a lack of power. This happens due to a damaged plug or cord, a blown fuse, or a lack of voltage in the mains.
- It cools weakly. A dirty filter, obstruction, or a nearby appliance that generates heat is hindering the airflow.
- Heats badly. The outdoor heat exchanger is frozen, which prevents air circulation.
A normally operating window air conditioner emits a barely audible click when the thermostat starts and stops, and after the compressor is turned off for a short period of time, the fan will still work.
Conclusions and useful video on the topic
The following video will acquaint you with the peculiarities of installing a used window air conditioner for temporary use in the country house:
Knowing the technology of installing a monoblock air conditioner in a window or other structure is useful for both independent home craftsmen and customers of installers' services. The former will be able to independently perform all operations in the order that will ensure a reliable installation. The second - they will competently follow the actions of the installers, who, unfortunately, do not always themselves know how to do it best.
Share your personal experience with installing mini air conditioners in a window. Do you have useful information on the topic of the article that you want to share with your visitors? Please leave comments in the block below, ask questions and post photos with the steps of work.
