Built-in Wall AC vs Window AC Wall-installed

[luchobucho]

Hey PS,

Gotta question about air conditioners.

I have a 31 year old air conditioner over my back door. Its an 18,000 btu unit that stopped working. I've got a few work-arounds, but utlimately, I'd like to replace the thing. For the record, I don't have any available windows to put a window unit in on my first floor.

So, the thing that is up there now, looks like its a window unit that was permanently installed in the wall (its got side louvers and is nearly 30" deep. Its creatively supported by cables bolted into the facade above and the looped under the bottome wiht a piece of angled aluminum. Anyways its not falling down, but I'm not a huge fan of teh aestehtics.

So. My options are, as far as I can tell:

1.) Replace the A/C with another permanently installed window unit. From some research online, another 18000 btu unit would be similar size and could go in the opening without too much trouble other than the support issue.

2.) Buy a real thru the wall unit that are typically only 16-19" deep and don't require support and don't really project that far away from or into the house. These units are bit pricier, but seem to be purpose designed for this scenario. This would require me to make the opening quite a bit shorter. The other issue here, is that I can't seem to find anything bigger than 13,000 - 14,000 btu in this configuration.

Anyone have any experience with installing wall A/C units and have any advice? Things to consider?

Thanks in advance

[enyo]

I think the thru-wall units have a housing sleeve that you can frame up first and then slide the unit in afterwards. That's something to consider. Putting a window unit into the wall probably won't have that ease if something does go wrong.

[Gladys]

i just asked advice about ac and was recommended to these guys Jarman Air Conditioning

i haven't used them yet but there aren't any negative reports on them om BBB.

[Worm]

If you have the $, get a mini-split unit.... Richard Trethewey of This Old House shows one getting installed in the link below. You don't need any windows or large holes in your house. Just a 3" hole. But again, they are 30% more expensive than central air and 100% more expensive (double the cost) than window units.


How to Install a Mini-Split Air Conditioner | Video | Cooling | This Old House

[luchobucho]

I think the thru-wall units have a housing sleeve that you can frame up first and then slide the unit in afterwards. That's something to consider. Putting a window unit into the wall probably won't have that ease if something does go wrong.

Some of the bigger window units have slide out chassis as well which allow you to install the frame in the window with relative ease before putting the heavy guts in. They also say that you "can" install the frame in a wall opening. It just has to be done properly to not block the side lovers that are on a window unit. Window units are also deeper do they need outside support.

[luchobucho]

If you have the $, get a mini-split unit.... Richard Trethewey of This Old House shows one getting installed in the link below. You don't need any windows or large holes in your house. Just a 3" hole. But again, they are 30% more expensive than central air and 100% more expensive (double the cost) than window units.


How to Install a Mini-Split Air Conditioner | Video | Cooling | This Old House

That was my long term plan, bu I just don't har the scratch to do a system that I want (2 indoor units/one outdoor unit). The ideal would be a whole house solution with a semi ducted ceiling air handler on the second floor feeding each room).

[Worm]

That would suck to have to pay twice, once for window units then paying again in a few years...

I'd consider borrowing the $ if you're going to end up with the split unit anyway and don't have the money now. philaloanhomepage2