Window Air Conditioner
Window Air Conditioners Win Hearts of Many…
Window air conditioners. Need I say more? It is probably the longest serving, mechanical cycle, refrigerant filled air conditioner type that has served us longer than any other system available today.
Window air conditioners are cheap, easy to install, and the reliability… is simply superb.
Other air conditioners that looks like a window unit, shares most of window AC features, but not exactly the same, are:
Through wall air conditioner
PTAC (Packaged Terminal Air Conditioning) unit
Overview of window air conditioners:
These air conditioners work, through the mechanical air conditioning cycle as explained in “How Air Conditioners Workâ€.
There are however, some modifications put into place, such that these air conditioners will work with as high efficiency as possible. We’ll discover these in the next sub section.
Generally, window air conditioners’ sizes come in the range of,
5,000 BTU/hr (or 0.43 ton or 1.4 kWh or 1.1 hp), to
30,000 BTU/hr (or 2.45 ton or 8.6 kWh or 6.45 hp)
That is a wide range of conditioning capability for you.
The EERs however, come in a tighter range of,
9 EER, to
11 EER
The lower limit for the EER is not really an issue, but it is quite difficult to get window air conditioners with higher than 11 EER.
Design features:
Going into the features available in most window air conditioners,
These air conditioners can be installed in a window area, or through the wall.
However, installation through the wall has to be carried out, only if it is necessary to do so, as the process is labour intensive, cost intensive, and dust intensive
It is hermetically constructed with galvanised steel casing, and a plastic based front grille
You will notice that (while shopping on these air conditioners of course); window air conditioning units come in two general arrangements.
The arrangement is either a vertical, of horizontal one. The former arrangement is normally used for window installation, and the latter, used for wall installation.
Which one is the best? It really depends on your window area, or available wall area for the installation
There are also two main construction types for window air conditioners.
The previous bullet point talked about arrangement, this one is on the construction. These two are different.
Construction of window air conditioning units is either,
A fixed chassis, or
A sliding chassis.
Fixed chassis window air conditioner
Is installed as a whole unit. The rear end of the air conditioner can not be detached easily.
Hence, we have to put in the installation brackets, and install the air conditioner as whole.
Fixed chassis air conditioners are for light weight units.
Major maintenance activities are carried out by taking out the whole unit out from the brackets, and dismantling the unit.
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Sliding chassis window air conditioner
Is installed in two stages, as these are conditioners are heavier than the former construction.
The rear end can be detached relatively easily. Installation is carried out by setting up the brackets and fixing the rear end of the casing, followed by sliding in the front part.
Major maintenance is carried out by sliding out the front part, while maintaining the rear end on the brackets.
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There are other custom designated chassis names for window air conditioning units, unique to a manufacturer.
However, these names are only used to identify the unit better, and these are designated based on the installation procedures.
If you are an owner or window air conditioner unit, then you must have, by now heard splashing sound from within the working component of the unit.
It is part of the design feature to do that, which is splashing condensed water onto the compressor, and condenser for cooling purposes.
It is designed such that, we’ll have a more efficient air conditioning unit.
On a similar note, window air conditioners are designed to hold about 1/2 inch of water near the condensing section
Condensing part, and evaporating part, will be separated by a heat insulator, to prevent heat from the condenser to be transferred to the evaporating unit.
This part of the construction is similar to portable air conditioners
Some window air conditioners come with a separate dehumidifier function, where air will be
Either
Passed through the evaporator for water condensation, and reheated for dry air
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Or
Passed through the evaporator at very low blower speed, and lower set temperature.
By the way, blower speeds during this type dehumidifying action, is fixed
There is a grille at the sides of any window air conditioner, for fresh air intake.
Fresh air will be used for condenser cooling, and a small portion for room supply
Most air conditioning of this type will have manual dial, and control.
But the higher end products will be equipped with digital control, and a remote control
Window air conditioners will be supplied with installation brackets, screws, and side filler material.
However, you might have to purchase extra foam insulation to seal off the gaps within your installation frame
Window units are fitted with magnetic starter, and arc protection, to protect the equipment, and the user
User profile:
Window air conditioners can bring the most benefit if,
You want a cheap and reasonably powerful air conditioning unit, without having to fork out as much money as portable units,
You have a space within your window, or wall that can be utilised for air conditioning installation,
You are embarking on a project, but in need of air conditioning units to keep your staff comfortable,
You are staying or working in a medium sized space,
You feel like starting a portable cabin rental business, and want to equip those with air conditioning units
Installation and setup:
Installation and setup of window air conditioners vary from one manufacturer, to another.
However, the general steps involve,
Sizing the air conditioner,
Knowing the dimensions of the matching air conditioner,
Knowing the available space within the window, or wall,
Purchasing the unit,
Installing the brackets,
Attaching the rear end case, or the whole unit (depending on the chassis type), onto the brackets,
Support the top part of the air conditioner, and fasten it to the frame (window or wall),
Fill with foam and filler material to the gaps between outside and inside,
Wire the power supply, and you’re done!
Service and maintenance:
For window air conditioners are similar to steps mentioned in air conditioning maintenance page.
However, there is an additional step that you can take to make it more reliable.
Check the tightness of the installation, and filler material, periodically.
Make sure that the installation is tight to prevent excessive vibration and damaging the parts.
Pros and cons for window air conditioners:
Item Pros Cons
Cost Low maintenance cost. Cheapest electric powered mechanical cycle air conditioner Higher operating cost, due to lower EER compared to a portable, or central system
Air quality Good, if the filter is maintained Not as good as central air conditioners
Mobility None Have to do proper removal before moving this unit
Conditioning ability Larger units may condition a space up to 2,000 square feet of floor area None
Noise Cars are much, much more noisier than window air conditioners Relatively, noisiest air conditioner due to integrated construction. Relatively
Stylish look Not ugly Not very beautiful either, especially from the outside
Strength Good installation strength. Robust None
Is it for you?
It is relatively very cheap, but not very efficient.
If you’re tight on budget, need air conditioning in medium space, or for small projects, then window air conditioners is for you!
One thing for sure. Window air conditioners won hearts of many through its cheap cost, and good reliability.
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