Question:
I would appreciate someone sharing their experience with contractors
that install air conditioning units in a wall. If you have any
recommendations of good contractors, please let me know. Are there
complications when installing units in the wall? Does the unit
have to be a certain size so studs do not have to be cut? Does
the power cord hang visibly, or can they connect it inside the
wall? Is it easy to replace the unit later?
Answer:
I have seen units which were a mini version of the central AC units. One
box is attatched to the outside wall and one box is attatched to the
inside wall. The pipes and wires are be routed through a hole in the wall
or through the edge of a sliding window. It doesn't block out a window
and it doesn't need major alterations to your house. The one I saw did
require professional installation to connect the freon hoses. I don't
remember who made it, but it was one of the central air conditioning
companies.
Several models of portable ACs are now on in appliance stores. They're an
AC in a tallish box with wheels and an exhaust hose. The exhaust hose can
be attatched to a permanent exhaust vent in the wall, like for clothes
driers, or attatched to a sliding window adapter. It's a quick DIY
installation.
