window AC questions (by small potatoes [NY]) Jul 6, 2018 6:29 PM
window AC questions (by Busy [WI]) Jul 6, 2018 8:03 PM
window AC questions (by Robert J [CA]) Jul 6, 2018 11:19 PM
window AC questions (by Livethedream [AZ]) Jul 7, 2018 1:11 AM
window AC questions (by AllyM [NJ]) Jul 7, 2018 6:39 AM
window AC questions (by small potatoes [NY]) Jul 7, 2018 10:10 AM
window AC questions (by Hammer [TN]) Jul 7, 2018 10:30 AM
window AC questions (by Wilma [PA]) Jul 7, 2018 11:03 AM
window AC questions (by cjo'h [CT]) Jul 7, 2018 11:43 AM
window AC questions (by cjo'h [CT]) Jul 7, 2018 11:48 AM
window AC questions (by LindaJ [NY]) Jul 7, 2018 5:49 PM
window AC questions (by Small potatoes [NY]) Jul 7, 2018 6:17 PM
window AC questions (by cjo'h [CT]) Jul 8, 2018 10:03 AM
window AC questions (by cjo'h [CT]) Jul 8, 2018 10:12 AM
window AC questions (by small potatoes [NY]) Posted on: Jul 6, 2018 6:29 PM Message:
How do you handle tenants who install window air conditioners?
1) do you provide brackets, or install them for tenants (so they don't drill into your house)?
Re#1 I have put blocks on window sills to facilitate ACs sticking out far enough (and prevent crushing the vinyl frame).
2) do you require (and police) the use of drain tubes so the AC does not drip down the side of the house (esp. from upper story).
Re#2 I inherited deep staining of the siding, and water penetration of the lower story window from the upper window.
3) what do you do if you don't have upgraded/ dedicated outlet?
Re#3 a tenant asked me to make a 2 prong into a 3 prong and I have no idea what is on that circuit, or if it's knob n tube.
4) provide any kind of security bracket to a 1st fl tenant to keep the AC from being pushed in?
Re#4 last year I rigged together a metal bracket and fastened it to the window casing for a young female tenant
is any of this, or anything else on your radar for window ACs?
--24.194.xx.xx |
window AC questions (by Busy [WI]) Posted on: Jul 6, 2018 8:03 PM Message:
Slowly adding through the wall A/Cs for better security.
For one tenant, I installed a window A/C that I had already outfitted with plywood to cover the rest of the lower window opening, screwed it to the studs at sides of window. I checked other units, all were installed properly, but, if not, I help out. I want to protect the house and deter burglars.
--172.58.xxx.xx |
window AC questions (by Robert J [CA]) Posted on: Jul 6, 2018 11:19 PM Message:
I make sure that I install them myself, I am a licensed contractor. Why? Because I've seen second story window A/C units fall out of a window due to improper installation. --47.156.xx.xx |
window AC questions (by Livethedream [AZ]) Posted on: Jul 7, 2018 1:11 AM Message:
When I rented an apt about 14 yrs ago in San Diego, (OMG has it been that long?) it didn't have air conditioning. Even though we were only about a mile from Sea World and the ocean it still got hot in the summer.
It never occurred to me to ask the LL if I could install a window unit. I just put it in. Of course I also replaced the old formica counters with granite without asking too. LOL
I mean how hard is it? Open the window, balance the unit and close the window on it. That's all I've ever done.
You could require portable units only. --47.216.xx.xxx |
window AC questions (by AllyM [NJ]) Posted on: Jul 7, 2018 6:39 AM Message:
Without a dedicated circuit, the AC unit can overload the system and, if the breaker isn't working, cause a fire. I had a tenant plug her window AC unit into a lighting circuit, two prong, even though I had a dedicated grounded direct to box outlet under a window. She had refused to let my handyman install the window unit. She came home to find the outlet glowing at 3 AM on a ninety degree night and called the fire department. All was OK. At home, my phone kept ringing but no one was there and no phone number. That was mom and dad from the Other Side trying to let me know there was a big problem.
You have to get rid of the knob and tube or you will lose your building to fire. When I had two four plexes I had the handyman install and remove each year, two units for each apartment. That was 8 units for each of the fourplexes. We put wood under them to tip them properly and put wood above the sashes to prevent opening and also drilled through the sashes and installed a long bolt to keep anyone from raising the sash from the outside to push the unit in to gain entry. Also screwed the unit sides in where appropriate.
If you don't have breakers then you need to get an electrician out there immediately and pay what you have to pay because only a dedicated outlet and a functioning breaker system can save your building. What do I do without a dedicated outlet? I had that situation when I first started running the business in 1994. I prayed and worried until I got electricians to do the outlets. --73.178.xxx.xx |
window AC questions (by small potatoes [NY]) Posted on: Jul 7, 2018 10:10 AM Message:
In the unit where the tenant is asking me to update the outlet I never heard from a prior tenant about plugging in an AC. So I'll take that as a good sign. Fortunately I have not had to spend a lot of time in this building.
In the past year + I have had to swap out copper water lines w/ pin holes and have run new wire in the chases, even running an extra line so I can address future electric service. --24.194.xx.xx |
window AC questions (by Hammer [TN]) Posted on: Jul 7, 2018 10:30 AM Message:
Good question. At the cabin/ office, I take out the vinyl window and store it in the basement. Install big metal housing for the ac unit, and attach the outside support brackets. Put a level on it to double check that it will drain properly to the outside weep hole. Then put the ac unit into the housing. I did cut some 3/4 ply wood to fill out the window opening.
Had a smaller portable that just sat in the window opening with the plastic curtain thing that went around the outside of it. Never trusted that thing not to fall out of a window opening.
I would look into making a 3/4 plywood frame to hold the smaller AC's in place. Or fabricate some kind of bracket to ensure that the ac drains properly and wont fall out. --137.119.xxx.xxx |
window AC questions (by Wilma [PA]) Posted on: Jul 7, 2018 11:03 AM Message:
My daughter's off-campus apartment building specifies the size a/c unit btu maximum, and also requires that their handyman install/remove the unit. They also rent units for convenience's sake, by the month.
As the electric is included, there is a modest fee added to the monthly rent during the university school year (and only for those months when the a/c is installed). For summertime, they waive the fee, as it is harder to get tenants for just the summer months. --71.175.xxx.xxx |
window AC questions (by cjo'h [CT]) Posted on: Jul 7, 2018 11:43 AM Message:
Small potatoes,too small to eat,if the tenant has the foresite to install a window unit,it's up to them,be my guest.Who am I to stifle free enterprise,besides I'm too lazy to lend a hand...........charlie..............too lazy to scratch myself.......................... --174.199.x.xxx |
window AC questions (by cjo'h [CT]) Posted on: Jul 7, 2018 11:48 AM Message:
Potatoe Queen,if your building is wired properly, any Window unit on the market shouldn't be a problem........................charlie................ --174.199.x.xxx |
window AC questions (by LindaJ [NY]) Posted on: Jul 7, 2018 5:49 PM Message:
Lowes has AC support brackets on the shelf and online. Some require a couple of screws, but others add support without any screws. We put our own small one right in the window without any problem. --108.44.xx.xxx |
window AC questions (by Small potatoes [NY]) Posted on: Jul 7, 2018 6:17 PM Message:
Does no one have issues w ac dripping? N Charlie I don't think I have the legs to pull off being a queen, on a good day I'm king of my 'empire'! --66.87.xxx.xxx |
window AC questions (by cjo'h [CT]) Posted on: Jul 8, 2018 10:03 AM Message:
Potato Queen The legs are covered,Look at the Queen Mother,even Lizzie.the rest don't count................charlie................. --174.199.x.xxx |
window AC questions (by cjo'h [CT]) Posted on: Jul 8, 2018 10:12 AM Message:
When I came here in the 50s.there was no Air conditioning,they couldn't spell it let alone pronounce it.How things have changed in such a small span of time.Soft?.........charlie............................................................ --174.199.x.xxx |
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