Can I mount a window AC into a door?

[twowheeled]

I need some help, I'm looking to cool (as in take the edge off, not chill) a 1 stall garage. We are renting this place so I'm only looking for a temporary solution. What are your thoughts on the following?

1. Get a spare door, cut a hole and mount a window AC unit with brackets directly on the door. My concern is will the door hinges and door jamb take the additional weight. We would like to keep the use of the door.

2. Same idea but hole saw a vent for a portable AC hose. I think this would end up being worse for efficiency and retaining the use of the door.

Security isn't a concern. I have only one window to work with that does not open so that seems like a no-go. Any ideas?

 

[lilredex]

Maybe remove that window and replace with a piece of plywood and go from there. If you can do that with no demolition and put back when you leave.

 

[twowheeled]

the interior is finished/drywalled so removing the window is not possible.

 

[Corndoggeh]

I would think a dual hose portable AC would work for your 1 car garage coupled with a fan to push air around; you would need a 14k btu portable. Using a window AC while maintaining the function of the door means extra stress on the screws on the hinges. Do you -need- to maintain door function?

 

[twowheeled]

I would think a dual hose portable AC would work for your 1 car garage coupled with a fan to push air around; you would need a 14k btu portable. Using a window AC while maintaining the function of the door means extra stress on the screws on the hinges. Do you -need- to maintain door function?

yes we do, although I wonder if I did cut a couple of holes in a door with hoses attached...that may be even more of an issue with opening and closing the door and having the whole mess come unattached.

 

[Git]

Here is another option although it may be more money than you want to spend. Personally, the only way I would buy something like this is from Costco, because if it didn't work out, it would get sent back

 

[dsimatt]

Here is another option although it may be more money than you want to spend. Personally, the only way I would buy something like this is from Costco, because if it didn't work out, it would get sent back

Pretty much all the reviews on Amazon are pretty negative, it's a shame because IMO seems like a good idea.

Dont waste money on a portable, go with the original plan and install it and enjoy the ac.

 

[lolaetype]

The door should hold a small one assuming you are going to build some kind of framing onto the door; I'm picturing a 2X12 set in the bottom of the hole for a ledge for the AC unit to rest on with two angled supports under each side, with some framing around the sides and top.

The question is the door frame and hinges. Long screws passing through the hinges into the X4 blocking around the door frame should handle the hinge to door frame issue.
How strong the door is where the screws go through the hinge into the door would be the main concern. If it's a solid core door, longer screws should suffice. If it's a cheap hollow core door the whole thing might fall apart. A 5000 BTU window unit weighs about 35 lbs. i

 

[twowheeled]

The door should hold a small one assuming you are going to build some kind of framing onto the door; I'm picturing a 2X12 set in the bottom of the hole for a ledge for the AC unit to rest on with two angled supports under each side, with some framing around the sides and top.

The question is the door frame and hinges. Long screws passing through the hinges into the X4 blocking around the door frame should handle the hinge to door frame issue.
How strong the door is where the screws go through the hinge into the door would be the main concern. If it's a solid core door, longer screws should suffice. If it's a cheap hollow core door the whole thing might fall apart. A 5000 BTU window unit weighs about 35 lbs. i

I'd find a solid wood or aluminum skinned door and do what you described, basically cut out a doggy door and build a shelf. I'm not so much worried about the door itself rather the door jamb and wall. It doesn't seem out of the question since a 35lb unit plus a 30lb door would be 65lbs. I remember as a kid hanging on an interior door and swinging on it for fun. I can put in deeper screws on the hinges. Question is will that bow the door frame out over time?

The other option is to build some sort of seal around the output vent and have the window AC unit sitting outside entirely, with a hose to the doggy door. It is covered and wouldn't get wet.

 

[nadogail]

The short answer to your question is With enough time and money almost anything can be accomplished.

I missed the following:
What Kind of door?
Will the door hinges support the additional weight?
Weight of the Air Conditioner?
Your Plan to power an Air Conditioner on a moving door.

My Old Buddy Murphy probably has something in his law that addresses this.

 

[Dumber than lumber]

I need some help, I'm looking to cool (as in take the edge off, not chill) a 1 stall garage. We are renting this place so I'm only looking for a temporary solution. What are your thoughts on the following?

1. Get a spare door, cut a hole and mount a window AC unit with brackets directly on the door. My concern is will the door hinges and door jamb take the additional weight. We would like to keep the use of the door.

2. Same idea but hole saw a vent for a portable AC hose. I think this would end up being worse for efficiency and retaining the use of the door.

Security isn't a concern. I have only one window to work with that does not open so that seems like a no-go. Any ideas?

Not meaning to be obtuse or disrespectful, but when I read the title of the thread I thought that maybe the Red Green show had come to Garage Journal.

 

[Git]

Pretty much all the reviews on Amazon are pretty negative, it's a shame because IMO seems like a good idea.

After you mentioned it, I looked it up on Amazon. Looks like only Amazon in Canada sells it and has 8 reviews

As a general rule of thumb, I think Costco usually carries decent quality products. With their 'satisfaction guarantee,' they don't really want to be stuck with a bunch of lemons getting returned. But, that is why I mentioned I would only buy it from Costco, just in case it didn't work out

 

[twowheeled]

Not meaning to be obtuse or disrespectful, but when I read the title of the thread I thought that maybe the Red Green show had come to Garage Journal.

I mean it's 2020 you'd think someone would have figured out a ductless AC system that does not involve putting a hole in the wall. Very simple solution instead of air cool the heat exchanger could be water cool and I could have AC whereever I want that has a water hookup and a drain.

Actually I did try to rig up a system with an old radiator and a fan, running cold water from the tap thru the radiator. But it doesn't put out nearly enough "BTUs" to cool anything.

 

[510ebl]

Have you talked to the landlord about installing a window air through the wall or non-opening window? As long as you left it there when you leave, he/she may be OK with it.

 

[The Cobbler]

...... Very simple solution instead of air cool the heat exchanger could be water cool and I could have AC whereever I want that has a water hookup and a drain.

......

THis is infact a very old way of cooling condensers. it went away due to the cost of water .
there were other systems that used a cooling tower, where the water was cooled by evaporation & air , but a lot of maintenance.

 

[Rusty Fords]

I mean it's 2020 you'd think someone would have figured out a ductless AC system that does not involve putting a hole in the wall. Very simple solution instead of air cool the heat exchanger could be water cool and I could have AC whereever I want that has a water hookup and a drain.

Actually I did try to rig up a system with an old radiator and a fan, running cold water from the tap thru the radiator. But it doesn't put out nearly enough "BTUs" to cool anything.

Water cooled condensers have been around for years! But you still need to get water to them and a drain line in as well. if you have both a drain and water supply in the garage could look for a small water cooled unit but like mentioned this would be a pump and dump system depending on cost of water could be very expensive to operate. If you have 220VAC in your single car Garage it would only take one 21/2" hole down low to run Ref, Electrical, control wire and condensate for ductless unit.

Have you talked to the landlord about installing a window air through the wall or non-opening window? As long as you left it there when you leave, he/she may be OK with it.

Might be an idea and see if you stayed for X amount of time if he might cut a little off the rent every month.

 

[56Mark]

I think you will be fine especially with longer screws through the hinges. If you are still concerned, how about adding a caster to the door below the knob to carry some of the weight. Maybe even a spring loaded one if the floor is not even.

 

[Marctrees]

Have you talked to the landlord about installing a window air through the wall or non-opening window? As long as you left it there when you leave, he/she may be OK with it.

This.



Marc