Window A/C too wide for window?

[castellscl]

To start, I'm a renter and can't modify the building. I have a small detached garage with very small windows. I'd like to use a small window A/C that I already have from the house I previously rented. My problem is the A/C I have is already the smallest size(dimensionally) I could find. The case of the A/C unit is 2-3" too wide to fit in the window(this is even after removing the accordion slide things).
I'm trying to come up with the best compromise to use this A/C unit. I'm looking at possibly building some type of stand to mount the A/C on the outside of the window and "seal" is some how, but need suggestions, and possibly pictures to get me going in the best direction.

Yes, I could buy, buy, buy, buy, and buy even more better fitting solutions, but I'm not made of money and can't drop that kind of coin on the better solution right now.

Can anyone give me any ideas/solutions aside from buying a new unit, or telling me to just rent a different place?

 

[rlitman]

...Can anyone give me any ideas/solutions aside from buying a new unit, or telling me to just rent a different place?

You could try to barter your unit for a smaller one, or settle for no AC.

 

[castellscl]

Do you know of a unit that someone would be willing to part with that is less than 13" wide and is NOT a portable and would not require me to pay for it? Can't give up floor space after all. I guess I could just keep an eye on CL and other sites and wait a few years for one to pop up... Oh wait, I'll be retired from the military by then and won't be renting any more. Waiting years for a deal, and not having A/C in the space are not options.

But thank you for the ideas.

 

[castellscl]

I'm not going to trade with anyone for a mini-split, who in their right mind would trade one of those for a small window A/C?

The unit I do have will work, I just have to get creative. I'd hoped others here had some creative ideas to work with, not the typical "just buy a new one, just move, or just trade with someone".

I'm not buying a new A/C unit of any kind, PERIOD!

 

[dogdog]

LMFAO.... ok what exactly do you wanted to do? keep the AC, but can't fit the windows, no $ to buy a new... or don't wanted to trade for a split... I wonder if this is a troll post... hmmmmmmmmmm

In reality, any modification to make that AC work on that small windows would probably cost more than just buying a new...

But lets say, you are creative and all the materials are free.... and your labor is free, because time is free...and you just want to do it.

1) make 2 ducts, one for the top windows and one for the bottom windows to fit a slit... one for exhaust and one for the intake... I think the louvers on the side are intake, the back condenser is the exhaust... pipe the hot exhaust to the top and pipe the intake from the bottom of the window... sort of turning it to a portable AC..

2) buy enough equipment, and turn your current windows AC to a mini split... yes I have seen it done, but that guy is a HVAC tech... kinda already have a lot of the stuff... this is back in the 80s way before mini splits... are the thing...

3) similar to (1) mount the AC unit outside. fab a funnel, lto funnel the AC cold air back into the narrowed window opening... , this also have 2 ducts, one to draw the warm air from inside to pass through the evaporator and return it back on top of the vents... extend the remote or control back inside the house.

Neither one of those options are cheap or cheaper....but hey.....

 

[Browneye]

Craigslist - sell old one.
Craigslist - buy another that fits.
Or wherever you can find the best deal. Window AC units are now sub-$200. It cost almost that much to write this response.

 

[FlaGman]

I think I have that same tiny window unit. I bought it to use if we have a power outage because it fits my bedroom window and can be powered by my natural gas converted Honda eu2000 generator.

Mine is pretty light, maybe 40 lbs. or so. I think if you can figure out how to mount it outside the window some gaffers tape would take care of the seal and be easier to remove than duct tape.

 

[castellscl]

I'm looking to mount the A/C outside so dogdog's (#3) is what i'm looking at doing.

Labor is free, because I would either be tinkering with this, or sitting on the couch watching TV...

BTW, I can't find a "Window A/C" that fits into a ~13" wide, ~12" tall window.

Narrowest units I've seen are like 15", and a casement unit won't work because of the height restriction.
The smallest and cheapest mini-Split I've seen is ~$600.
Again, just to reiterate this, I'm not buying a new unit. I have lot's of building material to make something, but don't really know where/how to start.

 

[dogdog]

well if you are doing no3.

still do two vents, you can buy those thin sheet metal ones if you are handy with them or use 1/8 MDF/hardboard wood panel....the bottom area is the intake that draws in the warm room air sort of like the return in the house air handler... and that narrow directional vent thing is the output of cold air... but you do know that the efficiency of that thing probably won't be the same after the monster garage fabrication/butchering.... but hey happy tinkering....

 

[rlev11]

Just put the unit outside as close to the window as possible, then get some duct tape, a cardboard box, and a knife. cut the cardboard to make "ducts" with the "duct tape".
I doubt anybody would have or could find pictures of this setup. even if someone engineered this solution, I doubt they would take a pic and put it on the internet as evidence

 

[bimmer1980]

how far off the ground are your windows?

After you have removed as much of the window as possible, I would build a simple braced 2x4 frame stand that supports the AC unit outside of the window. Then use some sticky foam weather stripping to adhere to the AC unit and have the foam contact the window frame.

I would use a couple of pieces of simpson metal tie material (1" x 30" x0.062") to pull the AC tight to the window frame and attach it to the inside of the garage. Also available in other lengths depending on your AC and Wall depth. Use some carefully placed tek screws to attach to the AC unit. Don't hit the condenser or evaporator....

If you have large gaps to fill, the extruded polystyrene works well. use some aluminum duct tape to secure it. note--use the actual duct tape and not the traditional "duck" tape, etc...

While this won't be pretty, it should work....

From the inside, the ac unit will just be recessed in the opening the thickness of your wall. It might help to run a circulating fan, but the AC unit should have enough air velocity to get the cool air out into the garage area....

Post some pics once you get it working....

 

[rlitman]

Do you know of a unit that someone would be willing to part with that is less than 13" wide and is NOT a portable and would not require me to pay for it?...

You never know. Narrow but tall units are made for casement windows, and every year people upgrade and sell their old stuff. But then you say 12" tall. LOL, yeah, perhaps you're boned.

I'm not going to sell you on a portable unit. Those just plain ****.

So what kind of a window is 13"x 12". If this is double hung, can you take both sashes out and use a casement AC?

 

[castellscl]

I know I could go out buy the smallest A/C available at HD and Lowes, for less than $120 with military discount, but they still aren't smaller than the one I already have. I'm stuck with coming up with a way to use the smallest window A/C available (the one I already have) in a window that is ~2-3" to narrow for it. The windows are tiny like the kinds used in little sheds. I don't have enough room inside the garage to have a portable unit take up valuable floor space either.

I was thinking of just building a stand with 2x4's and bend some flat bar to hook the stand to the inside of the window, then just build a "tunnel" around the front(cold) end of the unit and tapper it down to fit inside the tiny window, then cover said tunnel with insulation, then cover the whole thing in some thin galvanized sheet metal I have laying around.
Anyone have any pictures of something similar?

 

[castellscl]

well if you are doing no3.

still do two vents, you can buy those thin sheet metal ones if you are handy with them or use 1/8 MDF/hardboard wood panel....the bottom area is the intake that draws in the warm room air sort of like the return in the house air handler... and that narrow directional vent thing is the output of cold air... but you do know that the efficiency of that thing probably won't be the same after the monster garage fabrication/butchering.... but hey happy tinkering....

Yup, that's why I asked the question here, I didin't think about the intake and cold side exhaust needing to be split if it where mounted in a recessed manner.

 

[dogdog]

you do... if you wanted a better efficient...front of the AC is basically both return and output... but it is in a non-enclosed matter... by you putting it in an enclosed duct... that efficiency diminish very fast... remember, the top blows cold air, the bottom takes the warm air...... Air flow, water flow , electric flow takes the path of least resistance, by enclose it all the same inside a duct, it will basically **** up the cold air back to the intake, so basically you wanted some sort of separation between the two... Some real HVAC engineer guy would be better explain this to you

Also remember your windows have a temp sensor in front of the evaporator... that is how they sense room temperature... imagine the cold air / warm air in the same duct

Probably some other tidbits I don't remember....

I still think a portable would have make more sense in your situation...

 

[castellscl]

I'll have a closer look at the unit when I get home to see what I can do about taking the case off of the A/C and see how much room that would afford me.

I don't think a portable would make much more since seeing is how I'm limited on floor space as it is, and having the unit, and the big clunky exhaust hose for it takes up too much space since I already have to rotate tools in the space near the window. A longer exhaust hose on the portable to clear the "workspace" near the window would again take up too much space.

 

[dogdog]

well necessity is the mother of all inventions... have fun tinkering... you can still have one duct, but have to think of a way to separate the return air and the cold air... that is all...

 

[NUTTSGT]

Open the overhead garage door, set the AC unit on the floor close the door on top of it. Make a panel to close off the rest of the opening. When you're done for the evening or day, open the door and pull AC unit inside along with the panel. Better yet get a HF mover dolley and set the AC unit on that to roll in in and out.

 

[OccupantRJ]

Or, replace the walk door with one you purchase yourself, install the unit in it, then when you move, replace the original door into the frame.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

Buy a cheap man door that fits the existing door frame, swap the doors out and install the unit in the door. Replace old door in winter or when you move.

*EDIT*

Duh. Occupant beat me to it...

Tommy

 

[SALIV8]

Buy the pink rigid styrofoam (or plywood if you already have that) in 4x8"sheet and cut to fit your door opening and place window ac on a 2x4 on the ground across the door opening, measure and cut the rigid styrofoam with a drywall saw (or plywood/wood) around the unit to snugly fit in the opened door opening and remove/replace as needed.

 

[Marctrees]

Or, replace the walk door with one you purchase yourself, install the unit in it, then when you move, replace the original door into the frame.

Yup.

Cheapest is to buy an interior hollow core door slab, approx $35 at Big Box.

Remove existing door...

Leave the existing door hinges screwed to the jamb.. do not move or remove them.

They will probably not match the mortises in the new door slab, so you will have to re cut those.. BUT.. if the jamb is wide enough.. OR if you can rip 1/8" off the door edge, (Table saw is really the only way to evenly remove that small amount) you will not need to cut mortises... simply lap hinge onto door edge.

Hey, it's temp.. does not need to be pretty.

Reinforce the cut hole for the AC unit like 1/2" ply laminated w Yellow glue to the door.. build a little shelf outside to hold up the AC unit w little 45 degree supports.

slight angle tilt of approx 1/2" per 12" for condensate drainage.

It may involve a bit of work to get it installed.. pull the lock(s) from the original door, re fit those... etc.

Paint outside side AND EDGES w exterior paint using Roller.. do the painting on sawhorses AFTER you do all the fitting.

Or, you could do it in situ I guess.

Bob's yer Uncle.

Obviously, it will be awkward to have an AC in the door... But I like it as a solution for temporary.

Marc

 

[b-boy]

OR - Trade A/C unit for a high end industrial fan. It won't get you all the way there, but it's better than no A/C.

I doubt a small unit like the one you're describing will do much to cool an entire garage anyway. I have a unit in my insulated garage and it barely makes a difference.

 

[u3b3rg33k]

put the AC inside, cut off the outside fan, frame and seal the condenser coil, attach garden hose bibs to the coil box, pipe cold water through it.

BAM! problem solved!

 

[mark883]

Just put the unit outside as close to the window as possible, then get some duct tape, a cardboard box, and a knife. cut the cardboard to make "ducts" with the "duct tape".
I doubt anybody would have or could find pictures of this setup. even if someone engineered this solution, I doubt they would take a pic and put it on the internet as evidence

I call this the Apollo 13 solution.

 

[TractorJeff]

Heck!
I was going to suggest mounting it inside the window, pushed up close so the hot air out of the back blows out the window!

 

[Marctrees]

Heck!
I was going to suggest mounting it inside the window, pushed up close so the hot air out of the back blows out the window!

I don't think that will work.

IF all the exhaust was out the back.. then I guess so.

But don't most or all of them also have vents on the sidewalls also?

Marc

 

[MFolks]

The thought of theft has come to mind to any equipment outside the garage,unless you build an enclosure making removal of the air conditioner difficult,you could come home one day with the unit gone. Thieves have dismanteled the cages people enclose their air conditioners in for the copper tubing and wiring.