As the heat starts up this week we would like to remind all residents that all window unit air conditioners must follow guidelines available from the city, which you can read here. In short, the city requires that all units are secured with “supporting metal brackets” that “should be structurally fastened to the building and must be strong enough for the size and weight of the A/C unit.” This is included as part of our engineer FISP filing with the city that our building is SAFE. Individual shareholders are responsible for A/C brackets and the maintenance of their A/C units. The Super is not permitted to install air conditioners or brackets.
We strongly recommend planning ahead if you are planning to purchase a new air conditioner or require repairs. CON ED has many incentives if you are looking intoenergy saving options. If you are having an air conditioner delivered please review the delivery application online. To ensure correct installation of your bracket or A/C we recommend hiring a professional. You can find the required alteration application online prior to installation or commencement of repairs. If you have a question about what is required, please contact Eugene Gardner.
Several companies at this time of year have "early bird specials" until mid May when they are less busy.
Two companies that have worked at the Warwick and have necessary qualifications:
Butler Inc., Jamaica Queens
Janice
butler291@aol.com
No Website
(718) 291-4838
Weston Brothers, Forest Hills
Al or Joan
Email/phone
Weston Brothers also sells and maintains air conditioners and their store is easy to get to on the train.
Their staff are very knowledgeable on choosing air conditioners/sizes for rooms.
These two companies are only suggestions. Average installation cost with a professional is $175-$225 per air conditioner.
Below are some maintenance tips for your window A/C.
How to care for your window air conditioner
1. Clean filters monthly. On most models, the air filter is easily accessible by removing the front panel. Remove the filter and clean it gently with a combination of warm water and dish soap or white vinegar. Let the filter air dry completely before reinstalling it. These should be cleaned once per month during the cooling season. If you have pets or allergies, consider cleaning it more frequently. If the filter has tears, holes or other damage, it should be replaced. If your unit has a foam filter, you can purchase replacement electrostatic filter material and cut it to accommodate the exact size of your model. 3. Clean Condensor coils once per season Over time, dust and dirt will build up on the inside of the air conditioner's condenser coils. This build up will require your AC to work harder to remove heat – increasing energy consumption and your monthly electric bill. At the start of every cooling season, clean the condenser coils. You'll need to remove the air conditioner cabinet completely in order to access the coils. They can be cleaned by blowing compressed air at them or by using a soft bristle brush and a spray bottle of household cleaner to wipe the dirt off. Take great care in removing the dirt. If you accidentally bend or dent the aluminum coil fins, use a handy fin comb to straighten out the fins. It is also important to remove dirt or lint build up at the bottom of the air conditioner so the condensate water will be picked up by the condensing fan blade slinger properly. 5. Inspect Cooling Coils If the temperature outside the room where the air conditioner is placed becomes cool (approximately 60 degrees Fahrenheit or 15 degrees Celsius or lower), check the coils on the front of the air conditioner for icing. Ice buildup on coils means the temperature is too low for proper operation of the unit. You should use it only when the outdoor temperature rises above 60 degrees Fahrenheit or 15 degrees Celsius. | 2. Check for insects and animal nests If you've left your air conditioner uncovered in your window over the winter, you'll need to check for wasp and bees' nests inside of the unit. Avoid problems with this in the future by storing your window air conditioner in a protected area such as a basement or utility room during the off season. If you must leave your AC in the window, use an air conditioner cover. 4. Clean the Water pan (if applicable) To prevent the growth of mold and a musty odor in the air, use warm water, dish detergent or white vinegar to clean the inside base of the unit whenever you have the unit taken apart to clean the condenser coils. 6. Check your remote control (if applicable) You may need to replace the batteries in your unit's remote control. If you replace the batteries and the remote control fails to function, enter your unit's model number to find a replacement remote control. 7. Find off season storage location Leaving window air conditioners in windows during the winter can cause drafts and lead to increased energy consumption. Air conditioners are best stored in an attic, basement or utility room. The Warwick provides off-season storage in the basement for a fee Oct-May. If you keep the unit mounted in the window during the off season, be sure to use an air conditioner cover that's specifically designed to protect AC units from weather damage |
Window air Conditioner Frequently Asked Questions
Window air conditioners work on exactly the same principles as a refrigerator or dehumidifier. They have a cooling system that refrigerates the air entering the unit and then expels the heat from the back of the air conditioner.
What size air conditioner do I need for my home?
If you're in the market for a new air conditioner, make sure you purchase the correct size for your home's needs. An undersized air conditioner will have to work harder, waste energy and cost you more money. Conversely, an oversized unit will cycle too quickly and may not run long enough to remove humidity in the air.
A little homework will go a long way in ensuring you find the right size air conditioner to maximum efficiency and save money.
Here's an easy way to determine what size air conditioner is best for your space and needs:
- Measure your window size.
- Check the power available near the window. Air conditioners require a dedicated circuit and some require a 220 volt circuit.
- Cooling capacity is measured in British thermal units (Btus) per hour. You'll need to calculate the number of Btus required for your space. Use the handy chart below and consider the following factors:
- If your space is highly shaded, you can reduce the required Btus by 10 percent.
- If there is abundant sunshine in your space, increase the required Btus by 10 percent.
- If the space includes a kitchen, add 4,000 Btus. Due to cooking, kitchens generate more heat than other rooms.
- Add 600 Btus per person who regularly spends time in the room or space.
Square footage of area to be cooled/capacity needed (Btus /HR)
100 to 150 = 5,000 150 to 250 = 6,000 250 to 300 = 7,000 300 to 350 = 8,000 350 to 400 = 9,000 400 to 450 = 10,000 450 to 550 = 12,000 550 to 700 = 14,000 700 to 1,000 = 18,000 1,200 to 1,400 = 23,000 1,400 to 1,500 = 24,000 Source: www.EnergyStar.gov
The moisture in the air condenses on the refrigerated coils and drips into the bottom pan of the air conditioner where it is picked up by the condenser fan blade and used to help cool the condenser coils. The heat which is removed from the home through the evaporator coils is conducted into a refrigerant gas and then travels through a radiator-like set of coils on the back of the unit. The condenser fan circulates outside air across the coils to cool them.
Is it normal for my unit to run continuously?No, if your unit is running continuously, it's struggling to meet the set temperature. You can troubleshoot this using the following steps:
- Use a thermometer to check the temperature of the air in the room.
- Check the temperature of the air blowing out of the unit.
If the temperature difference is at least 15 degrees and yet the room is still not cooling enough, check to be sure the unit has enough Btus for the space to be cooled.
Do window air conditioners affect a room's humidity level?Yes, window air conditioners remove humidity in the air. The evaporator coils located in the front of the air conditioner grow cold during normal operation. As the warm, moist air in the room comes in contact with the cold evaporator, the air's moisture condenses and attaches to the evaporator coil. As more moisture condenses, moisture on the coil drips into the base of the air conditioner where it is evaporated to the outside of the home.
How can I improve the efficiency of my window air conditioner?
- Avoid placing the unit in windows that receive direct sunlight
- Use ceiling fans in evenings
- Limit use of heat-generating appliances such as ranges and toaster ovens
- Check out www.EnergyStar.gov for helpful tips on energy conservation