Are you currently in the market for a window air conditioner to cool either a single room or an entire living space? Does the window in which you plan to place your air conditioner open from left to right rather than the standard vertical window? If so, you will probably need a casement air conditioner for this space. In this article we will briefly describe the casement air conditioner and provide some simple installation instructions to help you get the job done quickly.
What Is a Casement Air Conditioner?
A casement air conditioner, much like the name implies, is designed to fit into a casement window which opens from left to right. These types of air conditioners are often referred to as slider air conditioners because of the way they easily “slide” into place easily and firmly into a casement window frame.
Casement air conditioners are the perfect solution for cooling single rooms or small spaces, with several benefits that may make these models a more suitable cooling solution and a more cost effective option over central air conditioning units. Some of the benefits of casement air conditioners include:
- Very easy to install. In fact, in most cases, you can install the casement air conditioner yourself with only a little know-how and a few basic tools.
- Casement air conditioners cost much less than central air conditioning units and in most cases are much less expensive to operate.
- Casement air conditioners are portable which makes them perfect for those who rent and want to take their air conditioners with them when they move or relocate.
- Casement air conditioners will not take up valuable floor space like free-standing portable air conditioners, making them much less obtrusive.
- Casement air conditioners are available with capabilities up to 10,000 BTUs and cool up to 1200 square feet of room space.
- Unlike wall air conditioners, casement air conditioners can be removed during the winter to provide a seal against the cold weather.
While it’s true that a casement air conditioner is not an appropriate solution for larger living spaces with multiple rooms and hallways, they are perfect for smaller spaces and provide all the cooling power you will need, even on the hottest of summer days. If you have a larger living space, you will probably want to consider a central air conditioning unit instead.
How to Install a Casement Air Conditioner
Once you’ve decided on a casement window in which to mount your casement air conditioner, you’ll need only a few simple tools to complete the installation. The following tools are recommended when working with a wood frame window, however, more specialized tools may be needed if you plan to install your new air conditioer into a window frame made from other materials:
- Screwdrivers, both flathead and Phillips
- A large level
- A tape measure
- Hammer
- Power drill
With these tools at the ready and an extra hand (some casement air conditioners can be very heavy so it may require two people to lift the air conditioner into place) follow the installation instructions that come with the unit. Installation will usually take less than an hour.
