I have a wall-through air conditioner that I’m not happy with - it’s not very efficient and it’s terribly noisy. FWIW, it’s a five-year-old Friedrich. I’ve done everything I can do on the noise: I had the sucker completely cleaned, lubricated, recharged last summer and I keep the filters clean. But within a month of servicing the damn compressor was just as loud as ever. I’m sleeping badly so I’m thinking about replacing it.
What really galls me about having a wall-through is the high price and low choice on models. It looks like the only two brands that exactly fit my sleeve are Friedrich, which after this experience I don’t want to try again, and Fedders - even lower efficiency than the Friedrich, and a mediocre reputation for durability. I don’t trust appliance salespeople because they’re perfectly happy to recommend an expensive Friedrich.
The sleeve is 16 3/4" H x 27" W x 23" D. The Panasonic model that interests me is 14 31/32’’ H x 23 5/8’‘W x 22 5/16’’ D. (Lower price, higher EER and a solid brand - what’s not to like?)
P.S. My building’s rules don’t permit me to have a window unit. And frankly, since my apartment faces north I’d like all the light I can get.
Ah: I sorta lost that in restructuring the post. Can I get away with a 14 31/32’’ H x 23 5/8’‘W x 22 5/16’’ D unit in a 16 3/4" H x 27" W x 23" D sleeve?
If there is any way that you can install a “split” unit (air handler inside the apartment, mounted to the wall, compressor mounted outside on a bracket or landing, connected to each other by refrigerant lines), I would recommend doing so. They are quiet and efficient and cool better than window shakers.
Certainly. Make sure the unit is mounted securly first. I would use some soft flexible foam pieces (the kind you would use for custom auto door panels) or the soft foam caulk that comes on a roll to take up most of the gaps and then close off any smaller openings or gaps with “Great Stuff” expandable foam sealer.
It’s been a few years since I’ve messed with a “sleeve type” A/C unit. Or any window type unit either. But IIRC some A/Cs have vents and louvers on the sides as well as on the outside face. You’d need to be sure that these are not blocked by the sleeve if they are used for intake or exhaust.
And I second Chefguy’s advice about the split unit. Do you have a balcony or other area where the outside half could be placed?
Chefguy, GaryM - I would lovelove LOVE to get a split unit, but because my apartment’s a New York co-op* I’m afraid the approvals would be a giant PITA. The only outdoor space I have is a fire escape - not something I can expand into. If I could do it with the existing hole, that might work; but if it required putting another hole into my exterior wall, I believe that would mean not only getting my co-op board’s OK, but the Buildings Department’s, too. (The Buildings Department doesn’t like it when people poke holes in a facade, because then bricks have a habit of falling on people.) And I kinda suspect neither would be forthcoming, anyway.
Thanks for the point about the louvres - that’s important. And whuckfistle, thanks for the foam advice - v. helpful.
*Don’t ask. A co-op board is like a homeowner’s or condo association on steroids. They have power of life or death over individual unit owners.
You could definitely do it with the existing hole. The only other drilling involved would only be for the bolts to attach the mounting bracket to the exterior wall. These would not go completely through, obviously, so no additional penetrations. The only thing you need the existing opening for is the refrigerant lines to pass through, which take up very little space. The rest of the opening could then be closed in and matched to the building facade by a mason. You would actually be improving the value of your apartment by doing this, and thus helping to raise the value of the other units (arguments for your coop nazis).