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Air Conditioning Question

M

manlymatt83

Lifer
It's getting brutal in Boston, so I need to suck it up and get an air conditioning. I have a small window for one in the one non-bedroom room (it's a one bedroom small apartment, so there's only two rooms). However, next to this small window (which is close to the ceiling) is one of those 240 volt/watt/whatever plugs, so I'm obviously supposed to get an intense air conditioner.

I have an air conditioner meant for one small room from a previous apartment. I forget how many BTU it is, but it isn't too much. If I install that into the window and run an extension cord down to the floor where there's a normal outlet, will that work? Or should I ditch that air conditioner and get one of the big suckers?
 
It depends on the size of your room, the direction it faces (North, South, East, West), humidity, and insulation. It is a general rule of thumb not to run appliances on an extension cord, so I would just get a 230v unit. It will cool the room quicker, so even though it initially uses more volts, it should save you money by running less. You can get a basic 230v 18,000 unit for around $350.00.

If you feel brave, you can try the extension cord route, just make sure you get a higher gauge cord that can handle the draw. I had one made at Home Depot once for running some power equipment.
 
manlymatt83 said:
It's getting brutal in Boston, so I need to suck it up and get an air conditioning. I have a small window for one in the one non-bedroom room (it's a one bedroom small apartment, so there's only two rooms). However, next to this small window (which is close to the ceiling) is one of those 240 volt/watt/whatever plugs, so I'm obviously supposed to get an intense air conditioner.

I have an air conditioner meant for one small room from a previous apartment. I forget how many BTU it is, but it isn't too much. If I install that into the window and run an extension cord down to the floor where there's a normal outlet, will that work? Or should I ditch that air conditioner and get one of the big suckers?
Click to expand...

Are you trying to cool the whole apartment? If so, you're probably going to want a larger AC unit. If the one you have is just your average window AC unit it's only going to be good for a smaller room (and may be hard pressed to do that), especially in very hot or humid conditions.
 
NL5 said:
Yep, just get an extension cord rated for 15 amps.....
Click to expand...

I don't think I'd use an extension cord for an A/C. The longer the cord the more dangerous (fire hazard) it will be. That's why the outlet is so close to the window. I think you'd be safer with a 220v A/C. Maybe you could trade someone.
 
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Get a new 230V one. Newer ones are more energy efficient, and a higher BTU one won't have to run so much.
 
AmphibSailor said:
I don't think I'd use an extension cord for an A/C. The longer the cord the more dangerous (fire hazard) it will be. That's why the outlet is so close to the window. I think you'd be safer with a 220v A/C. Maybe you could trade someone.
Click to expand...

A properly rated extension cord will not be an issue at all. If he uses a cheapo cord that's ridiculously thin he might have a problem but if goes to a hardware store and gets something made for a high current he'll be fine.
 
Bignate603 said:
Are you trying to cool the whole apartment? If so, you're probably going to want a larger AC unit. If the one you have is just your average window AC unit it's only going to be good for a smaller room (and may be hard pressed to do that), especially in very hot or humid conditions.
Click to expand...

Don't really care to be honest. Just something. The apartment is quite small actually. Two rooms the size of average bedrooms, though taller ceilings. The air conditioning window has a 240 volt plug next to it, and then also has a 120 volt on the floor. So even if we needed an extension cord, it wouldn't need to go very far.
 
if you do end up buying one, get something in the range of 20 to 25k btu. better to be a bit over then under when it comes to cooling capacity.
 
Dude, didn't you already create a thread about this?

Your small a/c will be fine. Use a fan to help circulate the air. I wouldn't bother getting a large 240v a/c since you're still renting and don't want to lug that around when you move.
 
bobdole369 said:
Suck it up and get the big jobber. You'll be happier and cooler all summer long. You waited till the End of June?
Click to expand...

Yeah, I did.

So here's what I did tonight: I took my old unit (5000 BTU or something like that) and just put it in the window in my bedroom. Didn't screw it in or anything (I'm on the first floor apartment). It sat nicely in the window and there's a big ledge on the outside, so I don't think it's going anywhere... and if it does, it doesn't have anywhere to really go.

I closed it well enough, I'm hoping the cats don't figure out a way to slide out through the sides. This is a one night solution so I don't get sick of heat tonight (it's pretty bad). Tomorrow, I'm gonna call the people down the street who "do anything" and ask them to grab me a huge jobber and put it in the window in the living room with the 240 volt plug. I'd do it myself, but I spent an hour just trying to get the window pieces out, and couldn't do it (and neither could my friend).
 
If he goes with something that's insane overkill, then won't it be cycling the compressor off and on constantly? And isn't that not a good thing for an AC? (I'd think 10k BTU should be quite enough for that space)


If you do need to go with the 120V+extension cord option, definitely get a beefy cord, 12 gauge at least.


Also, here's an 11.8k BTU window AC that runs on 230V.
12k BTU, 230V.

...and it seems that most hardware store sites don't let you sort or search for a specific voltage. Oh well.
 
Jeff7 said:
If he goes with something that's insane overkill, then won't it be cycling the compressor off and on constantly? And isn't that not a good thing for an AC? (I'd think 10k BTU should be quite enough for that space)


If you do need to go with the 120V+extension cord option, definitely get a beefy cord, 12 gauge at least.


Also, here's an 11.8k BTU window AC that runs on 230V.
12k BTU, 230V.

...and it seems that most hardware store sites don't let you sort or search for a specific voltage. Oh well.
Click to expand...

Some dynamite data link?
 
Sea Moose said:
Air conditioning contractor
<------


Those window units are extremely noisy and inefficient. Have you thought about getting a high wall split system installed?

They are pretty good value these days.
Click to expand...

You don't live in Mass by some chance do you? 🙂

Anyway, I'm renting... so can't do anything like that =(
 
IGBT said:
if you do end up buying one, get something in the range of 20 to 25k btu. better to be a bit over then under when it comes to cooling capacity.
Click to expand...

Actually if you're going to miss the mark it's better to have slightly lower than required capacity. An oversized AC unit will run shorter cycles resulting in insufficient dehumidification and a clammy environment is the result.
 
Rubycon said:
Actually if you're going to miss the mark it's better to have slightly lower than required capacity. An oversized AC unit will run shorter cycles resulting in insufficient dehumidification and a clammy environment is the result.
Click to expand...

well, considering that most units on the market now use inverter technology, IGBT is right. When i do installations i always quote to put in a bigger unit than required so that on the really hot days, the unit will handle the heat load no problems.

IGBT is right considering the current technology.
Rubicon, your talking about the old school DOL (dol) technology.
 
Sea Moose said:
well, considering that most units on the market now use inverter technology, IGBT is right. When i do installations i always quote to put in a bigger unit than required so that on the really hot days, the unit will handle the heat load no problems.

IGBT is right considering the current technology.
Rubicon, your talking about the old school DOL (dol) technology.
Click to expand...

Window shakers (like the OP asked) are not using inverters. You even said they are noisier and not efficient.

If a system is designed around variable capacity across its designed range than it can be oversized. Technically that's not oversizing, it's staging. 😉
 
Rubycon said:
Window shakers (like the OP asked) are not using inverters. You even said they are noisier and not efficient.

If a system is designed around variable capacity across its designed range than it can be oversized. Technically that's not oversizing, it's staging. 😉
Click to expand...

sticks and stones break my bones...... 😛

Yeah staging would be the correct term. Fuck i love inverter technology.

Some window shakers now have inverter technology. Dol technology is pretty well finished in Australia as we signed Kyoto.
 
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