A/C Window Unit: Need to Help to Buy One

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Romans922

Romans922

Puritan Board Professor
Hey everyone,
I moved into the church's manse in August and so I'm just now figuring out for the past week that the little ole Wal-mart GE A/C unit they put in my study isn't up to par. In other words, I'm hot. For this study which is not attached to the house, there is no insulation (a problem that won't be fixed anytime soon due to church's money). And I don't want them to buy another A/C unit. So I am looking to buy a window unit myself. But I have no clue about these things.

The problem that I have run into with the current one is not that it doesn't work, it does. You go and put your hand over the vent and it's cold. But it won't work for this room because it is too big (the room). The room is approx. 306 sq. ft. with a 9 ft ceiling. Again, there is no insulation in this beast! (It's basically a garage turned into a study). I'd take a picture but I lost my camera at GA and am buying a Nikon D40x that will be here hopefully Friday but I am going to fry by then!!! :)


Can anyone help me find an A/C window unit that will work for me? I also need a heater for the winter (this past winter I used space heaters), but I know A/C units sometimes have heaters as well so that would be nice to find one included in that (but it doesn't have to include a heater).
 
I'm thinking you need about 10,000 BTU's. I'm no expert, I just used a calculator available online. Most places you buy them also have these calculators.
 
I would not put in anything bigger than a 10,000 BTU / 120v unit without a dedicated outlet . Now, by your description, I'm going to guess the unit you have is less than that.



Romans922 said:
Hey everyone,
I moved into the church's manse in August and so I'm just now figuring out for the past week that the little ole Wal-mart GE A/C unit they put in my study isn't up to par. In other words, I'm hot. For this study which is not attached to the house, there is no insulation (a problem that won't be fixed anytime soon due to church's money). And I don't want them to buy another A/C unit. So I am looking to buy a window unit myself. But I have no clue about these things.

The problem that I have run into with the current one is not that it doesn't work, it does. You go and put your hand over the vent and it's cold. But it won't work for this room because it is too big (the room). The room is approx. 306 sq. ft. with a 9 ft ceiling. Again, there is no insulation in this beast! (It's basically a garage turned into a study). I'd take a picture but I lost my camera at GA and am buying a Nikon D40x that will be here hopefully Friday but I am going to fry by then!!! :)


Can anyone help me find an A/C window unit that will work for me? I also need a heater for the winter (this past winter I used space heaters), but I know A/C units sometimes have heaters as well so that would be nice to find one included in that (but it doesn't have to include a heater).
Click to expand...
 
Sears and places like that will have guys to help you--definitely tell them about the lack of insulation, because that will adjust your needs. IAs far as the windows, do what you can to keep the heat out as well (tinting the windows, insulated drapes, etc. to keep out the sun when you're not using the study).

Many of them now have timers, adjustable thermostats, etc. so you might be able to start cooling the room before you need it.
 
Andrew, I think your problem is those 9 ft. ceilings.

I would suggest that you instead get a ceiling fan, or maybe even try out any old fan and see if moving the air around helps. It might be the BTU's of your window unit aren't up to the task, but it is also likely that you just need to circulate the air more efficiently. Try the fan idea first before spending the big bucks.
 
Scottish Lass said:
Sears and places like that will have guys to help you--definitely tell them about the lack of insulation, because that will adjust your needs. IAs far as the windows, do what you can to keep the heat out as well (tinting the windows, insulated drapes, etc. to keep out the sun when you're not using the study).

Many of them now have timers, adjustable thermostats, etc. so you might be able to start cooling the room before you need it.
Click to expand...

That was one thing we did for the whole house and my study, we bought blinds for all windows.
 
Wayne said:
Andrew, I think your problem is those 9 ft. ceilings.

I would suggest that you instead get a ceiling fan, or maybe even try out any old fan and see if moving the air around helps. It might be the BTU's of your window unit aren't up to the task, but it is also likely that you just need to circulate the air more efficiently. Try the fan idea first before spending the big bucks.
Click to expand...

Wayne,

Thanks for the observation, but I'll tell you what I've already done. There is already a brand new ceiling fan in here, so I am using that, blowing the air down, the a/c window unit is actually in a permanent hole in the wall that they made for an A/C unit, so it is pretty high up on the wall (5ft up), and all the air that the A/C unit blows is virtually straight up. So I have kept the fan blowing down to circulate that air (or attempt to). But in late May that started not working anymore and it was getting to hot. It was so hot after I got back from GA that I jerry-rigged on my 6ft step ladder a box fan on top of that right next to the a/c unit to blow the air from the unit to the middle of the room where the ceiling fan is. So now where my desk is I can at least feel a breeze b/c of the fan, but still no cold air. Go over to A/c unit put hand over vent, it is blowing cold air.

I think it is just too small for this room, it's obvious that it is cooling the room. You stand outside and you walk in, you notice a difference, it is cooler, but it just is still in upper 80's inside here, upper 90's-100 outside.
 
One thing to keep in mind is that since they took the Freon out, the units don't get as cold as the old ones. (And they'll have aluminum tubes instead of copper ones.)
 
You ever climb up and take the plastic front off the A/C so you can clean or wash the dust and dirt off the sponge filter element? Also, can you hear the compressor kick "on" when you turn the temperature setting down? You should be able to. Probably dim your lights in Mississippi. Heck, probably dim the lights in all of Tchula! :lol:
 
Berean said:
You ever climb up and take the plastic front off the A/C so you can clean or wash the dust and dirt off the sponge filter element? Also, can you hear the compressor kick "on" when you turn the temperature setting down? You should be able to. Probably dim your lights in Mississippi. Heck, probably dim the lights in all of Tchula! :lol:
Click to expand...

I keep my lights off unless it is night. And, I clean the filter every 2 weeks or so.
 
There is an air conditioner review and rating in the July issue of Consumer Reports:Latest Tests Reveal Six Recommended Window Air Conditioners for $260 Or Less: Consumer Reports http://pressroom.consumerreports.org/pressroom/

It looks like there are several recommended units of $260 or less and you may be able to google the model number and get it cheaper or even purchase a used one.

You may be able to get Consumer Reports at your library or on-line for a small fee.

As a general proposition, you may appreciate the quietness of Panasonic products, and remember to evaluate noise in your purchase also.
 
Berean said:
Romans922 said:
I keep my lights off unless it is night. And, I clean the filter every 2 weeks or so.
Click to expand...

Sounds like you're on top of things. I didn't realize they taught facilities maintenance courses in seminary. :)
Click to expand...

They don't at all teach this. I grew up on a farm, so maybe I got it from there. :)



Also, after using the A/C calculator on 2 different sites, I've determined I need between a 10,000 - 12,000 BTU A/C Window Unit.
 
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