Air Conditioners

[bostonwash]

Aww Carry-kool, my first AC was a Carry-kool. I think it was $129, 4000 btu with nothing more than an on/off switch.

1983

Be sure to use the filters. Condensers that are clogged with lint won't work. I've seen it happen several times. rinse carefully and don't bend the fins which will also block the air flow.

Sincerly

 

[toggleswitch]

ha!

Had one of those one-speed units for a week, and gave it away. Loud as the devil.

Mother had the "upscale" GE version with a second button that offered two speed on "Fan" and "Cool" still mighty loud.

Oddly from the outside, (boys, the outside has the condenser coil BTW) it sucked in from the front and blew out from the top and sides...most do the opposite.

(IIRC Air-temps were "backward" too. thsoe were nice, quiet machines. I think they went to Fedders..the brand I love to hate, and for no apparent reason.)

I got them both when she finally had sleeves and through-the wall-units installed. And I gave them to my contractor when I got central air installed.

I don't think these will ever die with that lexan (plastic)case. IIIRC their production did not last too many years-- they cant rust out!!!! She bought them in 1974- 30+ yrs.. WOW!!!!

 

[toggleswitch]

A piece of oaktag (thick paper) can be used to trace the A/C's shape.

Then stick it over a piece of thick plexiglass, and you can have a nice template to make a nice fited instalation.

Of course there is always plywood covered with contact paper, that holds up amazingly well. I have usually used white contact paper inside and black outside. Tthe black hdies the dust, dirt and soot. Wwo the heck wants to have to wipe that stupid thing down?

 

[whirlcool]

I remember those window a/c's that half of it was in the room and the other half was outside and the window came down in a groove in the middle of it. It believe they were made by Westinghouse! They had a special name for these type of units, but I can't recall what the name was. Anyone?

My parents had a turquoise Fridgidaire 6,000 BTU unit (purchased around 1963-65) that they used in the family room. It cooled quite well. In the bedrooms we had a Fedders and a Admiral. This was up in the Chicago burb's and they worked quite well. Eventually they got central air installed and were quite shocked to see the electric bill actually go up with the central A/C. One of the selling points was it's cheaper to run a central A/C than a bunch of room units. Obviously, it wasn't.

I haven't had a house that hasn't had central A/C, I would worry about the security problems that a window A/C would present.

 

[petek]

semi Split units

Westinghouse may have sold them but they didn't make them unless they had their own version. The manufacturer was Heat Controller in Jackson MI, still in business but don't manufacture that type anymore. They were also sold under store brand names as well.. I should email them how come they quit making them.. they were excellent, and nothing was quieter.

 

[foraloysius]

Pete

What do you mean by a 2 vent unit? Is that the same thing as a split unit? I can't use a split unit while my bedroom is on the third floor (my apartment is on the second and third floor) at the front. I will never get permission to install a unit on the outside.

What would help a little is installing a wooden panel in the window with only an opening for the hose. I now close the blinds and the curtain and put a towel over the opening that is left, but still some warm air enters the room.

The problem has solved itself for the moment, the weather has changed, it's cooler and raining now.

 

[foraloysius]

2 vent unit

After I posted my previous message, I found a picture of a 2 vent unit. Now I know what you are talking about. This is a picture of a Danby unit. I have never seen those overhere though. We only get the one vent models. I bet they are indeed more effective. Now to find a 230 Volts model.

 

[whirlcool]

Two Vent A/C on HSN

I saw one of those two vent units advertised on HSN this morning. $399.95. I think it heats as well as cools. I don't remember what the brand name was.
As far as those Westinghouse split unit goes, I meant to say it had the Westinghouse name on it, rather than being made by Westinghouse. Didn't Norge also market a similar unit?

It would be interesting to see how long Heat Controller made them for. It would be more interesting if someone had a photo of one!

 

[petek]

Two vent units

I believe the Maytag portable units sold at Home Depot have the two vent hoses. Right now there seems to be a barrage of these things mostly with one hose with names I've never heard of. They're all coming out of China. Looks like that Danby unit pictured above has a water tank for the condensate that you must empty, the better ones exhaust the moisture outside thru the vent.

 

[westytoploader]

Yikes! I knew it was a bit small but not THAT small; once the dividing wall is up that won't be a problem. Not sure what I'll do in the meantime though...

I don't know the reason, but all metal buildings I've seen (including this one), regardless of size, have horizontal-opening windows. I have seen "Casement" units meant for horizontal and bay windows...if I find one of "considerable vintage" (or if not that, then new) it might be worth getting.

 

[toggleswitch]

Louis,

Is your apt within your house made of concrete? Although great for longevity and studiness and bug conrtol (lol)- concrete stores HUGE amounts of heat and the A/C will probably take DAYS to become effective.

Whirlcool:

Quote: I would worry about the security problems that a window A/C would present.

IIRC most come with a metal "L" angle iron that screws to the windows to lock the upper and lower sashes. [for North Amercian-style double-hung up-and-down windows].

{...and how can you not like double-hung?..they now tilt in for cleaning by sliding that little piece.. a latch is it?}

 

[foraloysius]

Steve

Brick walls and concrete floors. Some stucco walls that are painted, most with wallpaper. Laminated and vinyl floors. I assume that explains the slow temperature drop, but the slow drop of the humidity annoys me more. I must say though that after an hour my bedroom/study feels more comfortable than the rest of the house although it's one of the warmest rooms.