Air Conditioning

debodun

debodun

SF VIP
Location
way upstate in New York, USA
Last year my beloved GE Carry Cool gave up the ghost. It runs, but started putting a lot of water in the 5 inch trough between the inner and outer windowsills (see photo). Figuring it wasn't worth getting a 30 year old air conditioner fixed, I looked at new models, but they don't have a handle or side accordion panels like the Carry Cool.

Most appliance stores say the air for conditioners now you must hire a one of their contractors to come to your home and have it professionally installed - not as simple as it was 30 years ago.

Some suggested I get a "portable" dehumidifier, but in doing research I found most reviews say the pull a lot more power and don't do as efficient a job. My antiquated wiring probably couldn't handle a big power draw since I can't watch TV and plug a hair dryer in at the same time and there are no grounded outlets.

I can't take temps much above 75 and summer is a-comin in fast. One the bricks on the exterior heat up in the summer sun, it's like living in a pizza oven! What should I do?
 

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Most houses in the UK don't have air conditioning as due to our climate we don't really need it.
 
Have you tried taking it apart & cleaning it? I didn't know this could be done until I watched it on youtube. I took my A/C apart & washed it with DW liquid & rinsed with water hose, couldn't believe how dirty it was. I was sure it would never run again but it works still works great.
 
I just brought a large 15,000 BTU at Lowes last February,its a window type but I preferred it to be located where I really wanted it so I made a 16x28" hole in the front room wall. This thing has lots of settings that will put it on the "energy saver" mode at 10pm and Im noticing this summers A/C electric bill has been cut in half. I put a tube on the drain tray that runs to the ground,these trays must be constantly cleaned or it will back up to the houses frame.
I also have a a/c remote so if I dont want to walk to it to change the setting.;)
 
I would get a good belt-sander and "grade" the trough downward and outward, then paint the heck out of it with some strong marine paint. ;)

Good point earlier about those drain tubes - they DO get mucked up quickly.
 
Make sure that it is still tilted down on the outside, and far enough out so that the water does not run out except where it drains. Do check and see if they are getting plugged up, as has been mentioned. Also, the filter may need to be changed, or even just rinsed out and cleaned. If it is clogged, then the AC has to work harder to pull the air through.
Since you are thinking of moving anyway, and will probably find an apartment with central air; then buying a whole new Ac unit right now is not a good choice, unless this one can't be fixed, and you are going to be living there for the summer. Then, it is worth it, even if you end up selling it when you sell the house and move somewhere else.

Here is a crazy idea, but it might help you. I saw this "redneck air-conditioner" online. it is made with a styrofoam cooler, you cut a few holes in the side along the top, put in pvc pipe, cut a hole in the top to lay a fan in it, and then put a milk jug of ice in the cooler. The fan blows out the cool air for you. You would need it close to where you are sitting; but if you kept a gallon of water in the freezer and one in the unit, you could at least help keep the house cooler with it.

Here is a similar one made from a 5-gallon bucket. Not as easy, but gives you the basic idea. I can't find the info for the styrofoam one right now.
http://youtu.be/HxSLbpAwibg
 
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If yours truly has given up the ghost and can't be salvaged, have you seen the portables? They're on casters and can be rolled from one room to another. There's a vent hose, sort of like on a dryer, that gets vented out a window. You do need to have the kind of outlet that allows for a three-pronged plug. We had one in Michigan. Believe the brand was called Penguin.
 
We have a small window air conditioner, and hubby placed a piece of wood under it so the water doesn't drain into the sill at all.
 
It's been a long time since I had a window AC but all ACs need to be cleaned and have good drainage.

Ours is a combined heat and air unit and it bit the dust early this spring. Cost nearly $5,000 for a new one but it should last a long time.
 
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