Window air conditioner installation guide
Measure the window, support the unit from outside, seal the gaps and plug it straight into the wall.
106 of 145 certified window units include a support bracket. The median unit weighs 61 lb, and 56 weigh 80 lb or more.
Step by step
- Measure. Width and height of the opening with the sash raised, and the sill depth. Compare them with the maker's minimum and maximum for the unit.
- Check the power. A 115 V unit uses a normal outlet on a circuit that is not shared with other big loads. A 230 V unit needs its own circuit. Never use an extension cord.
- Fit the support. Mount the bracket or support arm as the manual shows, so the unit is held from outside.
- Set the unit in. Tilt slightly toward the outside, as the manual specifies, and lower the sash onto it (or into the slot of a U-shaped unit).
- Seal. Extend the side panels, add the foam strips and close any gap between the sash and the unit.
- Test. Run it and check that water drains outside and that nothing rattles.
Lightest certified units
| Model | Weight | BTU | CEER | Bracket |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Midea MAW05R1KWT-B | 30 lb | 5,000 | 14.4 | Not included |
| Midea MAW06S1KWT-A | 32 lb | 6,000 | 16.0 | Not included |
| Midea MAW06S1VWBL-T | 32 lb | 6,000 | 13.7 | Included |
| Midea MAW08S1KWT-A | 33 lb | 7,800 | 13.7 | Not included |
| Whirlpool WHAW061CX | 33 lb | 6,000 | 13.7 | Included |
| TCL W6WC72 | 40 lb | 6,000 | 13.7 | Included |
| TCL W5WC72 | 42 lb | 5,000 | 13.7 | Included |
| Whirlpool WHAW050EX | 42 lb | 5,000 | 13.1 | Included |
Questions
Common questions
- Do I need a support bracket for a window air conditioner?
- The unit rests on the sill, but the part outside hangs unsupported, and a heavy unit can bend the sill or tip. Makers include or recommend a bracket for most units. 106 of the 145 certified window units ship with a support bracket; if yours does not, buy one rated for its weight (the median certified unit weighs 61 lb).
- What do I put under a window air conditioner?
- Nothing loose. Use the support bracket from the box, or an L-bracket or support arm fixed to the wall below the sill, so the unit is held from outside and does not rely on the window frame alone.
- How do I seal the gaps around a window air conditioner?
- Extend the side panels to the window frame, then close the remaining gaps with the foam strips supplied or weather-stripping, and fill the space between the lower sash and the unit. Seal only with materials that do not block the unit's drain or vents.
- Can I use an extension cord with a window air conditioner?
- Makers tell you to plug it straight into a wall outlet and not to use an extension cord or power strip, because the draw is high. 112 of 145 certified units are 115 V and use a normal outlet; the rest need a 230 V circuit.
- Should the unit tilt?
- Most manuals ask for a slight tilt toward the outside so condensate drains out of the back rather than into the room. Use the exact figure in your manual.
- What do I do with a window air conditioner in winter?
- Either take it out and store it, or leave it in and cover it: a fitted cover outside and insulation or foam board inside the gaps stop drafts. Do not cover a unit that you plan to run in heat mode.
- Which window air conditioner is easiest to install?
- The lightest certified unit is the Midea MAW05R1KWT-B at 30 lb. 56 certified units weigh 80 lb or more, which is a two-person job.
Related
This is general guidance. The manual of your exact model always comes first.