{"id":920,"date":"2020-07-31T14:59:35","date_gmt":"2020-07-31T18:59:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.andersknelson.com\/blog\/?p=920"},"modified":"2025-05-12T18:12:03","modified_gmt":"2025-05-12T22:12:03","slug":"adding-central-a-c-to-a-rental-apartment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.andersknelson.com\/blog\/?p=920","title":{"rendered":"Adding central A\/C to a rental apartment"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Background<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>I live in New York City, and it gets very hot\/humid here. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>I like natural light, i.e. I hate blocking my windows with a huge\/ugly air conditioner.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>I care about electrical efficiency, i.e. I hate paying to energize multiple huge\/ugly air conditioners.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>I rent my apartment, so I can&#8217;t modify the structure by drilling into the outside brickwork. I can drill into studs so long as I patch it when I move out.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>I avidly seek to eliminate minor inconveniences no matter the cost or complexity, i.e. I&#8217;m OCD.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Research<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Mini split Air conditioners:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Are about twice as power-efficient as their window-mounted counterparts on average.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Are much quieter; ~1\/10 the audible noise.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Can also provide heat in the same blower.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Are available in 120v up to around 14K BTU in cooling power, and 240v versions go well past 14K BTU.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>There exist products that can sum two separate 120v lines to create a single 240v line, <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">so long as each line is on a different phase<\/span>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Contingencies<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Mini split air conditioners:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Require a dedicated, GFCI-protected power circuit. Usually around 20A.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Like any exterior power feed, require an external disconnect box.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>There is only single-phase 120v power coming into my apartment.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Require professional line preparation (evacuation, filling with refrigerant, tube bending and other things).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Require the interior blower and external condensor connection to be within a specified length, e.g. 45ft.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Require semi-permanent mounting of the interior blower.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Require rugged permanent mounting of the exterior condensor.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A mini-split A\/C unit is 3x to 5x as expensive as a window unit of similar cooling capacity.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>120v systems stop at 12K BTU cooling capacity.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A Non-Destructive Solution<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>After looking at everything, it seems like we can make a simple bracket for the A\/C condensor, feed the refrigerant and power lines through a simple block set in the window frame, then run the lines along the ceiling to the blower. Might have to saw a medium hole (2 inches?) through one wall to pass the lines through.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Major design choices:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>S-shape bracket made of aluminum box-tubing, so it&#8217;s not crazy heavy as we wrangle the bracket with mounted condensor through the window frame.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Bracket rests nearly all weight and vibration on the exterior brick wall and window sill.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Bracket projects through the window frame and is held by a bar that presses against the load-bearing structure of the window frame itself.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Adjustable feet on exterior bracket and retention bar.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/erogear.autodesk360.com\/shares\/public\/SH56a43QTfd62c1cd96842e64aaa43f0d83b?mode=embed\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" webkitallowfullscreen=\"true\" mozallowfullscreen=\"true\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe>\n\n\n\n<p>Fusion 360 Project URL: <a href=\"https:\/\/a360.co\/2XQMvrK\">https:\/\/a360.co\/2XQMvrK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Making it happen<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>I measured a bunch of things:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Window frame.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Window sills, interior and exterior.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Dimensions and weight of the A\/C condensor.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Locations of mounting holes, refrigerant and power lines on the A\/C condensor.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Required refrigerant line length to reach the blower where I&#8217;d like to mount it.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Confirmed the 120v outlet to feed the A\/C condensor is a 20A circuit, with no other significant loads plugged into it.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Size of my bank account.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>To Be Continued&#8230;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Gallery<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/photos.app.goo.gl\/QxuPXtvhgvCWwrxv6\">https:\/\/photos.app.goo.gl\/QxuPXtvhgvCWwrxv6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Resources<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mcmaster.com\/bolt-spacers\/plastic-unthreaded-spacers\/ldpe-unthreaded-spacers\/\">https:\/\/www.mcmaster.com\/bolt-spacers\/plastic-unthreaded-spacers\/ldpe-unthreaded-spacers\/<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mcmaster.com\/well-nuts\">https:\/\/www.mcmaster.com\/well-nuts<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mcmaster.com\/aluminum-tubing\/structural-framing\/aluminum-bolt-together-framing-and-fittings\/\">https:\/\/www.mcmaster.com\/aluminum-tubing\/structural-framing\/aluminum-bolt-together-framing-and-fittings\/<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mcmaster.com\/aluminum-square-tubing\/multipurpose-6061-aluminum\/\">https:\/\/www.mcmaster.com\/aluminum-square-tubing\/multipurpose-6061-aluminum\/<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mcmaster.com\/aluminum-square-tubing\/multipurpose-6061-aluminum\/outside-corner-shape~square\/outside-width~1inches\/outside-height~1inches\/wall-thickness~0-125inches\/\">https:\/\/www.mcmaster.com\/aluminum-square-tubing\/multipurpose-6061-aluminum\/outside-corner-shape~square\/outside-width~1inches\/outside-height~1inches\/wall-thickness~0-125inches\/<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mcmaster.com\/bumper-feet\/heavy-duty-unthreaded-bumpers\/height~1inches\/shape~round\/od~1inches\/material~polyurethane-rubber\/\">https:\/\/www.mcmaster.com\/bumper-feet\/heavy-duty-unthreaded-bumpers\/height~1inches\/shape~round\/od~1inches\/material~polyurethane-rubber\/<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.albanycountyfasteners.com\/blog\/stainless-steel-and-aluminum\/\">https:\/\/www.albanycountyfasteners.com\/blog\/stainless-steel-and-aluminum\/<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/nycweldingcompany.com\/nyc-welding-service\/\">https:\/\/nycweldingcompany.com\/nyc-welding-service\/<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.totalhomesupply.com\/quick-disconnect-kit-for-mini-split-air-conditioner-systems\/p\/THS-DDS30KIT\">https:\/\/www.totalhomesupply.com\/quick-disconnect-kit-for-mini-split-air-conditioner-systems\/p\/THS-DDS30KIT<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Mounting-Conditioner-Universal-9000-36000-Condenser\/dp\/B00LDU9R2I\/\">https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Mounting-Conditioner-Universal-9000-36000-Condenser\/dp\/B00LDU9R2I\/<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/MRCOOL-Ductless-Split-System-Generation\/dp\/B083R2XNKD\/\">https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/MRCOOL-Ductless-Split-System-Generation\/dp\/B083R2XNKD\/<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Klimaire-Ductless-Mini-Split-Conditioner-Installation\/dp\/B01MTG1JDY\">https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Klimaire-Ductless-Mini-Split-Conditioner-Installation\/dp\/B01MTG1JDY<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Bosch-Efficiency-Ultra-Quiet-Conditioner-Certified\/dp\/B074PFFYB9\/\">https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Bosch-Efficiency-Ultra-Quiet-Conditioner-Certified\/dp\/B074PFFYB9\/<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Background Research Mini split Air conditioners: Contingencies Mini split air [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1015,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,37],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-920","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-projects","category-unfinished"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.andersknelson.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/920","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.andersknelson.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.andersknelson.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.andersknelson.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.andersknelson.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=920"}],"version-history":[{"count":17,"href":"https:\/\/www.andersknelson.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/920\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1283,"href":"https:\/\/www.andersknelson.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/920\/revisions\/1283"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.andersknelson.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1015"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.andersknelson.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=920"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.andersknelson.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=920"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.andersknelson.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=920"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}