apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

If you live in Brownstone Brooklyn (ie the Heights, Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens, Park Slope, etc.) I would call the Expert Center on Court Street (I don't have the number offhand, but they are listed). They might go to other areas, I'm not sure. I have used them for many years for installing air conditioners (including a 18K through the wall unit) and just recently used them to install an over the sink microwave (which Lowe's refused to install, even though I purchased it there). They are very friendly and helpful.

I know this is no help, but upon reading this I was instantly reminded of one of my very favorite Seinfeld episodes!

Hey Derrick,

You might want to try the local hardware store in your neighborhood and ask them to suggest someone who could install the AC unit. They usually know someone and will be realiable as well.

Hope this helps.

AD

I don't know if they will just do installations, but I used The Frenchman (recommended on this site) for service and they did a fantastic job of installing it afterwards.

There is an electronics store on 7th Ave in Park Slope. I think its called J & something appliances. I bought my AC there and after I moved, they were willing to re-install for their normal installation cost which was no more than $75. So try any local electronic goods seller and they will probably do it for you for whatever they normally charge.

On the subject of AC units, I have a huge request/question...

Does anyone have any suggestions of good places in NYC to shop for them (even better: Greenpoint/Williamsburg)? Also, any suggestions on smaller low-wattage window units? The apartment I am living in can't handle the power load of the toaster and microwave being on at the same time, so I am a bit concerned about how it will handle an AC unit; thankfully we only want it in the bedroom, and it is a very small room. Thanks to anyone with any suggestions!

I'll jump on Matthew's bandwagon. Can anyone make a suggested regarding brands and what to look for in purchasing an A/C. The time has come, and so has the heat.

Thanks.

I just bought three units of this: http://products.geappliances.com/ApplProducts/Dispatcher?REQUEST=SPECPAGE&SKU=AGM06LH&SITEID=GEA and one unit of the model above this after a few weeks of research and deliberation.

Derrick, can't you just get some friends to come over and help you install it? Window AC install shouldn't be that big of a deal.

I have a friedrich too and you really do need a professional. All my other units we did ourselves but with the friedrich you have to install the sleeve first and bolt it down or it will fall. I believe we used this company but there are many others in the yellow pages: http://www.eyair.com/Service%20&%20Repair.htm

Matthew,
I had to remember to turn the ac off every time I wanted to run any kitchen appliance -- the only saving grace was that there was easy access to the breaker switch. Also, I had to return the first unit I bought because the system wouldn't/couldn't handle the wattage at all.

Matthew,

We recently went through the same ordeal looking for a "low-power" unit. You really need to look at amps, not so much watts (or do the math yourself: watts/volts=amps) You'll need to figure out what your apt. can handle. (Think back to the power-up scene in Apollo 13)

It seems that there really isn't a "low-amp" AC. In our apartment we only have about 6-7 amps to "spend" on a AC. (We have a 20A circuit for the whole apartment) In our research, We found we were limited to using a 6500 BTU unit....and still leave the microwave and toaster oven unplugged to avoid turning them on by accident without turning off the AC first

We found the amp ranges to all be pretty close within a BTU class, like all of the 5000 BTU models were drew 5(+-) amps, 8000 BTU drew about 7, and 10000 BTU was up around 9 or so.

We shopped at PC Richards and got really excited when we found an 8000 BTU unit rated at 5.4 amp. Upon closer inspection (check the decal on the product, not the store's hangtag) it was really 7.2 A. We found that most of the display units had incorrect info on the price/info tags. So double-check before you buy.

-Bobby

You should really use a professional (either store provided or independent) for an A/C of this size. My building won't allow the super to install units in windows facing the street anymore because of the liability issues if one were to fall out.

A professional can install using either brackets or a bar (what I got).

I recently (as in two weeks ago) used Columbus heat and A/C (I think that's the right name) - they're on the upper west side. It took all of 20 minutes, and cost $140 including parts, labor and tax. With the added bonus of no longer fearing crushing people walking down 72nd street.

I actually learned about these guys from my dad, who lives in a building with somewhat complicated, historical preservation issues with the windows, and they dealt with all of it.

I called the Expert Center on COurt Street in Carroll Gardens today and they quoted me $80 to come over and install my 12,000 BTU unit in the window. THe A/C unit is sitting on the floor right in front of the window...all they had to do was lift, secure and seal...$80!!!! I used to have roommates and they always helped me, but now that I live alone...I think I will have to have a A/C Installing party and spend $80 on food and drinks costs instead.

I have an older version of the same unit - it's huge. I hate it - big, ugly and too huge to take out and store every winter. It has to have support brackets - it took 2 guys about 45 minutes to install (I stood there the whole time - they didn't waste a minute). Once it's in the window you can just slide it in and out of the sleeve, but it's a pain. And it's noisy. But it's fairly efficient and cools a big open space with a kitchen that gets a lot of sun in the summer mornings. I bought it from Air Wave. They also come and service other units. I'm sure they will install - for a price. Talk to Harold. 212-545-1122 (718) 933-1011
e-mail: info@airwaveac.come-mail: info@airwaveac.com

My 2 cents:

INSTALLATION:
I agree that spending huge money on installing an A/C hurts, but I would recommend it. A good installer will secure the unit properly, put in either a bracket or a bar (if you have double-hung windows, I'd go with the bar so that you can open the windows when you want to--and clean them as well). The A/C installer will also seal the unit correctly so as to impede air flow through any gaps.

Now, can someone recommend a good installer in Washington Heights/Inwood/Riverdale?


RESEARCHING A/C UNITS TO BUY IN THE CITY:
I bought my last unit on the Web, after doing research. I ended up with a Sharp ultra-quiet A/C which works wonderfully. The UPS guy delivered it and I then had it installed by my super. Now I'd like to have it re-installed by a very competent professional so that it hangs on a bar and is properly sealed.

DON'T BE AFRAID TO BUY OVER THE INTERNET:
You can probably find a unit with specs which will fit your particular needs better than if you go to a local merchant. Plus, UPS will bring it to your door.

we just had Frenchman install two units- one a large friedrich which we had installed on top of the window (love that!) . Definitely something I wanted a pro to do (its a straight drop to the street.)They are pricey but they did a fine job...we also have the limited power problem which is so annoying...but I found that low amperage air conditioners are expensive...so its one appliance at a time...

Serra, that's a scary thought - hold up on the drinks UNTIL after the unit is installed!

When I bought my last unit (also a Friedrich) at PC Richard several years ago, their installers were completely booked so they recommended an independent installer. It was completely worth the money ($50 in Queens in 2000) because he was so efficient and the unit was so well-insulated I didn't even have to remove it for the next five years.

23.5 kBtu is quite a large unit... are you sure it is the right size? Air conditioning is one area where bigger is definitely not better. If your apartment is smaller than 1400 square feet, you almost certainly don't need a unit this size.

Oversize AC units cool so fast that they shut off before they have had a chance to dehumidify, leaving the place cool and damp and inviting unwanted guests such as mold. A slightly undersized AC will be 100% satisfactory most of the summer, and on the hottest days, even if it doesn't keep up with the cooling, it will dehumidify very well and still make you fairly comfortable. It will also use much less energy, and be less taxing of antiquated electrical systems. I have a 6.6 amp, 7800 Btu unit in my garage (call me spoiled, but I live in Central Texas, and I don't use it all that much!)

Here is a good sizing guide. When in doubt, go smaller, not larger. Fans can only help.

http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=roomac.pr_properly_sized

And if I lived nearby, I'd help you install it.

Another aside, a shop deep in the heart of brooklyn, AJ Madison, has a website that lets you sift through dozens of different models by different critera, including amperage consumption (also by dimensions, btus, etc. Their reputation may be a bit mixed, judging from some online comments. But it's a start.

http://www.ajmadison.com/buy/filter.html?dept_id=00030