Can You Put a Window Air Conditioner in a Wall?

Window/Wall Air Conditioner

• Before making any changes to your air conditioner, consult the manufacturer's website and the user manual to see if it is a dual-purpose unit. Many window air conditioners are designed to make them functional as wall air conditioners. A key feature of wall air conditioners is that their shell or case can be removed and secured in a wall before sliding in the inner chassis and components of the unit. If your window air conditioner is not designed to be placed in the wall, doing so can damage the unit and your wall.

Ventilation Issues

• Examine the side of your window air conditioner. A wall is a lot thicker than a window, and your window air conditioner has air louvers or vents on the side of the unit. You will need to measure to ensure these vents will not be obstructed by the wall into which you install the unit.

Installation Features

• A Window air conditioner is kept in place by its own weight on the window sill and the outward force of the air conditioner tipping out and being braced against the bottom of a double-hung window. A window air conditioner that can be used as a wall air conditioner will have brackets or flanges that can be installed to take the place of these window components.

Drainage Issues

• A window air conditioner is designed in such a way that it possesses a slight slope downward when installed properly. This allows condensate water removed from the air to drain to the back of the unit and fall outside, not flow back into the home. If a window air conditioner is not designed to be placed in the wall and is mounted level, this water may drain back into the home or down inside the wall, causing water damage.