Air Conditioner That Fits Between Studs

Wall Air Conditioners

• Wall air conditioners work on a similar principle to split units, but in a much more compact form. Liquid coolant in the air conditioner circulates to an evaporator coil, where it expands into a gas. This expansion causes a drop in temperature by pulling out heat from the surrounding air. The coolant is then circulated to a compressor inside the air conditioner, which compresses it back into a liquid, ready to start the cycle over again.

Advantages of Wall Air Conditioners

• Wall air conditioners are much smaller and less expensive than installing a split air conditioning system where the evaporator is inside the house while the condenser is outside. They don't require any additional wiring and can run off a standard 120-volt home circuit. In the majority of construction in the United States, studs are spaced 16 inches from center to center, which means that these wall air conditioners can be placed between the studs. Putting an air conditioner between studs also helps to avoid home wiring.

Why Install Between Studs?

• Most wall air conditioners are made to be fitted into a window opening. Some homeowners don't want to have the window view blocked by an air conditioner. Another reason to put the air conditioner between studs rather than in a window is that the controls can be placed up high, out of the reach of children who might be tempted to tamper with the settings. Lastly, if the room has no appropriate window, you may wish to install the air conditioner between the studs to make setup easier.

Air Conditioner Installation

• Before installing the unit, make sure there is an outlet nearby where the air conditioner can plug in. If not, you'll have to install one. Use a stud finder to find the studs on both sides where you want to install the air conditioner and mark their locations on the wall with a pencil. Use a rotary drilling tool or a keyhole saw to remove the drywall. Removing the outer wall is a trickier matter. If the wall is brick, for example, you'll need to make a series of holes around the opening for the air conditioner before trying to chisel out the bricks. To install on a house with siding or panels, these will have to be removed first. Once the hole for the air conditioner has been created between the studs, trim the edges with wood and secure. Insert the air conditioner in the opening between the studs and secure. The exact method of securing will depend on the size of the air conditioner and the type of structure. Two popular solutions are to secure the air conditioner by attaching the back with chains to mounts on the outside wall, or by installing a mount underneath the unit to support the air condioner's weight. Fill in the spaces between the air conditioner and the trim with caulk and/or weatherstripping.