How to Keep a Window Air Conditioner Tight With Rods

An improperly installed or insulated window air conditioner can be costing you money. In order to work efficiently, these air conditioners should be tightly sealed inside the window frame. This helps prevent air from seeping out the sides or leaking out of the room. One way you can keep a window air conditioner airtight is by using insulation rods. These cylindrical ropes of foam can be cut to fit into any gaps around the air-conditioning unit.

Air-conditioner backer rods
Utility knife or scissors
Notepad or pencil
Measuring tape

Instructions

- 1
  Unplug the air conditioner from the electrical socket.
- 2
  Locate the gaps around the air conditioner that you wish to seal with the rods. These may be on the top, bottom or either side.
- 3
  Measure out the length of gap for the rod with the measuring tape. Make a note of this number.
- 4
  Measure out the length on the rod that you determined in Step 3. Make a small notch on the rod with a utility knife.
- 5
  Cut the rod with scissors or a utility knife in the marked location.
- 6
  Slip the rod in the space between the air conditioner and top, bottom or sides of the window sash.
- 7
  Repeat the measuring and cutting process for as many gaps along the sides of the air conditioner until the unit is tightly secured from any air gaps.
- 8
  Plug the air conditioner back into the outlet.

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