A Guide to Installing Your Air Conditioner

An air conditioner offers you comfort and wellness during the dog days of summer. With the hot season on its way in, you may be in the process of deciding on what type of air conditioner you should buy and install.

Before selecting a model, there are several factors to take into consideration, particularly concerning installation.

Are you renting – what do you need to verify?

The law stipulates that a renter can install a window air conditioner so long as the unit doesn’t damage the apartment or make holes in the wall.

However, an owner can add certain constraints. To avoid any surprises or hassles, double-check if there are any rules regarding air conditioners in your building. Start by reading your lease closely and verifying any other pertaining documents. You can also ask your landlord if there are any particulars in this regard.

It’s better to double-check the details twice than buy a machine you can’t end up installing. Remember that it’s not on your landlord to adapt their guidelines to the air conditioner you’ve purchased, but rather your responsibility to buy a unit that complies with your building’s requirements.

Make sure you verify the following:

• Do you have the right to install your own unit, or does your building require you to hire a professional to do it?
• Is the electrical capacity of your air conditioner supported by the electrical system in place? If not, this could cause a serious incident, like an electrical shortage.
• Are you permitted to install the unit onto the façade of the building? Some municipalities do not allow such installments.
• Is the power and dimensions of the system adapted to the size of your apartment? If your air conditioner isn’t the right size or lacks power, you may find your apartment less than comfortable.
• Is the air conditioner properly secured? You don’t want to risk the unit falling onto passersby or cars parked below.
• Is the water dripping correctly? If the water doesn’t empty towards the exterior of the building properly, the water can infiltrate the apartment and cause moisture and damages.
• Is the air conditioner quiet? If your neighbors find themselves bothered by the noise generated by the unit, you may need to remove it.

The Portable Air Conditioner

The portable air conditioner is easily transported from one room to another. If you have windows that don’t open all the way or live in a building that doesn’t allow window units, this is the ideal choice.

This type of unit must be positioned next to both a window and power outlet. It needs to sit on a level surface, with a 30 cm+ buffer zone around it for optimal airflow.

The portable air conditioner is usually sold with a window kit. This kit allows you to install your unit whether you have vertically or horizontally fixed windows.

Make sure that the evacuation hose is well fit to the window kit, without any obstruction between the window kit, window frame, and the actual windowpane.

Portable air conditioners are less powerful than other models but are extremely practical for small apartments.

The Window Air Conditioner

A window air conditioner installs directly into your window and requires a power outlet nearby.

Ideally, the best placement for a window air conditioner is a window located in a home’s central area. However, if this isn’t possible, choose a window that allows a good flow throughout the house. Avoid installing the unit in a window exposed to full sun, as that will increase the unit’s energy consumption.

Incline the unit slightly toward the exterior, in a decline. This will prevent rainwater from collecting and leaking along the seams of the window and into the home.

The Wall Unit or Central Air Conditioner

Whether you are in an apartment or a house, regardless of the type of air conditioner you choose, the location of your installation is the number one concern.

The best places to install your air conditioner are the living room, bedrooms, and dining room.

The bathroom and kitchen are not ideal locations for an air conditioner. Moist air that is cooled is less than comfortable, not to mention that kitchen vapours and grease residues can cause your unit to malfunction.

Mural air conditioners, placed close to the ceiling, need to be installed so that cool air isn’t blowing directly on the people in the home.

For consoles that are closer to the floor, you need to make sure that it isn’t being blocked by a couch or a bed, as well as other furniture so as not to block the airflow.

Exterior units are installed close to the ground or fixed to the wall with the aid of a support bracket. They need to be in a place that has good ventilation and shelter from the sun and wind. The exterior unit is the noisiest. It’s wise to avoid placing the unit next to bedroom windows or near your neighbours to avoid disturbing anyone.

Call the Professionals

If you are installing mural or central air conditioning, it is strongly recommended that you call for professional aid.

Poor installations can negatively affect the device, lessen its life span, and cause damages to your home.

These systems perform better and are more energy-efficient than portable or window air conditioners. Therefore the extra cost at the time of purchase and installation will pay for itself as you use the unit.

Government grants are available for certain models through Rénoclimat and the Efficient heat pump program from Hydro-Québec. A licenced professional with the appropriate RBQ qualifications must install the unit to qualify for these grants.

Are you uncertain about which unit is best for your home? Rest assured, the MST team is here to answer your questions. We will provide you with the best options adapted to your unique needs, taking into consideration the surface area of your home, the number of storeys, as well as the layout and height of your ceilings.

Our technical team is qualified to install your unit, as well as maintain and repair any air conditioning unit or heat pump. Contact us today, and we will be happy to guide you through your air conditioning project.