Can I install a window a/c inside a room?

I live in a rented apartment and the landlord doesn't allow window acs. Can I install a window ac inside a room and create a plywood shell to cover the back and sides of the ac to vent the air out. Will this work? Anyone have better ideas? Have looked at portable a/cs but have read that they are not as effective and are expensive.

Can I install a window a/c inside a room?
Yes, but it would be too ugly and too complicated to work properly and your landlord would know because he will be able to see your contraption from the outside.





Your best bet is to check with your tenant's association to install a window unit properly.





Next best is to use the portable A/C's; they are designed for this purpose. They are more expensive and only slightly less effective.





If you are to build a contraption, look at your A/C carefully. Window A/C's are designed with a division between inside and outside. The outside needs to draw fresh air through top and/or side vents and expel it through the back. These two air streams must be kept separate otherwise your efficiency will drop dramatically. And A/C's generate a considerable amount of condensation that usually drips harmlessly outside. Some of the newer models even use this condensation to increase efficiency and spew a fine spray with the hot air out the back. You will have to collect and dispose of this condensation without making a mess or damaging the floor and walls. I really don't recommend this.
Reply:Call the city, if the landlord doesn't provide an A/C, he can't keep you from installing one.
Reply:Don't do it!
Reply:This is a good idea, but unfortunately not a practical one. I have a portable ac that worked great. Just make sure its high enough in BTU's to cool the area properly. Most of the time that people complain about them not cooling enough is because they have one thats too small for the room.
Reply:they sell self contained unit that you can buy that go on the inside of the house and collect all the condensation in a bottle and you just have to empty it every now and then. try you local hardware store to see if they sell them.
Reply:You have an interesting challenge. I think the answer is probably not. A window AC unit relies on the ambient air temperature to cool the refrigeration coils. If you create a short duct connected to the window, it will quickly heat the small space between the coils and the window and reduce the heat transfer dramatically. If you can get some airflow across the coils it would help.





Another problem will be the noise level inside the apartment. You will have the motor and compressor noice inside the apartment.
Reply:The problem would be that you will be sending hot air back into a room you are trying to cool. The condensate also needs to go somewhere. When a unit is installed in the window, hot air is expelled on the outside.
Reply:Richard is right. The back of the AC needs to be outside or it will not work properly.





Creative solution, but it will not work. If the unit you are renting is not air conditioned, You need to talk to the local rental commission about what is allowed. The place must be habitable, and lately, an AC is needed.





Good luck.
Reply:you can put one in your apt but you will need some where for the condinsation to drip. The law would be the landlord needs to make sure you have a/c with these hot temps we will be having in the up coming months. You can call the tenants association and they will make them take care of it. hope this helps you

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