A wall-mounted air conditioner provides more security than a window-mounted unit. A wall-mounted air conditioning unit is an effective way to cool your house and beat the summer heat. An AC unit mounted in a wall provides more security than a window-mounted unit, and it doesn't prevent full usage of a window. Installing an AC unit in a wall is considered a challenging project because it requires you to cut through the interior and exterior walls of your house. You should only attempt this task if you possess an above-average knowledge of carpentry. Choose a spot for the AC unit on the wall. A prime location is one that is 24 to 48 inches off the floor, near the center of the room, and close to an electrical outlet. Prepare the area by moving any furniture or decorations away and remove any pictures or paintings from the wall. Power to the house should be shut off at the main breaker before cutting into walls. Use a stud finder to locate the nearby studs in the wall and mark them with a pencil.

The AC unit should be positioned so that only one stud needs to be cut. In older houses where the studs are spaced one foot apart, it may be necessary to cut two studs to accommodate the width of the AC unit. Measure the dimensions of the AC unit and draw them onto the wall using a level and pencil to ensure they are level. Use a router set to a plunge depth of one inch to cut through the interior wall along your outline. air conditioner unit consumption per hourCut away any insulation in the wall with the utility knife. split ac outdoor unit componentsIf you encounter any electrical wires inside the wall opening you will need to have them rerouted by a licensed electrician before proceeding. air handling unit electrical diagram

From the inside of the house, use a power drill to bore through the outside wall at each of the 4 corners. From the outside of the house, use the holes that were drilled to stencil an outline on the wall. Use a circular saw to cut through the exterior wall along your outline and a hand saw to cut through any 2-by-4s blocking the hole. Measure a 2-by-4 and saw it to fit on top of the cut vertical wall studs at the bottom of the hole. Use the level to ensure it is level and hammer it into place with nails into the opposing studs on both sides. Drive a nail down through the 2-by-4 into the cut vertical studs. Repeat this process with another 2-by-4 for the top of the hole. Mount the AC bracket into the wall using the manufacturer's supplied hardware. Most AC brackets are secured to the surrounding 2-by-4s with wood screws. Use the level to ensure the bracket is plumb before it is secured into place. Apply caulk around the outside of the bracket to prevent any air or water seepage. Slide the AC unit into the hole and secure it to the bracket using the manufacturer's supplied hardware.

The typical AC unit is secured to its bracket using nuts and bolts tightened with a socket wrench. If the AC unit has any additional exterior mounting braces, install them per the manufacturer's instructions. Run a generous bead of caulk between the outside of the unit and the exterior shingles or clapboards. Use a handsaw and miter box to cut appropriate length molding at 45 degree angles and secure it in place with finishing nails around the unit. Plug the unit in and power it on. Wall Air Conditioning Costs Wall air conditioning (A/C) units have their hot air output exterior to the building, and their cooling air output to the interior climate zone with no ductwork. The unit will occupy a wall opening.You will find that the cost of average wall A/C varies by type of unit, its cooling (and heating) capacity and efficiency rating, preparation and special needs, and the labor rate.Wall A/C: for cooling a room of 17' x 20' = 340 sq.ft.; ItemUnit CostA/C unit: 8000 BTU cooling only, 115 VAC, with all trim, weather stripping, hardware, and touch-up.$856each1$856Upgrade: install new circuit;

30 feet of ROMEX surface mounted cable, #14/3; 15 amp breaker into existing space; two outlet receptacles with box and cover.$0.85per foot32$27Material Cost$883each1$883+ Labor Cost (install AC unit)$34per hour10$340+ Labor Cost (upgrade circuit)$42per hour3$126Total Cost$1,349$1,349Wall A/C: for cooling a room of 25' x 40' = 1,000 sq.ft.; ItemUnit CostA/C Unit: 18000 BTU cooling only, 230 VAC, with all trim, weather stripping, hardware, and touch-up.$1,817each1$1,817Upgrade: install new circuit, 30 feet of ROMEX surface mounted cable, #10/3; single outlet box and cover.$1.66per foot32$52Material Cost$1,869each1$1,869+ Labor Cost (install AC unit)$34per hour12$408+ Labor Cost (upgrade circuit)$42per hour3$126Total Cost$2,403$2,403Other considerations and costsIf the installation requires a new opening of a wood-framed exterior wall, that work will cost from about $55 to $75 per square foot of rough opening, depending mostly upon local labor rate. Masonry work is a bit more expensive.Taxes and permit fees are not included.

DIY considerationsThis project may be suitable to an able and prepared DIY person with tools.The work may include heavy lifting and moving. Cost to install wall air conditioning in my city Cost to install wall air conditioning varies greatly by region. Wall air conditioners offer the same benefits as room air conditioners and don’t require that you have a conveniently-placed window in which to install a unit. Wall air conditioners are less expensive than central air conditioning units, provide cooling capabilities of up to 18,000 BTU/hour, and can cool a room as large as 1,000 square feet. Some wall air conditioners are even large enough to cool an entire small house, provided that properly-placed, portable fans and appropriate insulation are used. A wall-mounted air conditioner works in the same way as window air conditioners. Two fans blow air over hot and cold Freon-filled coils. The hot coils condense the Freon into a liquid, which then runs through an expansion valve and evaporates, which creates cold Freon gas.

The cold gas absorbs warm outside air, cooling it and blowing it into the room to lower the room’s temperature. As a by-product of this process, the air conditioner also removes excess humidity from the room, making it feel even cooler and more comfortable. A wall-mounted air conditioner preserves your window view and allows you to open the window when it’s cool enough outside that air conditioning is unnecessary. Also, because wall air conditioners stay in place year-round, they offer easy, one-time installation. Finally, because it never leaves the wall, there’s no need to store a bulky AC unit in another location such as your attic or basement during the off-season. This makes a wall-mounted AC a particularly good option in regions that experience all four seasons. Wall air conditioners provide more installation options than window units. Place a wall-mounted AC unit on any outside-facing, sheetrock wall that does not have any existing pipes or electrical lines running through it.