AC Sleeves & thru wall ACs

anyone???

Default choice is Friedrich: http://www.friedrich.com/products/residential/built-in/thru-the-wall/wallmaster

Make sure you know the exact dimensions of the sleeve and confirm that the AC will fit. We used PC Richards.

home depot in Manhattan has a wide selection, and can order ones that they don't have in store.

...which they can ship to your apt if you have a doorman...

If you're installing into existing holes in the wall, note that you are severely limited by the sleeve size. They're very brand-specific, and sometimes even within one brand there are different standards.

See, for example, the mid-page table at http://www.ajmadison.com/guides/air_conditioner/wall/

Through-walls are intrinsically less efficient than all but portable ACs.

For buying, if you know what you want, I recommend Yudin's in NJ, phone order.

I very much liked an LG I had in my last apartment, although that was a big chassis-type, not through-wall. And I suspect Friedrich is riding on a very very old reputation, so dig deep in your research.

DO NOT use PC Richards - they subcontract installation. Last year I purchased a Wallmaster and it was pitched incorrectly during installation - major flood ruining my wood floors necessitating an insurance claim and a new floors

Did I get a "I'm sorry" from PC Richards???
Did I get an apology from the subcontractor???

Nada

Charged back the A/C on AMEX....

Go elsewhere - use one of the smaller A/C companies in New York where they do their own installation...

We didn't use PC Richards to install our AC. We bought it there--the salesman was very helpful--and had our super install it. BTW it is a Friedrich and we're very happy with it.

Sammy, does your apartment have a balcony? If it doesn't, and assuming that you're not doing the installation yourself, make sure to shop around for quotes on extra charges for installing the outside unit that the inner unit and sleeve will connect to. Some places will charge you a huge premium for non-terrace/balcony apartments because they need to have two employees, one of whom is hanging outside the window using a harness.

When I bought one of these, I ended up willingly spending 20% more on the AC unit just because installation was far cheaper.

the outside unit that the inner unit and sleeve will connect to

The kind of AC that you're referring to -- split ductless -- is virtually never used here because it's too energy-efficient, and the interior part ugly beyond belief.

Have you even ever been to the United States?

"the outside unit that the inner unit and sleeve will connect to" shoulda been quoted like this.

Ok thx everyone.

There are no holes, so I need to get that done too. Also, no balcony.

I called a bunch of local co.s as one of you suggested & will be meeting 2 of them this week: one that will make the holes, supply AC & AC sleeve & install. The other, says he won't make the holes just provide AC sleeve & AC and install everything. Neither HIV quoted me a price yet. How much should it be? 2 small size & one medium size unit, something mid-range.

Alternatively, since there is work being done on the facade of my building & the contractor doing it has offered to cut the wall (mainly because his pipe scaffold is on that side of the building) & install (not provide) only the AC sleeves. Not the unit. For this he is quoting me $8,000. Is it too much?

...damn auto-correct! Meant to say, "neither have quoted me a price yet"...

$8K sounds insanely high to me ... but what do I know?

The first thing you need to do is find a good online BTU calculator -- one that takes into account WxDxH, exposure direction, windows, cooking area, etc. Stick very close to that BTU number. Don't rely on salespeople, who are morons and will tell you anything to sell you what they have, or on your super.

Sleeve, as mentioned, is very particular to the unit you select, so have that completely figured out and specified before dealing with masonry work.

The best thing you might do, though, is see if your building will possibly go for a split-ductless or multi-split ductless, as Triple_Zero suggested. They're way way more energy efficient, quieter, and for not much more you can get ones with heat mode in case your building's heating is ever down. The approval challenge is the bracketed outside unit ... selling point is that it's really no more unsightly than a window unit, and no louder, and why so not (for back/sides of building ... zero chance for front)?

Mitsubishi's Mr. Slim is the main brand I've seen around town, but there a quite a few others.

Multi-split is less energy efficient, but allows one outside unit to serve up to four independently-operated inside units.

There are recessed ceiling units that are less hideous than the inside wall ones, but I think they require sheetrocked/dropped ceiling.

Really through-wall isn't great, so perhaps don't spend too much on it.

Sammy call Hamilton air.
They are one of the best.

Thanks Alan. Sounds high to me too.

Estimator - Hamilton is the co. coming in on Thurs & have said they can price out the whole package: holes, sleeves, units & installation. Fingers crossed, it's not a rip-off. Will keep you updated.

sammy: Hamilton Air is the company to go-to.

My Manhattan Condo building was supplied with units from Hamilton Air and they installed new through-wall a/cs
for me when I bought that condo.
They provide great service, just be sure to make an appt. with them for March/April of each year; for yearly
maintenance/cleaning of your a/c units.
Ask for Louise.

Sammy300,

Hamilton Air is not a rip off, however they are one of the most expensive

Thanks, Primer!

I used Hamilton Air for 2 through-the-wall ACs, 3 years ago. Nice, professional, made sound recommendations on the right size (BTUs?) for the space. I was happy. Though they didn't replaster the wall around the AC.

We are replacing a through the wall unit, and only two manufacturers have models that fit existing sleeve per HVAC service provider estimates. Any thoughts on Daiken-Mcquay vs Evergreen?

Go to Cool Air. They not only replace the sleeves, they also can create the hole through the wall for it. They also sell a/c's. They're approved in many coops/condos.

They moved from E 76 St to LICNY last year.

Besides Hamilton Air and Cool Air, a lot of people use Stanley Ruth. I had a good experience with them a friend of mine had a bad.

We just used Stanley Ruth on a project, very pleased with them

Will any of those companies help to better seal a through-the-wall unit? In summer, I can feel warm air rushing in the sides etc of my unit.

I agree with alanhart.

What neighborhood is this in?

We just scheduled with Cool air and they called us last minute to say they couldn't make it. The house is in contract and we had to get access, coordinate with super, get our flooring contractor and now these cool air guys are a no show. Bad service - would not recommend them.
Propinquity, what bad experience did your friend have with Stanley Ruth? Any other reccomemdations for someone reasonable who can make a hole in the wall, set up AC, replaster it?

Newhere,

You can find people who had bad experiences with every company, things happen. We have used Stanley Ruth and been happy with them.

Newhere, my friend didn't like Stanley Ruth because he felt they were rude and broke an appointment. But I bought two thru the walls with them and had a fine experience. And I also have had good experiences with Cool Air (I have them come in and maintain and clean the A/C's once a year. P.S. The friend who was angry with with Stanley Ruth loves Cool- Air.
Primer's right -- everybody doesn't like somebody.

Newhere: Had Cool Air out on 3 different occasions for 3 different a/c's. Never had a problem in the 5 years I used them.

i need to install 5 through the wall AC units, what do you think ball park contractor should charge for this. thanks,

Tojc516,
25-30k

Picking up on this old post - Hamilton Air has given a quote for adding a through the wall AC that seems reasonable (including dual heating/cooling unit) but now the hard part is getting the condo board to approve it. This has never been done before in our building. Can anyone who has been successful persuading their board share what logic they used? Thank you!!

What kind of heating do you currently have?

gio190fx,

Tough task ahead. If I was you I would try to get on the board and then try to persuade everyone

Gio, Are you planning to make holes in facade facing the street? If the facade has no existing holes for ac, it will be uphill battle due to change in aesthetics unless it is a buildingwise proposal. For the back of the building, it is likely to be easier if you provide comfort about structural integrity (you will need to get structural engineer’s report) and adequate waterproofing when you make the hole.