Welcome to Randall The Handyman. Summer heat arrives in Vancouver. You bought a portable air conditioner. You need to install the window kit. Mistakes lead to heat and high bills. Read these steps to fix your setup.
1. Using the wrong kit for your window type
Many homes in the West End or North Vancouver have casement windows. These windows swing out. Standard kits fit sliding windows. Using a sliding kit on a casement window creates gaps.
How to fix it:
Identify your window. Measure the height, then measure the width. Buy a fabric seal for casement windows. Buy a plastic kit for sliders. Order a custom plexiglass insert for large openings. Place the insert into the frame. Secure the insert with clips. Attach the hose to the hole.
2. Leaving gaps around the panel
Air enters through small openings. Heat stays inside. Your unit works harder. This raises costs.
How to fix it:
Close the window on the kit. Look for light around the edges. Buy foam weatherstripping. Cut the foam to size. Peel the backing. Stick the foam to the window track. Press the panel against the foam. Use painter’s tape for small holes. Tape the edges, then test the seal. Feel for drafts. Add more foam until the air stops.
3. Kinking the exhaust hose
The hose carries heat away. Kinks block the air. The unit gets hot. The motor works too hard.
How to fix it:
Move the unit away from the wall. Give the hose space to curve. Avoid sharp turns. Keep the hose short. Do not buy extensions. Long hoses radiate heat back into the room. Pull the hose straight. Check the connections. Twist the adapter until it locks. Ensure the hose stays attached.
4. Forgetting about drainage
Air conditioners remove moisture. This water collects in a tank. Tanks fill quickly in East Vancouver humidity. A full tank stops the cooling.
How to fix it:
Find the drain plug. Read the manual. Check the tank daily. Empty the water into a bucket. Connect a drain hose for continuous use. Point the hose down. Use gravity to move the water. Do not point the hose up. Place the bucket on the floor. Empty the bucket before it spills. Clear the drain line once a week.
5. Overloading power circuits
Portable units use a lot of power. Plugging into a power strip is a mistake. This causes fires or trips breakers.
How to fix it:
Find a wall outlet. Plug the unit directly into the wall. Do not use extension cords. Do not use power bars. Unplug other appliances on the same circuit. Turn off kettles or vacuums when the AC runs. Check the plug for heat. If the plug feels hot, stop the unit. Call for help.
6. Creating a security risk
Open windows invite intruders. A kit prevents the window from locking. This is a problem in ground-floor units in Yaletown or Main St.
How to fix it:
Measure the remaining window track. Buy a wooden dowel. Cut the dowel to length. Place the dowel in the track. The dowel prevents the window from opening further. Buy a window lock. Screw the lock onto the frame. Test the window. Ensure the window does not move. Remove the kit when you leave for long trips.
7. Ignoring strata rules
Buildings in Kitsilano and Burnaby have rules. Some stratas ban white plastic in windows. They ban tape on the outside. They ban water dripping on balconies.
How to fix it:
Email your strata council. Ask for the bylaws. Buy clear plexiglass. Cut the plexiglass to match your window screen. Use clear tape on the inside only. Do not let water drip over the balcony edge. Use an internal bucket instead. Keep the installation neat.
Professional Installation in Vancouver
Installing a kit takes time. It requires tools. We help homeowners in Kerrisdale, UBC, and the Westside. We serve South Vancouver, Richmond, and West Vancouver. We also cover South Main St.
Our Pricing:
- First hour: $120
- Each additional hour: $85
We bring the tools. We install the kit. We seal the gaps. We secure the window.
How to start your installation
Follow these steps for a cool home.
- Clean the window tracks.
- Remove the screen.
- Place the kit in the opening.
- Expand the panel to fit.
- Screw the panel into place.
- Apply foam to the edges.
- Close the window.
- Attach the hose.
- Plug in the unit.
- Turn on the power.
Check the filters every two weeks. Wash the filters with water. Dry the filters. Put the filters back. This keeps the air clean. This keeps the unit running.
Contact Randall The Handyman today. Call us to book your appointment. We handle the small jobs. We provide quality work. Use our service for your home. Use our service for your condo. Move toward a cool summer.
