Hi all,

I recently moved into a 1BR walk-up in New York which comes "equipped"
with a hole/sleeve in the wall for air conditioners.

The hole is 24.5 x 14.5, and I found the idea of putting an AC in there
rather attractive: tucked away, leaving the window space intact, and
probably quite soundproof.

However, I was surprised to see the market's offerings. While window
units are cheap, effective (eer ~11), and come with remote controls,
thru-the-wall units seem to be a few generations behind.

So, my question is: are TTW units really such a bad value, or am I
missing something?

Ray

On Mon, 07 Jul 2003 12:14:56 GMT, rs wrote:

Hi all,

I recently moved into a 1BR walk-up in New York which comes "equipped"
with a hole/sleeve in the wall for air conditioners.

The hole is 24.5 x 14.5, and I found the idea of putting an AC in there
rather attractive: tucked away, leaving the window space intact, and
probably quite soundproof.

However, I was surprised to see the market's offerings. While window
units are cheap, effective (eer ~11), and come with remote controls,
thru-the-wall units seem to be a few generations behind.

So, my question is: are TTW units really such a bad value, or am I
missing something?

*I* must be missing something! I installed a couple small "window"
units in my house three years ago--through the wall. Had to fashion
my own holes/sleeves in order to preserve the windows.

I didn't know there WAS such a thing as a TTW unit. My window units
(Panasonics, highly rated by Consumer Reports) came with detailed TTW
instructions, plus various bits and pieces for window installation,
which of course, I didn't use.

--John W. Wells


Ray

I bought a through the wall AC unit for an apartment in Manhattan and
have lugged it around for years since moving away from there. My
understanding is that they're less efficient than window units because
they lack side exhaust air vents. Still, it's easy to adapt such a
unit for use in a windowa and it's cheaper than buying a new one.

John W. Wells wrote:
On Mon, 07 Jul 2003 12:14:56 GMT, rs wrote:

So, my question is: are TTW units really such a bad value, or am I
missing something?

I didn't know there WAS such a thing as a TTW unit. My window units
(Panasonics, highly rated by Consumer Reports) came with detailed TTW
instructions, plus various bits and pieces for window installation,
which of course, I didn't use.
Interesting. I saw the praise for the Panasonics, and also that they
could be mounted "TTW", as per the web site. However, and I've tried in
four stores now, salespeople say I cannot put them into a (completely
enclosing, front to back!) wall/sleeve. I have asked the question to
Panasonic itself, but am of course waiting for an answer (I'm sure
they're tracking down the engineer.. yeah, right).

At this time, I am thinking that they might be right.. after all, some
manufacturers make both types, but what really strikes me is that the
"TTW" units don't come with electronic controls/remote, the EER is
around 9.5, and yet they want about $500 for a 10,000 btu unit.

So what I'm trying to find out is whether the TTW units are a pricey
niche product, or whether they are a decent investment. Also, I would be
interested in those "detailed" TTW instructions of the Panasonics!

If the Panasonics don't work well in an enclosing wall, the options
appear to be Sears (which, I hear, are loud, but they are electronic) or
Frigidaire (which might be on the same level as GE). The Friedrich's
don't fit.

Ray

On Tue, 08 Jul 2003 04:14:04 GMT, rs wrote:

John W. Wells wrote:
On Mon, 07 Jul 2003 12:14:56 GMT, rs wrote:

So, my question is: are TTW units really such a bad value, or am I
missing something?

I didn't know there WAS such a thing as a TTW unit. My window units
(Panasonics, highly rated by Consumer Reports) came with detailed TTW
instructions, plus various bits and pieces for window installation,
which of course, I didn't use.
Interesting. I saw the praise for the Panasonics, and also that they
could be mounted "TTW", as per the web site. However, and I've tried in
four stores now, salespeople say I cannot put them into a (completely
enclosing, front to back!) wall/sleeve. I have asked the question to
Panasonic itself, but am of course waiting for an answer (I'm sure
they're tracking down the engineer.. yeah, right).

At this time, I am thinking that they might be right.. after all, some
manufacturers make both types, but what really strikes me is that the
"TTW" units don't come with electronic controls/remote, the EER is
around 9.5, and yet they want about $500 for a 10,000 btu unit.

So what I'm trying to find out is whether the TTW units are a pricey
niche product, or whether they are a decent investment. Also, I would be
interested in those "detailed" TTW instructions of the Panasonics!

The instructions were no big deal. I cut a hole through the wall (2x4
studs) including one stud, added horizontal 2x4 pieces at the top and
bottom, forming a completely framed rectangular opening. Then insert
the sheet metal box through the opening, screw it to the top, bottom
and sides of the 2x4 'frame,' slide the A/C unit into the box and
screw it to it.

Repair the drywall, frame the unit with quarter-round or other
moulding, likewise the outside wall. Add the face plate and plug in.

My siding was 5/8" plywood--brick or stucco would have been a bit
harder.

--JWW

If the Panasonics don't work well in an enclosing wall,

I cannot imagine what this means! ??

the options
appear to be Sears (which, I hear, are loud, but they are electronic) or
Frigidaire (which might be on the same level as GE). The Friedrich's
don't fit.

Ray

On Mon, 07 Jul 2003 12:14:56 GMT, rs wrote:

Hi all,

I recently moved into a 1BR walk-up in New York which comes "equipped"
with a hole/sleeve in the wall for air conditioners.

The hole is 24.5 x 14.5, and I found the idea of putting an AC in there
rather attractive: tucked away, leaving the window space intact, and
probably quite soundproof.

However, I was surprised to see the market's offerings. While window
units are cheap, effective (eer ~11), and come with remote controls,
thru-the-wall units seem to be a few generations behind.

So, my question is: are TTW units really such a bad value, or am I
missing something?


Check out
http://www.fedders.com/catalog/appli...ac/eqk_ttw.htm

John W. Wells wrote:
On Tue, 08 Jul 2003 04:14:04 GMT, rs wrote:
Also, I would be
interested in those "detailed" TTW instructions of the Panasonics!


The instructions were no big deal. I cut a hole through the wall (2x4
studs) including one stud, added horizontal 2x4 pieces at the top and
bottom, forming a completely framed rectangular opening. Then insert
the sheet metal box through the opening, screw it to the top, bottom
and sides of the 2x4 'frame,' slide the A/C unit into the box and
screw it to it.

Repair the drywall, frame the unit with quarter-round or other
moulding, likewise the outside wall. Add the face plate and plug in.

My siding was 5/8" plywood--brick or stucco would have been a bit
harder.
Thanks for the details, sounds like a good job
The difference though, is that your wall is not as think as the one I
intend to put the AC in. Your AC would stick out a lot in the back
(luckily, for it has vents there), whereas mine wouldn't.

If the Panasonics don't work well in an enclosing wall,
I cannot imagine what this means! ??
I tought if it would be possible to enclose the entire AC (except the
back of course) in the sleeve I have, it would essentially become a
'backbreather' model, with its EER dropping. But it sounds like I better
not even try.

Ray

On Tue, 08 Jul 2003 12:39:55 GMT, rs wrote:

Rufus T. Frazier wrote:

Check out
http://www.fedders.com/catalog/appli...ac/eqk_ttw.htm

Hi thanks for the link. Funny enough, my local wholesale store clerk
told me that "no one" carries this model anymore. Of course I could
always order it for an extra $95, but I balk at that. What if I need to
return it, etc.

Now I'm down to these models:
- Frigidaire, about $440 (rotary controls, but I'm told "it's a good brand")
- Sears (electronic controls, but their window units are infamous for
being noisy)
- A Panasonic window unit

One funny thing that I noticed was that there are very few reviews of
TTW models out there. Consumer Reports hasn't tested any, and on the
internet (google,epinions,etc.) I found virtually nothing.

Any thoughts on Sears or Frigidaire?


I think the Sears units are made by someone else. Yes, they appear to
be noisy. Just stay away from GE, I bought one and can't recommend
them. . Anyway, here's the link I was originally looking for. You may
not be able to order from them but they have mucho information.

http://www.genieac.com/index.html