How should I fill the void in a horizontal sliding window after installing a condensing fan?

[maxdad118]

Is plywood my best bet? Or is there some other genius idea? It doesn’t have to be permanent as we get snow in the winter and will be removing it.

 

[oldognewtrick]

What about plexiglass?

 

[maxdad118]

I’m thinking about that, maybe some thermoclear. I want it to fit semi snug in the void to keep bugs out too.

 

[Flyover]

A custom built triple glazed window insert is probably cheaper than plywood.

 

[maxdad118]

A custom built triple glazed window insert is probably cheaper than plywood.

That’s true! ..I was hoping to get some feedback on my other post?! Anybody have experience with those condenser window fan units? Will it make a considerable difference in the cooling aspect?

 

[Eddie_T]

OK,I'll bite. What is a condenser window fan?

 

[maxdad118]

Its similar to a swamp cooler but not nearly as big. I’ve never had one in my life and can’t afford to do central at the moment.

 

[maxdad118]

Actually an evaporator cooler, not condenser

 

[Eddie_T]

Thanks for the clarification. Here is a chart that might help but room temp also depends upon how much air you can process.

j

 

[BuzzLOL]

There's a lot of BS in the sales pitch for those coolers... you may be a lot happier with a $99 window A/C unit... which does condense humidity out of the room air as well...

 

[Jeff Handy]

The OP does not list his location.

A swamp cooler only works well in areas with very low humidity.

A window a/c unit works anywhere.

 

[MrMiz]

I used left over FRP. They are about $40 for a 4x8 sheet at the big box. I had some left over from a shower surround. You could also use something like this:

https://www.lowes.com/pd/PLASKOLITE...n-L-White-Corrugated-Plastic-Sheet/1000873144
The only reason I "spring" for some plexi is because #1 I had it and it was free #2 I always feel like the clear plexi shows the frame you made and it looks a little tacky rather than just a solid white sheet.

 

[maxdad118]

Sorry fellas, I’m in CA. Cabin is in a dry area.

 

[Eddie_T]

When I vented a portable AC through a sliding glass door. I ripped a stud, saw kerfed it and added panes of acrylic which was cheaper (and thinner) than plexiglass. A $99 A/C would have been better (and cheaper) but I would have had to remove a casement window to install it. My BIL used a $99 AC to cool a small house. It ran continuously, dehumidified the whole house and made the temp more tolerable.

 

[maxdad118]

Well, I like the fact the one I’m picking up moves over 3200 cfm. If this works well for our cabin, it’s money well spent. The YouTube videos I’ve watched were inspiring and tell me it should work ok. Plus it’s a little cheaper to run. Time will tell. I talked to customer yesterday(work in the gas industry) and he had the old school swamp cooler on the side of his house, on a platform. It looked beat up and dilapidated. He loves his.

 

[BvilleBound]

I agree with Jeff. Even if you live in a fairliy arid climate in Southern California, a standard, cheap window AC unit will work better than a swamp / evaporative cooler - and for a wider range of the year. Plus they are easy to install and seal in a window. No need for a custom window etc. And you can remove them in the 'winter' (if you have a winter in your area). If you are concerned about Global Warming, get a unit with higher efficiency. And if your cabin has clear access to the sourthern sky, install solar panels. In addition to low cost power, you can sell the excess back to SoCal Edison for a profit. This is actually the best financial investment for many people, bar none, even if you are not concerned about Global Warming.

Mark

 

[maxdad118]

I’m in NorCal, not interested in solar. It’s a weekend cabin at the moment. It’s working pretty well for our needs. All of our windows are horizontal slide windows. Not trying to be cheap, but the windows are from the mid 80’s and no plans to replace them, yet. I’m not a fan of the portable ac units that use a hose to exhaust, I’d prefer a window mounted unit. Also, the largest opening window only allows for about 21 3/4”.

 

[BvilleBound]

21 3/4" in which dimension? What are both dimensions? I also dislike 'portable' AC units. We have a window AC unit in our previous house for years, that kept the entire home surprisingly cool on hot summer days.

Thanks, Mark

 

[maxdad118]

The width, there’s probably a unit that will fit but I want BIG if I can?! The cabin is about 1500 sq ft with 1 bd/1 bath on one side, living room, kitchen separating the hallway leading to another 1 bd/bath. It almost needs a couple. The reason I went with the evaporator cooler is the cfm. It moves a lot more cooler air but not ac cool air. So far I’m ok with it plus it’s suppose to draw less.

 

[Ron Van]

We lived in the Sac'to area for 30 years and just moved last August. Swamp coolers work great there because of the extremely low humidity (less than 15%). Because Sac enjoys the Delta Breeze, we used our whole house fan every night and rarely needed cooling at night after 5-6pm.