My husband and I were fortunate with our condo purchase two years back. Not just because we finally “got in” the market, but also because the former owner was kind enough to leave behind a parting gift—a window-mount air conditioner in our bedroom. While much of the remainder of our 30-plus-year-old insulation-challenged three-storey unit seems to stay at a sticky 29 degrees Celsius, that little Danby unit has granted our very furry border collie and us some restful nights of sleep.

But just what are the rules surrounding air conditioners and condos? Clearly sawing a hole to the outside to install permanent through-the-wall AC is not an option for the average condo dweller.

Evelyn Thompson, ACCI, past president of the Canadian Condominium Institute, South Alberta Chapter, says most condo boards don’t allow the window-mount air-conditioning units, and that it’s best to check the rules before shelling out too much cash on one.

“It depends on your bylaws. Some boards may choose to allow certain types, but have rules governing their use,” explains Thompson, adding portable coolers on wheels may be the best bet for condo residents, as, apart from a hose similar to a dryer vent, they keep a pretty low profile. Central air units, though more expensive than portables (they actually get hooked into the furnace) “are the more desirable type” especially for those who live in a townhome type of condominium, says Thompson. “Because they have to go outside, some boards won’t allow them, unless you have a balcony for them to go on. But the noise factor and decibel level is something to consider.”

Some new apartment-style condos work air conditioning into the construction, at least in common hallways, and sometimes also in suites, or at least plan for future installation by owners with sleeves that will conceal the appearance of a cooling unit in a window or wall.

But Thompson says some boards are becoming more air con-tolerant as long as noise or other complaints are not lodged against their users. It’s always a good idea to consult your bylaws, and inquire with the board before making a purchase that may set you back a few hundred dollars and just leave you hot under the collar. “You may be forced to remove it, or even be fined,” warns Thompson.
Once you are given the OK, it’s a matter of selecting the right model to cool the space. Do you want to cool a room, or a whole condo? Portable and window-mount air conditioners come in a range of price points and BTUs (that’s British thermal units, or the measure of cooling capacity per hour), and most also have an Energy Star rating which tells you how efficiently the model works.

Most window models—if allowed—can cool spaces from 300 to 1,600 square-feet, which is more than enough to keep a two-bedroom, or even a two-storey condo cool when the Mercury climbs as it did last month. Ours is great for our bedroom, but does little to make a dent outside that one room. The rule of thumb is to select a model that offers 20 BTU per square-foot of living area, so a 6,000-BTU version will cool a max of 200 square-feet and a 24,000-BTU unit will keep a 1,200-square-foot suite cool and comfy. A too-small version will run constant-ly, often in vain, while a too-big AC unit uses frequent short cycles and will lower the temperature, but may jack up electric bills.

Other things to look for when buying (and they are now readily available at stores like Canadian Tire, Home Depot and Rona) include how loud they run (think: sleeping and not annoying neighbours), whether they have timers, and how easy air filters are to remove and find. It’s also advisable to clean it every couple of weeks when in hot-and-heavy use, and change the unit’s filter once or twice a season. The good news is today’s portable and window-mount air conditioners are greener; Energy Star-rated units use 30 to 40 per cent less energy than those made a decade to 15 years ago.
As for me, when not out enjoying the sunshine this summer, you will find me curled up with a good tome, cooling my heels, thankful to be able to put the air con back in condo.