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I installed a 5K BTU window unit in my childhood room in Florida, a 16x12 space I've been renovating. My dad surprised me with a huge bedroom suite that includes a very tall, massive headboard. The room has higher windows, beginning approximately 43" from the floor.
The old furniture had a modest headboard and fit nicely below the window. The new headboard covers nearly the entire window and blocks the A/C.
How much clearance do I need between the vent (where the cold air blows out) and this monstrosity of a headboard, so as not to compromise the functionality of the A/C? Currently, there is about 11", but the unit seems to be cycling faster than is needed.
Thanks Dad... but it's really just TOO big for the room (or move the bed).
I wish I could do that, but he'd disown me for being an ungrateful b! For whatever reason, he doesn't see a perfect room unless it's crammed full of furniture (and stuff). I'm thinking that's why I prefer clean, modern lines and lots of floor space. Ha!
...but I may have to. I've been testing the clearance this afternoon, moving it inch by inch, so we'll see how far out I have to go to make the A/C happy.
A short answer is that the depth of the "box" in front of the register must provide at least as many square inches on its four sides as the total area of the register. Larger is better, up to, well infinite.
So if the register is 12x24, that's 288 square inches. The box has 72 inches of perimeter (2x12 + 2x24). So you would need the blocking surface to be at least (288/72) inches away, or about 4 inches, to have minimal restriction on airflow.
That's too simple, though, for several reasons. I'd say at least 6 inches and you will still have some airflow restriction and thus cooling losses. Not counting outflow air deflected right back into the intake, which is more or less wasted.
I wish I could do that, but he'd disown me for being an ungrateful b!
If that's actually true then it's outrageous and abusive.
Assert yourself now or you'll be cowering for the next 40 years.
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