How to cover up ugly wall A/C units? (apartments, Home Depot)

[EastBoundandDownChick]

So, so many of NYC's apartments have these darned things. I have one and was wondering how to make it... less ugly? There is also a radiator below it so it's tricky. And a window to the side of it. Some options I've been given:

1.) Extend the vallance on the top of the window to completely cover it (would destroy the delicate proportions of the room)

2.) Use an artistic relief as a cover (too wide, bulky, disproportional and just plain ghetto)

3.) Install a custom-built shelving unit (can't do it from the floor up due to the radiator at bottom)

4.) Embrace it?

I seriously hate looking at this piece of crap. Am I the only one?

[bill83]

If you walk down Park Ave, you will see so many million dallors apartments with UGLY ACs hanging on the windows. Do they have money for a better AC system? I guess the riches embrace it as normal.

[EastBoundandDownChick]

Originally Posted by bill83

If you walk down Park Ave, you will see so many million dallors apartments with UGLY ACs hanging on the windows. Do they have money for a better AC system? I guess the riches embrace it as normal.

A lot of them hide the inside part of the unit, though. The outside usually must be exposed. If I didn't have the radiator on the floor I would have a custom shelving unit built around it. Unfortunately this isn't an option.

[5-all]

There are companies that make custom radiator covers. Maybe you could get one made with a cover for the a/c as part of the unit.

[EastBoundandDownChick]

Originally Posted by Vall

There are companies that make custom radiator covers. Maybe you could get one made with a cover for the a/c as part of the unit.

I just spoke with a designer who custom builds wall shelving units. She wants at least 1.5K though. I think I'm just going to go to Home Depot and pick up some DIY guides. Thanks for the tips.

[Kefir King]

Cover an air conditioner and you drastically cut down efficiency and this means $$$$$ and also discomfort.

[NooYowkur81]

Originally Posted by EastBoundandDownChick

So, so many of NYC's apartments have these darned things. I have one and was wondering how to make it... less ugly? There is also a radiator below it so it's tricky. And a window to the side of it. Some options I've been given:

1.) Extend the vallance on the top of the window to completely cover it (would destroy the delicate proportions of the room)

2.) Use an artistic relief as a cover (too wide, bulky, disproportional and just plain ghetto)

3.) Install a custom-built shelving unit (can't do it from the floor up due to the radiator at bottom)

4.) Embrace it?

I seriously hate looking at this piece of crap. Am I the only one?

There are ac covers/sleeves. Try to see if you can find one that fits. They sell some that go on with magnets so you can easily take it off when you want to use the AC.

BTW covering a radiator is a bad idea, you will interfere with the radiation.

[5-all]

Originally Posted by NooYowkur81

BTW covering a radiator is a bad idea, you will interfere with the radiation.

Most radiator covers have vents in the front that direct the heat outward. Some have a polished metal backing that goes between the back of the radiator and the wall. They circulate the heat better because they direct the heat straight out into the room.

https://www.google.com/search?q=radi...ENiu4AOrwYHwCg

[Kefir King]

Radiator is a misnomer, very little heat is transmitted by radiation. They are really convectors and anything that increases air-flow over them will extract more heat.
Thus a box open at the top and bottom will allow for better airflow as the trapped air is heated and rises, sometimes at a good clip.
A small fan on the bottom can increase the heat output by a LOT.

Air conditioners are a different story and there must be no obstruction to either the inflow or outflow of the fan driven air.


Eastbound,
Why not post a picture?

[NooYowkur81]

Originally Posted by Kefir King

Radiator is a misnomer, very little heat is transmitted by radiation. They are really convectors and anything that increases air-flow over them will extract more heat.
Thus a box open at the top and bottom will allow for better airflow as the trapped air is heated and rises, sometimes at a good clip.
A small fan on the bottom can increase the heat output by a LOT.

Air conditioners are a different story and there must be no obstruction to either the inflow or outflow of the fan driven air.


Eastbound,
Why not post a picture?

True. It depends how it is done. I've heard stories about people completely boxing radiators or risers and then complaining about not getting heat. Duh...