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So I want to buy and install a window air conditioner. I've tried this before (two years ago), and the air conditioner worked sporadically, occasionally tripping my power, and occasionally not working at all. Then over the winter it decided it didn't want to work any more, presumably internal faults (Haier, which is good if you get a good one but had some bad ones.)
Part of the problem may be related to, though, the lack of current available in my apartment. I have as far as I can tell 3 15 amp circuits in the apartment; one in the kitchen, one in the dining room slash 1BR, and one in the living room slash 2BR. I believe from the circuit breaker they each are 15 amp.
An air conditioner, unfortunately, prefers to have its own 15amp circuit, as it has a very high startup (compressor initiation) spike.
First off... is there any chance my landlord might be convinced, either through asking or through legal pressure, to upgrade the wiring? I presume it's quite expensive to do this sort of thing, in terms of adding a fourth circuit. (Or a fifth. The kitchen circuit makes me sad when I want to microwave and I have to turn off the lights...)
Second off... is there a good way to keep the A/C from spiking regularly? I can use a UPS on the computer (basically it would share a circuit with a PC, a plasma 42" TV, and the room light) but can a UPS help the a/c also? What sort of UPS would I need (a tiny one, or a decent one?) Other possibilities?
Third off, what A/C (standard window size) is recommended? Whirlpool i've heard good things about, and isn't horribly expensive (up to $300 USD is okay, for probably 8000 BTU). Are there models that are more energy efficient that would be less demanding on the electrical current? I could of course use a 6000 BTU one, though that technically doesn't cover enough area but it could probably manage; would that help? They both claim to require 15 amps/115V. I assume it still ends up using less current?
Any other things I don't know?? This is in Chicago, by the way, for those who know local specifics. There are some indications in the code that 60amps is a minimum, but that is presumably for new construction only (this is at least 15-20 years old).
Part of the problem may be related to, though, the lack of current available in my apartment. I have as far as I can tell 3 15 amp circuits in the apartment; one in the kitchen, one in the dining room slash 1BR, and one in the living room slash 2BR. I believe from the circuit breaker they each are 15 amp.
An air conditioner, unfortunately, prefers to have its own 15amp circuit, as it has a very high startup (compressor initiation) spike.
First off... is there any chance my landlord might be convinced, either through asking or through legal pressure, to upgrade the wiring? I presume it's quite expensive to do this sort of thing, in terms of adding a fourth circuit. (Or a fifth. The kitchen circuit makes me sad when I want to microwave and I have to turn off the lights...)
Second off... is there a good way to keep the A/C from spiking regularly? I can use a UPS on the computer (basically it would share a circuit with a PC, a plasma 42" TV, and the room light) but can a UPS help the a/c also? What sort of UPS would I need (a tiny one, or a decent one?) Other possibilities?
Third off, what A/C (standard window size) is recommended? Whirlpool i've heard good things about, and isn't horribly expensive (up to $300 USD is okay, for probably 8000 BTU). Are there models that are more energy efficient that would be less demanding on the electrical current? I could of course use a 6000 BTU one, though that technically doesn't cover enough area but it could probably manage; would that help? They both claim to require 15 amps/115V. I assume it still ends up using less current?
Any other things I don't know?? This is in Chicago, by the way, for those who know local specifics. There are some indications in the code that 60amps is a minimum, but that is presumably for new construction only (this is at least 15-20 years old).
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