Window Air Conditioners Hurricane Irene

Any advice on what do with our window air conditioners as the end of the world approaches?

I was wondering the same thing. Can I just leave them in? They're a real hassle to remove and rather heavy.

A/C season is almost over, so my plan was to bring them in and then hope for no more hot weather.

I just recieived this email like fourth-hand:

i was told by a person from new orleans to take your ac units out cause it will either damage it or it will just blow it out of your window.

I think some things to consider with window a/c's:

If it's really windy and really rainy, might this be a way water gets in your home?

If it's really installed properly, with brackets into the brick, it might be stable, but if it's just got those accordion panels screwed in, I doubt that's very safe against actual hurricane winds.

According to some folks in this brownstoner thread might grow with more reasons and is worth looking at.

The NYTs write this, now I don't know what to about AC units and taping windows:

6. Personal safety: Residents riding out the storm should not tape windows; it does more harm than good, federal officials say. Removing window air-conditioning units can be more dangerous than leaving them in place, Mayor Bloomberg says. The safer option: take shelter in interior rooms.

http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/08/26/hurricane-irene-what-you-need-to-know/?hp

Any recos for a thru wall unit? Should be ok?

I took my unit out.

I've got three thru the wall and during a somewhat severe windy storm a few years ago and the fact that the wind was coming from that direction, I had water dripping in until I turned the machine off. I expect the same. The other A/C's weren't a problem as they faced a different direction. If they aren't sealed properly you could get water. As to window A/Cs, the smart money says take them in. Consider that if the wind gets strong enough, they could not only be pulled out of the window but they could take the window with it if it's not a strong window. So why take the chance?

This is from the village voice so maybe I'm wrong about taking in Window A/C

"While we were waiting for the DOB to get back to us on this pressing question, Mike Bloomberg answered it for us in today's press conference! (Thank you, reporter who asked this.) Said Bloomberg, "Most people would not have the ability to do that." And, if you're by yourself and don't know what you're doing, you probably run a greater risk of hurting yourself than the risk of the air conditioner falling out and hurting someone else. "If it's not loose or anything, you're probably better off just leaving it."

I looked up taping and it's recommended against since it's a waste of time. The glass will break no matter and still disperse.

If you are elderly and can't put in an AC then I agree, don't try to take one out. If your AC is not professionally installed and bolted down, then take it out. Why deal with water getting through and ruining your rugs/floor.

My ACs are held in by the window. And the accordion flaps, do just that -FLAP! so I'm pulling them out as soon as the BF comes home.

we're taking one of ours out b/c it's higher up and less well secured. it's also big as hell and could wreck sh-t

Ok youbetcha or others..... What about a window unit that SITS in a thru wall a/c hole? (Yea, those thru wall units are like $500- f that!!)

I can turn it off..... Or take it out.... Or keep drinking wheeee!