Hey everyone! I'm in the process of self-installing an air conditioning unit in my apartment, which is a bit tricky since the building has older wiring from the 1960s-70s. Management has given me the go-ahead to proceed, but they warned me that the current electrical setup can't handle much load. For instance, if someone uses a microwave while a fan is on and lights are lit, it blows a fuse. They even said that the fuses are pretty outdated and cost about $45 each!
I'm wondering how I can test or calculate the electrical capacity of the circuits before I make my purchase. I want to make sure I choose an AC unit that won't overload the system. I have access to a portable unit for free, but I suspect it might be too powerful. Any advice on how to test the circuits or pointers on what measurements I should be looking at, like watts, amperage, or volts, would be really appreciated! Thanks so much!
2 Answers
Hey! Sounds like you're in a bit of a pickle. To start, it would be great to get your hands on a Kill A Watt meter. This little device will help you measure the power draw of different appliances, including the AC unit. Just keep in mind that you want to keep your total power draw under about 1440W per circuit to avoid tripping any fuses. Also, try not to run heavy appliances on the same circuit as the AC. Hope this helps!
Are you looking to go with a window unit or something more permanent? Knowing your space's electrical capacity is key, but I'm with you—anything that fits and works is worth considering! Just double-check what the circuit can handle before you make a decision.
I'm open to whatever fits! I just need to ensure it doesn't push the limits of the wiring here.