You may want to install an air conditioner to cut costs. So, this article is a guide on how to install an LG air conditioner in your home by yourself.
Table of Contents
How to Install an LG Air Conditioner
There are different types of LG air conditioners: window units, through-the-wall units, portable units, and split units. The following are guides to install each type of air conditioner:
Window Unit
You may need someone to help you lift and carry the unit for installation because it is heavy. The design is that the unit fits in double-hung windows with width ranges of 22 inches to 35 inches and a length of 13 inches. Do not expose the unit to sunlight and ensure you do not put it through a wall; it is a window unit.
Next, gather your installation kit, which must include an adhesive seal strip, three L brackets, two guide panels, five type B screws, eleven type A screws, a drain joint, a support bracket, and a drain washer. While gathering these, add a pencil, level, hammer, ruler, scissors, and a screwdriver.
Locate the air conditioner’s guides, get the two guide panels, and insert them into the guides. Using four type A screws on either side, secure the curtain to the air conditioning unit. Next, measure the width of the window and cut the seal strip to fit the measurement. Peel the backing off the strip and attach it to the window’s underside. You may need to fix a wooden seal in the window’s center sill in order to raise the L bracket.
Now, take a tape to the inner sill and measure its centerline. After that, measure another line, eight inches this time, below and above the centerline. This second line is where the L brackets will stand. So, install the brackets behind the sill, making sure they are centered on the line you drew below and above the centerline. The edge of the bracket must be flush against the inner sill’s back before you secure it with type A screws.
Lift the air conditioner and balance it in the window, ensuring it is centered and the bottom guide’s front edge lies against the sill’s back edge. Next, release the window sash to lie behind the unit’s upper guide. When you set it properly, the unit must slant to the back a little to make for easy drainage.
The next step is to spread the guide panels so that they fill the opening in the window. Then, securely fix them in place with four screws, the type B screws. Two of them go on the bottom of the panels and the other two go on top of them.
Now is the time to extend the seal to cover the width of the window. And push the sash between the window and glass to keep insects and air from flooding the room. Secure the L bracket with one type A screw and unmount the screw you see on the air conditioner cabinet’s right side. Finally, secure the support bracket with that screw and attach it to the inner sill using one type B screw.
Portable Unit
You will need a vertical sliding window to install this type of air conditioner. Typically, you will need windows that are eighteen to fifty inches high or wide but LG makes the process easy by adding kits to fit different window sizes.
The installation kit must include four adhesive foam seals, three extension panels, one non-adhesive seal, four screws, one flexible venting hose, and a security bracket. If the length of your window requires above two panels, fit the panels together using a type A screw.
Cut the adhesive foam seals to the length of the window and attach them to the frame. Leave the shorter foam seals as they are. Next, take the vent panel assembly and insert it, along with the extension panels, but only if they are needed. Now, carefully push the extension panels you will be using into the opening of the window and gently bring the window down.
Take the non-adhesive seal and cut it to fit the measurement of the window’s width. Fit it between the window and glass to keep air and insects from entering the room through the gaps. The security bracket goes to the upper side of the window sash, to the left corner. Secure it in place with a type B screw. Note that using the security bracket is optional if you will move the portable unit around from time to time.
The venting hose goes into the hole on the unit’s back. Fix it in and turn it counterclockwise to lock it in place. Next, hold and lift it to pop the holder open. Then, fit the hose into the outlet for the exhaust air and turn the handle to lock it.
The portable unit must sit on a floor that is level. An uneven floor will adversely affect how well it functions. If you are unsure, use a level to check so you can determine whether or not you need to make adjustments. In addition, leave about twenty inches of space around the unit to make for proper air circulation.
Here is a sample video showing how to install a specific model of an LG portable air conditioner through a casement window…
Split Unit
Before purchasing a split air conditioning system, you must have the wall space to mount the indoor unit and space outside to install the condensing unit. The unit will not work as it should if there is not enough space on all sides to allow for proper airflow. So, ensure the spot you will mount the indoor unit on the wall allows for about eight inches of space on every side.
The air conditioner should mount about seven feet off the floor, at least, and must not be in the path of direct sunlight or any other heat source. Otherwise, the heat will affect its ability to function by building heat. The location must also be a post that is central so that the unit can easily spread cool air to reach every part of the room.
In addition, set up the unit at least a meter away from power lines and antennas. The electrical noises they create will interfere with the air conditioner’s functionality. Finally, ensure there is no possibility of a gas leak anywhere close to the unit.
Installation – Indoor Unit
Mark the point on the wall where you will install the indoor unit and set the mounting plate up against it. You may want to use a level to ensure the placement is level vertically and horizontally. Next, mark the screw points on the wall using a pencil or marker. Remove the mounting plate and drill holes on the marked points for the screws.
Now, place the plate against the wall to ensure the screw holes match the holes in the plate. Put plastic anchors in the screw holes and attach the plate to the marked wall with a few tapping screws. Next, you will need a three-inch hole drilled through the house wall for the pipes that go outside. Ensure the hole slopes a little down as it goes outside; it encourages proper drainage. This is one of the reasons you must choose the right spot before commencing installation; there must be no wires or pipes within the wall or outside before drilling the hole.
There is a wiring diagram that comes with the air conditioning unit. Using the diagram, check the wiring connections in the unit. Lift the front panel of the unit to check the connections according to the diagram. When you verify this, it is time to run the pipes and wires through the hole in the wall.
Using electrical tape, wrap the pipes, drain line, and power cable that came with the unit together. Ensure the drain line is at the bottom to make for proper drainage. Following the user manual, fix the pipes and cable to the correct points on the indoor unit. It helps to keep the pipes and cable from bending too much so that the AC can optimally perform.
Next, lift the indoor unit to the mounting plate on the wall; you may need someone to help you. Attach it by aligning the connections on the unit’s back to those on the plate. Gently but firmly press to secure the AC to the plate. It is crucial to tilt the unit a little to the back, about three degrees, to encourage proper drainage.
Installation – Outdoor Unit
Set the outdoor condensing unit close to the other side of the wall where you mounted the indoor unit. Set it within fifty feet of the hole drilled through the opening in the plate so that you can attach the pipes and cable to the condensing unit. Also, create about twelve inches of space between the outside unit and the surrounding walls for proper dissipation of heat. It helps to have it in an area where there is not much foot traffic and where there is shade, good airflow, and minimal dust.
Next, get a concrete pad for the condensing unit. Do not set it on a bare floor because its weight can cause it to shift around. The concrete pad must be high enough to keep water away from the unit. And set the pad on an even floor.
Now, place a rubber cushion on the concrete pad before setting the condensing unit on it. The cushion absorbs the vibration and enables the unit to last longer. Use anchor bolts to secure the condenser to the concrete pad so that it does not move.
As you did with the indoor unit, check the wiring connections of the outdoor unit following the wiring diagram. You will have to remove the condenser cover before checking the wiring; adjust what needs an adjustment. Then, attach the cables protruding from the wall to the condenser using cable clamps and put the cover back in place.
The two copper pipes secure to the condenser unit with flare nuts. If they are too long, you can cut them to remove the excess. But ensure you follow the steps in the user manual to attach the wires and cables correctly. Lastly, connect the power cord to a dedicated wall outlet to power the air conditioner when you need to check its functionality.
Finishing Up
Ensure there is no air in the refrigerant circuit. Connect the hose of a vacuum pump to the service port after removing the cap from the valves and service port. Turn on the vacuum and run it until it reaches 10mm Hg. Go to the low-pressure knob and close it before turning off the vacuum.
Secure the pipes and cables to the wall using clamps to keep them from moving or becoming disconnected. If there is a gap around where the pipes protrude from the wall, seal it with polyurethane foam. Ensure there is no gap left to keep insects and hot air out of the house. Allow the foam to expand and dry before turning on the air conditioner.
Check out these other articles…
How to Clean an Air Conditioner Drain [Detailed Guide]
Air Conditioner Drain Line [How to, Issues & Solutions]
LG Air Conditioner Error Codes [How to Fix]
How to Reset an LG Air Conditioner [Quick Guide]
How to Open an LG Air Conditioner [Detailed Guide]
How to Set Up an LG Air Conditioner [Quick Guide]
How to Connect an LG Air Conditioner [Plus Issues & Solutions]
Through-the-Wall Unit
If you want to install a through-the-wall LG air conditioning unit, the wall must be made of wood. If it is a brick or cement house, you may not be able to create a hole through the wall yourself. The reason is that you will need specialized equipment to make a hole large enough for the unit.
But if the wall is wood, ensure you select one that has nothing behind it. It must also have no pipe or wire running through it and there must be a dedicated wall outlet close by so that you can connect the air conditioner afterward. Wall sleeves, which are the support casings for the units as they fit into the walls, tend to be twenty-six inches wide, fifteen inches tall, and sixteen inches deep.
Get a stud finder and mark the wall studs with it. Place it flush against the wall and turn it on. Move it in a straight line horizontally until it beeps or blinks. Next, move it in the opposite direction until it makes a noise again. Mark the spot and keep moving the finder until it finds the wall studs in the wall where you want to mount the AC.
Note: This step applies to houses built with wood. Brick houses may not have wall studs.
Now, draw a rectangle on the wall to mark where the sleeve will fit. You will need the unit’s dimension to make this drawing, so check the exact dimensions in the box. You can also get the sleeve’s exact measurement using tape and make the drawing with it. Make another rectangle drawing around the first one, a bigger one this time. It must not be flush against the first rectangle.
Installation
The next step is to turn off the electric power to the room where the air conditioner will go. It keeps you safe to disconnect power to the room or house, even if you will not be cutting wires or making any electrical disconnection.
Since you will be cutting open a wall, you will need work gloves, goggles, and a dust mask. You may encounter insulation, which is usually made of fiberglass, and it may cause injuries to your hand. Protective clothing will also go a long way to protect your body from fiberglass.
Next, cut the wall with the outline with a utility knife. Do this carefully to ensure you follow the rectangle you drew earlier. Another way to do it is to slice the edge of the outline with a knife and push the drywall out to create an opening. Then, you cut visible insulation out of the opening. Consider sanding the edges of the opening to make them smooth.
Use a reciprocating hand saw to remove wall studs in the wall opening as you go; you will probably find some studs if the stud finder picked some earlier. They look like vertical planks so cut the bottom and top parts to remove them.
Use a drill bit to create a hole in each corner of the opening, the inner one. The drill bit you use must be large enough to create holes that will be visible from the outside of your home. Go to the outside and using these holes, draw a rectangle to match the hole inside. Then, saw through the wall following the outline. If the building material is not wood but stucco, it helps to use a circular saw to carve an outline around the rectangle. Then, chisel through the stucco and cut any wire under it. If necessary, make some adjustments to the outer wall opening so that it matches the inner one.
Measure the height and length of the opening and cut two by four inches planks, according to the measurement, to build a frame. There should be two for the height and two for the length, four planks in total. Join the planks to each other to form a frame for the opening by nailing them together or using wood glue.
Follow the instructions in the user manual to assemble the wall sleeve that came with the unit if it is not assembled. Next, slide it into the wall opening, ensuring its sides meet the inner walls of the opening. Now, lift the air conditioning unit and slide it into the wall sleeve. It may be a little tight, so you may have to wiggle the unit as you slide it in so that it fits.
Do not leave the gap around the unit, if any, without coverage. Get some foam insulation and push it into the gap so that the air conditioner can function as it should; the gap can adversely affect the unit. Now, go to the outside of the house and caulk the sleeve with silicone-based caulk. It will seal the sleeve into position and keep it from moving. Allow the caulk some time to dry before turning the power on and powering the unit.
Important Note
Do not attempt to punch a hole through a cement or brick wall to install a through-the-wall air conditioner. Hire an expert HVAC technician for such a job or contact LG for assistance. If that is not possible, you may have to use another type of air conditioning unit.
How to Add Freon to an LG Air Conditioner
Before you add freon to your LG air conditioner, it is ideal to check different parts of the unit. Check the evaporator coil, blower wheel, filter, and condensing unit outside the house. Recharging the unit when it needs cleaning can cause irreparable damage.
Next, purchase the correct type of refrigerant or freon for your air conditioner. Take a look at the operating guide from the manufacturer to determine the type the unit uses. If there is no guide, inspect the cabinet of the unit or the electrical box for information. Adding the wrong type can damage the unit and cause injury and combustion.
R410A and R-22 are the most common types of freon in use now. But R-22 is typically used in older units and is being discontinued because of its ozone-depleting nature so it is not readily available anymore. If your unit uses this type, recharge as quickly as possible because the longer you wait, the more the price rises.
When you get the freon you need, put on protective clothing; work gloves, a mask, and goggles will suffice. Directly inhaling refrigerants can cause sudden death because some refrigerants are highly dangerous to health. If freon gets on your skin, clean the area with water as quickly as possible.
In addition, the temperature outside the house must be above 55 degrees Fahrenheit or 12 degrees Celsius. If the temperature is below this point, the freon will flow to the coldest part between the condenser and furnace, and the condenser will be the point it flows to when the temperature is wrong. As a result, the freon will not work as it should.
To recharge, disconnect the air conditioner from power by turning off the circuit breaker and thermostat. Next, find the valve connections on the unit and hook the gauges of the freon to them. There are usually three valves on the unit, one on either side and one in the center.
Attach the blue-hosed freon gauge to the left valve, also called the low-pressure valve. And attach the red-hosed gauge to the right valve, also called the high-pressure valve. The center valve should have no connection; you will add the freon through the valve.
Reconnect the air conditioner to electric power by turning on the circuit breaker and thermostat. Allow it to run for about fifteen minutes to stabilize so that you can get the correct freon reading on the gauges. Next, fix the gauge with the yellow hose to the center valve and open the freon canister.
Now, open the valve on the left for some seconds and turn it off. Repeat the process to add small amounts of freon at a time until you reach the desired subcooling temperature. The gauge will help you keep an eye on the temperature to know when to close the valve. Remove the gauge set when you reach the temperature. Close the canister and disconnect all hoses from the air conditioner.
Since the unit is operating, use a leak detector to check for leaks. It is the easiest way to find a leak along the cooling lines. If there is a leak, you can use a patch to close it. It is always best to hire a qualified and experienced HVAC technician to check the unit when there is a refrigerant problem. They are in the best position to fix possible leaks and recharge the unit.
Things to Consider Before Adding Freon
Adding freon to an air conditioner is pretty straightforward. But it is crucial to find out why you need more freon; there may be a leak in the closed system. Also, be sure the unit is losing refrigerant. If blowing warm air is the only sign you have, it may not be a loss of refrigerant but a bad or improperly-set thermostat.
So, check the thermostat and ensure it is working. If it is lit, it means the batteries are in good working condition. Test the thermostat to check its continuity. You may have to replace it if it is no longer working. But if the thermostat is working or you replace it, ensure you set the temperature about five to six degrees lower than the room temperature.
You can also determine if there is a leak if the evaporator coil and surrounding pipes have ice on them. It means the unit is working harder to cover for the loss of refrigerant. You need to find the leak point and repair it before adding freon to avoid losing it all again. Besides, adding more freon while it is leaking may completely damage the unit.
Always create proper ventilation for the room if there is a leak. As mentioned earlier, refrigerant leaks can be hazardous to your health if the gas is inhaled in large quantities. Make sure there is cross ventilation and there is nothing combustible around the house.
How to Use an LG Air Conditioner Remote Control
An LG air conditioner remote has several buttons that allow you to use the functions of the unit without touching the cabinet. However, it can get confusing to know which button controls which function. This article is a detailed explanation of each button and function, and how to use the remote control efficiently.
If you lose the remote control to your air conditioner, you can always use the buttons on the unit itself to control it. But doing this may be inconvenient or difficult for units installed high on the wall. Therefore, it is ideal to replace the remote. Contact LG for the right replacement part.
Recap
If you are looking for how to install an LG air conditioner in your home, this article is a detailed guide for each type, no matter the British Thermal Units (BTUs). You can follow the instructions and videos to install a window unit, through-the-wall unit, split unit, and even a portable unit.
It is important to note that installing a through-the-wall unit yourself is easier if the wall is not made of cement or brick. You will need some masonry skills and special equipment to create a hole in the wall large enough to hold the unit. Therefore, employ the right people for the job.