My generous neighbor rolled up the driveway before 7am yesterday — the plan was to start early and see if we could get the air conditioner in the wall before sweltering heat set in. I’d cleared the decks by moving everything away from where we’d be working.
He installed the 240VAC circuit and rigged the receptacle temporarily so we could give the unit a test run. Both of us were relieved when it began chilling right away.
With that mechanical assurance, the next step was to build reinforced framing to support the air conditioner in the wall. My neighbor knew what he was doing and did it, while I cut lumber to size.
Then came the real commitment — cutting a hole in the exterior siding.
We slipped the “sleeve” through the opening, leveled it properly and screwed it to the framing.
Together we lifted the air conditioner chassis (135 pounds, according to the specs) and slid it into place. Last, the outlet was installed, the unit plugged in and switched on, and it was chillin’ for real.
The effect was remarkable and immediate. Even this 18,500-BTU AC can’t totally overcome things like the lack of a ceiling and incompletely insulated walls, but it made a huge dent in the inside temp.
Mid-afternoon, for example, outdoors it was 92°F, sunny, with a heat index of 105°F. Conditions like that have been pushing indoor temps (in the living room and kitchen) to 100°F or higher.
Yesterday, it was a pleasant 80°F — and the newly installed AC had been running for just four hours. There was no “Window of Misery.”
And the timing couldn’t’ve been better. Ozarkansas is about to get slammed with another heat wave, right through the end of the month, that promises temperatures around 100°F and heat index values of 110°F or higher.
It looks like Miss Smudge and I will weather it just fine, thanks to good neighbors who chose to “pay forward.” I’m grateful for their kindness, and they know it.
I could write more today, but I just told you everything that matters.
Take care of yourselves, Patriots. Stay calm. Stay sharp. Stay free.
#WiseUp #LibertyOrDeath #Ungovernable