airconditoner in wall

[JoAnn]

Hi everyone. I want to cut a hole in the wall of my mobile home to put an airconditioner in. I'm not sure what to do, so if anyone can give me some advice, I would be very grateful. Thank you. Joann

[Pendragon]

You'd be MUCH better off using an existing window.

Is there a reason you can't use a window?

[Galen]

Done this several times. How old of home are we talking about? Do you have 2x4 or 2x6 walls? Get a plan sheet from the manufacturer. This will tell you what is in the wall. Besure to make the opening large enough to include sii, header, and cripples. You will also need siding and interior wall covering to match. Don't forget trim. You will also need flashing on the outside to keep rain out of the wall.

[joann]

I can't use the window our bed ins in front of it.That is the only place it fits.Did you mean in the top of the window?

[Pendragon]

Move the bed.. seriously.
Anything you can do OTHER than cutting a new hole in the side of your home is a better option.

A Galen said, to do it your way, you will need to pull off the interior wall covering about 1' on each side of the ac and install new jack studs and a header over the ac unit. Then cut a hole in the exterior wall about 1/2" bigger than the a/c, install the ac and then flash and seal around the whole perimeter. Then you will need to replace then interior wall covering and trim it out.

You can see how moving the bed and putting it in the window would be a far easier, quicker and cheaper solution and wouldn't result in a permanent structural change to the home.

Make sure there is a *suitable* electrical outlet nearby. If there is anything more than a light or two on that circuit, then it is not suitable for the ac unit!

How big is the ac unit (size and btu)?