Window air conditioner installation and removal in Long Island City
Window units installed on a support bracket, or pulled out for the winter. Through-wall units swapped into the sleeve you already have.
A window AC is heavy, it sits over a drop, and in New York City it has to be supported properly. We install window units in Long Island City, Queens on a support bracket or fastened from inside, seal the side gaps, and take them out again when the season ends. For through-the-wall units, we swap a new unit into the existing sleeve — the new one has to match that sleeve.
What’s included
- Window AC installation on a support bracket
- Seasonal removal, window closed back up
- Side panels, foam and gap sealing
- Through-the-wall unit swaps into an existing sleeve
- Window guard compliance kept intact
- Casement and slider windows checked before the visit
What NYC's Buildings Department says
The Department of Buildings doesn't require a permit for a window unit under 3 tons (36,000 BTU per hour). It does require the unit to be supported from below, or fastened from inside on brackets fastened to the building. That's the standard we install to.
Window guards stay in place
In buildings with 3 or more apartments where a child 10 or younger lives, the owner must install window guards. An AC install can't undo that. Tell us before the visit if it applies, so the unit goes in without leaving the window unguarded.
NYCHA homes and leases
NYCHA residents file an Appliance Agreement (form 150.110) before installing an AC. Some private leases also spell out how a unit must be installed. Check yours before booking — we can't read your lease for you, but we can tell you what the install involves.
Through-the-wall units
A replacement unit has to match the existing sleeve's brand, model and size. Swapping the unit is handyman work. Replacing the sleeve or cutting a new masonry opening is not, and co-ops rarely approve new sleeves anyway.
Useful to send us
- Window type (double-hung, slider or casement) and a photo
- The unit's make, model and BTU
- Your floor
- Whether a child 10 or younger lives in the home
- Any building rules on AC installs
A photo does most of the work. It’s how the quote gets accurate.
Work we refer out
- New wall sleeves or new masonry openings.
- New 208/230-volt circuits or outlets for a unit — electrical work for a licensed master electrician.
- Central air, ducted and mini-split systems — those belong to HVAC contractors.
- Window guard installation — the building owner's legal duty.
We'll tell you when you need a licensed pro. Everything we refer out →
Straight answers
Are window AC units legal in NYC?
Yes. NYC's Department of Buildings doesn't require a permit for window units under 3 tons (36,000 BTU per hour), but the unit must be supported from below or fastened from inside on brackets fastened to the building. Your building may have its own rules too.
Do you need brackets for a window AC in NYC?
The DOB requires the unit to be supported from below, or fastened from inside on brackets fastened to the building. On most windows, a support bracket is how that's done.
Can you take my window AC out for the winter?
Yes. We lift the unit out, close the window back up, and leave the unit where you want it stored.
Can a window AC go in a through-the-wall sleeve?
Usually not. Sleeves are built for through-the-wall units, and a replacement has to match the sleeve's brand, model and size. Send a photo of the old unit's model plate and we'll tell you what fits.
Related jobs
Drafts & weatherstripping
Door sweeps, weatherstripping and sealing for the gaps that let winter in — around doors, windows and AC units.
Childproofing & anchoring
Dressers, bookcases and TVs anchored to the wall. Cabinet latches, drawer latches and gates fitted where little hands reach.
Curtain rods, blinds & shades
Rods, blinds and blackout shades — including the wide floor-to-ceiling glass in Long Island City towers.
Send a photo. Get a quote.
Describe the job and your building's rules. You get a quote before we start.