A window AC can work in a Tucson rental if your lease allows it, the window fits the unit and the circuit can handle it. Before you buy, ask your landlord, because Arizona law requires landlords to supply reasonable cooling where cooling units are installed.
Climate Pros Tucson matches renters, landlords and homeowners with licensed local pros for installs that need one.
Does your landlord have to provide cooling?
In Arizona, a landlord must supply reasonable heat and reasonable air-conditioning or cooling where such units are installed, and keep HVAC facilities in good and safe working order. In Tucson, the Arizona Attorney General says rentals cooled by air conditioning may not exceed 82F in habitable rooms, and evaporative-cooled units may not exceed 86F. If your rental has no working cooling, put the request in writing before you buy your own. See does a landlord have to fix AC in Arizona.
Which windows accept a window AC?
Double-hung and sliding windows with a firm frame take most units. Casement windows, crank-out windows and some narrow openings do not. Measure the opening and compare it with the unit’s listed width and height. Ask the landlord about window changes, and about any building or HOA rules on units visible from the street.
What should you check on the circuit?
Window units draw serious power. Check the unit’s label for its amperage and put it on a circuit that is not shared with other large loads. Do not use extension cords or power strips. If outlets are old or the breaker trips, ask the landlord to have the electrical looked at before you plug in anything larger.
How is a window AC secured and sealed?
The unit sits in the window with side panels, a support bracket and weatherstripping. Seal the gaps so hot air and dust stay out, and support the unit so it cannot fall. A loose unit in a second-story window is a safety hazard. For anything heavier or more complicated, ask the landlord to arrange a licensed pro.
When does running it cost the most?
Summer in Tucson is long: about 68 days a year reach 100F or hotter. TEP’s time-of-use plans have a summer on-peak window of 3 to 7 p.m. on weekdays from May to September, so check your plan before running a large unit through that stretch.
Is a mini split or portable unit a better fit?
A portable AC needs a vent hose and is less efficient than a window unit. A mini split suits a long-term space, but it needs the landlord’s approval and a pro. See portable AC units and mini split vs window unit.
What if heat becomes a health problem?
The CDC advises older adults to stay in air-conditioned buildings in hot weather and not rely on a fan as main cooling when it is very hot. If your cooling fails and someone at home is vulnerable, tell your landlord in writing and ask where to find a cooler place meanwhile.
Beyond a window unit
For AC installation or AC repair that goes beyond a window unit, a licensed pro is the next step. See the Tucson HVAC hub. Call (520) 353-2520 and we’ll match you with a licensed local pro.