I thought this would be a simple search, but it's turning out to be a
nightmare.  Here's what I need to find:  a window-unit air
conditioner, new or used (relatively used, that is 1-3 years) , that
meets the following specifications.  Usually they are called
"casement" units, i.e. they are "upright" rather than "sideways" and
they usually measure approx. 14 inches wide, by about 20 inches tall.
I want a unit that has 10,000 to 15,000 btu's, but it must have one
important feature:  whenever the room reaches the desired temperature
set by the a/c's thermostat or manual coolness control, the air
conditioner's compressor AND FAN both turn off.  When the temperature
in the room begins to rise, the unit turns itself back on to keep
cooling.  MOST new units for these types of air conditioners have the
fan RUN CONTINUOUSLY, even though the cooling compressor shuts itself
on and off with the temperature.  I DO NOT want a unit where the fan
runs continuously.  Similiar to a home air conditioning system
("forced air system") the components turn themselves on and COMPLETELY
off when the desired temperature is reached.  (N.B. most "regular"
window units that lay sideways have this feature and it's easy to
locate).  Some clues to help you
along the way:  Friedrich used to make a model, and Frigidaire used to
make a model, but they both stopped doing so.  The models they make
now have CONTINUOUS RUNNING FANS, even though the compressor turns
off.  I live in New York and am willing to have it shipped here if
necessary.  DO NOT SUGGEST ANY UNIT LESS THAN 10K BTUS, and DO NOT
suggest any other shape, size, etc.  I know exactly what I need, and
exactly what I want.  I just cannot find it.  If there is some wacky
air conditioner dealer in Butte Montana who carries these discontinued
models, I want to find him.  If there is a 'clearinghouse' of
airconditioners, I want to speak to them.  I do NOT want a
'Dealtime.com' or 'Lootusa.com' or other simple classified listing. 
Some air conditioning people refer to these units (that shut off the
fan and compressor both) as "Energy Star" models, but I have found
this isn't necessarily true as well.  I know somewhere in this great
big country of ours that A/C is sitting on a shelf somewhere, waiting
to be bought by me.  If I could get the Friedrich I'd be ecstatic. 
I've gone so far as calling the manufacters, but they won't release
the "old" model numbers, since I'm willing to buy used.  It's
ridiculous!  I look forward to your help.

---

Request for Question Clarification by missy-ga on 31 Jul 2002 19:08 PDT

Hi there!

I saw such an airconditioner hanging out of an apartment window the
other day, so I've left a message with that community's leasing
office.  With luck, they won't think I'm completely insane, and
they'll call me back to tell me where they got it.

Hang in there, we're looking!


--Missy (who is roastin' in OH thanks to a broken AC)

To make the fan cycle with the compressor is a simple conversion for a
competent electrician. A relay, wire, and connectors is all that is
required.

For what it is worth, a salesman I contacted at a large air
conditioner sales company said that on larger AC units they don't
cycle the fan, because the thermostat is a poor indicator of whether
or not the entire space is cool.

In other words, the area very close to the AC might reach the desired
temperature and turn the fan off long before the larger surrounding
area was cool.

I know this is no consolation.  But, I thought I would pass along what
this individual said.

Indoor air movement, like the commentor above indicated is now a
normal function.  The air temperature in the environment in now much
more accurately monitored due to the "Coanda Effect" (expelled air
will reutrn to the place of discharge).
It is also important to note that constant fan saves energy--it is
much more energy efficient to keep air movement that to start air
movement.
Added benefits are that moving air, however slight, is a comfort sense
to the body and air filtration is occuring continually.