electrical is not grounded need ac?

Question

ok the temp outside is 99 with heat index of 105. We rent a home with broken central air. The landlord insists on using cheap companies. The last company came out 3 times and never fixed it, the second company diagnosed the problem and now will not answer the phone or return calls. The landlord is content to do nothing for now and there is nothing in the lease about air conditioning. Here is my dilema, we would buy an air conditioner but we know that the electrical is not grounded except for the stove and dryer and furnace. Is there anything that can be done to get cool air without catching the house on fire. I only want to know about real air conditioning options, not ice or regular fans.

Answer 1

I read some of the answers that are available to you already and most say the same and are valid. There is one thing I would caution about--the ground wire that is missing is very important. Even if it is necessary to actually run a single wire to the metal cold water pipe, it should be done. I cannot over stress the fact that electrocution may result if you run the unit without the ground wire properly installed. It is not a difficult task nor is it expensive to do,but it may save your life or that of a loved one.

Answer 2

I'd agree that a window unit may be your most expedient solution. Evaporative coolers are available as window units, are cheaper to run and provide ample cooling if you live in a dry climate (unless it's 105). Any household appliance will operate without a ground, but to operate safely, you'll want it grounded. An air conditioner draws much more current than a lamp, for instance, so the danger of electrocution is greater. A grounded adaptor should work if you're sure to connect it properly.

By the way, if air conditioning was one of the "features" of the home when you rented, you probably have means of recourse with the landlord if he (or she) chooses to be obstinate.

Good luck.

Answer 3

AC doesn't really HAVE to have a ground per se. AC often does have what's called a ground, and in the case of an electrical short, the current will flow thru this wire safely to ground.

AC means "alternating current", and 30 of every 60 seconds one wire it HOT, and the other is 'neutral' or ground, and then the next 30 seconds that wire becomes ground and the other wire is 'hot.

This is what's considered a 60 Hz (Hertz....a person'r name, meaning frequency) electrical signal.

Get a window air conditioner and put it in already. Plug it in the wall and off you go....cool air. You'll be ok as long as you aren't putting too many deviced on one circuit, and if you are you will know because you will start blowing fuses left and right.

Install it, plug it in and watch it and make sure everything's good. Feel the plug that's plugged in and see how hot it feels. It MAY feel warm, but it should not feel hot.

I'm sure you will be ok, but if you have concerns....ask more questions.

Answer 4

We had a similar problem years ago we bought a 220amp window air unit. My husband bought some conduit that would with hold the amps we need (hardware store would help you out there) bought a 220 breaker for the breaker box (they usually have empty spots) and wired it up (although I would not recommend doing this unless he is knowledgeable of electricity my hubby is a maintenance worker and has to be certified in those type things).

If you have children and can prove the landlord will not get it fix you could go to your rental assoc. and file a complaint that he isn't providing air.

Other than that fans or a couple of 110 ac are your only option.

Answer 5

dont listen to some of these idiots. Technicaly the ac will work without a ground ( and there are very simple things you can do to make an ac on an ungrounded system work) but you will be sacrificing some safety issues. And if your land lord wont help and you want to keep it somewhat safe than you can change the outlet into a gfci to maintain some safety. or just cut of the ground prong on the ac cord. You are making it totaly unsafe but if you dont care about that than go for it.

Answer 6

You may not want to stir up trouble with your landlord but look up renters rights. If you live in a warm climate ac is just as required as heating. On the other hand grounding adaptors work okay but there is no way of being sure the wiring is okay to begin with. Does't sound like your landlord is up to par on mantainence. If you do go ahead and put your own ac unit in watch it carefully til you know its to be trusted unattended

Answer 7

Yeah, you'll be safe if you do what ksneon66 says as long as there isn't a malfunction in the window AC unit. Even then, the chances are remote that it would be dangerous. He's describing a three-prong adapter. Get the best you can (highest rated amperage) buy it, plug it in, and enjoy.

Answer 8

Even 120v. window units should be on a dedicated (seperate) circuit.. I think you are refering to receptacles w/o ground. I would be ok to run small unit using adptor..Only problem would be if hot wire shorted to the case, the case would become a shock hazard.. As a temporary measure you could run a #12 wire from a/c case to a cold water pipe..But I think newer window units cme with GF protection

Answer 9

you should get a real cheap ac and put a box fan beside it to throw all the cool air around the house. or if you have a ceiling fan turn that on high with an ac connected.

Answer 10

they have adapters that will fit in 2 prong hole and for the ground it has an eye that u use the screw that holds the cover on the outlet to ground hopefully u understand what im talkin about just go to hard ware store theyll help u out