FRIGIDAIRE FHTE143WA2 Built-In Room Air Conditioner with Supplemental Heat Instruction Manual

June 12, 2024
Frigidaire

FRIGIDAIRE FHTE143WA2 Built-In Room Air Conditioner with Supplemental

Heat

Product Information

Through-the-Wall Air Conditioner

The Through-the-Wall Air Conditioner is designed to cool a room by drawing in warm air through the rear intakes and blowing out cool air through the front. The air conditioner has dimensions of 24 inches in width, 14 inches in height, and 19 inches in depth (without front). The appliance comes with an electric heater and requires at least 1-meter space to combustible materials for safe usage. The installation kit contains various hardware parts that may or may not be required for installation. The product can be installed in a sound structural condition wall sleeve with a rear grille or flange for secure attachment.

Product Usage Instructions

Installation

  1. Clean the interior of the wall sleeve without disturbing the seals.

  2. Ensure that the wall sleeve is securely fastened in the wall. Add additional screws or nails as required.

  3. Retouch the wall sleeve painted surface if needed.

  4. If a ground wire or mounting hole does not exist, drill a pilot hole for a grounding screw through the left-hand side of the sleeve. Drill in a clear area about 3 inches back from the front edge a 3/16 pilot hole for the ground screw. Pull the loose end of the ground wire out of the front of the sleeve and bend it away from the opening. This will be attached to the air conditioner once installed.

  5. Ensure that the wall sleeve is level using Fig.2 as a guide.

  6. Install tapered spacers (Qty. 2) on both sides of the air conditioner through the top and bottom mounting holes.

  7. Install centering/support blocks (Qty. 4) on both sides of the air conditioner through the top and bottom mounting holes.

  8. Install plastic dividers (Qty. 2) on both sides of the air conditioner through the top and bottom mounting holes.

  9. Install stuffer seal (Qty. 1) on both sides of the air conditioner through the top and bottom mounting holes.

  10. Install seals (Qty. 3) of different sizes on both sides of the air conditioner through the top and bottom mounting holes.

  11. Install trim frames (Qty. 4) on both sides of the air conditioner through the top and bottom mounting holes.

  12. Attach ground wire (Qty. 1) to the grounding screw (Qty. 1) using tooth washers (Qty. 2).

  13. Install plastic grille (Qty. 1) or aluminum grille (Qty. 1) on
    the front of the air conditioner using nuts (Qty. 4) and screw with washer (Qty. 4).

  14. Ensure that the replacement unit has a rearward slope as shown in Fig.1.

Installation Instructions

INSTALLATION WARNINGS AND CAUTION

  • Carefully read the installation manual before beginning. Follow each step as shown.
  • Observe all local, state, and national electrical codes and by qualified, licensed, authorized personnel only.
  • Pay attention to danger and safety notices.
  • To avoid risk of personal injury, property damage, or product damage due to the weight of this device and sharp edges that may be exposed.
  • Air conditioners covered in this manual pose an excessive weight hazard. Two or more people are needed to move and install the unit. Wear protective gloves whenever lifting or carrying the unit. AVOID the sharp metal fins of front and rear coils. To prevent injury or strain, use proper lifting and carrying techniques when moving unit.
  • Carefully inspect location where air conditioner will be installed. Be sure it will support the weight of the unit over an extended period of time.
  • Handle air conditioner with care.
  • Make sure air conditioner does not fall during installation.

Do This First (for existing sleeve)

  • Note that the air conditioner dimensions are: 24″ wide,14″ high, and 19″ deep (without front). Install air conditioner according to these installation instructions to achieve the best performance. Save these installation instructions for future reference.
  • There should be enough clearance around the unit as shown in the right figure.
  • The appliance with electric heater shall have at least 1 meter space to the combustible materials.

Items in Kit

You may not need all parts in the kit. Discard unused parts.

No. Hardware Qty. No. Hardware Qty.
1 Tapered Spacer (17” Long) 2 10 Trim Frame (side legs) 2
2 Centering/Support Blocks ( 4 1 2” x 31 2 ” x 11 2 ” ) 4 11 Trim Frame
(top & bottom legs) 2
3 Plastic Divider ( 1/8” x 41 2” x 141 2 ” ) 2 12 Ground Wire (green) 1
4 Stuffer Seal ( 1” x 1 1 2 ” x 84” ) 1 13 Tooth washer for
grounding screw 2
5 Seal (1” x 1 1 2 ” x 25” ) 3 14 Grounding Screw 1
6 Seal (1” x 1 1 2 ” x 14” ) 2 15 Grille (plastic) 1
7 Seal (1” x 3/8” x 25” ) 3 16 Grille Aluminum 1
8 Seal( 1” x 3/8” x 14” ) 2 17 Nuts (plastic) 4
9 Seal (1” x 3/4” x 14” ) 2 18 Screw w/washer 4

NOTE: DO NOT USE ANY SCREWS OTHER THAN THOSE SPECIFIED HERE

Common Wall-Sleeve Dimensions

Identify the wall-sleeve brand for your installation, from the chart below.

For larger sleeves, an adaptor trim kit (EA120T) is available.

IMPORTANT

  • All wall sleeves used to mount the new air conditioner must be in sound structural condition and have a rear grille that securely attached to the sleeve, or rear flange that serves as a stop for the air conditioner.
  • A Frigidaire Sleeve Kit (5304514430) is recommended for new or replacement installations.

NOTE:

When installation is complete, replacement unit must have rearward slope as shown in Fig 1.

Remove old air conditioner from wall sleeve and prepare wall sleeve as follows:

  1. Clean interior (do not disturb seals)
  2. Check to see that sleeve is securely fastened in wall. Add additional screws or nails as required.
  3. Retouch wall sleeve painted surface if needed.
  4. If a ground wire or mounting hole does not exist, drill a pilot hole for a grounding screw through the left hand side of the sleeve. Drill in a clear area about 3 inches back from the front edge a 3/16” pilot hole for the ground screw. Pull the loose end of the ground wire out of the front of the sleeve and bend it away from the opening. This will be attached to the air conditioner once installed.

Note: Wall sleeve must be securely fastened in wall before installing Air Conditioner. Drive more nails or screws through sleeve, into wall, if needed(Repair paint if needed).

IMPORTANT

  • This units increased performance characteristics is the result of having two rear intakes.
  • It is very important that these installation instructions are followed so your unit can operate at maximum efficiency. If there is an existing sleeve and rear grille, it should be replaced with the one shipped with the unit in the accessory kit.

Existing Frigidaire sleeves may have older single-sided intake grilles

  • These grilles should be replaced with the dual intake grille supplied with the air conditioner.
  1. Remove the existing grille and save the mounting screws.
  2. Place the grille included with your new air conditioner towards the inside rear of the sleeve.
  3. Attach the new grille by aligning the four mounting holes.
  4. Re-insert the self-tapping screws into the nylon retainers.

Grille Removal

  • Important: Single intake grilles must be removed when used with dual intake Through-the-wall Units.
  • Warning: When removing grilles, protect from falling by securing with a leash. This can be fashioned from cord or strapping looped through the grille and secured with a knot.
  • Holding the grille by the leash with one hand the retaining screws can be removed and the grille can be brought inside through the front of the sleeve.

Alternate Installation Options

Non-Directional Grilles

  • When installing a through-the-wall unit into a sleeve that utilizes a non-directional air flow grille, such as diamond expanded grille or an archiectural grille. It is recommended that the dual intake grillet supplied with the unit, be attached directly to the unit before inserting the unit into the sleeve. (See section on Direct Unit Mounting for instructions how to attache the grille)

Unit Mounted Grilles

  • In some cases it may be possible to remove a non-Frigidaire grille and attach the dual intake grille directly to the unit as shown below. Instructions for direct attachment are shown on the page titled

Direct Unit Mounting

Directional Grilles
When installing a through-the-wall unit into a sleeve that utilizes a directional air flow grille( not Frigidaire), It is recommended to remove this grille.

Direct Unit Mounting
In cases where the dual intake grille cannot be mounted directly to the sleeve it is desirable to attach the grille to the back of the through-the-wall air conditioner to the holes predrilled in the unit.

  1. Attach the 2 seals (1” x 3/8” x 14”) as shown in Fig. 1.
  2. Position the grille over the rear of the unit making sure that:
    • a. The double set of screw holes are at the bottom
    • b. The intake fins on either side are pointed away from the unit.
  3. Align the top of the grille with the top of the unit. The overhang on each side is equal.
  4. If the unit has not been predrilled (some models), carefully drill 4 – 1/8” holes through the grille and into the side flange of the unit approximately 1 ½” to 2 “ from the top and bottom as in Fig. 2 & Fig. 3.(Be careful not to drill into the copper heat exchanger coil)
  5. Install 4 – #8 self-tapping screws to affix the grille to the unit.
  6. Insert the unit into the sleeve.

Grille to Sleeve Attachment
In cases where the dual intake grille fits inside the sleeve and the grille flange overlaps the sleeve flange, direct attachment may be possible.

Grille Installation

  1. Remove the existing grille.
  2. Place the grille included with the new air conditioner towards the rear of the sleeve.
  3. Mark through the hole positions.
  4. Drill through the sleeve flanges with a 1/8″ drill bit.
  5. Attach the new grille with self-threading screws and washers (not included).
  6. It is VERY IMPORTANT that the grille is placed exactly as shown.
  7. Most decorative exterior grilles may be left in place as long as the proper interior air direction grille is installed.

IMPORTANT

If the provided grille is not used, it may lead to product damage and possible failure.

Seal Installation

  1. Attach(1)1″ x 1 ½” x 25″ long seal in the center at the top of the sleeve.
    • Remove the backing paper and press into position.
  2. Attach(2)1″ x 1 ½” x 14″ seals to the left and right sides of the sleeve.
  3. Cut(2)1″ x 3/8″ x 25″ long seals to 14″ long each and attach to the vertical sections of the grille as shown.
    • Use these next steps if the unit requires extra extension into the room.
  4. Attach (2) 4½” x 3½” x 1½” foam blocks with the slot overlapping the seal above.
  5. Install the divider into the slots of the foam blocks. You may need to trim the length to size.
  6. Repeat steps 4-5 for the other vertical shown portion of the grille as shown in the picture.
  7. Gently slide unit into sleeve.

Ground Wire Installation

  1.  Install screw end of ground wire into inside of sleeve according to preparation instructions.
  2. Before sliding unit all the way back remove second screw from left side of unit.
  3. Remove plastic washer from screw.
  4. Screw the other end of the ground wire into the unit as shown. Make sure the toothed washer is against the cabinet.
  5. Slide unit completely to the rear.

Non-Frigidaire Dual Intake Grille

  • In cases where the existing sleeve is a non-Frigidaire sleeve but is installed with a dual intake grille. The existing grille may be left in place. Make sure the outer 3 ½” to 4 ½” louvers are angled from the left and right sides of the sleeve toward the center. (See Fig. 1). This provides proper flow of outside air into the unit.
  • From the installation kit, apply two 1” x ¾” x 14” seals along the flat metal flange of the condenser. (See Fig. 2).
  • Insert the unit with the seals into the sleeve pushing it all the way to rear making sure the seal are against the rear grille. The seals are necessary to reduce recirculation of hot exhaust air into the intakes which would reduce system performance.

Substitute Grille

Important: Single intake grilles must be removed when used with used with dual intake Through-the-wall Units.

  • Installation of a standard size Through-the-Wall unit into older – larger sleeves may leave undesirable gaps around the grille edges.
  • An option is to purchase ¾” diamond cut aluminum grille and cut it to fit inside the sleeve. Secure it with screws.
  • Attach the dual intake grill directly to the back of the unit as described on page 6. Slide the entire unit into the sleeve and seal with the stuffing seal supplied with the kit.
  • Note: A larger front trim kit accessory part # EA120T is available.

Trim Kit Installation Instructions

  1. Install the 1” x 1” x 84” long stuffer seal between the wall sleeve and the unit. A flat-bladed screwdriver or putty knife is recommended.
  2. Assemble the trim frame by inserting the top and bottom pieces into side pieces and snapping into place.
  3. Pull the cord through the trim frame and slide the trim over the unit until flush with the wall.
    • NOTE: For larger sleeves, an accessory kit is available (EA120T)

Energy Saving Suggestion: In order to reach the maximum energy saving and comfort, it is recommended to use an appropriately sized cover to provide additional insulation and air sealing when the unit is not in use during the off-season. The size of the unit front panel is 24.2” x 14.6” x 2” (W x H x D), so the size of the cover should be 0.3”~0.5” larger than each dimension of the unit front panel to facilitate the satisfactory fit.

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