GE AKV12 and Operating instructions

www. GEAppliances.com
©
©
Safety Instructions ........ 2, 3
Operating Instructions
Controls ................. 4, 5
Care and Cleaning
Air Filter .................. 6
Grille and Case ............. 6
()utdoor (:oils .............. 6
Installation Instruc_tions
Through-the-_A'all
Installation--()pfional ....... 16
Window Installation ....... 7-15
Troubleshooting Tips ... 17, 18
Normal ()perating Sounds . . .18
Consumer Support
Consumer Support ......... 24
Product Registration ..... 21,22
Warranty ................. 23
T(,AK_13 AKVI2
©
Write the model and serial numbers here:
Model #
Serial #
Find these numbers on a lal)el on the
side of the air conditioner.
49-7454 11-02Jfl

IMPORTANTSAFETYINFORMATION.
READALLINSTRUCTIONSBEFOREUSING.
WARNING!
For your safe_ the information in this manual must be followed to minimize the risk of fire, electric shock
or personal injury.
SAFETYPRECAUTIONS
Use this appliance only %r its intended
pui])ose as described in this Owner's
Manual.
This air conditioner must be propedy
installed in accordance with the Installation
Instructions before it is used.
Never unplug your air conditioner 1)y
pulling on the power cord. Always grip
plug firefly and pull straight out flom the
receptacle.
Repair or replace immediamly all electric
service cords that have become flwed or
otherwise damag>d. Do not use a cord
that shows cracks or abrasion damage
along its length or at either the plug or
conilector end.
q?{:_Turn the mode control to 0FFand unplug
your air conditioner before making any
repairs or cleaning.
NOTE."We strongly recommend that any
servicing be performed by a quafified individual
_?_:_Fox your safety...do not store or use
combustible mamrials, gasoline or other
flammable vapors or liquids in the vicinity
of this or any other appliance.
_f?:,:All air condiuoners contain reDigerants,
which under federal law must be remoxed
prior to product disposal. If you are getting
rid of an old product with refligerants, check
with the company handling disposal about
what to do.
HOWTOCONNECTELECTRICITY
Do not, under any circumstances, cut or remove
the third (ground) prong from the power cord. For
personal safe_ this appliance must be properly
grounded.
The power cord of dfis appliance is equipped
with a 3-prong (grounding) plug which mates
with a standard 31)iong (grounding) wall
outlet m minimize the possibility of electric
shock hazard flom this appliance.
Haxe the wall outlet and circuit checked by a
qualified electrician to make sure the outlet is
properly grounded.
Where a 9-prong wall outlet is encounmred,
it is your personal responsibility and obligation
m have it replaced with a properly grounded
3-prong wall outlet.
The air conditioner should ahvays be
plugg>d into its owxxindividual electrical
outlet which has a xolmg> rating that matches
the rating plato.
This proxqdes the best performance and also
prments overloading house wiring circuits
which could cause a fire hazard flom
oxerheated wires.
See the Installation Instructions, Electrical
Requirements section fox specific elecuica]
connection requirements.
2

vvww.GEAppliances.com
WARNING!
USEOFEXTENSIONCORDS--115-Voltmodelsonly
Because of potential safety hazards under certain
conditions, we strongly recommend against the
use of an extension cord.
Howex_, if you must use all extension cord,
it is absolutely necessat T that it be a UiAismd,
14 gauge, 3-wire grounding type appliance
extension cord having a grounding type plug
and outlet and that the elecuJcal rating of the
cord be 15 amperes (minimum) and 195 volts.
CAUtiON:
DO NOT use an extension cord with any ofthe
230/208 volt models.
USEOFADAPTERPLUGS--115-Voltmodelsonly
Because of potential safety hazards under certain
conditions, we strongly recommend against the
use of an adapter plug.
Howex>[; if you must use all adaptei; where
local codes i)emfit, a temporaryconnection may
be made to a properly grounded 2-prong wall
outlet by use of a UiTlisted adapter available
at most local hardware stores.
Tile larger slot ill tile adapter must be aligned
with tile larger slot ill the wall outlet to I)rovide
proper polarity in the connection of the
power cord.
'Whei:, disconnecting file power cord flora tile
adaptel, alwws hold tile adaptor ill place with
one hand while pulling tile I)ower cord I)lug
with tile other hand. If this is not done, the
adaptor ground terminal is xetT likely to break
with repeamd use.
If the adapter ground terminal breaks, DO NOT
USEtile air co,_,ditio,_,er m_,ti] a proper grom_,d
has been established.
Attachingthe adaptergreundterminalto a waftoutlet
coverscrewdoesnot groundtheapplianceunlessthe
coverscrewis metal,andnot bsulated, andthe wall
outlet isgroundedthreughthe housewiring. Youshould
havethecircuitcheckedby a qualifiedelectricianto
makesuretheoutlet is properlygrounded.
READANDFOLLOWTHISSAFETYINFORMATIONCAREFULLY.
SAVETHESEINSTRUCtiONS

Aboutthecontrolsontheair conditionermmodelswith controlknobs.
Features and appearance will vary.
OFF
HIGH _HIGH
MED •I I • LOW
LOW _| |
COOL
OFF
COOLOFAN
0MODECONTROLS
Yourmodel will ha veone of the above type controls.
6
0
3 9
I0
1 11
COOLEST
0TEMP CONTROL
Controls
0Mode Controls
HIGHCOOL,MED COOLand LOWCOOLprovide
cooling with (lifterent tim speeds.
COOLprovides cooling with a fixed tm_ speed.
LOWFAN, HIGHFAN or FAN pr(Mdes air
circulation and filtering Mthout cooling.
NOTE."Ifyoumovetheswitchfroma coolsettlWto
OFFortoa fansetting,waitat least3 minutesbefore
switchingbacktoa coolsetting.
CoolingDescriptions
ForNormalCooling--SelectHIGHCOOLor
MED COOLwith the temp control at midpoint.
ForMaximumCooling--Select HIGHCOOLMth
the temp control at the highest nmnber
available on w_ur knob.
For Quieter and Nighttime Cooling--Select
LOW COOLwith the temp control at midpoint.
0TempControls
The temp control is used to maintain the
room temperature. The compressor will cycle
on and off' to keeI) the room at the same
level of comfort. When w)u ttlrn the knob to
a higher ntlI//beI; the indoor air will become
coole_: Turn the knob m a lower number and
the indoor air will become wam_e_:
4

wvvw.GEAppliances.com
Additional controls and important information.
Energy Saver (on some models)
The energy saver switch controls the tim.
ON--The tan and c()mpressor cycle on and off
together: This results in wider wu_iations of room
temperature and humidity. It is nommllv used
when the room is m_occupie(l.
OFF--The tim runs all the time, while the
compressor cycles on and off.
This switch nlust be set at OFF in order t() use
the tan settings (on the mode c(mtrol).
Vent Control
The vent control is located on the inside of the /
air louxe_ at the bottom of the xent. /
X4hen set at CLOSE,only the air inside the room /
will be circulated and conditioned. X,\hen set at
OPEN, some inside air is exhausted outside. Vent control
lever
Toopen the venL
Ventcontrol
lever
To close the venL
Air Direction--Up and Down
Fingertip pressm'e on the horizontal lou\'e_ a(!iusts
the air direction up or down.
Air Direction--Side-to-Side
The side-to-side air direction is a(!i usted by moving
the air direction lever to the left or right,
Air direction
lever

Careand cleaningoftheair conditioner.
Grille and Case
Turn the ......air conditioner off and remo'_e the I)lug, To clean, use water and a mild detergent. Do not
from the wall outlet heft)re cleaning, use bleach or abrasixes.
Outdoor Coils
The coils on the outdoor side oI the air conditioner
should be checked regularly. If they are clogged
with dirt or soot, they may be protessionally steam
cleaned, a service a\_filable through yore" GE
service outlet.
Air Filter
The air filter behind the fl'ont grille should be
checked and cleaned at least exe_' 30 daxs or
illoi'e ()lien if' necessarv.
Clean the filter with wam_, soapy water: Rinse and
let the filter dry before replacing it.
NOTE: DONOTrinse,orput the filter in anautomatic
dishwasher
ACAUTION:DONOroperetetheal
conditioner without a filter becausedirt and lintwHIclog it
andreduceperformance.
Toremove:
] Pull to tmlatch the lower corne_ of the inlet
grille and lift it up and off.
] Using the tab, pull up slighfl) on the filter to
release it and pull it down to remoxe.

Preparingtoinstall theair conditioner.
Read theseinstructionscompletely and carefully.
BeforeYouBegin
NOTE TOINSTALLER:Leave these instructions with
the air conditioner after installation is completed.
NOTE TOCONSUMER:Keep this Owner's Manual
and Installation Instructions for future use.
ACAUTION:
Do not under any circumstances, cut or remove
the third (ground) prong from the power cord.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
For personal safety, this air conditioner must be
properly grounded.
It is important to have the wall outlet and circu#
checked by a quafified electrician if there is any
doubt as to whether a proper ground exists.
Do not change the plug on the power cord of this
air conditioner
Aluminum house wiring may present special
problems--consult a qualified electrician.
Follow National Electrical Codes (NEC) and/or local
codes and ordinances.
ElectricalRequirements
(_ Some models require 115/120-volt a.c.,
60 Hz grounded outlet protected with a
15-amp time delay fuse or circuit breaker:
The 3-prong grounding plug minimizes the (----"_
possibili b of electric shock hazard. If the wall outlet k.E/
you plan to use is only a 2-prong outlet, it is xour
responsibili b to haxe it replaced with a properly
,gr°unded .3-1)tong, wall outlet.
Some models require 230/20S-volt a.c.,
protected with a time delay filse or circuit
breaker These models should be installed
on their own single branch circuit fiw best
performance and to prevent overloading
house or apartment wiring circuits, which
could cause a possible fire hazard fl'om
()x'erheating wires.
ToolsYouWillNeed
!:_Phillips-head screwdi_Jver
!'!:_A(!iustable wrench
_: Ruler or tape measure
::Ji::Drill
!_ Scissor5 or knife
!'!:_Pencil
!i_:I,evel
7

Window installationinstructions.
Parts Included
Left
accordion
panel-_
Window sash seal
__,---------_ (thin, adhesive-backed)
Foamtop ___
window gasket _,____
__Support rail (2)
Topmountb_grail /4oJo°7
:_ seal strip _ _/'__-_V-sup port (2)
Topmounting rail
Bottom mounting rail
Window stool seal /
(thick, adhesive-backed)
Right
Accordion panel accordion
clamp (2) _ panel
Flat washer (4) Type A Type B (11)
10,000BTU models (17)
12,000BTU models (19)
Type C(4) Type D
1_ Nut(4) _)
Lock @
washer (4)
Bolt (4) _
Type E(2) Window
locking bracket
8

Read completely, then follow step-by-step.
Window Requirements
iJi::These instructions are fin" a standard double-
hung window. You will need to inodifv them for
other t,ipes of windows.
_: The air conditioner can be installed without
the accordion panels if needed to fit in a narrow
window. See the window opening dimensions.
10,000BTUmodels
I I
[3====43
17½"rain.
26"to39"
(Withaccordionpanels/
22¼" rain.
(Withoutaccordionpanels)
I
Im
@M1 sui@orting pa*ts must be secured to tim/
Woo(l, iilasoni'_ oi" metal.
!i_:The electrical outlet must be within reach of
the power cord.
m
r"I
12,000BTUmodels
//" I
D====IB
18¼"rain.
30"to43"
(Withaccordionpanels)
26¼" loin.
(Withoutaccordionpanels)
Storm Window Requirements
A strum window fl'ame will not allow the air
conditioner to tilt towards the outside and
will kee I) it from draining i)ropefly. To at!just
fin" this, attach a piece of wood to the stool.
_ Wood
1/2" higher
thanframe
t Stool
frame
WOODPIECES--
WIDTH: 2"
LENGTH: I,ong enough to tit inside the window
[i'aII/e.
THICKNESS: To detemfine the thickness, place a
piece of wood on the stool to make it 1/2" higher
than the top of the stom_ window ti'ame.
Attach secm'elv with nails or screws provided by
the installe_:

Window installationinstructions.
Remove the Air Conditioner From the Case
F_ Remoxe and discard the 2 shipl_ing screws
fl'om the bottom rear of the case.
6.
6.
] Pull to unlatch the lower cornex_ of the inlet
grille and lift it up and off.
] On some models, )ou must also disconnect
the control connectox_ befin'e the grille fl'ame
can be remoxed. Press the locking tabs in
• " o" )
while I)ulhn_ _n the other side to release.
Pressin
!
Pressin
F_ Remove the locking screw and locking bracket
fl'om the lower fi'ont of the unit.
10
] Using the tab, pull up slightly on the filter
to release it and pull it down to remoxe.
] Remoxe the two grille fl'ame screws.
[] (;rasp the lower cornex5 of the grille fl'ame
while I_ressing, in on the case sides with your
finger tips. Pull out to release and lift it up.
NOTE:Do not pull the
bottom edgetoward
youmore than3" or
youmay damagethe
tabs of the grille.
] Remove the screw securing the ground wire
to the right side ti_ce of the unit.
j
"£ _ Groundwire
'_ i'"_1___ Screw
] Slide the air conditioner fl'om the case by
,Ilgfi) )ino_ the base pan handle and I)ulling,
fin'ward while bracing the case.

Install the Mounting Rails onto the Case
] Remoxe the backing fl'om the top mounting
rail seal strip and attach it to the bottom of
the top mounting rail.
[_] Attach the to _ mortaring rail onto the top
of the case with 5 Type A screws (on 10,000
BTU models) or 7 TH)e A screws (on 12,000
BTU models).
_] Attach the bottom motmting rail to the
bottom of the case from the inside, usin,*
4 T)pe A screws.
NOTE:Referto thelabelonthebottommountingrail
for proper orientation of the rail.
TypeA _
screws _I
TypeA screw
oTypeAscrews
(for12,000BTU
modelsonly)
Label
11

Window installationinstructions.
Install the Side Accordion Panels
*0" "( " "(
_] Slide the left and n_ht ace )_(h mpanels into
the tol _ and lx_ttom mounting, rails. [_] Attnch the accordion panels to the case using 4 Type A screws on each side.
pmountingrail
TypeA screwst
Bottorn mounting rail
Prepare the Window
_]Cut the window sash seal to the window width
and stick the adhesixe side to the bottom of
the sash.
] Mark the centerline of the stool. Measure and
mark the locations fi)r the support assemblies
from both sides of the centerline:
10,000BTU models-10%"on each side
12,000BTU models- 12_A"on each side
Stool
12

Place, Assemble and Install the SupportBrackets
] Detem/ine the position that the V-support
will be placed within the suI)port rail b)
placing the support rail against the back
edge of the stool.
NOTE:lithe wall extends past the sill, note the
nearest side hole in the support rail that is past
this construction.
INSIDE
OUTSIDE
Support rail
location flTatispast flTesill
_] _&ssemble the V-sui)i)ort to the sui)port rail
using 9 T,1)e D nuts, lock washers and bolts, at
the location noted. The shortest portion of the
V-sui)i)ort should be placed fi_cing the neck of
the suI)port rail. Repeat for second V-sui)port
and support rail.
Support Assembly
I...... %,,, ..... '......... It.a=_ Neck
"x_,.__ I1"" Type D nuts
__ andbolts(2>
_J_..-- TypeEbolt
_] I,ine up the V-notches in the suI)I)ort assemblies
on the left and right marks on the stool. Make
sure that the stq)port rail is against the back tff
the stool and drill two l/8" pilot holes into the
stool through the holes in the support rail neck.
Attach the sui)port assemblies to the stool using
2 _'pe g screws in each assembly: TypeB
WOOd SCreWS
.\ "_ sill,,.. ?
A(!just the Type E leveling bolts against the
outside wall so that the assemblies have a slight
tilt to the outside. Use a level; about a l/2
bubble will be the correct slant to the outside.
TypeBwoodscrews
1/2Bubble]
t \\
soppo \\ /1l
bracket XX,,XJIJ |
TypeElevelin{
Thread a Tx])e E bolt about 1/2 of the wax
into the outer thce of the shortest angle of
each V-suI)I)ort.
NOTE:Use a wood block between the leveling
bolts and the wall if the wall is weak or if the
weight of the air conditioner falls between the
studs in the wall.
[_ Attach the adhesive side of the window stool seal
(thick, adhesixe-backed) to the window stool.
Windowstoolseal
13

Window installationinstructions.
Install the Case in the Window
_] Carefl/lly position the case in the window
until the botton/mounting rail drops into the
channels in the supports. Center the case and
lower the window behind the top mortaring
rail. The case should be slightly filmd to the
outside. Use a level; about a l/2 bubble will
be the correct case slant to the outside.
_] Attach the bottom of the case to the support
rail with Ibm" Type C screws two on each side,
with a fiat washer under the head of each sciex<
]Extend the left and right accordion panels
to the _ertical window sashes and attach the
top cornei_ with 2 Type g scre_vs. Use an
accoi'dioil pailel clall/p Oil each lower coi'ileF
to trap the panels. Attach them to the stool
using 2 _'pe B scre_vs.
Topmountingrail
screw TypeB
screw
Panelclampand
TypeBscrew
Panelclampand
TypeB screw
NOTE:Sealany openingsaroundthe caseor accordion
panelswith sealeror foamgaskets.
Secure the Case in the Window and Install the Foam TopWindow Gasket
] Drill a 1/8" pilot hole and attach the top
mounting rail to the sash with a T_])e B screw.
TypeB screw
Topmo_
] Cut the fi)am top window gasket to the
window width.
_] Stuffthe fi)am between the glass and the
xdndow to prexent air and insects fl'om
getting into the room.
// I I
_] Attach the window locking bracket xdth
2 T_1)eB screws.
14

Install the Air Conditioner in the Case
] Slide the air conditioner into the case. Do not
push on the controls or the rimmed coils.
Make sure the air conditioner is firefly seated.
/ /
] Reinstall the locking brackets and screws
reillo_, ed earliei;
]/MPORTANT! Reconnect the ground wire to
the air condifionex;
] If yore'model has the control connecting,
reconnect them to the fl'ont grille bv, ix'essino_
them tooether_ tmfil the locking, tabs snap
into place.
_] Attnch the front grille fl'ame to the case b)
inserting the tabs on the grille fl'ame into
the slots on the fl'ont top of the case. Push
the grille fl'ame in m_fil it snaps into place
arom_d the power cord on the right side.
GuideflTelevers carefully
flTroughflTegrille frame
as youpush it in.
] Secm'e the fl'ont grille frame to the case by
re _lacin,, the screws remoxed earliei;
] Install the filte_; Hook the inlet grille in the
fl'ame and close it. (2onnect power;
15

Through-the-wallinstallationinstructions--optionaL
IMPORTANT
Through-the-wall installation isnot appropriate if any
of the side louvers in the case will be obstructed by
the wall
All side louvers in the case must project on the outdoor
side ofthe wall.
Theroomsideofthecasemustprojectintotheroom
at least13/4"fromthefinishedwall
The case must be installed level from side-to-side
and with a slight tilt fromfront to rear.Use a level;
about a I/2 bubble will be the correct case slant to
the outside.
_A_ Remo_e the air conditioner fl'om the case.
For specific insti'tlction, refer to the I/Vindow
InstallationInstructions.
_] Make certain a wall receptacle is axailable close
to the hole location c,r make arrangements to
install a receptacle.
_] Place the case in the wall o )enin,* and
secure with 12 l" hmg #10 wood screws.
NOTE."Driftpiiothoies,ifnecessan/forproper
instai/ation.If theframeisoversized,useshims
topreventcasedistortion.
i i
i
Finish the Wall Opening
Caulk all fi_m" sides on the outdoor side of the case to prevent moistm'e fl'om ,getfin'*,_ through, to the
interior wall. Use of flashing (drip rail) will fimher prexent water fl'om dripping inside the wall and
down the outside of the building
OUTSIDE
Caulking
Airlouvers_--
(mustprojecton
theoutdoorside
ofthewall)
IJ_i
/ _ Plasterline
II (ifdesired)
INSIDE
rail
Woodfillerandcaulkin(
(aboveandbelowthe
flashing)
Flashing(driprail) t
1¾"min.
16

Beforeyoucall forservice...
Troubleshooting -tips.
Save time and money! Review the chart below first and
you may not need to call for service.
vvww.GEAppliances.com
Airconditioner
doesnotstart
What ToDo
• Make sure the air conditioner i)lug is i)ushed completely
into the outlet.
Possible Causes
The air conditioner
is unplugged.
The fuse is blown/circuit • Check tile house ti]se/circuit breaker box and repla(e
breaker is tripped, the fl]se or reset the breake];
Power failure. •/f power tililm'e occm_, turn the air conditioner OFF.
_]]en power is restored, wait 3 mim]tes to restnrt the
air conditioner to prevent tril)ping oI the compressor
overload.
Air conditiouer does not Airflow is restricted. • Make sure there are no curtains, blinds or fiwniture
coolasit should blocking th e ti'ont of the air conditi()nel:
The temp control ]nay not • Turn the temperatm'e knob to a higher numbe];
be set correctly.
The air f'dter is dirty. • (:lean the filter at least eve] T 30 days.
See the Operating Instructions section.
The room ]nay have been hot. • _Aq/en the air conditioner ix ti]st turned on, you need to
allow ti]]]e t0r the ]'oo]//1o COO1 dowl].
Cold air is escaping. • Check for oi)en fi/rnace floor registe]_ and cold air
I'etl]]']]S.
• Set the air ( onditioner's vent to the closed position.
Cooling coils have iced up. • See "Air conditioner freezingup" below.
Air conditioner Ice blocks the air flow and • Set the mode control at HIGHFANor HIGH COOL
freezing up stops the air conditioner with the temp at Ior 2.
from cooling the room.
Water drips outside Hot mid hmnid weather. •This ix n(mnal.
Water drips indoors The air conditioner is not • g(w ire)per water disp()sal, make sure the air c()]](lift()]]el"
tilted to the outside, slants slightly ti'om the case ti'ont to the re:H:
Water collects in Moisture removed from air
base pan and dxahzs into base pan. •This is n(mnal fi)r a short period in areas with little lmmidity; n(mnal for a longer period in very humid areas.
/7

Beforeyoucall forservice...
Normal Operating Sounds
?_:You may hear a pinging noise caused by water
being picked up and thrown against the
condenser on rainy da):s or when the humidity
is high. This design feature helps relnove
moistm'e and improve eflidency.
_: You may hear the them_ostat click when the
COIIII)I'eSSOI" cycles on and off.
)_:X4"_ter will collect in the base pan dm_ing high
humidi_' or on rainy days. The water may
ovet{h)w and drip from the outdoor side ot
the mfit,
::Ji::The tim may mn even when the compressor
does not.
18

Notes.
I
m
w
m
w
m
19

m
_ Notes_
€_
r_
m
m
Q_
€_
2O