Answer, yes it needs to be hot otherwise the room isn't being cooled. It will become hot whenever the compresser is running, and cool off a little when the thermostat reaches the desired temperature. I had the same problem (warped window slider) and purchased a new window slider from distributers, the trick is to not have the window slider at the extreme edge of the window as there needs to be a unobstructed flow of hot air out the window, the warping you describe is caused by exsessive heat build up due to an obstructed air-flow out the window. Pack the far side of the window with a sheet of ply wood about 1/4 out from the side, rest the window slider against that. My windows have security screens but it seems OK to pass the heated air through the mesh, it doesn't obstruct the air-flow out to any degree.
Kev, February 2009
