Portable air conditioners are simple to vent using the manufacturer-provided window kit. The process takes just a few steps. Check out the following guide on how to properly vent your portable air conditioner.
Portable air conditioners are units that can be transported from room to room to cool different areas. They are self-contained systems that do not require any permanent installation. Portable ACs do require venting via a window or wall. The only requirement is to set up an exhaust hose that can vent outside once you decide where you would like to place the portable air conditioning unit.
What Happens If You Don’t Vent Portable Air Conditioner?
A portable AC works by extracting heat from the surrounding area, but it has to send that heat somewhere. Without a vent, all the hot air would be released back into the room you are trying to cool. You can run a portable air conditioner without a vent, but you should only do it in dehumidifier mode.
What Are The Steps Involved In Venting A Portable Air Conditioner?
When you purchase a portable air conditioner, a window venting kit is included at no extra cost. Mobile air conditioners can be vented through a variety of locations within your home, including a window, wall, ceiling, or door. You must install the venting kit in order for the unit to work correctly in air conditioning mode. The venting kit should not be used while the unit is heating or when a fan mode is on.
The venting kit includes four basic pieces:
- Exhaust hose (carries air between the AC unit and the outdoors)
- Exhaust connector (connects exhaust hose to air conditioning unit)
- Window kit adaptor (connects exhaust hose to window kit)
- Window kit (inserted into the window opening)
A dual-hose portable AC will have two of each piece, except the window kit, which will have two openings, one for each hose.
Here Are The Basic Steps For Installing The Portable Ac Venting Kit
- Slide the exhaust connector over the discharge opening and onto the back of the unit.
- Connect the exhaust hose to the exhaust connector.
- Adjust the length of the window kit to fit the width of the window opening. If necessary, you can cut the window kit down to fit.
- Connect the venting window kit adapter to the window kit.
- Set the window venting kit into the window and connect the exhaust hose to the kit adapter. Shut the window.
You are now ready to use your portable air conditioner!
Try and keep the exhaust hose as straight as possible, as bends and kinks will make it harder to vent air properly. Also, try and keep the length of the exhaust hose as short as possible – the further the air has to travel, the less efficient your AC unit will be.
Exact venting methods might vary depending on your model. Just remember to follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer. By venting the unit properly and following these directions, your mobile air conditioner will last you for many years.
What If The Window Kit Won’t Fit In My Window?
Standard window kits won’t work with casement (or hinged) windows. You can use Plexiglas for venting your portable AC if you have this kind of window.
First, cut the Plexiglas to the size of the window, then cut a hole to fit the exhaust hose. Set this over the open window. This will allow the air conditioner to vent to the outside while allowing the same amount of light to pass through the window as the glass does.
Venting a portable air conditioner will allow you to enjoy the comfort of your unit without unnecessary drawbacks. And the installation process is easy. Be sure to carefully read the instruction manual before venting your new portable air conditioner.
