The Importance of Venting Your Portable Air Conditioner

Portable air conditioners are air conditioners that can be moved from one room to another. Permanent installation is not required with portable air conditioners. They do require a venting outlet, though. Windows and walls are most commonly used as venting outlets. You may also use a drop ceiling for venting purposes. Venting hoses are usually made of temperature resistant plastic and reinforced with metal. Once you position your portable air conditioner, the exhaust hose needs to be directed out of the room so that the hot air will be expelled from the room.

Some air conditioner manufacturers claim to sell portable air conditioners that do not require venting. These units simply do not exist. All portable air conditioners need to vent the hot air they remove from the room they are cooling. It is important to note that the hot air does not need to be vented to the outside via a window. Another option is to use a room where high temperature is not an issue, like a storage room.

The reason why portable conditioners require venting is so that they can function properly. If the hot air is not vented to another room, the portable air conditioner will not work efficiently. Venting is inexpensive. Most portable air conditioners come with an installation kit for a window or sliding door.

There are a few simple steps to take when venting your portable air conditioner. You should find a location for the vent first, whether it be window, wall or drop ceiling. Next, you should slide the exhaust connector over the discharge opening at the back of the portable air conditioner. Then, connect the exhaust hose to the exhaust connector. Connecting the venting window kit adaptor to the window kit is the next step. Finally, you should set the window venting kit into the window and shut the window. 

How the window kit works is that the window kit is cut to fit the sliding door or window. The window is closed against the foam to seal the air from coming in from outside. The exhaust hose is fitted through a small cut in the foam. A single installation only takes about five minutes and you can move the unit from window to window with ease.

The ideal length of an exhaust hose is 5-7 feet. It should be 5 inches in diameter. The length of the hose should not be extended. If you extend the hose and there is a backpressure or constriction to the airflow, the unit will not work and possibly be damaged as well. If it is absolutely necessary to extend the hose, you should make sure the diameter is increased along with the length. Be sure to note that the efficiency of the portable air conditioner will be decreased. You should read the warranty manual before making any alterations to the hose because some manufacturers do not allow it.

One last note is that venting out of a dryer vent is not recommended by manufacturers. It is especially not recommended if the diameter of the dryer vent is smaller than the hose of the portable air conditioner. If the dryer vent has external vents, you should not use that as a venting option. The compressor on your portable air conditioner is not strong enough to push the flaps open.