Portable Air Conditioner Unit Venting FAQ

Potable air conditioners are units that can be transferred from one room to another. The advantage that they have over the traditional air conditioning units is that they do not require any permanent installation. However, what they do require is a venting outlet, which can either be a window or a wall. Once the portable air conditioner unit is positioned, the exhaust hose has to set out of the room so that the hot air can be let out.

Below are the frequently asked questions (FAQ) regarding the portable air conditioning unit venting:

Do portable air conditioners require outside venting?
All portable air conditioners need to vent the hot air they remove from the room. However, the hot air need not be vented outside a window. It can be vented into a room, like storage where the high temperature is not an issue.

Can I use a portable air conditioner without a vent?
Portable air conditioners require a vent to function properly. If the hot air is not vented out to another room, then the air conditioner will not work efficiently.

What type of venting options do Portable Air Conditioners provide?
Most portable air conditioners come with an installation kit for a window or a sliding door. A wall or a drop ceiling can also be used for venting of portable air conditioner unit.

What are the steps involved to vent a portable air conditioner?
The typical steps involved are:

• Select the location for vent.
• Slide the exhaust connector over the discharge opening at the back of the unit.
• Connect the exhaust hose to the exhaust connector.
• Connect the venting window kit adapter to the window kit.

Set the window vending kit into the window and shut the window.

How does the window kit work?
The window kit is cut to a slider or a window. The window is then closed against the foam to seal the air from outside. The exhaust hose if fitted through a small cut out in the foam.

How long does the installation take at a window?
A single installation takes about 5 minutes and the unit can easily be moved from window to window.

What is the ideal length of the exhaust hose?
The ideal length of the exhaust hose should be between 5 and 7 feet and it should be 5 inch in diameter.

Can I extend the length of the exhaust hose?
The manufacturers of the portable air conditioners generally recommend that the length of the hose should not be extended. If there is a backpressure or constriction to the airflow, the unit will not work and could also be damaged. If you are left with little choice, then make sure that while increasing the length of the hose, the diameter is also increased. Doing so will definitely decrease the efficiency of the air conditioning unit. However, read your warranty manual before doing so, as some manufactures do not allow it all.

What material is used to make the exhaust hose of a portable air conditioner?
The material used to make the hose is temperature resistant plastic, which is reinforced with metal.

Can I vent a portable air conditioner out a dryer vent?
Venting a portable air conditioner using a dryer vent is usually not recommended by the manufactures, especially if the diameter of the dryer vent is smaller than the hose of the air conditioner. Also, if your dryer vent has external vents, then it should not be used at all as the compressor is not strong enough to push these flaps open.

What is the difference between a single hose design and a dual hose design?
Some portable air conditioners offer one air exhaust hose while some offer two, one for air intake and the other one for air exhaust. A single hose takes the air in, cools it and returns the same air back into the room. A small portion of this air will be blown out of the air conditioner’s exhaust host. A dual hose unit works by taking in air from the outside though one of the hose pipes cooling the air and releasing it while releasing the hot air through the exhaust pipe. As of now, there is no conclusive proof as to which unit produces more efficient cooling and conserves energy at the same time.

In conclusion, please read the user manual very carefully before installing a venting mechanism for your portable air conditioner. Happy Cooling!