The easiest way to vent a portable AC is out a window, right?
However, your place may have a different option. Then how to vent a portable AC without a window?
If you don’t have a window, you may still vent your air conditioner through the dryer vent, wall, drop ceiling, chimney, or door.
Since the various options have distinct prerequisites, you should look into them more to see which fits your situation best.
Let’s go into an in-depth analysis.
Here, I’ll show you how to properly vent a portable air conditioner without having to install a window.
Portable AC
There are indeed some differences between a window unit and a portable AC, but there are also some similarities. Both are designed to work independently to keep a space at a comfortable temperature.
While a window air conditioner is meant to be installed on the outside wall of a home, a portable AC is intended to be installed inside a room.
Both must have enough airflow to function effectively.
In contrast to window air conditioners, portable ones may be used in any room, with or without a window.
Having a vent kit and window makes it simpler to go from one room to another.
Several options exist for handling the exhausting hot air that the system generates, and they vary according to the room’s configuration.
How Does Portable AC Function?
Your room’s warm air and moisture are removed from it by the mechanism that makes a portable AC operate, and the room is left with just the cooler air.
The collected heat is discharged via the exhaust pipe into the environment or wherever the cooling unit is vented.
The evaporator coil in the portable AC helps cool the air. When air from your room passes over the evaporator coil, it soaks up a lot of heat. Once the heat is transformed to liquid form, it travels down the condenser coil.
A standard air conditioner requires a condensation chamber and compressor, both of which are often placed outside. The fan aids in heat transmission to the outer environment, while the condenser turns the moisture into water drops.
The noisiest parts of an air conditioner are its blower and the compressor that powers it.
The compressor in standard air conditioners is housed outside. Therefore, noise is not a concern.
On the other hand, portable air conditioners have all their parts in one unit, making them just as noisy.
The hot air from the portable AC gets released using the exhaust pipe. If you don’t utilize a hose, all that warm air will remain in the space you’re in.
Venting the Portable AC: Why Is It Important?
Without proper venting, a portable air conditioner is pretty much useless.
It will operate correctly, but as there is nowhere for the hot air to go, it will just recirculate inside the room rather than being expelled.
While they do their job of cooling the air, portable cooling systems also vent the heated air they produce.
That’s why it’s crucial to vent the heat properly.
Otherwise, even if you leave the AC running for hours, the emitted hot air won’t be able to escape, and the space will never cool down.
Also, by not venting the portable air conditioner, you make moisture buildup continue easily, and it will interfere with the cooling capacity of the appliance.
Eventually, There will be no way to cool the space because of the increased humidity caused by the wetness.
How To Vent A Portable AC Without A Window: 5 Simple Ways
When it comes to providing ventilation for a portable air conditioner, location is key.
You should keep the exhaust hoses straight. Also, you should avoid extension cords if possible.
Hoses, however, are less aesthetically pleasing than the appliance itself. You should also think about how far away the venting site.
It might be louder than a window-based system.
Let’s discuss in detail how to vent your portable AC without a window –
Venting Through the Door
If there is no available window in the room, the most prominent and straightforward solution is to utilize the door as a vent for the portable cooling unit.
But you should be careful about the entrance if you want to use it for venting the air conditioner.
The efficiency of your air conditioner will be reduced if the door leading out of your room opens into a corridor or another room in the house.
However, if your door opens onto a balcony, you’ll have no trouble getting rid of the stifling heat. In this manner, air may be released to the outside precisely as it would be via a window.
Utilizing a sliding door is going to be the easiest and most convenient method for venting a movable air conditioning unit via a door.
Kits are available that are built specifically to attach with sliding glass doors and direct exhaust outside. You may use them with any machine, and they are extremely straightforward to use.
The situation is different for those who have pets.
Is there a little door in your house that your pets may use to enter and leave as they want to?
They won’t be happy about that, but the system would be like that.
So, at least there will be some air circulation. Be careful to properly seal up the area where the exhaust hose will enter.
Venting through the Wall
Unlike with a door, venting a transportable air conditioner via a wall requires more labor, but it still does the job.
First, you’ll need to cut a hole in the wall so that hot air can escape from the air conditioner. This option may be suitable for you if you have access to a power drill and are confident in your ability to drill a hole in your wall.
There are a few things to bear in mind while drilling:
· You need to make sure the hole won’t be excessively big.
· It has to be just big enough to accommodate the hose from the portable air conditioner.
· Drilling a hole with a 6′′ diameter requires extreme caution. Hire someone else to perform it if you feel uneasy.
· Pick a wall that is both thin and not connected to other rooms.
· A professional driller should be contacted if the wall is strengthened with steel.
You may select whatever wall you choose, but if you want to be kind, you probably shouldn’t pick the one that faces another room. That way, the rest of your home won’t become hot while your room remains cold.
That said, it’s totally OK for the vented hot air to go somewhere like a laundry room or the garage.
After you’ve drilled the hole, apply silicone sealant to close any gaps that will allow air to escape around the hose.
When you do this, the hot air won’t be able to seep back into the room. Your portable air conditioner won’t have to run as often.
Drop Ceiling Venting
You may also use a drop ceiling to exhaust your portable AC. Drop ceilings are common in older homes, but not all new constructions have them.
You should absolutely go with this option if you’re installing the cooling system in a high-ceilinged older home or workplace.
Since the portable air conditioner’s exhaust pipe must reach from the floor to the ceiling, you’ll need a sufficiently long exhaust hose.
Also, you can use the drop ceiling vent kit to increase its reach. It effectively increases the length of the hose.
So stretch the hose, create a ceiling hole, and set everything in position.
Following this, seal the connection joints securely and refrain from blocking the pipes and wires to prevent any dangerous situation.
Use of chimney for venting
You’ll need a chimney to do this, but an old, disused one.
Your safety is in jeopardy if you plan to run the plastic hose for your air conditioner through an existing chimney.
It is up to you to verify if the chimney installation is secure.
I recommend you consult a professional for putting the hose all through the chimney.
A technician can also assist you in finding out whether it’s legal to vent a portable air conditioning unit during a chimney in your area.
You’ll need a hose that’s at least as long as the chimney itself. I mean you might want to run it up and through it to provide air conditioning to your portable appliance.
You may install the AC in a non-working fireplace by running a hose up the chimney.
This alternative is often used in smaller homes with shorter chimneys. The holes may then be sealed with duct tape, giving you peace of mind that your room is safe.
If you don’t have access to this approach, you may rest easy knowing that it’s only employed in extreme cases. Your portable air conditioner may be vented in several additional ways.
Dryer Vent As a Venting System
If you don’t have any other options, try venting the AC through the dryer vent.
It’s a decent strategy for exhausting your air conditioner if you can get it to work. One major drawback is that the Portable cooling unit’s hose won’t easily go through the dryer vent’s comparatively small hole.
Is There An Option For The Portable AC That Doesn’t Need Ventilation?
Unlike windows, air conditioning units don’t need any additional ventilation.
What you should look for is a transportable swamp cooler to use in this situation. The room won’t be cool as efficiently as with a portable AC, but this option does not need air hoses.
Turning liquid water into vapor is where a swamp cooler shines, as it effectively confines the heat inside your room. Heat will be retained until the water vapor condenses back into liquid.
FAQs
Is It A Wise Investment To Get A Portable Ac?
Many owners and tenants find that portable ac is an easy and affordable way to chill their homes.
Even if your regular air conditioner breaks, it may be a lifesaver since it can be set up and operating in no time while waiting for repair.
Can Movable Air Conditioners Be Installed In A Room That Does Not Have Any Windows?
A portable AC can be installed in a windowless room. However, heat dissipation is necessary for cooling to occur.
Cold air infiltration is rendered useless if the hot air cannot escape the chamber. Airing out of the system is a must to reap the benefits of having a cooler working.
Can You Use A Portable AC Unit In A Recreational Vehicle?
YES! Portable air conditioning units that don’t need ventilation may effectively chill a motorhome or trailer. However, they will not affect the temperature inside the camper. They’ll create a refreshing breeze that will help you feel more relaxed by dissipating sweat.
Be Crafty Be Creative
Though now you know how to vent a portable ac without a window, doing so is tricky.
You need to be inventive and resourceful with venting when you have no sliding doors or are unwilling to cut a space in the wall for ventilation.
When it comes to properly venting a portable air conditioner, several DIY guys have different and unique approaches. You can have a unique perspective discussing with them.
