Portable air conditioners can be a convenient alternative to other window-mounted AC systems as they are easy and quick to install. More importantly, these units can be moved simply from room to room.
With the same technology as traditional models, they can chill hot air inside a room by refrigerants and exhaust the heated air out of your home through a hose. The key to an efficient operation is choosing the right venting place to release hot are out of your home.
In this post, we’ll show some portable air conditioner venting options so that you can make the right decision when installing a unit this summer.
1. Vent through a window
In general, most portable AC units are designed so that you can vent out of a window. The main purpose of this task is to force the hot air to come out of your room. In most cases, you will find a window adaptor kit, which can be used to vent your machine through the window.
Firstly, make sure to place the unit near both an electrical outlet and window. It’s best to choose an area with little plants or furniture to prevent the airflow from being obstructed. For the air conditioner to operate well, the gaps between the window sides and window adapter should be sealed off.
2. Vent through a sliding glass door
Venting a portable air conditioner through a sliding door is just as simple as venting through a window. All you need to do is to separate the venting kit to hold the vertical length of the glass door. Also, keep in mind to purchase Plexiglas to cover the gaps between the top of the door and the exhaust hose.
However, this installation can make using the sliding door extremely inconvenience. If you can find a better place, then it’s advisable to avoid venting the though this area.
3. Vent through the ceiling
In commercial buildings and office settings where outside windows aren’t accessible or present, venting via the drop ceiling is a quite common option. You can find and purchase a ceiling vent kit from the local HVAC shop or online and then set it up easily.
However, there are a few potential inefficiencies and risks of this procedure, so keep in mind to check with the maintenance personnel of the building before you start the project.
4. Vent through the attic
Another option that many people often choose is to vent their portable AC unit into the attic. In fact, the whole process is quite similar as you do with the drop ceiling.
However, if you do it on your own, it is likely to cause damages to your property or unintentionally heat up other areas of the house. Therefore, it is better to hire an experienced HVAC technician to have this task done for you.
5. Vent through the fireplace
If your house has a chimney for decorative purposes, then it is also possible to vent the portable air conditioner via your fireplace. Just like other options, keep in mind to use the custom-made Plexiglas or the provided window adapter kit to cover the gaps between the fireplace opening and the exhaust hose.
This is especially important to ensure your machine can operate properly. Also, make sure that the flue is always open, and the chimney should be clean and free of soot. Otherwise, the air from your air conditioner cannot circulate well, which might result in a few serious problems.
6. Vent through the exterior wall
If you are living in an apartment without a window and want a long-term installation of your portable air conditioner, then venting through the exterior wall can be a good option. In this case, you have to hire a licensed HVAC contractor to make a hole in the exterior wall. After that, they will set up the exhaust port for proper operation.
However, this venting option will keep your portable air conditioner permanent in a fixed place. This is quite counterintuitive when the main reason many people choose to use this model is its flexibility and portability for moving easily to different areas in your home. Therefore, make sure to consider your needs before making the final decision.
