How To Vent A Portable AC Without A Window?

Without the necessity for permanent installation or the cost of a centralized AC structure, portable air conditioners are an easy method to cool down any space. They function by drawing hot air out of the space, chilling it, and then recirculating cool air into the area. A compressor, condenser, evaporator, and fan are the four essential parts of a standard portable air conditioner. Together, these elements chill the air in the space.

If you own a portable AC, you must figure out how to vent it without a window. You don’t need to worry—we’ve got you covered here! For portable ACs to work properly, adequate ventilation must be crucial in spaces without windows. Keep reading for a thorough explanation of how to vent a portable air conditioner without a window.

Do All Portable AC Units Need A Window?

Not all portable AC units require a window. All portable air conditioners need some form of venting to function effectively. While the most common method is through a window, there are alternative venting options for portable ACs without a window installation like:

• Wall vents: For homes with exterior walls.
• Drop ceiling vents: If you have a drop ceiling in your room.
• Vent kits for sliding doors: Specifically designed for this purpose.

The key while venting the portable AC is to ensure the hot air produced by the AC is expelled outside the room. Without proper venting, the unit will struggle to cool the space and might even damage itself. Now let us explore different methods to install the portable AC without a window:

How To Vent Portable AC Without A Window?

Lacking windows shouldn’t hinder your quest for cool comfort. Discover effective portable air conditioner venting options without compromising its performance.

While most portable air conditioners rely on windows for exhaust, there are alternative solutions. Let’s explore your options:

1. Sliding Door AC Venting

 

You can vent your portable AC through sliding doors. There are specific vent kits available to help seal the gap and exhaust hot air. This is how you need to do it:

• First, open your sliding door and determine the opening’s height and width.
• Buy a sliding door vent assembly the right size for opening your door. In these kits, you’ll often find a vent panel that slides into your door track, plus a vent hose that fastens to the panel.
• Now, insert the vent panel into your door track, then snugly adjust it to match the aperture.
• Link the air conditioner’s vent hose to the panel by attaching it there.
• You can cover all openings using duct tape or a sealant kit to stop air leaks around the panel.

Sliding door vent kits are simple to set up and are easily accessible online or in local hardware stores. They are a practical solution for venting portable air conditioners and are simple to eliminate when out of operation.

2. Wall Venting For AC Units

Venting a portable air conditioner through a wall may prove a valuable and efficient approach when conventional venting methods like windows or sliding doors are not accessible. This is how you do it:

• Assess the length of your vent hose plus the closeness to its electrical socket when choosing a place for the air conditioner.
• You must mark the spot where you’ll cut a hole in your wall. It’s critical to pick a spot without pipes or power lines.
• You may use a hole or reciprocating saw to make a hole in your wall.
• Next, connect the vent hose to the air conditioner’s rear and feed via the opening.
• Cover the hole with an outside vent cap to keep rain and pests out.
• Fill up any holes surrounding the vent and cover it with caulk or weather-stripping to stop air leakage.

When your wall is bearing loads or has any plumbing or electrical considerations, venting portable air conditioner via a wall may necessitate an expert installation.

3. Ceiling Venting For Your Portable Air Conditioner

For people who don’t have window access in the room, venting through the ceiling is one of the best ideas for venting portable air conditioner. You should proceed as follows:

• Assess the opening size after removing the cover from your ceiling vent.
• Now, bring a vent hose that is the exact size of the hole.
• The AC unit’s rear must be connected to your vent hose next.
• Insert this vent hose via the ceiling vent aperture, then firmly fasten it to the vent covering it using screws or duct tape.
• Finally, turn on your cooling unit and check for air leaks near the vent cover.

Because warm air rises while cool air typically sinks, it’s crucial to remember that there may be more effective choices than venting a portable air conditioner into a ceiling vent. This can cause the cool air to be distributed in the room unevenly.

 4. AC Venting Through A Dryer Vent

If you don’t have access to any windows or sliding doors yet possess a dryer vent in your home, you may be capable of venting a portable AC unit through it. How to do it is as follows:

• First, take the dryer vent off the wall.
• Next, fasten the dryer vent aperture to the vent line from your portable cooling system. Applying duct tape or a vent hose connection will do this.
• Now, switch on your AC, scanning for any signs of air leakage around the vent hose.
• You can caulk or use weather stripping to fill gaps and stop air leakages surrounding the vent pipe.

Using a dryer vent for your portable AC if no window isn’t ideal. Dryer vents are designed for different airflow, and using them might reduce your AC’s efficiency. Furthermore, when the dryer vent isn’t regularly cleaned and preserved, this technique might not be appropriate because lint buildup could pose an ignition risk.

5. AC Venting Through An Unutilized Chimney

If you have a non-working chimney, venting a windowless portable air conditioner through it is an unusual alternative. This is how you do it:

• You need to ensure no blockages or dirt obstruct the airflow by cleaning the chimney.
• Evaluate the chimney aperture’s dimensions to ensure the vent hose from the air conditioner fits correctly.
• You need to connect the vent hose to the back of your air conditioner.
• Push the vent hose into the chimney’s opening to vent your portable air conditioner. Now, firmly fasten it utilizing screws or duct tape.
• Look for any signs of air leakage at the chimney hole after turning on the air conditioner.

Since chimneys are made to vent hot air and could be incapable of handling the quantity of air being expelled through the AC unit, it’s vital to realize that there may be more effective alternatives than venting a portable cooling device through an unoccupied chimney. Furthermore, if the chimney isn’t regularly maintained and cleaned, this approach could not be secure because material buildup can be a fire threat.

6. Venting An AC Via A Wall Outside

Those without accessibility to a window or sliding door can vent a portable air conditioning unit via an exterior wall.

• Firstly, you must select a good spot on the exterior wall to vent your air conditioner there.
• Then you must cut a hole in the exterior wall the same size as the air conditioner vent hose.
• The AC unit’s rear must be connected to your vent hose next.
• Insert the vent hose through the wall’s hole and securely fasten it with screws or duct tape.

It’s essential to remember that while venting a portable windowless air conditioner via a wall, the outer wall needs to be precisely cut and shut to prevent damage or leaks. In addition, this method might not be helpful for people who reside in flats or other rental buildings because it may go against building regulations or lease agreements.

7. Vent A Portable AC Unit Through Your Interior Wall

If you don’t have access to a sliding door or window and are unwilling to create a hole in your outer wall, you may be able to vent your portable AC into an inside wall. You have to do it as follows:

• You must first choose where on an interior wall to vent the air conditioner.
• Now, cut a hole in the inside wall that is identical in size to the air conditioner vent hose.
• You need to connect the vent hose to the back of the air conditioner.
• Put the vent hose through the wall’s hole and fasten it firmly with screws or duct tape.
• Cover the opening with an interior vent cap to stop air leaks and enhance the appearance of the space.

To guarantee that your wall is correctly cut and sealed to avoid any harm or leaks, it’s crucial to remember that venting a portable air conditioner via an internal wall may necessitate professional assistance. Furthermore, this approach might not be helpful for those who live in apartments or other rental properties because it might be against building regulations or lease agreements.

8. Casement Windows For AC Ventilation

If you have casement windows rather than windows that slide up and down, you can vent a portable air conditioner through them. What to do is as follows:

• Place a panel of plexiglass across the window opening. You must size the panel to fit the window opening and include a hole cut out for the air conditioner vent pipe.
• You must connect the vent hose to the back of the air conditioner and connect it to the vent hose.
• Put the vent hose via the plexiglass panel’s hole and fasten it firmly using screws or duct tape.
• Close the window above it to hold the plexiglass panel in place.
• You must weather-strip or caulk any openings around the plexiglass panel to stop air leaks.

It’s crucial to remember that not all casement windows will work well for portable ac venting. The plexiglass panel might not fit snugly or be strong enough to support the air conditioner’s load.

Also Check:

• Portable Air Conditioner Vs Window Unit
• Best Dryer Vent Hoses
• Best Quietest Portable Air Conditioners
• Why My AC Unit Buzzing Every Few Minutes

What Happens If I Don’t Vent My Portable Ac?

If you don’t vent your portable AC, it will essentially be working against itself. In short, not venting your portable AC is like trying to cool a room by opening the oven door. Make sure proper venting for improved performance and efficiency.

Here’s why to vent your portable AC:

• Ineffective cooling: Portable ACs work by pulling in warm air, cooling it, and then expelling the hot air outside. Without venting, the hot air is simply recirculated back into the room, negating the cooling process.
• Increased energy consumption: The AC will work harder to cool the room, but due to the lack of venting, it won’t be effective. This results in higher electricity bills.
• Potential damage: The unit can overheat if the hot air isn’t properly expelled, leading to damage and reduced lifespan.
• Humidity issues: The moisture removed from the air will be released back into the room, creating a humid environment.

FAQs:

Conclusion

Even though it can seem complicated, venting the portable AC without a window is doable with the proper knowledge and tools. Furthermore, there are other ways to vent a portable air conditioner. You have various options to pick from based on the type of your room and the presence of doors or windows.

It’s essential to choose a venting method that is safe and suitable for your specific situation and to follow the manufacturer’s setup and maintenance instructions. You can maintain a comfortable inside temperature even without a regular window by adequately venting your portable AC.