Portable Air Conditioners - The Importance of Venting

Portable air conditioners are air conditioners thatconnector. Connecting the venting window kit
can be moved from one room to another.adaptor to the window kit is the next step. Finally,
Permanent installation is not required with portableyou should set the window venting kit into the
air conditioners. They do require a venting outlet,window and shut the window.
though. Windows and walls are most commonlyHow the window kit works is that the window kit
used as venting outlets. You may also use a dropis cut to fit the sliding door or window. The
ceiling for venting purposes. Venting hoses arewindow is closed against the foam to seal the air
usually made of temperature resistant plastic andfrom coming in from outside. The exhaust hose is
reinforced with metal. Once you position yourfitted through a small cut in the foam. A single
portable air conditioner, the exhaust hose needsinstallation only takes about five minutes and you
to be directed out of the room so that the hotcan move the unit from window to window with
air will be expelled from the room.ease.
Some air conditioner manufacturers claim to sellThe ideal length of an exhaust hose is 5-7 feet. It
portable air conditioners that do not requireshould be 5 inches in diameter. The length of the
venting. These units simply do not exist. Allhose should not be extended. If you extend the
portable air conditioners need to vent the hot airhose and there is a backpressure or constriction
they remove from the room they are cooling. Itto the airflow, the unit will not work and possibly
is important to note that the hot air does notbe damaged as well. If it is absolutely necessary
need to be vented to the outside via a window.to extend the hose, you should make sure the
Another option is to use a room where highdiameter is increased along with the length. Be
temperature is not an issue, like a storage room.sure to note that the efficiency of the portable
The reason why portable conditioners requireair conditioner will be decreased. You should read
venting is so that they can function properly. Ifthe warranty manual before making any
the hot air is not vented to another room, thealterations to the hose because some
portable air conditioner will not work efficiently.manufacturers do not allow it.
Venting is inexpensive. Most portable airOne last note is that venting out of a dryer vent
conditioners come with an installation kit for ais not recommended by manufacturers. It is
window or sliding door.especially not recommended if the diameter of
There are a few simple steps to take whenthe dryer vent is smaller than the hose of the
venting your portable air conditioner. You shouldportable air conditioner. If the dryer vent has
find a location for the vent first, whether it beexternal vents, you should not use that as a
window, wall or drop ceiling. Next, you should slideventing option. The compressor on your portable
the exhaust connector over the discharge openingair conditioner is not strong enough to push the
at the back of the portable air conditioner. Then,flaps open.
connect the exhaust hose to the exhaust