Portable Air Conditioner Hose Replacement

While you may not need to know this right now, at sometime in the future you may need to know about portable air conditioner hose replacement.

Knowing how to replace the exhaust vent hose on a portable air conditioner is useful when the time comes as well as also knowing where to buy a replacement exhaust hose for your portable AC unit.

This site is here to provide that information and to make it clear and easily understandable for anyone in the position of needing to source and replace their AC vent hose.

It's worth being aware that a portable air conditioner exhaust hose can deteriorate over time or become damaged in some way. Then it's time to replace it.

Does My Air Conditioner Need a Vent Hose?

A portable air conditioning unit is a cooling device that is free standing, usually on wheels and can be moved from room to room as needed.

It doesn't need to be placed in a window or fixed on a wall, making it conveniently portable and relatively easy to move to where it's needed.

This kind of cooler is designed to cool a room in the same way as does a conventional fixed air conditioner.

There are two or sometimes three hoses on a portable AC unit.

They are the vent hose(s) and the drain hose.

The Vent Hose

The AC unit pulls the air in from the room and cools it internally. Once it is chilled it sends that chilled air back into the room. If that was all the AC needed to do, things would be pretty simple and portability would be absolute. However, there is more to it:

Exhausting Hot Air

As a by-product of the nice chilled air produced inside an AC unit, there is a roughly equal amount of hot, moist air also produced. That hot moist air is definitely NOT wanted inside the room being cooled, because it would counter the effect and actually cause a net heat increase!

So the hot and moist air must be vented out of the room somehow. That is the job of the flexible exhaust hose, which connects to a window kit or wall vent, depending on what the room has available and the unwanted hot air is pumped outside.

Some portable AC units may have two different hoses that connect to the outside. One hose is used to remove heat from the room. The second hose is used to draw unprocessed air in from outside to aid the cooling process inside the unit.

Units with a single hose use it to exhaust hot air to the outside, while air is drawn into the unit directly from inside the room. This can be less efficient than using outside air, but cuts down on manufacturing costs. Also, while one hose may not look so pretty, it's somewhat prettier than two hoses!

If there is any kind of problem with a vent hose, such as a blockage or cracking, the result could be overheating of the unit or hot air being leaked out into the room.

You may also notice an unusual sound coming from the unit's motor. The first thing to do is to check the hose for any kinking or damage, especially cracks or holes causing air leaks. Also, check to ensure the hose is firmly attached to the rear of the unit and similarly firmly attached to the window fixing kit or vent opening.

If you determine that the hose is damaged in some way, it may need to be replaced. Fortunately, it is relatively easy to order a replacement hose from the dealer or store where you purchased the air conditioning unit from, or direct from the unit's manufacturer if necessary. You can usually install it yourself fairly easily by simply removing the damaged hose and fitting the new hose in its place.

If you run into problems that you are not able to diagnose yourself, it's always a good idea to contact the dealer or the manufacturer's technical help line. There is generally a troubleshooting guide in the handbook or you can ask questions on the manufacturer's website.

The Drain Hose

There is a second hose on a portable AC unit which should not be confused with the above vent hose. When the air is cooled by an air conditioner unit, air moisture is collected and has to be drained from the air conditioner via its drain hose.

This is a thinner rubber hose generally located near the base of the unit and is used to empty excess water into a bucket or tray. Sometimes it can be pumped outside through a window or vent, although the whole unit would need to be elevated to make this operation work.

Some AC units have a clever processing component that uses the hot air exhaust itself to evaporate the condensation, thereby eliminating the need for draining. These units are generally referred to as "self evaporating portable air conditioners."

Does the AC Unit Need to be Drained?

Most portable ACs are equipped with a small moisture catching reservoir that fills up periodically as the unit is used. You may notice water collecting in this tray or there may be an alarm to tell you when it is becoming full.

The water should be drained out manually before it fills completely. On most modern devices, there is an automatic shut-off to prevent the tray overflowing, but you should always heed any alarm or do your own periodic check to ascertain the level of water in the tray.

Leaks

If you notice flooding, leaking or any dampness around the unit, there may be a problem with the drain hose. Now would be a good time to inspect the hose to see if there are any kinks in it or it's bent. Also look out for any holes in the hose. Pinpoint holes can be difficult to see, but you may be able to see a trickle of water coming from one that will reveal its location.

Another thing to to would be to examine the fitting to see if it is tightened well. If any of the seals exhibit damage that may be another source of leaks.

If there is a pump in the water line, examine the pump to make sure it's working properly. Try listening out for any unusual noises and look for water leaks or he presence of condensation around the pump. If the pump is damaged, it may not be a simple job to replace it. You should consult the user manual first to see if there are user instructions or if the recommendation is to return the AC unit to the dealer or manufacturer to have it repaired.

If the hose itself is damaged, you will need to replace it. You can generally get a replacement hose from the manufacturer or from the dealer you purchased the portable air conditioner from. Once you have the new replacement hose, simply remove the old one a fit the new one in its place with the existing fittings.