The main selling point of portable air conditioners is that you can move them into different rooms to cool them down on a whim.

However, if you don't have access to a window, venting the exhaust hose isn't quite as simple. That's why it's important to follow the installation guidelines outlined in your owner's manual.

Exhaust Hose

Portable air conditioners use exhaust hoses to vent hot, humid air from a room out of the house. These hoses come in various lengths, depending on the model, and they’re held into place with adjustable frames.

Exhaust hoses are also necessary to help keep your unit running efficiently and to protect it from excess moisture. Moisture builds up on the condenser coils, causing them to lose their efficiency and become unresponsive. To avoid this, it’s important to exhaust your portable air conditioner’s heated indoor air outside and away from the home.

In addition to using an exhaust hose, you can also vent your portable air conditioner through a wall or a door. This method requires a bit more work than simply a window kit, but it’s worth the effort in the long run.

If you have an exterior door that is open but does not have a window, you can simply seal it up with plastic sheets to help prevent the hose from exhausting into another room. This type of installation is not very common, but it does make sense in some cases, such as a garage or bathroom.

You can also vent your portable air conditioner through drywall or a cement wall. This option is best for those who are comfortable using power tools, and it’s a lot less expensive than venting through a door or window.

Finally, you can vent your portable air conditioner through a fireplace or chimney. However, this is not a recommended option because of safety concerns. You should always consult a professional before venting your portable air conditioner through a chimney or fireplace.

Some people prefer to install a portable air conditioner near a fireplace or chimney, especially in homes with high ceilings. This is especially true if you’re trying to cool a large room, as it will provide additional ventilation that can be useful in the winter.

Some portable air conditioners come with a longer exhaust hose that is designed for sliding doors, so you can install it inside your doors and vent the hot air produced by the unit. You should still be sure to align the door opening with the exhaust hole on your portable air conditioner so that warm air is vented out through the hose.

Filler Panels

There are a few ways that portable air conditioners can be used without a window. For one, you can cut a hole through the interior wall of a room to vent the unit’s exhaust hose. Another option is to use a ceiling duct.

You can also install a portable air conditioner in a sliding window if you can find an insert that will fit. You can get these inserts in various shapes, sizes and materials. Some of them are made from plastic or foam, while others are molded from wood or plastic.

For a more permanent solution, you can buy filler panels that are designed to fill gaps in windows to direct hot air outside. They’re sold at most big box stores and come in a variety of different thicknesses, colors and shapes.

In general, plexiglass is the best material for this purpose because it’s easy to cut to size and will hold up well against humidity and sunlight. You can then attach it to the window sash and bottom rail using screws. Weather stripping can also be used to seal around the edges of the plexiglass.

Other options include a piece of plywood, which is less expensive than plexiglass and can be stained or painted. Plywood is not as energy efficient, but it can be installed and removed quickly without requiring much in the way of tools or skill.

A more elaborate option would be to make a custom window insert out of the same material. You could even get the inserts cut to fit into a special frame to allow it to be more easily secured in place.

Alternatively, you can purchase a specially designed air conditioning vent that fits into an open window and has a hole for an exhaust hose. Those are a bit more complicated and require some extra work to install, but they can be useful for some situations.

Finally, you can install a portable air conditioner in an awning or casement window by installing an "L" shaped bar called angle iron or angle stock that is placed at the top of the window instead of the bottom sash. This will provide the necessary support for the unit, while still being visually appealing.

Gravity Drain

When a portable air conditioner cools the air, it creates condensate. This is similar to how moisture builds up on a cold glass of ice water. It’s a small amount, but it adds up quickly.

As the condensate collects inside the unit, it needs to be emptied or set up for continuous drainage using a drain hose. Select models now use updated technology to automatically remove this moisture so you don’t have to worry about draining it yourself.

One way to do this is by a gravity drain. These units can be found in some newer models of air conditioners, as well as those made by a few older brands.

This style of air conditioning uses a drip hose attached to the back of the unit and drains by gravity. This is a much more convenient option than having to empty the condensate collection bucket 3 or 4 times per day.

However, these systems can be tricky to setup and can require a lot of work. For instance, you have to locate a nearby floor drain and make sure that it can fit over the hose. You also need to connect the hose to the drain port.

You have to make sure that you position the hose at an angle so that it can drain as it falls. This will help to prevent it from clogging or becoming damaged.

Some gravity drains can be installed with a pump to help with the draining process. This makes it easy to remove the water and ensures that no mess is left behind.

Another option is to drain the unit with a garden hose. This is a convenient option for many people because it works well in areas with high humidity and hot temperatures.

If you decide to drain your portable air conditioner with a hose, be sure that the hose is of a size and thread type that will fit over the drainage port. You can find a wide variety of different hoses at hardware stores.

After draining your portable air conditioner, you’ll want to replace the drainage plug and power it back on. This will ensure that it’s safe to use again.

Condensate Pump

Condensate pumps capture and move all the water that gathers within your heating and air conditioning system during cooling and heating cycles. They look a bit like miniature sump pumps but they are incredibly important to the health of your home.

Whether you’re using a portable air conditioner or one that requires a window, the best way to drain excess condensation is to have a good condensation pump. Luckily, there are many types of these devices on the market to suit any need.

A typical condensate pump uses a tank with a float switch to energize the unit and push liquid up to a disposal outlet. Some models have a two-stage switch that offers backup to prevent accumulated water from spilling out onto your floor if the first stage fails or if there is a blockage in the discharge line.

Some also feature a check valve at the outlet so that the liquid can’t backflow into the tank, which can cause a clog. If that happens, a second switch engages to shut off the pump or trigger an alarm.

If you have a portable air conditioner and need to get rid of the excess water, installing a condensation pump is a simple DIY project. Just make sure to follow all the local codes and hook up the correct wires.

The pump can be installed near your air conditioning unit or below the coil drain. It’s important to ensure that the pump is level and won’t spray or splash when the air conditioner is in operation.

There are many different types of condensation pumps available on the market, from high suction to low profile ones. In addition to these different features, some condensate pumps come with a sound reducing feature. These are ideal for use in bedrooms where you need a quiet way to remove moisture from your home.

The best condensate pumps will be able to handle the output of your heating and air conditioning system while delivering an extremely quiet operation. They should also be able to handle a wide range of air conditioners from 3.5 tons up to 20 tons in capacity. Lastly, they should be able to handle 100-220 volts.