How to Install a Portable Air Conditioner

Co-authored by Victor Belavus

Last Updated: October 30, 2024 Fact Checked

Portable air conditioners are a convenient alternative to window-mounted air conditioners because they are quick and easy to install, and can be moved from room to room. Portable air conditioners work by chilling warm room air using refrigerants, and exhausting the hot air that is a by-product of this process out of the room through a hose. ^{[1]
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Research source} In order for your air conditioner to work, you must ensure that this hot air is successfully vented out of the room, preferably through a window to the outside. ^{[2]
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Research source} This guide will teach you how to properly install and vent a portable, single-hose air conditioner through a window, and offer alternative suggestions if a window is not available.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Venting a Portable Air Conditioner through a Window

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Save these instructions and any associated warranty information for future use.
2
Choose a location for your portable air conditioner.
- Place the air conditioner near both a window and an electrical outlet.
- Ensure that the air conditioner will not be a tripping hazard, and that the airflow will not be obstructed by furniture, plants, etc.
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3
Determine if the window adapter kit will work with your window. Almost all portable air conditioners come with a window adaptor kit that will work, however in some cases the kit is missing or not right for the window, and you will have to improvise a bit.^{[3]
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- For the unit to function well, the gaps between the window adapter for the vent hose and the sides of the window must be sealed off.
- Measure your window opening to determine if the window adapter kit can be expanded or trimmed to fit correctly.
- If the window adapter kit that came with your portable unit is missing or does not adequately fit your window, take careful measurements of the opening you need to accommodate and have a piece of Plexiglas cut to size at your local hardware store.
- You can also use a piece of plywood, or even cardboard, to fill the gap. These options are less attractive, but will work in a pinch.
4
Connect the exhaust hose that came with the portable air conditioner to the air conditioning unit. This may be a single hose with connectors already attached, or you may have to first attach an exhaust connector to the unit, and then attach the hose to the connector. Follow the directions that came with your unit.
- Connect the window connection bracket or adapter to the other end of the exhaust hose, if it is not already attached.
- Run the exhaust hose to the window, and place the window connection bracket or adapter into the open window.
5
Secure the exhaust hose window connection in place. Adjust the included window kit sliders or panels until they completely fill the gap between the window connection bracket and the sides of the window.
- If you are using a piece of Plexiglas, simply slide it in the windowsill next to (or above) the exhaust hose window connection, and hold it in place until the window is closed.
- Close the window so that it fits snugly against the exhaust hose window connection, and holds everything firmly in place.
- In some cases, it may be necessary to use duct tape to seal the gaps around the exhaust hose window connection, and hold the window kit firmly in place.
It should now be ready to use!

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Venting a Portable Air Conditioner When a Window is Not Available

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The installation will be similar to that for a window. However, you will probably need to buy a piece of Plexiglas to fill the gap between the exhaust hose and the top of the door.^{[4]
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Research source} It will also make using the door very inconvenient.
2
Vent the air conditioner through the ceiling.^{[5]
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- In office environments where outside windows are not present or accessible, portable air conditioners can be vented through a drop ceiling. Commercial ceiling vent kits can be purchased online or from your local HVAC retailer.
- There are a number of potential risks and inefficiencies involved with this procedure, so be sure to check with your building's maintenance personnel before proceeding.
- It is also possible to vent a portable air conditioner into an attic, however to avoid property damage or inadvertently heating up other parts of the house, it is advisable to get professional advice from an HVAC specialist before proceeding.
^{[6]
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Research source} If a window is not available, and a long term installation is desired, a licensed contractor can cut a hole through an exterior wall and install an exhaust port for your portable air conditioning unit.
4
Vent the portable air conditioner through a chimney. In homes that have chimneys, it is possible to vent a portable air conditioner through a fireplace.
- Use the supplied window adapter kit, or custom-cut Plexiglas to fill in the gaps around the exhaust hose and the fireplace opening.
- Make sure that your chimney is clean and not obstructed by soot, and that the flue is open. ^{[7]
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Do all portable air conditioners have to be vented out a window?

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This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

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A standard portable air conditioner containing refrigerant gas must be vented outside a window because it draws in warm air, cools it, then releases cool air into the room and pushes the warm air back outside. At this point in time, it is not possible to find a portable air conditioner that can be used without an external venting requirement but you may be able to vent it somewhere else than through a window, depending on what your house situation is. If you did use it without venting, it would be highly ineffective and your electricity bill would be enormous as it would struggle to work efficiently. As an alternative, you could use a portable evaporative cooler which is fully self-contained and only needs a window to be open but these may be less effective at cooling and don’t work in humid environments.

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Do portable air conditioners work without a window?

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If you don’t use a window or similar outdoor outlet, a portable air conditioner will run but won’t work effectively. It will try to do its cooling job but will be battling against the inability to expel the moist and warm air that keeps circulating after attempting to cool down the room’s warm air. Thus, you’d effectively be returning more warm air to the room while the air conditioner battles to cool it. As such, your electricity bill will rise steeply. Worst of all, it will not feel much better in your room or space, as the cooling effect will be ineffective. If you can find an alternative place to vent the hose through, perhaps an open door, entryway or a cat flap in a door, maybe that can work for you instead of mounting through a window.

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Are there portable air conditioners without exhaust?

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Yes, there are portable air conditioners without exhaust, they’re known as evaporative coolers. If you live in a dry air environment, you can use a portable evaporative cooler. This doesn’t require a venting hose, just an open window. However, if you live in an area with high humidity, or your indoor areas are damp, the evaporative cooler stops being effective and it just basically pushes around hot air. If you can use an evaporative cooler, you’ll find it’s a lot cheaper to run than air-conditioners.

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The air conditioning exhaust hose will radiate some heat into the room. Try to place the unit as close to a window as possible and avoid lengthening the hose.

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Use an air conditioning unit that is rated for the size of your room.

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Warnings

Portable air conditioners can easily overload home electrical circuits when used in combination with other power-hungry appliances. Try to avoid powering your air conditioning unit on the same circuit as major appliances, printers, other air conditioners, and personal computers.^{[8]
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