Portable air conditioners are designed so you can easily move them to any room of your home. They’re not installed in a window like room air conditioners, but use a flexible exhaust hose that carries the warm air from the room. This hose can be run through a window, into another room, or into the space above a drop ceiling. Most portable air conditioner units come with a kit that allows you to run the hose through a window, but you can also find these kits at heating and air conditioning parts stores.
Open the window and set the air conditioner a minimum of 5 feet away. Make sure the air conditioner is close enough to the nearest outlet so you can plug it in without using an extension cord.
Connect the two lengths of flexible hose provided with the window kit to the outlets at the back of the air conditioner.
Insert the hose collar provided over each exhaust opening, and turn it clockwise until it locks into position.
Apply foam weatherstripping to the sides of the plexiglass or foam panel that fits into the window so when in place, the window will touch the foam.
Place the Plexiglas or foam section of the window kit into the window opening so it runs vertically along the side of the window opposite the hinges. Although most kits are designed to adapt to standard-sized windows, you may have to trim the window panel with a utility knife so it fits the opening for a casement window.
Check to confirm the vent openings on the window panel are near the bottom of the window frame. This ensures the hoses will be able to reach it and won’t have to run up your window.
Close the window until it meets the spacer on the window kit. Insert the screws provided with the kit into the mounting holes on the window kit and drill them into the window frame to secure the window kit in place.
Insert the end of each hose into the window exhaust adaptors provided and insert these into the openings in the window panel, and push down to secure them in place.
Check the hose to ensure it is securely fastened to the window kit, and then plug in the air conditioner and turn it on to test your installation.
Things You Will Need
- Utility knife
- Foam weatherstripping
- Portable air conditioner window installation kit
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