Choosing a portable air conditioner can be a flexible option because you can place the AC wherever you want. However, there is a risk that the location you wish to place your portable AC unit doesn't have a window to vent with. Fortunately, there are ways to get around this problem.
The Importance of Ventilation
Without ventilation, your air conditioner will not be able to remove heat from your home. In some cases, your air conditioner might not cool your home at all. The AC will waste electricity and will only make your home hotter because it will generate its own heat. You may even cause your portable AC to wear out. You may also increase the humidity levels, and that will make your home feel even hotter.
Vent Through a Wall
Instead of venting through a window, one obvious option is to use a hole in an exterior wall for which to vent the heat out. Before you cut through the wall, you will want to review your building's structural plans to make sure that you can safely cut through the wall. You don't want to cut through any supporting beams, as you might negatively impact the structural integrity of your home. Ideally, you should have a professional cut through the wall, since you'll need to be careful when cutting through certain materials.
Vent Through a Door
If you have sliding doors, these can be used to vent heat out of your home. You will need to install window brackets for venting even for a sliding door.
Vent Through a Drop Ceiling
You can convert a drop ceiling into a ventilation zone by cutting a hole in the ceiling panel. Then, you will be able to feed the exhaust hose through the ceiling panel and apply sealant to the connection joint.
Don't Vent Through a Dryer Vent
While some homeowners have successfully used a dryer vent, this is not recommended by air conditioning or dryer manufacturers.
Install Central Air
Instead of using a portable AC unit that would depend on a window, install central air. This will allow you to vent chilled air wherever you want it to go. If you are concerned about how much it might cost to install central air. However, if you have a large home, portable AC units are simply not practical and your central air unit will be able to cool a much larger portion of your home.
For more information, contact an AC installation contractor.
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