Summertime is an amazing time of the year and when the weather is perfect, there’s no need to heat or cool your home. But with summer comes humidity, and with humidity comes the need for air conditioning.
If you’re like most homeowners, you’ve probably considered investing in a portable air conditioner to help keep your home comfortable during the hottest months of the year. But do these units need to be drained regularly in order to operate properly?
Keep reading to find out.
Portable air conditioners do need to be emptied periodically in order to keep your home cool and comfortable. These units typically contain a water tank that holds the water collected from the air conditioner’s dehumidifying process.
This can be done by simply emptying out the bottom drain on some units, while other units require you to detach the hose connected to the unit and allow it to drain outside.
Regular maintenance of your cooling system is important for its continued comfort and performance no matter what type of central heating and cooling system you have. It can help prevent costly repairs and unexpected breakdowns.
How Do Portable Air Conditioners Work
Portable air conditioners are usually used in bedrooms, theaters, offices, basements, and a variety of other residential and commercial settings.
These units are great alternatives to central air conditioning systems, which can be expensive and impractical for most homeowners.
Instead of just relying on an electric-powered fan to circulate the air throughout your home, portable air conditioners use a hose connected to an internal condenser unit. It then draws hot air from inside your house or building and pumps it outside.
With this type of cooling system, you will need to make sure that there is proper airflow in order for these units to function properly. If you put the unit’s vent too close to another object, such as furniture or drapes, then cool air could end up leaking out before it reaches your desired space.
This self-contained cooling system can be used to chill single rooms. They usually sit on the floor and come with an easy-to-follow installation guide. Most types come with castor wheels, allowing them to be moved from room to room.
In recent years, the demand for these portable air conditioners has increased. As a result, there are now several different types to choose from. Depending on your preferences and budget, you can find units that offer standard or high-quality cooling systems.
While the installation process should always be done by an experienced individual, most of these types come with detailed instructions for easy reference and installation (if required).
Components of a Portable Air Conditioners
The following are the fundamental components of a portable air conditioner:
- Refrigerant and evaporator: The refrigerant and the evaporator is used to absorb the heat from the room while transferring it outside.
- Compressor: This compresses the refrigerant vapor. It is vital to the cooling process because it pressurizes and re-circulates the fluid throughout your unit.
- Condenser coil: The condenser coil is used to cool down the air.
- Fan: The fan pulls the cooled air from the surface of the evaporator and sends it out through the hose.
- Water tank: The water collected from yourunit is stored inside the water tank.
- Fittings: These are used in order for you to connect the hose that will lead the condensate out of your system.
Understanding How Portable Air Conditioners Operate
Most portable air conditioners work in a similar fashion, usually with the same types of components and processes. Although they may vary depending on brand and type, all use refrigeration principles in order to lower humidity levels and make temperatures comfortable.
The fan cools the portable air conditioner, which draws hot, humid air from the room. The coil inside the unit lowers the air temperature while also extracting water- through condensation. The cooled air is returned to the interior part of your home.
In the entire process, the refrigerant plays a crucial role that cannot be overlooked.
What is The Purpose Of A Drain Hose?
A drain hose is another vital component of any type of air conditioner, both central and portable. It allows the user to constantly drain off the water that accumulates in the air conditioning system.
While most manufacturers offer self-draining units, it can help to know how your unit works so you will be familiar with its features, and use it correctly.
Choosing Your Portable Air Conditioners
The first thing that usually needs to be done before installing any type of air conditioner is determining what size will work best for your space. Portable models typically come in various sizes ranging from around 9000 BTU up to more than 14000 BTU.
Once you have chosen the proper size and installed your unit, it is important to place it in a location that will provide the right airflow for optimal use. This specific area should be away from other objects such as furniture or draperies, which can create problems that affect cooling performance
Also, consider how much noise each model makes before making your purchase.
Many air conditioning units work similarly and require similar maintenance processes. However, some brands offer features such as water extenders and their own drain valves for easier draining of any collected condensation.
How Portable Air Conditioners Drain Water
There are three ways through which a portable air conditioner can drain water when in use:
1. Self-evaporation: Portable air conditioners evaporate moisture and heated air through a process that can be completed in a 24-hour period. This is possible because of the design, which includes a water separator and evaporative coil which helps eliminate any unwanted impurities from the process.
2. Gravity drain: Gravity drain is the most common form of water removal, usually requiring the user to connect a hose to an outside source. The water from your air conditioning unit then exits the hose and is released into the outdoors.
3. Draining pan/Internal bucket: The pan for collecting water can be purchased as an accessory; pushed out via a hose by gravity. This often relies on the homeowner to manually drain it of any collected water.
A portable air conditioner differs from other air conditioners in that it combines all of the processing elements into a single stand-alone device. Even the tiniest portable air conditioners work in the same way, grouping the refrigeration cycle as much as practical.
Draining Portable Air Conditioners
There are a few easy steps to follow if you want your portable air conditioner to last for a long time and bring you comfort. Proper maintenance is an essential part of the process, especially when you are using portable cooling units.
Here are some important things to do:
- Keep the drain hose attached to your portable air conditioner at all times.
- If your unit is equipped with an internal bucket, you need to drain it on a regular basis (at least once every month) and then replace it. If not, attach the drain hose to a source of water outside or in your home’s plumbing system
- Clean the water separator inside the device regularly. Most manufacturers will recommend their own products which are safe to use with their devices.
Condensation is caused by air conditioning units, and the water has to go somewhere. Depending on the kind of portable air conditioner, you may need to drain it yourself. Many modern units are self-evaporative and produce condensation that is vented through a drain hose.
Portable air conditioners can signal when they’re full and need to be emptied, but this isn’t the objective. They will almost always reach the point where they must be emptied.
This isn’t a requirement for all models, however. Most contemporary models are low-maintenance, with many of them being able to self-evacuate water from the storage tank.
If you’re OK with some draining now and then, the majority of air conditioners make this process rather straightforward. The frequency with which you need to drain will often depend on the humidity levels in your area.
Common Mistakes to Avoid With Your Portable Air Conditioners
Portable air conditioners are fantastic when used correctly, but many people misuse them. As a result, energy usage goes up, devices break down, and the room temperature is lowered.
Here are some of the most common blunders that individuals make while utilizing one, along with how to avoid them.
- Incorrect Size
The most essential aspect of efficiently cooling your space is to employ a suitable sized portable air conditioner. Most individuals think that acquiring a central air conditioner will allow them to chill their area more rapidly and effectively, but this isn’t always the case.
Air conditioners operate based on BTU (British Thermal Units), which is how they are measured. The BTU, or British Thermal Unit, is a measurement of how much space an appliance can cool.
The correct size must be chosen to ensure that the air conditioner will still adequately cool the room. Be sure to properly measure your area before purchasing a new unit, and you won’t have to worry about your AC breaking down soon after installation.
If the unit has too many BTUs for the house, consider what would happen if it were to cycle on and off excessively. It will cycle on and off repeatedly, resulting in an ineffective conditioning process.
- Inadequate Ventilation
Portable air conditioners need to be vented. When they’re switched on, the room’s unneeded cold air must be released, necessitating ventilation. If a machine has no ventilation, it will get too hot and burn out.
Ventilation is needed to permit the air conditioner’s internal mechanisms to cool down. If there is not adequate ventilation, durability will be affected adversely, resulting in higher energy usage levels.
Most portable air conditioners come with a window venting kit that makes installation a breeze. If you have a window that faces another building or structure, ensure that proper ventilation isn’t obstructed.
- Inadequate Temperature
If you’re not sure what temperature to set the unit at, begin by considering how warm or cool you want your room. You can go from there. It’s better to lower the temperature a bit more than needed as opposed to turning it up and overheating your bedroom.
When portable air conditioners are left on for a long period of time, the unit’s condensers will get too hot and burn out. Damage to internal mechanisms can also occur as a result of excess heat.
It is essential that you turn the temperature down once the room has reached a comfortable level.
- Ignoring Energy Efficiency Ratings
Portable air conditioners are less energy-efficient than central air conditioners, but they can still save you money on cooling expenses if used appropriately.
While many customers are concerned about their appliances’ energy consumption, they don’t consider the energy that’s wasted by inefficient machines.
Units with low BTUs may fail to chill rooms effectively, yet they’re still using up the same amount of energy as large capacities do. Without taking efficiency into account, you will be forced to continuously run a machine that is too small for your room.
A portable air conditioner with a high (Seasonal energy efficiency ratio) SEER rating is more efficient and can lower your energy bills. If you plan to use your portable air conditioner frequently, it’s important to choose one with a high SEER rating.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Portable Air Conditioners
Is it possible to extend a drain hose?
No, you really shouldn’t extend the drain hose on a portable air conditioner’s vent hose. This can lead to it becoming detached and cause your air conditioner to overheat.
You can buy a longer drain hose for your unit instead of extending the original one if you want to.
If you can’t find a way to drain the water, consider placing an old towel underneath the machine.
Can you use a portable air conditioner in different rooms?
If the rooms are similarly sized and have similar BTU requirements, then it should be okay to use a portable air conditioner for more than one room.
You should be aware that if the rooms aren’t similarly sized and have different BTU requirements, you will need to purchase two units as opposed to one high-capacity unit. This may cost you extra money. You can always opt for a central air conditioning system instead of using multiple units across various rooms.
Is it OK to leave the drain hose facing down?
Yes, this is fine as long as the end of the hose isn’t submerged in water and isn’t touching any floorboards (due to condensation).
If there is condensation buildup on your floors or walls because of leaky or insufficient drainage, you may want to consider turning the hose upward and placing an old towel under it.
Is it OK to leave portable AC on all day?
Yes, it is OK leaving a portable AC on all day. However! Even though it’s not necessary to turn it off, you should still consider turning it off every now and again.
It takes time for an AC unit to cool a room back down after switching it off so many people prefer to leave it on.
Portable AC’s don’t pose any major problems when used properly, however, you should keep an eye on the long-term energy usage levels.
What happens if you don’t drain portable AC?
Most portable AC units show an error code if the condensate drain is blocked, but many may just switch off. Damage to internal components of the AC unit may also occur if the unit becomes overheated.
Why portable air conditioners are bad?
Portable AC units are not as efficient as split airconditioning units due to their lower efficiency ratings. They are also heavier to maneuver, noisier when in use, more expensive to run and less efficient at cooling a large space.
If you plan on using your unit frequently, you should consider purchasing one with a high SEER rating.
How do I get the most out of my portable air conditioner?
If your AC unit has a Turbo mode, then it is extremely useful when you’re working in a hot climate because it allows you to turn up the power output.
So follow these tips and you won’t go wrong.
- Install your portable AC close to a window or vent.
- Check the BTUs of your unit and match it to the square feet of the room.
- Make sure you properly drain your AC often. Especially if there is no drainage hose included with your unit.
- Keep the unit clean and dust free.
- Connect your drain hose and use a window sealing kit to reduce energy costs.
- Set a timer to turn the unit on. This will help you maintain a good temperature in your home without wasting energy.
- Unplug your portable AC when it’s not in use to save even more energy costs.
Portable AC’s are also very easy to install and they can be moved around whenever you wish.
Final Thoughts
So, do portable air conditioners need to be drained?
The answer is that it depends on the device, the environment where it’s being used and personal preference.
Some people may never have to drain their units once it’s installed properly. While others may find that they have blocked condensate hoses if they don’t drain them often.
