A portable air conditioner provides coolness during a hot summer day, but the portable air conditioner can't do it's job if it's not properly set up. In this article, we'll tell you how to set up a portable air conditioner in 5 steps so that it optimally cools your room. Show
Set up portable air conditioner in 5 stepsYou need to keep a couple of things in mind, both before and during the setup of your portable air conditioner. We've divided the setup of the air conditioner into 5 steps. Step 1. Place the air conditioner near a window or exterior door. Step 2. Make sure there's a socket nearby. Step 3. Keep the exhaust hose as straight as possible. Step 4. Check the surroundings of the air conditioner. Step 5. Use a window seal kit. Step 1: place the air conditioner near a window or exterior doorA portable air conditioner needs to be able to lead the hot air outside via the exhaust hose. That's why you should always place the air conditioner near a window that can open or an exterior door. Step 2: make sure there's a socket nearbyDon't use an extension cord to extend the power cable of a portable air conditioner. This can be dangerous. That's why you should always check the length of the cable and see if it's long enough to reach the socket. Step 3: keep the exhaust hose as straight as possibleKeep the exhaust hose as horizontal as possible. The more vertical the hose, the less powerful the air conditioner becomes. Step 4: check the surroundings of the air conditionerBefore you turn on the air conditioner, check to see if the curtains are closed and if unnecessary electrical devices like a TV or radio that's not being used are turned off. That way, you know for sure nothing will keep the portable air conditioner from cooling down your room. Step 5: use a window seal kitYou should use a window seal kit to keep the hot air outside from coming inside. This window seal closes off any small cracks around the window. A window seal kit is often included by default with an air conditioner, but the included kit might not be suitable for the type of windows that you have. That's why it's smart to check what type of window seal is included. What should you not do?Above, you can read how to make a portable air conditioner function optimally. There are also a few things that are smart to avoid. For example, you shouldn't extend the exhaust hose, and you shouldn't lead it to a different room or hallway. Each air conditioner is different. That's why we advise to always read through the manual of your new purchase. Do you have any feedback for us about this page?Optional We only use your feedback to improve the website, we won't respond. Article by: Julie Air Conditioner Expert. Battling the Australian summer without the aid of air con can be brutal. Portable air conditioners aren't as effective as standard air conditioners at cooling a room, but if you're renting so can't install air conditioning or just don't have the cash to splash on a split-system model, they're certainly a better option than sitting around in a puddle of your own sweat! First, you'll need a window kit (and a window)Portable air conditioners suck in warm, humid air, then cool and dehumidify it and blow it back into the room. The heat that's been extracted from the air is blown back outside via an exhaust vent. You need to install this vent in an open window. Most portable air conditioners are supplied with a window kit which seals off the rest of the window to stop the cold air getting out and the hot air getting in. Most portable air conditioners come with a window kit. How to install a portable air conditionerAs long as you have all the right parts and your window is the right size, installing a portable air conditioner is pretty straightforward, and you won't need particularly high-level DIY skills to set it up. You may need a screwdriver, but that's about it. Sliding or sash windowEach model will differ slightly, but this is a general overview of how to install a portable air conditioner exhaust vent in a sliding or sash window. 1. Slide the window open. Place the sealing plate into the window gap and adjust the length so it fits the window. 2. Bolt or screw the sealing plate so its length stays fixed. Close the window. 3. Attach the exhaust pipe to the air conditioner. (This is usually at the back of the unit.) 4. Attach the flat exhaust pipe nozzle to the other end of the exhaust pipe. 5. Extend the exhaust pipe and insert the exhaust pipe nozzle into the window sealing plate. 6. Plug the unit into the power point, then switch it on, adjust the temperature and chill out — literally! What if my window is bigger than the window kit?"If the window kit isn't long enough for your window, you'll need a DIY solution. Or have someone construct something to block the remainder of the gap," says Kim Gilmour, CHOICE's portable air conditioning expert. "It's better to do your research and buy one that fits properly the first time, rather than getting the unit home and discovering that your window is too big." If you do need something to fill the gap, you could cut a piece of plexiglass or plywood to size. The portable air conditioners in our test had window kits ranging from 93cm to 197cm (although one didn't include a window kit). Check our reviews before you buy to find out whether a portable air conditioner is supplied with a window kit long enough for your window. Hinged windowOnly one model we tested included a window kit for hinged windows, but you can buy after-market kits online. Installation tips
Before you buyThere are big differences between brands. To find one that is quieter and more efficient, see our portable air conditioner reviews. First things first: check that the spot you have in mind for your portable air conditioner is actually going to work. Things to check:
How to make a portable air conditioner more efficient
If your portable air con isn't cooling as well as it should...
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Stock images: Getty, unless otherwise stated. Do you have to use the window kit on a portable air conditioner?First, you'll need a window kit (and a window)
Portable air conditioners suck in warm, humid air, then cool and dehumidify it and blow it back into the room. The heat that's been extracted from the air is blown back outside via an exhaust vent. You need to install this vent in an open window.
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