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Portable Air Conditioner
Maintenance Requirements
See Mobile Air Conditioners
As self-contained cooling systems, portable air
conditioners are great for keeping rooms, offices, apartments, RVs,
and even computer server rooms at comfortable temperatures because
they can be easily moved and require no permanent installation.
However, portable air conditioners still require venting through a
window or wall with the help of an exhaust hose before cooling can
begin. Nonetheless, overall, portable air conditioners have less
maintenance requirements than swamp coolers. The following are some
common maintenance requirements that are associated with most
portable ACs:
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Venting |
As mentioned above, portable air conditioners
don't require permanent installation, but the condensed hot
air must be vented out of the room via a venting kit
(usually included). This allows the vent hose to be slid
into a window, with the exhaust hose being fitted into the
appropriate window space. In some situations where venting
through a window isn't feasible, a portable AC can also be
vented through a drop ceiling or wall. Although this method
may require more work than if the unit was to be vented
using a standard window kit, this will allow you to cool an
area that lacks windows.
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Draining the
Water |
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During the cooling process, your portable air
conditioner acts like a dehumidifier because it removes
water from the air. Most of this water is used to cool the
actual AC and this results in better cooling efficiency. In
fact, if you reside in an especially humid area, a good
amount of water may be collected. However, this condensate
must be removed, and portable air conditioners use various
methods to accomplish this task.
Basic portable ACs will collect condensate in buckets which
need to be emptied, but more advanced room air conditioners
have the ability to evaporate more of this moisture,
therefore resulting in less or even no water to be emptied.
Furthermore, most portable air conditioners can support the
connection of a drain hose that allows water to be drained
continuously, and there are even condensate pumps available
which pump the water outside or into a drain pump located
indoors.
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Portable Air
Conditioner Buying Tip: |
| To simplify
maintenance, choose a portable AC with auto-evaporative
technology because the tank will not need to be emptied
as frequently (unless used in an extremely humid
climate). |
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Cleaning/Replacing the Filters |
Portable air conditioners usually make use of some sort
of air filter to eliminate airborne particles, and some
advanced units may even come with built-in air purifiers
complete with carbon filters and ionizers. Therefore, for
effective particle abatement and optimal cooling efficiency,
regularly clean or replace the filters in your portable AC.
This should occur on a bi-weekly or monthly basis (depending
on use).
If your portable air conditioner has a washable filter,
slide the filter out, immerse it in warm water with a mild
detergent, rinse thoroughly, and let it dry before replacing
it back into the unit. On the other hand, if you have a
portable air conditioner with a carbon filter, replace this
according to the manufacturer's instructions. |
| Cleaning the
AC Exterior |
A clean portable air conditioner will result in
increased air volume, so the actual housing of the unit
should be cleaned every few weeks. Wipe the surface of the
unit with a soft, damp cloth when the unit is turned off,
and don't use abrasive chemicals or detergents. Furthermore,
try to keep the portable AC away from direct sunlight
because this can change the color of the unit's surface.
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| Storing the
AC at the End of the Season |
Once the cooler months arrive, don't forget to properly
store your portable air conditioner as this will both
promote cooling efficiency and prolong the life of the unit.
Store your AC by turning off and unplugging the unit,
draining all water from the water tank, and turn on the fan
mode. After letting the interior dry for a few hours, clean
the filter as outlined above, wrap the cord around the cord
hooks, pack the unit in the original carton, and store it in
a dry location. Keep in mind that even if your portable air
conditioner also includes a built-in heater function and can
be used year-round, it should be maintained as you would any
other type of AC. |
Portable Cooler Guide Main Page
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