Portable Air Conditioner
The portable air conditioner is still being used up until today because it is mobile to be placed anywhere and it is also easy to install the unit. It is suitable for those who live in apartments and it is also not that expensive as using a central air conditioning system. The information provided below should be able to help you install your portable air conditioner.
What you need:
- A portable air conditioning system
- A weather stripping foam
- Portable unit user manual
- A scrap wood (optional)
- A tape measure
- A 2-by-4 lumber
- An electric or hand saw
- A hammer
- Nails
- A weather stripping tape
- A wood screws
- A screwdriver
Method:
- For installing a box-mounted portable air conditioner, you need to determine your preferred location and the recommended suitable area is near a window to enable running of its vent hose to the outside area. The size of the hose is similar to a dryer vent hose and you must also ensure that there is an electrical outlet nearby to plug the unit in.
- To install the vent hose, you need to run the hose from the portable unit out through the window opening that you have selected. The hose must be kept in a straight position and nothing must be blocking its airflow. If the vent hose cannot reach the outside area, you need to use a longer hose.
- Always check the portable unit\’s user manual whether its water drainage can be drained just by using the vent hose to the outside area of your house or it uses a water pan that needs to be emptied according to a certain schedule of time.
- Ensure that the window does not damage the vent hose and it is recommended that you use weather stripping foam around the hoses so that it will not be damaged.
- As for the window-mounted portable air conditioners, you also need to determine which window is suitable and whether it has the correct size for installing your portable unit.
- Then, you have to measure and cut a piece of 2-by-4 lumber according to the width of your window sill. The lumber needs to be nailed from the outside of your window in order to have it evenly leveled against the bottom of the window opening. If the unit comes with L brackets and mounting bracket, you need to use it for added stability and follow the manufacturer\’s instructions on how to do it.
- Lift the air conditioner to set it on top of the windowsill or bracket and then, close the window. Next, mark a line on top of the portable unit where you see the window touches the unit and after that, lift the window up before attaching a piece of weather stripping tape along the line that you have made earlier.
- Place the unit at the center on top of the windowsill and its side panel needs to be pulled out for covering gaps between the portable unit and the window frame. You can also use wood screws for attaching extensions (if any) to walls beside the window and if you notice any gaps between the air conditioner and the window, use the weather stripping foam to fill it.
With the information and instructions provided above, you can now install your portable air conditioner on your own.
Additional Reading:
http://www.achooallergy.com/installing-your-portable-air-conditioner.asp
http://www.ehow.com/how_5100642_install-portable-air-conditioner.html
http://www.doityourself.com/stry/installing-a-portable-air-conditioner
Image Credit:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/librarygroover/2509607600/
