Many people are deterred from getting a portable air conditioner because they don’t have a nearby window to vent it. This leaves them suffering in the heat, thinking they don’t have the option of using a portable AC. The good news is that you don’t need a window. You can vent it easily even without access to a window.
There are several options that will allow you to vet a portable air conditioner without a window. We will go through each one and you can choose the solution that best suits your needs. Before we start, it is a good idea to remember how air conditioners work. They churn out hot air from the room and replace it with colder air. All that hot air needs a place to go, or you are just wasting electricity if it stays in the same room. A portable AC mounted on a window just vent it outside, but even if you don’t have a window, you can still use it.
Use a Wall
This one requires a bit of creativity if you don’t have a suitable outside wall. If you can vent the AC directly outside your house, it is the most practical solution. Bore a hole that is a suitable size for the venting hose and just directs the hot air outside. If you don’t have an outside wall handy, you can still use this solution. You can vent it in some other room in your house. The key is not to use a room that you use frequently.
All that hot air will make the temperature pretty high and staying in that room will be uncomfortable. Use the space that doesn’t get used too much, like a garage or a laundry room. The principle is the same, make a hole and put a hose through it. Measure the hose carefully, so it fits perfectly into the hole. You need a nice, tight fit, so the hose stays in place and doesn’t fall off.
Use A Drop-ceiling
The space between a drop-ceiling and a real ceiling can also be used as a venting are for a portable AC. Drill a hole in the drop-ceiling and fix the AC venting hose in it. It will push all the hot air into the cavity. It is a handy solution for the upstairs room, as the heat will vent out through the roof. If you have a room above the AC, it can be an issue, as hot air will be trapped. For downstairs rooms, a wall venting may be a better solution.
Use A Dryer Vent
Img source: patriotchimneys.com
Finally, we can use a dryer vent. Before going any further, it is important to know that many manufacturers do not recommend this method. Still, if that is your only option, it is better than being cooked alive during hot summers. Most dryers have a vent that is smaller in diameter than the standard air conditioner hose. That means you won’t be able to use it to full capacity. Still, it is better than nothing.
