Portable Air Conditioner Questions -- Answered !

How is a portable air conditioner different than a window AC?
A portable AC is a small mobile air conditioner unlike a window AC which must be mounted through-the-wall. Furthermore, portable air conditioners do not require permanent installation. All our portable air conditioners are between 29" and 34" tall and weigh between 65 and 80 pounds. Portable air conditioners also work great in apartment situations where a window unit is unacceptable.

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Is a portable air cooler and a portable air conditioner the same thing?
No they are not the same. Air coolers use water and evaporation to cool much the same way a swamp cooler cools. Only the direct air stream is cooled (10-15 degrees) and generally air coolers cannot cool the ambient air in a room. Portable Air conditioners use a compressor/Freon to cool and are much more effective in cooling rooms and at keeping the humidity low.


Could you explain why and how portable AC's are vented?
Portable air conditioners extract hot air that must be vented. If the hot air is not vented, the portable air conditioner will not be able to cool a room effectively. Window and venting kits are always included with our portable air conditioners at no extra cost. You may also vent the portable AC through a wall vent, into the attic or drop ceiling, or even around a door! You are only limited by your creativity. *** For venting these Portable AC systems through casement windows (windows that crank out), Plexiglas can be used. Simply cut the Plexiglas to the size of the window, cut out a 5" hole to vent the hose, and place this over the open window. not only is the Portable AC vented, but Plexiglas will allow the same amount of light to pass through the window as before.


How long is the exhaust hose ?
The exhaust hoses are generally between 5 and 7 feet long and are made of high quality 5" flex hose.
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How does the window kit work?
The foam window kit simply is cut to fit most any slider or up-down window in your home up to 4 feet. The window is then closed against the foam to seal the air from the outside, the exhaust hose then is fit through a small cutout in the foam. Installation takes about 5 minutes and this allows for easy portability from window to window. For windows larger than 4 feet, simply purchase extra foam at the local hardware store. As mentioned earlier, for unique window situations ( casement (crank-out) windows), a little creativity is all that is needed.