General

Portable air conditioners are a life-saver in the summer when you live in a building without an adequate central air conditioning unit. They do not take up too much space and can be super easy to install. This is why so many people use one throughout the hotter months.

If you live in an area that is getting cold once again, you’re probably eyeing your portable air conditioner that will not be of use to you again for a few more months. Though they are small and convenient, there’s no point in them taking up space if you will not be using it. 

This means it’s time to figure out how to take it apart, give it a cleaning, and store it while you get through the cold months ahead.  Or maybe you just want to fix a piece of it and need to disassemble the entire thing to figure out what’s wrong with it. 

If your portable AC is not working well and you want to fix a part, odds are it just needs a good cleaning because a build-up of dust happens often with portable air conditioners and it can deteriorate the operation of them. Either way, here’s how to take apart portable air conditioner.

Step-by-step on taking apart a portable AC

First, you should unplug it if it’s still plugged in. Next, you’re going to want to remove the air filter from the machine. To access the air filter in many portable air conditioners, you’ll need to open up the front cover and pull it out.

The next step is to remove the entire front panel. Some units will have front covers that just pop off while others have screwed in panels. Do not fret though — all you need to do is unscrew them and then pop the panel off. If the panel still is not coming off easily, gently wedge it open with the screwdriver you just used to take out all of the screws. Make sure you keep track of the screws and where they came from so that you know what to do when you inevitably put it back together. 

Lastly, you need to remove the screws that are holding the AC unit to the cabinet cover. This will allow you to remove the air conditioner from the inside. Be careful though — the units can be pretty heavy and if you plan on transporting it anywhere, you’ll probably need the help of someone else. This is especially true if you’re trying to store it somewhere that involves taking stairs. 

Why take it apart?

Now you can fix any broken parts if that’s the reason you were disassembling it in the first place. If you planned on attempting to clean it, then you should locate the evaporator and condenser. These are the parts with the most dust build-up and they usually have aluminum fins near them if you’re not sure how to locate these parts.

You should focus on the places with the most dust build-up though. All you need to do is remove the dust, which you can do with a cloth and then by vacuuming the aluminum fins. The vacuum will be sure to get all the extra dust lying around.

This will make your unit run cooler and more efficiently the next summer that you use it. For now, make sure you keep that heat running and store your portable AC unit somewhere it will stay dry so it’s ready to use the next time it heats up.

If you want to reassemble it, just screw all the pieces back in place and your unit is ready to get the house cooled down once again. 

Haier manufactures a line of portable air conditioners for cooling single rooms that feature from adjustable cooling settings and multi-speed to a programmable timer to turn the air conditioner on and off. The small remote control supplied with portable Haier AC models helps work the unit remotely. Here we’ll give you a step-by-step guide on how to set timer on Haier portable air conditioner.

Setting the AC unit to turn off in 60 minutes and up to 24 hours:

First of all, make sure that the AC unit is ON. Then, press:

Timer – You will notice that the Timer Off indicator light flashes and that the display shows how much time is left before the unit turns off.

Temp / Time – Use either the up or down button arrow, depending on the setting you wish, until you achieve the desired delay time.

Give it five seconds to display the time left to Timer Off. Note that the Timer Off indicator will still be ON.

Setting the Timer to turn on the AC unit without losing the previous settings:

Again, turn the portable air conditioner on and press:

Timer – Unlike with the previous procedure, this time the Timer On indicator light flashes. Look at the display to see how much time is left before the unit turns on.

Temp / Time – Use either the up or down button arrow, depending on the setting you wish, until you achieve the desired delay time. You can tweak the delay time and adjust it to your current needs. So, you can set it to turn on in 60 minutes and up to 24 hours.

Note that the Timer On indicator will not deactivate – it will still be ON.

Setting the Times to Turn on the Air Conditioner (changes the previous settings):

As with the previous processes, you need to turn on the portable AC unit and then:

• Adjust the mode to the desired effect (choose between Dehum, Energy Save, Coo, and Fan mode).
• Adjust the fan speed. This applies to Dehum and Fan modes only. You can select Low, Med, or High speed.
• Adjust the fan speed to Auto Cool, Low, Med, or High. This applies to Energy Save and Cool modes only.
• Set the desired temperature between 61F (16C) and 86F (30C). Note that you can NOT set the temperature in Fan mode.
• Press TIMER. You will see that the Timer On indicator light flashes. Look at the display to see the hours left for the device to turn on.
• Press TEMP/TIME. Use the down or up arrow buttons to set the desired delay time. You can choose between one hour and up to 24 hours. Remember that the Timer On indicator light will not switch off. Don’t worry, though. This is normal per the manufacturer’s guidelines.

Note that these instructions were taken from the Haier ESA408M air conditioner user manual. However, you should normally have no problem setting a timer on another Haier portable air conditioner.

According to health experts, continuous noise can affect our stress levels and life quality. Sounds in the 50-90 decibel range like street noise, an in-operation air conditioner, and the sound of the dishwasher in use are considered harmful, so you can understand how damaging to the eardrum anything above 90 decibels is (i.e., train, thunder, motorcycles, etc.).

The National Institute of Health warns that exposure to excessive noise levels is associated with elevated heart rate, stomach issues, increased blood pressure, improved stress levels, negative impact on child growth, and many more. So the lower the decibels around you, the better it will be for you and your loved ones. With portable air conditioners being one of the noisiest appliances in the house, it only makes sense that so many homeowners are looking for the quietest options. But are there any quiet portable air conditioners? Let’s find out.

What affects the normal decibel levels of an air conditioner?

Nowadays, the decibel levels of most portable air conditioners range between 40dB and 60dB. The speed at which you are operating the portable AC unit as well as its precise location play a role in how loud it is. If there’s any noise absorption or soundproofing in the area where your portable air conditioner is placed, it will also help reduce its normal decibel levels. Also keep in mind that noise levels can depend on the size of the room in which the portable AC unit will go.

How to determine the portable AC unit’s noise levels?

To have a clear idea of how loud a portable air conditioner is, look at the manufacturer’s noise rating. Unfortunately, figuring out which models are the loudest is a bit challenging because not all manufacturers release dB levels claiming that hearing levels tend to be subjective. However, some manufacturers arm their portable AC models with features such as multiple speeds and a sleep mode to minimize sound. You may even find AC units that prevent them from running continuously (i.e., with a programmable timer function).

If you want to evaluate different portable air conditioners, do not let their price cloud your judgment. The price does not dictate the produced max number of decibels. The same applies to the number of BTUs. In fact, you can find affordable portable AC units in the current market with lower decibel ratings than more expensive models. An indication that may telltale a noisy portable air conditioner is the absence of multiple speeds. Units that run at high speed rates all the time are usually the loudest.

When a Portable AC Unit gets Noisy & What to Do About it

Quiet portable air conditioners usually become quite noisy due to maintenance issues such as problems with a locked compressor, less than needed electrical voltage, a contactor relay, a loose part, or a bad start-run capacitor. In such cases, it’s paramount to spot the noise source. Is it coming from the compressor? Air handler? Fan? Heat pump?

A trick to help reduce the noise levels of a portable AC unit is to soundproof the area in which it is placed. You can achieve that by carpeting the room, using wall hangings, and ensuring all fastening, nuts and bolts, and screws are tight. Wrapping the portable air conditioner in high R-value insulation may also work just fine.

Using a portable AC unit in the hot summer months is a handy solution many homeowners choose — and we can’t blame them! Portable AC units are a much more cost-effective solution compared to wall-mounted air conditioners. Plus, they are easy to install and move around. It’s important, however, to ensure they are properly maintained to avoid any health issues (or even a fire breakout), such as the aggravation of asthma symptoms for patients with asthma, respiratory diseases, and pulmonary conditions.

Improperly maintained AC units could also cause infections as they create a polluted air conditioning environment that can make even healthy people sick. For that reason, it’s critical to have the portable air conditioner filters cleaned often. But where is the filter in a portable air conditioner? This guide will help you figure that out.

Types of Filters For Portable Air Conditioners

Portable AC units come with different types of filers. Some of the most common ones are:

Pre-Filters

These are the standard filters found in nearly all portable AC units. They help reduce pet hair, dust, and large-sized microbes. You usually don’t need to change them – just wash and reuse. Not the best option for allergy and asthma sufferers as they do not remove allergens from the atmosphere. Plus, you can’t expect pre-filters to remove odors.

Silver Ion Filters

They help purify and clean the air to create an asthma- and allergy-friendly environment. In doing so, silver ion filters impede the growth of microbes (i.e., fungi and viruses) while eliminating bacteria by destroying the inner configuration of the bacteria cells and then absorbing their elements. On top of this, they create comfortable, breathable, pure air by removing pollen, dust, and dander from the air. Silver ion filters have a 3-6-month life expectancy, so you need to replace them after no more than six months of use.

Activated Carbon Filters

These filters absorb light odors, impurities, and contaminants from the air chemically. A portable air conditioner bearing activated carbon filters can help get rid of chemical smells and is also a great option for individuals with pets or who smoke. Activated carbon filters usually come in packs of five and need to be replaced as they cannot be reused.

Antimicrobial Air Filters

Thanks to their unique electrostatic and microstructure charge, they inhibit the growth of some microorganisms and capture pollen, mildew, mold, smoke, lint, and dust from the air. Once the airborne particles are removed from the air, they are trapped in the filter’s complex matrix of fibers. Although you can reuse antimicrobial air filters (a simple wash will do), their purifying attributes lessen each time you wash them as it wears off a portion of their electrostatic charge. It’s best to replace them every three months or so.

3M Air Filters

These filters also have a complex microstructure and an electrostatic charge that captures pollen, mildew, mold, smoke, lint, and dust from the air. Compared to antimicrobial air filters, they are a more cost-effective solution, yet less effective at capturing smaller-sized microbes.

Where to Find the Filter in Your Portable AC Unit?

Although there is no straightforward answer to this question, most models have their filters in a rear compartment. See, for example, this image from a Carrier portable air conditioner model shows where the manufacturer has placed the unit’s filters. As you’ll notice, there are two places for filters – one on the upper side of the portable AC unit and one on the lower side.

Check the manufacturer’s manual/instructions/installation guide for the specifics of your portable air conditioner, including the location of its filters. However, take note that once you have seen how each type of filter looks, you’ll be able to spot them with a naked eye straight up without having to look them up in the manufacturer’s manual.

Portable air conditioners are becoming more and more popular with homeowners looking for handy ways to cool a room amidst the summer heat. Indeed, portable AC units carry lots of benefits, and not requiring installation is one of them. However, before you go on and jump into buying the first portable air conditioning unit on the market, you need to bear in mind some details that will help you make the best choice for your case. This guide is about to assist you in what to consider when buying a portable air conditioner.

Key Factors to Consider Before Buying a Portable AC Unit

It’s paramount to find a model that meets your particular needs. To ensure it works well in the space you need to cool, take into account the following:

Cost

Portable AC models can range from $150 to tens of thousands of dollars, depending on the intended use (residential or commercial). The more powerful the unit, the costlier it is. And keep in mind that you’ll need more power to cool a large living space than a smaller room. Some portable air conditioners also double as dehumidifiers or heaters while also featuring things like programmable timers and remote controls, which adds to the price. The price is also affected by the filters the model uses (think about how often they need to be replaced as well).

Room Size

The portable AC unit’s specs should match the size of the room you want to cool. Look at the manufacturer’s BTUs to see how powerful yours is. Some manufacturers also specify the size of the room their models work in. In general, a 150 sq. ft room needs around 5,000 BTUs to cool, while a 450 sq. ft. room needs twice that much.

Energy Use

Look at the Energy Star ratings of your portable air conditioner to see how it performs in terms of energy efficiency. Using a model that comes with a built-in programmable thermostat that will switch off the unit when the desired temperature is reached is a good option. To avoid using unnecessary energy, ensure you maintain and clean the portable AC unit properly.

Ventilation

Will you need a window venting kit to install the portable air conditioner close to a window? Does it come along with the product? Does the manufacturer provide clear instructions on how to vent the unit? Does the provided kit allow more flexibility in case you cannot vent the portable AC unit close to a window (i.e., provide an extension hose)?

Noise

Portable or not, air conditioners make noise. The noise levels, though, should be minimal and described as nothing but “background noise”. To determine that, check the manufacturer’s specs and customer reviews.

Condensate Type

This directly relates to the portable AC unit’s ease of use. There are drip air conditioners, partial air drip conditioners, and no-drip air conditioners. The first units deposit all of the condensate to a bucket inside the model, so you need to dump it regularly. The second models release most of the condensate via the exhaust hose (the bucket needs emptying, but less frequently). The last option releases 100% of the condensate into the air, so it requires no emptying on your part. Models with an auto-drain system are also available in the current market.

Now that you know some crucial factors that play a role in buying the right portable air conditioner, you can start browsing models. Good luck!

Of the many different types of air conditioning systems, portable ones are getting more and more attention from homeowners looking for an easy solution to cool a room during the hot summer months. Portable AC units come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and ways to vent them. For instance, you can install them through a door, window, the dryer vent, or even the ceiling. Of course, there are also self-contained options that do not require to be installed on windowsills, which are called windowless air conditioner units. In this guide, we will share key details to know the basics about windowless portable AC models and whether they are a good option for your situation.

Why use a windowless portable air conditioner?

So what is a windowless portable air conditioner exactly? To begin with, portable AC units that require no venting through a window are easier to install and merely as an eyesore as other types of air conditioning systems. This is because the only thing you need is a tube, which you must feed out by drilling a hole through a wall.

You can, however, eliminate the need to get yourself into tasks such as drilling holes if you get an evaporative portable cooler. These models require no hose at all. You will have to open the door or window, though, as these units pull the outside air in and then cool it down before they push it into the room. It should be noted that evaporative coolers are excellent options for drier climates. For areas with high humidity levels, it is best to vent your windowless portable AC unit.

That aside, let’s not forget that portable air conditioners can also provide additional benefits, such as removing smoke odors from the air and making the atmosphere feel fresher. In addition, since windowless portable air conditioners lower the air pressure in the room in which they are placed, the odors cannot move into other parts of the house. This is one of the major differences between central air and windowless AC units – the first move smoke odors around the home while the latter contains it.

They are also quite efficient in cooling rooms that run hot when your central air system does not provide the type of cooling you desire. This makes them great solutions for upper-floor rooms or areas that get lots of sunshine throughout the day, which means that they’re difficult to cool with central air.

Things to Keep in Mind about Windowless Portable AC Units

Windowless portable air conditioners are a superb option if you want to enjoy chillier temperatures in rooms that get battered with excessive heat. However, they may not be your best shot if you live in extremely hot climates (i.e., with long stretches of 90F weather). This is because they will require a lot of energy to lower the temperature in a room, which means higher utility bills. In these cases, you can consider a windowless portable AC unit as an added help to cool off a room if you have a central system in place. 

Overall, however, windowless air conditioners are great picks when you want to cool a single room and/or contain cigarette smoke odors. 

Many homeowners feel puzzled about whether they should buy a portable air conditioner or not, given that the room in which they want to place the AC unit has no window. So is it possible to use a portable AC model in a windowless area? The short answer is yes. In fact, there are several different ways to achieve this, such as venting it through a door, the dryer vent, or the ceiling. One of the most preferred ones, however, is through a wall. And with the right tools, the process is not as overwhelming as it may seem. Here are the must-know details on how to install a portable air conditioner through a wall.

Why do you need to install (vent) your portable AC unit?

Portable AC units are no different than every other air conditioner in the way they function. They suck the warm air in a room in, cool it by passing it through a refrigerant, and then return it to the room. In doing so, it exhausts the warm air away outdoors.  If it does not, the warm air will mix with the cold air in the room. This will seriously affect the effectiveness of your portable AC unit to cool. Plus, it forces it to use a massive amount of energy to cool the room since there will always be warm air present that needs to be cooled. For this reason, you need to vent your portable air conditioner — unless you’re okay with paying huge utility bills!

Tools you will need:

• Electric drill
• Tape measure
• Pen, pencil, or marker
• Six No.6 flat head screws (depends on the type and thickness of the material you are about to drill into).
• Screwdriver that matches the selected head screws
• Silicone caulk

 Installing your portable AC unit through a wall

1. Choose the location of your first air hole.
2. The second hole should be spaced at least 12 inches diagonally from the first one.
3. Use a 3.5-inch hole saw to drill a hole on the exterior side and a 4-inch hole saw to drill through your interior wall.
4. Seal the hole on the outer side with silicone caulk.
5. Secure your external wall flange with the head screws.
6. Clean excess caulk.
7. Connect the hose to the wall flange.
8. On your interior wall, connect and then secure a wall adapter (ThermoVent is the most preferred).
9. Connect the other end of the hose to the portable AC unit’s ClimateRight unit.

Venting a portable AC through the wall

The optimal way to vent a portable AC unit is by drilling a hole through a wall. This is one of the most permanent solutions for a portable AC. However, this requires some skills and expertise to get it right. Otherwise, you may cause irreversible damage if you make a mistake in the drilling process. For that, you need the right tools and take calculated steps. Below are some considerations you need to bear in mind before drilling a hole through a wall:

• Decide the size of the hole based on the diameter of your portable air conditioner’s hose pipe.
• Ensure you seal the hole properly after drilling it on your wall to prevent environmental irritants, such as insects and dirt from entering your room. Silicone caulk is a great option for this. To get it right, make sure the hose’s tip is cut at a 45o angle before you place it inside a caulk gun.
• Be cautious about the plumbing and wiring on that wall you want to drill through, especially if you’re about to vent your portable air conditioner through a brick or stone wall.
• Always consider the location of the wall you wish to drill, even if it’s a wall made of wood or drywall, which are considered easy options. If possible, choose an exterior wall to vent your portable AC so the air goes outdoors directly.
• Locate the safest drilling spot to avoid weakening the structure of your home. For example, drilling your studs or support beams does not sound like a good plan. In this case, it’s best to go through the architectural plan of your home and see which walls make the best candidates for the task at hand.