Due to condensation, water droplets are collected, so you'll need to manually remove the water from the tank every so often and clean the filter at the same time. Need to be permanently mounted on an outside wall by a certified professional, so involves structural work to your home.

Dryer vents are common finds in homes and share the same dimensions as vents for AC hoses. This means that they are compatible and can be used as an outlet to ventilate your unit. Important Things To Consider Before You Choose Split-unit air conditioners tend to be more energy efficient, but these are more expensive and have to be permanently installed by a professional. We don't test split-unit air conditioners as they're less popular in the UK. If you are going to choose this method to vent your unit, be careful to consider which wall you choose to drill into. You want a thin wall as this will be easier to cut through and anything which is reinforced is likely to need the attention of a professional, so this is probably not the best option. Measure twice and cut once; rectifying a mistake could be costly. Having a range of fan speeds is useful, as it affects the rate at which your room cools down (and the noise the air conditioner makes). Most models have three fan speeds and some also have a fan-only mode, which has no cooling effect and simply circulates the air within the room.

Drinking

We've tested portable air conditioners from a range of popular brands, including AEG, Argos own-brand Challenge, DeLonghi and ElectriQ.

The cases where you’d benefit from venting a portable air conditioner through a door aren’t common, but there are a few.

General tips for venting portable air conditioners

This is simple to do with a little bit of work. Firstly measure the size of the aperture of your door or window when open so you know the required size of your panel. Then transfer these measurements onto the plexiglass, measuring a second time to ensure that they are correct, and cut the panel out. Do the same with your exhaust hose and cut a hole for it to be attached to. Keep an eye out for any refrigerant leaks If yours is blowing out warm air or is noisier than usual, this could indicate that it has a refrigerant leak. They are generally heavy, unwieldy appliances. If you have reduced strength and/or live alone, you might need to get someone to help you set it up. Portable models extract hot air from your home and push it outside through the attached hose. A reliable model will cool the room you're in, but don't expect it to push cold air down the hallway or into another room.

Choose a good temperature. Adults who are sitting still working or reading function best in rooms of about 22 degrees. If you’re walking about or exercising, then cooler rooms will be more comfortable. Resist the temptation to set the thermostat far below the outside temperature - instead aim for optimal comfort, not freezing rooms.It is possible to vent your AC into your attic, provided that it is large and spacious. If it is too small it can compromise your household cooling system and result in inefficient air conditioning. Additionally, if your AC also expels humidity, this could promote the growth of mould and mildew in your attic which would risk structural and health complications. If your air conditioner has been carried upside down or roughly handled, you will need to wait 24 hours before you start the appliance for the first time. There is an internal safety mechanism that protects the appliance from turning on if the refrigerant is disturbed.

Before you get a portable unit, there are some more sustainable options to cool your home that you can try beforehand, such as using an electric fan or closing curtains.It is worth noting that these units are often quite heavy and bulky, making it difficult to move them around your space. When considering your air conditioning options, it is always worth exploiting more permanent options. Our Air Conditioning Solutions