An easy solution when the heat drives you crazy in summer is to get a portable air conditioner, we will show you how to install portable air conditioner in awning window. If you can’t get a usual air conditioner, a portable one is a great substitute.
For example, one can’t have a usual air conditioner if the owner of the house doesn’t forbid making any changes in the apartment or if the laws of the district don’t allow to add objects to the facades of the buildings, or you just can’t install such a mechanism physically due to the construction of the building.
Most portable window air conditioners are multifunctional and can be installed in different places: in a window frame (no matter if it’s s sliding window, an awning window, a casement window or a crank window closed), in the ceiling, in a door, and even in the floor. If you need to know How to clean a window air conditioner without removing it: User Manual read our article.
However, sometimes, you will need special equipment if you want to replace the unit.
The main advantage of window air conditioners is the fact that you can transfer them to different rooms where you have an attachment to vent the exhaust hose outside.
The mechanism of work of portable air conditioners (how hot air transforms into cold air)
First, let’s look at the principle of work of a portable air conditioner. Knowing the mechanism, you will be able to install a central air conditioning system unit correctly.
All portable window air conditioner work is based on the effect of refrigerants. The cool air conditioner goes in a unit from the room and gives back. There are 3 basic parts of a portable ac mechanism: compressor, evaporator, and condenser.
Warm air conditioner from the room gets in a portable air conditioner, it is compressed by a compressor, and as a result, it is heated. After the warm air conditioners go to the condenser section where it turns into the liquid.
The evaporator makes the substance give the heat outside and become the cold window air conditioner. Then the described process is repeated endlessly.
The effect is caused by the trait of the window air conditioner to cool after it is compressed and turned into liquid.
The hot air conditioner produced by the work of the mechanism is sent outside through a hose.
There are 2 types of window air conditioners: 1-hose and 2-hose acs. The first has 1 hose which transports the window air conditioner both in and out, back in the room. To cool a unit, cooled air from the room goes into a unit, this way, negative air conditioner pressure in ac unit is created.
The second one lets the hot window air conditioner through the one hose and lets the cool air from the outside through the second hose. This way, an ac with two hoses is more energy efficient.
Although it is wonderful, you need to heat the air to get it cooled eventually when we speak about portable apps.
Now you know that no matter what type a portable window air conditioner is, it can’t work without an exhaust outside. It is absurd because a unit has to give heat outside.
Guide on how to install a portable ac
There is step-by-step instruction on how to portable ac in a window frame or another part of your room.
1. Read the instructions.
First of all, you need to familiarize yourself with the instructions of your device. Each model is different and has its construction and features in installation. Moreover, models have different sizes and are meant to be attached to different objects (door, wall, etc.).
2. Define the location of your unit.
The requirements are the following. There has to be a window frame or some other part of the interior through which you can awning windows outside and also an electrical outlet. There has to be enough free space so that the device can work properly.
Besides, organizing the place for the window air conditioner, make sure that the cables are not lying in the walking space so as not to trip. If necessary, you can attach the cables to a wall with the professional help of special fixings. Place the ac at a distance that doesn’t allow the hose to stretch.
3. Check the details
Take out all the details from the packaging and check the presence of the mentioned ones in the instructions.
· Window slider connector
· Exhaust connector
· Window screen brackets
· Vent/ exhaust hose
· Vent adaptors
· Screws, foams, and weather strips (if you need them)
Pay attention to the fact that you may need to apply some additional materials if the window frame brackets are smaller than your window size requires.
4. Install the brackets
Depending on the type of your window, installing the kit has to be done either vertically (for a horizontal sliding window seal) or horizontally (e.g., if it’s a standard double-hung window frame).
Put the bracket between the casing and window frame and learn if the details suit to the window seal. In case the window seal is quite big, 2 or 3 brackets are needed.
If so, connect the brackets putting one in another one, and fixing it with a screw when the bracket is in the window (or do what is said in the instruction, if you have a different technology). Regulate the length of the construction by stretching it.
Attach the weather strips or put some foam to fabric window seal a casing in order to seal the fabric window seal and protect yourself from insects’ intrusion in the house.
5. Connect the exhaust hose to a portable air conditioner.
The technique depends on the model of the ac. You may need to attach the hose and the exhaust vent connector together first. Another end of the vent has to be attached to the window adaptor.
An important moment is to point out that the vent should be placed as straight as possible for the proper airflow and, consequently, for optimal work of the device.
6. Check tightness between the brackets and the adapter
Check that the brackets and the portable window air conditioner adapter are attached firmly. If not, use either duct tape or tapes.
7. Test the unit
Now you’re done with connecting all the parts and installed a casement window air conditioner, it’s time for testing. There’s a special mode for this purpose. It allows to turn off the unit immediately if something goes incorrectly. All you need to do to accomplish this step is to press the “Test” button. Press the “Reset” button so turn the ac again.
In case there’s no possibility to attach a portable ac to the casement window frame for some reason, you still can have a portable air conditioner at home.
You can rent a portable air conditioner through many parts of the room: either in the wall, the ceiling, or even the floor. However, you have to be ready to make a hole in its surface.
Doors
To vent an air conditioner through the door, you need to know only the same as in the case with a casement window frame. The main difference is the size of the door which influences the amount of the brackets.
However, one more problem could appear since the door plays a security function. If it’s a sliding door, when you put the brackets between the door and the casing, you cannot use the lock.
But there’s a way out because it is more probably a back door that you vent an air conditioner through. You can put some long sticks on the rails.
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Walls
To vent the hose through a wall, you need to make a hole in it. You can use a jigsaw, for example. To make a corridor inside the wall, take plywood, connect pieces with screws and attach them to the wall with caulk.
Ceilings
As for installing portable air conditioners in the ceiling, a drop ceiling is one of the most convenient to deal with. There’s a drop ceiling vent kit for the purpose.
You can just take out a panel and change it to a metal one that is adapted for an air conditioner (it goes with your portable air conditioner).
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How to install portable air conditioner in awning window
Depending on the type of window and type of casement window units you have, the installation technique and installation process varies.
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Sliding windows
Here the method of installation is the same as the one described earlier. If a casement window is opened and the window closed, by the window sash sliding horizontally from side to side, a casement window sash moves vertically, so the bracket has to be placed horizontally. If a window sash moves horizontally, place the bracket vertically.
Awning Windows
Unfortunately, it is impossible to place the brackets in the casement window in such a way that there’s not any free space. To solve the problem, you will need to use an adhesive (Cool Seal). Cut a piece that suits the gaps between the portable air conditioner kit, casing, and casement window frame when the kit is placed in the window.
You can also buy special equipment for filling the gap between the kit, casing, and casement window frame. It is called “window seal for portable air conditioner”.
One more option is a handmade window insert. Use plexiglass and some casement window frame for it. You can buy it in a local furniture store. Measure the window, buy a piece of plexiglass of the necessary same size, make a hole for the hose or order this service. Make sure you schedule time for regular maintenance of the air conditioner.
Insert awning window casement, plexiglass insert in the frame, and the hose in the hole and fix it with screws or some adhesive. You also have to fix the gotten construction in the casement window.
The only minus of this method is that you have to keep the casement window opened when you use a portable air conditioner.
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Casement windows (for a crank window, too)
The installation process for opening the casement window (window) differs a lot from the one which is used for sliding and awning casement windows.
You need to take out glass from one section to place one with the hole for the hose instead. The technology for casement windows is the same as in creating a plexiglass insert, but here you will need to learn how to put glass in a casement window air conditioner and frame.
The scheme works for doors with casement windows, too.
Floor
For the floor, it is possible to apply the same technique as the one for the walls. Be careful and learn what your floor is made of, what concrete details are there, and where the beams are situated so as not to come across one.
This option will suit only if you have a server room, some free basement or you can rent a unit through dryer vents.
Bottom line
So, as you can see, a portable can be installed by yourself quite easily if you have minimal experience in building works. Places, where you can get a portable installed, include a casement window (casement windows, crank windows, awning windows, and so on), a door, a ceiling, and a floor.
That is all! We hope that you have received comprehensive information on how to install a portable air conditioner in awning window, we hope that you will be able to successfully install the unit and forget about the heat in your room.
FAQ
Can you install window AC in awning window?
It’s not easy installing awning windows-only AC units in awning doors, but you could also have a portable cooling system. For installation of the portable vents onto awnings you should use foams or thin sheet top. You will need to screw this plywood into your windows.
Can you use a portable air conditioner without the casement window vent?
Although removing vents in portable air conditioners does not cause damage, this is counterproductive. It is best to operate without a dehydration pipe in dehumidifying mode but that only warms the rest of the room and does nothing to cool.
Do all portable air conditioners require venting?
The air conditioning system must have proper cooling and exhaust heat when the central air conditioning itself is warm enough. It is typically exhaustable outside with the supplied casement window kits although traditional awning windows are not always present.
Good luck!
