Summer is coming! And nothing better than having a good climate at home for those months of oppressive heat. How about an air conditioner? There are various models tailored to your needs.
So if you plan to install a portable air conditioner, follow the steps in this guide to get the most out of it. Go for it!
Before buying a portable air conditioner
Before installing a portable air conditioner, you must take into account the following factors:
air outlet
Every portable air conditioner installation requires an outlet point for the hot air pipe. You can use a window to avoid breaking anything, ensuring that it is always 40 centimeters above the ground.
This is very important to exhaust hot air outside or into another room and prevent it from losing its efficiency.
Power
Before installing a portable air conditioner, at the time of purchase, it is important to calculate the frigories.
This is the measure with which the total power of the equipment is determined at the time of cooling the room.
To avoid complications, assume that you need between 150 and 200 frigories per square meter of the room. Thus, a room of approximately 20 meters would need between 3,000 and 4,000 watts to function correctly.
Another way to calculate it is by BTU. So the way to convert it to frigories is to take the number of BTUs and divide it by 4. So 12,000 BTUs translate to 3,000 frigories.
We always recommend adding 20% to the refrigeration requirements of your stay. To compensate for the hottest days without losing efficiency.
Distance of power cable and air outlet pipe
Try to choose the place where you are going to install your portable air conditioner near a window or where you can discharge the hot air, also a plug nearby.
The hot air pipe has a limited distance and we do not advise you to stretch it too much.
Steps to install a portable air conditioner
Installing an air conditioner is very simple, follow these steps:
- Check the user manual and make sure that all the parts are in the box, there you will find in detail how to assemble the external parts of the equipment.
- Unwind the cord from the plug. Try to keep it close to the wall, to prevent anyone from tripping over it.
- Attach the exhaust pipe adapter to the back of the kit. Once fixed this piece. Insert the flexible tube, fit it, and secure it.
- Pull the other end of the tube out the window or exit hole you have assigned and put the insulation frame pieces. Usually, these portable air conditioner installation kits come with them. When closing the window, it must be airtight to prevent leaks, or use this door/window kit for portable air conditioners.
- Check for any loose parts, remote control batteries, and now proceed to connect it.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Due to some logistics error your air has tilted 90°. In other words, it has gone to bed, do not install it until after 72 hours so that the compressor oil stabilizes and you avoid an irremediable failure.
There are models that have a water outlet. Designed for very humid places whose humidity condenses the device. Find the place where the water comes out (it is usually under the hot air outlet) and place a container under it to collect the water.
As a final step, configure the air cycle, the temperature, whether it is a rotary vane or not. Some models have multiple fan speeds.
Tips for installing a portable air conditioner
- The accessories included in the installation kit are also suitable for sliding doors. Place them horizontally.
- If there are no windows in the area where you want to install the portable air conditioner, evaluate the option of locating the discharge tube in the false ceiling for ventilation.
- Try to install the equipment in the middle of the room: In this way, distribute the air evenly.
- Avoid lengthening the ventilation ducts or stretching them too much: It can break.
- Schedule your maintenance: Experts say that an air conditioner has a cycle of 1,000 hours until its next preventive maintenance. In the case of laptops, it is every 6 months.
- Don’t put it too close to the wall. Give it a space of 40 to 60 centimeters. Otherwise, it will cool less.
- Avoid placing objects that obstruct the airflow. This affects the thermostat by making it think that it has already cooled the room.
Try to program an optimal cooling cycle. What does this mean? Let the compressor work for less time and keep the room acclimatized. Try to keep doors and windows closed and seal the hot air outlet well.
This also applies to the programming of the air itself: There is a common misconception that keeping the equipment at 16 °C will make it reach this temperature. The result will be that the equipment will remain on all the time and this is an unnecessary increase in the electric bill.
