When it comes to a portable air conditioner, most of them are easy to install and requires no head-scratching.

If you have in-depth knowledge and the right set of tools and equipment it will hardly take around 10-30 minutes to successfully install portable air conditioning in your sliding window.

You don’t have to call in for Ac installation companies for Air conditioner installation because if you follow the given guide thoroughly you will easily be able to get the work done yourself in no time.

We will present you a step-to-step guide on how to install a portable air conditioner in the sliding window along with the safety precautions and some water drainage preventions to clear any sort of confusion you still have in your mind.

Before we begin, we shall discuss some of the most important aspects of installing an AC which is; Venting and Drainage.

Venting properly exhausts the hot air removed from your room to the outside, where it dissipates naturally.

Ac drainage is another critical and very important thing to get it right for its proper functioning.

Don’t worry, we will explain it all to you, let’s start:

Basic Safety Precautions to Consider:

We will never suggest you dive into the whole Air conditioner installation process without taking into consideration the basic safety precautions.

Let’s explore them a little in-depth:

Read the Manual Before You Begin:

Though we will try to guide you along every step but still it is not enough for you. You must always read the manual and usage instructions first to begin the process.

Don’t Damage the Air Conditioners:

Even if you are installing a small portable air conditioner, it will be heavy so you need to make sure not to inflict any damage.  Don’t try to lift them yourself but seek help from other hands.  Moreover, if it is wheeled you must gentle wheel them off to your destination.

Never connect it to a Power Extension or Power Strip:

Another thing you need to keep in mind is to not connect your AC to a power extension or a strip since it requires a lot of power and voltage once the compressor kicks in. Always connect it to a grounded electrical outlet.

Plug it once the installation is completed:

Make sure you never plug the switch during the process since it can cause serious injuries.

Do Not Attempt to Repair it yourself:

When it comes to Ac Repair, do not do it yourself but seek guidance from an AC installation and repair company.

Guide to Installation:

Now that you are completely aware of all the safety precautions and risk factors involving the installation of a portable Air conditioner, I am sure you are ready to begin the process.

Let’s see where it takes us:

Placement of Portable Air conditioner:

The first and most important thing you need to make sure is to place your Ac in the right place and right manner.

For instance, it is recommended that a portable Ac should always be placed on the hard level floor with at least a distance of 8-12 from obstructions like furniture.

Ideally, you must try to place your Ac near and outside the window as well as near an electrical outlet.

Make sure that both the power cable and vent hose can reach the outlet and window without stretching too far from the point you have placed your air conditioner at.

Try to keep the hose as short and straight as possible.

Now, that you have placed the air conditioner at your right place let’s move further.

Check for the Components:

Next to your portable air conditioner installation, you must check the components against the list given in the manual and make sure you have everything you require.

A typical window kit includes the following equipment:

• A vent hoses
• Vent hose adapters
• A window slide connector.

You might also find some screws, weather strips, or foam in some window kits.

In case if any of the components is missing, contact your retailer immediately.

Venting the Exhaust Properly:

Since you are looking for portable air conditioner installation in a sliding window, you will find it very easy to do so since window venting is no difficult task.

In fact, vent a portable air conditioning’s hot air exhaust is through a window to the outside is one of the most common ways of Portable Air conditioner installation.

With the right kit and proper components, here is how you do a secure window venting:

Install the Sliding Window Kit:

 If your window slides from side to side, then all you need to do is place the kit on one side and gently extend it until the meets the height of the window properly.

However, if your window opening is, unfortunately, smaller than the minimum length of the slider kit then you will need to trim it down first.

But, if your window opening is larger than the maximum length of the slider kit, you will need to use plywood, Plexiglas, or cardboard to fill the gap. You can also purchase filler material at your local stores to do the deed for you.

Once, you have placed the window kit properly on your respective type of window; no air should leak neither the sunlight should be visible, you must close the window to keep the slider kit intact.

For your ease, you can also buy a separate security lock to make sure your window cannot be opened from the outside.

Connect the Hose:

First thing first, install the hose to the back of your portable air conditioner. If there is no connector, install it first and attach the hose to it.

Connect the window exhaust connector to the other end of the hose and extend it till it meets the slider kit.

Ensure to securely lock it into the right place.

Be careful to make your exhaust hose as a liner and direct between the unit and the window to avoid the restriction of airflow which can in return damage the portable air conditioner or might cause improper cooling.

The majority of the air conditioner installation companies recommend keeping the hose under 9 feet to keep it as shorter and straighter as possible for better results.

Plug-In the Ac:

Finally, the step we all have been eagerly waiting for, plug in your portable air conditioner.

But hey, wait up; there are still certain measures you need to take to ensure you do it properly.

For instance, as mentioned above never use a power extension or strip to connect your portable air conditioner. Always connect it to a properly grounded outlet.

When you plug your Ac into an outlet, in the majority of the cases an indicator light will turn on. Also, make sure your plug has a “reset” and “test” button.

At first, press the test button. When you do that, it will activate a built-in safety feature that will cut off any current in case if something is wrong or not installed properly. Also, make sure to turn off the indicator light and unit during the whole testing process.

Once you are satisfied, press the reset button and connect the AC.

After you have pressed the reset button, your AC will turn on indicating that is ready and safe to use.

You can seek help from manual instruction on how to adjust the temperature and humidity level on your portable air conditioner.  

Preventing Water Leakage:

Once your Ac is installed carefully, you are good to go. However, if you are noticing some signs of water leakage then it is time for Ac repair.

Don’t worry; it is not unusual for this to happen. It is a very common problem reported by many AC users.

One of the most common reasons for portable Ac leaks is not sealing the drain hose correctly. Moreover, if there is too much humidity in your room it can also overwhelm the drain capacity of your unit causing water leakage.

When it comes to self-evaporating Ac, it exhausts water outside along with the warm air through the exhaust hose. You will not need to drain it manually.

However, sometimes too much humidity, the condensed water will accumulate in the Ac and cause water leakage.

To prevent it from happening, you will either need to position the Ac over a drain or connect a drain hose.  Also, close the drain plug with a cap to prevent further leakage.

Unlike self-evaporating Ac, manual drain Ac’s needs to be drained manually. They drop the condensation into a drain pan which needs to be emptied every now and then.

For such purpose, you can either empty water from the unit’s drain pans every once in a while, or you can make things easier for yourself by installing a separate drain hose to send the water outside automatically.

Final Thoughts:

I hope we are able to solve all your queries and guide you regarding the portable air conditioner installation in depth. If you still find the process difficult to do so, you can seek help from a reliable Ac installation company near you.