As self-contained cooling systems, portable air conditioners are great for keeping rooms, offices, apartments, RVs, and even computer server rooms at comfortable temperatures because they can be easily moved and require no permanent installation.However, portable air conditioners still require venting through a window or wall with the help of an exhaust hose before cooling can begin. Even so, portable air conditioners have less maintenance requirements than swamp coolers. The following are some common maintenance requirements that are associated with most portable ACs:Portable air conditioners don't require permanent installation, but the condensed hot air must be vented out of the room via a venting kit (usually included). This allows the vent hose to be slid into a window, with the exhaust hose being fitted into the appropriate window space.In some situations where venting through a window isn't feasible, a portable AC can also be vented through a drop ceiling or wall. Although this method may require more work than if the unit was to be vented using a standard window kit, this will allow you to cool an area that lacks windows.

See our short video on venting portable ACs here:During the cooling process, your portable air conditioner acts like a dehumidifier because it removes water from the air. Most of this water is used to cool the actual AC and this results in better cooling efficiency. In fact, if you reside in an especially humid area, a good amount of water may be collected. However, this condensate must be removed, and portable air conditioners use various methods to accomplish this task.Portable ACs will collect condensate in buckets which need to be emptied, but more advanced room air conditioners have the ability to evaporate more of this moisture, therefore resulting in less or even no water to be emptied.Furthermore, most portable air conditioners can support the connection of a drain hose that allows water to be drained continuously, and there are even condensate pumps available which pump the water outside or into a drain pump located indoors. Portable air conditioners will usually have some sort of air filter to eliminate airborne particles, and some advanced units may even come with built-in air purifiers complete with carbon filters and ionizers. 

For effective particle abatement and optimal cooling efficiency, regularly clean or replace the filters in your portable AC. This should occur on a bi-weekly or monthly basis, depending on use.If your portable air conditioner has a washable filter, slide the filter out, immerse it in warm water with a mild detergent, rinse thoroughly, and let it dry before replacing it back into the unit. air freshener msds aerosolOn the other hand, if you have a portable air conditioner with a carbon filter, replace this according to the manufacturer's instructions.ionic pro air purifier warrantyA clean portable air conditioner will result in increased air volume, so the actual housing of the unit should be cleaned every few weeks. holmes air purifier reviews amazon

Wipe the surface of the unit with a soft, damp cloth when the unit is turned off, and don't use abrasive chemicals or detergents. Furthermore, try to keep the portable AC away from direct sunlight because this can change the color of the unit's surface.At the end of summer, don't forget to properly store your portable air conditioner .  Doing so will ensure cooling efficiency and prolong the life of the unit. Store your AC by turning off and unplugging the unit, draining all water from the water tank, and turning on the fan mode.After letting the interior dry for a few hours, clean the filter as outlined above, wrap the cord around the cord hooks, pack the unit in the original carton, and store it in a dry location. If your portable air conditioner also includes a built-in heater function and can be used year-round, it should be maintained as you would any other type of AC.Portable air conditioners are pretty easy to set up and use: Wheel them into place, set up the window kits, and plug them in.

But when it comes to operating them, people seem confused about why they collect moisture as they cool. ​ Overview: Portable ACs and Moisture Collection Portable ACs and Moisture Collection Well, portable ACs remove warm, moisturized air from your space. As the air is cooled, excess moisture is naturally removed from the air and collects inside the unit--generally into an internal pan that needs to be drained. The maintenance of emptying collected moisture, particularly in humid parts of the country, turns off some customers. Luckily, select brands use updated technology to automatically remove this moisture--so no manual draining or setting up a hose for continuous drainage. These are known are fully self-evaporating portable air conditioners (or fully self-evaporative portable ACs). Customers generally prefer fully self-evaporating units more than the traditional partially self-evaporating models because they're less maintenance and offer hassle-free operation.

To learn more about the difference between partially- and fully self-evaporating air conditioners (and their draining options), check out the video below. Sylvane currently offers 3 brands of portable ACs with self-evaporating technology. Check out these brands and learn why they've changed how people view portable air conditioners: Sylvane recently added Avallon portable air conditioners to our product line-up, and they've quickly become customer favorites. Avallon uses patented Invi-Mist technology to get rid of excess moisture collected during cooling. Select models, like their 12,000 BTU portable AC, have an internal pump that pushes water up into the unit and through a misting nozzle. This mist is then released out of your space through the exhaust hose. You'll never (or rarely) have to empty collected moisture manually. Avallon's 14,000 BTU model not only includes this Invisi-Mist technology, but also features a Heat mode for year-round use. It's large cooling capacity, heat option, and self-evaporating technology make it a top pick for customers who need extra cooling in large rooms (up to 500 square feet).

Whynter portable air conditioners have long been top-sellers at Sylvane. Customers appreciate their "Go Green" mission, which focuses on producing highly efficient models that save customers energy and operation costs. Their models actually recycle collected moisture during the cooling process. Most of the collected moisture is used to cool the internal coils—so depending on your environmental conditions, you may never have to drain moisture while cooling. These portable AC models are also known for being built-to-last and come in a variety of sleek designs. We offer a variety of Whynter fully self-evaporating air conditioner models that cover between 300 and 500 square feet. One of our most popular Whynter portable ACs is the 14,000 BTU model (ideal for rooms up to 500 square feet). DeLonghi portable ACs use patented dripless technology to automatically evaporate and release moisture out of its exhaust hose. This impressive technology makes DeLonghi one of the most low-maintenance portable AC brands on the market.