How to Drain Portable AC? Easy-to-Follow Guide!

A portable AC is great for cooling your home but should be regularly drained. Our article highlights how easy it is to drain a portable AC.
By
Carolina Evans
Carolina Evans
Research Writer
Holds a Master’s degree in Engineering and is keen on her own home’s climate. Sometimes we think that Carolina owns every single product she writes about – that’s ho read more
reviewed
Reviewed By
Richard Powell
Richard Powell
Expert Consultant
For 8 years, Richard had been working as an HVAC specialist and AC unit installer since his student years. Now, he’s our main consultant on every technical aspect that may read more
Last updated: August 10, 2023
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In the hot summer months, few things can provide relief, quite like your portable AC. As with most other appliances in your home, your AC will require a certain amount of maintenance to ensure it continues working properly. One of the primary maintenance functions of a portable AC includes draining the unit. Not draining your AC will prevent the unit from cooling if it comes to full. This could leave you wondering, what are the right tips on how to drain a portable AC? Our article highlights a few easy methods to consider.

Do portable air conditioners need to be drained?

Essentially, all portable air conditioners must be drained regularly. This is because these units work by removing moisture Trusted Source What are the Health Benefits of Air Conditioning? - Dr HVAC The most important health benefit of air conditioning is reducing your home’s humidity. Living in a house that prevents high humidity creates a less damp home, as well as keeping you healthy. High humidity is linked to dust mites, mould, heatstroke and dehydration. www.drhvac.ca from the air in your home. By doing so, a great amount of condensation builds up around the AC. When the unit isn’t drained, water will eventually leak from it. If you’re still shopping for the perfect portable air conditioner, our articles best battery-powered air conditioners and best Costway portable air conditioners will put you on the path to finding the best unit for your home. Both articles will identify units most suited to keep your home cool and comfortable in the summer.

How to drain water from a portable AC unit?

An advantage of some newer AC models is that they boast a shutoff sensor that turns the AC off when it starts to overflow. However, to ensure that your AC continues to function properly, it’s recommended that you don’t only rely on the sensor.

That said, there are several ways to drain water from your AC. Keep reading as we take a look at a few of the most common options to consider.

Draining into a pan

One of the simplest methods is to drain the water into a pan. To do this, follow these few easy steps.

  • Unplug the power going to the unit
  • Your AC must be on a left surface to avoid making a mess
  • Place the pan under the drainage hub at the back of the unit
  • Unplug the drain plug
  • Be warned, and water will start flowing immediately when the drain plug is removed
  • Place towels around the AC to absorb any spilled water
  • When the unit is completely drained, replace the drain plug
  • As soon as the area around the AC is dry, reconnect the power to the unit

Using a drain hose

How to Drain Portable AC? Easy-to-Follow Guide!
Attach the drain hose by using a tight water seal to avoid leaks.

Another simple draining method is to use a drain hose which you can do by following these steps:

  • Unplug the power going to the unit
  • Purchase a standard drain hose along with adaptors if necessary, or use a standard hose that may also require adaptors to ensure a tight fit
  • Unplug the drain plug
  • Connect the hose to the drain plug
  • Ensure that the unit is placed at a downward angle to make draining easier

Using a condensate pump

Generally, the recommended way to drain water is by using a condensate pump. A plus point with using a pump is that it can remain connected to the AC, which makes draining so much more convenient. Another plus point is that the AC doesn’t have to be moved to a specific angle because the motor will turn on and extract the water as needed. Since condensate pumps automatically drain the water and switch back on once the water is drained, it’s most likely the best alternative.

One of the most popular condensate vacuum pumps AC owners opt for is the XtremepowerUS 3CFM ¼ HP Air Vacuum Pump. As a 1-stage rotary air vacuum pump, this model boasts high efficiency and low noise. Since it’s a heavy-duty pump, it’s durable and efficient. With its strength, it’s easy to see why this unit is often regarded as one of the best vacuum pumps. Another heavy-duty pump that is a firm favorite for recharging AC systems is the VIVOHOME Single Stage Vacuum Pump. This unit boasts a built-in high-volume cooling fan and an oil drain valve which ensures faster and more thorough emptying. An ergonomic grip handle makes the unit easy to manage during use.

Final thoughts

With the guidelines we’ve discussed, it’s obvious that draining your portable AC doesn’t have to be a difficult task. It’s crucial to perform regular draining to keep your unit in tip-top shape. While we recommend using a condensate vacuum pump, you can use the pan or hose method for similar results. How to drain your portable AC unit just became a whole easier!

References

1.
What are the Health Benefits of Air Conditioning? - Dr HVAC
The most important health benefit of air conditioning is reducing your home’s humidity. Living in a house that prevents high humidity creates a less damp home, as well as keeping you healthy. High humidity is linked to dust mites, mould, heatstroke and dehydration.
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