Using a Window AC with no window

Using a window AC with no window

Yes, you can use a window AC with no window by venting it out a sliding door or another alternative. But you’re probably better off buying an alternative like a portable AC for a lower price. 

Why do you need to vent a window AC? All types of air conditioner units produce hot air. That hot air needs to go somewhere otherwise it will undo all the work your unit is doing to cool your apartment.

Most people think that air conditioning works like a heater, with a “cold source” that reduces the temperature in your home. A better way to think about air conditioning is as a conveyor belt for heat. A window AC moves the heat in your home out the window and lowers indoor temperatures as a consequence.

Now we know that your window AC needs an outlet to get rid of the excess heat in your home. But how can a window AC do that without access to a window?

There are some alternative ways to vent a window AC. The first and most obvious choice is to build a venting system that connects your window AC to a sliding door or other opening in your home.

Window ACs are designed to sit in windowsills so this will require a bit of creativity and DIY. But a little bit of effort and some tubing can help your window AC push hot air out the door.

A second option is to vent the window AC by creating a bespoke opening in your wall. This option is expensive and potentially disruptive but may be a good option if you want a permanent solution to your problem.

Basically, you cut a hole in your wall and mount the window AC in that space. You’ll want to hire a professional to do this as exterior walls are often load-bearing. The last thing you want is to accidentally cut through a support beam and compromise the structural integrity of your home. 

Perhaps a better alternative is to consider buying a different type of air conditioner altogether. A portable air conditioner is more flexible than a window AC and works in basically the same way. 

A window AC is designed to specifically sit in a windowsill. By contrast, a portable AC is freestanding and normally connects to a window via an exhaust tube. But a portable ACs design also makes it better at connecting to ther kinds of openings.

If you don’t have a window, you can easily connect a portable AC to a dryer vent, ceiling vent, or a sliding door.