Convert INEFFICIENT 1-hose portable AC to a 2-hose

[@Stacy_Smith]

To avoid damage to internal components, USE SHORT SCREWS. Also remember HEAT RISES! When installing in a vertical configuration, always make sure the exhaust side is at the top and the intake is at the bottom.

[@R-BURQUENO]

👍👍👍👍

[@manp1039]

did your conversion improve energy efficiency when cooling your room?

[@Stacy_Smith]

@@manp1039 Sorry, I somehow missed your question, but YES, DRAMATICALLY.

[@benjabhd]

Thanks, i used a similar setup following this video for my honeywell mn10cesww and MAN! Before the ac was pulling all the air in a vacuum and all the weed smell from the neighbors was coming in through every single outlet/ and small hole. Now the unit cools the room faster and stays cool. I wrapped the exaust hose with a towel to avoid the heat to be present in the room.

[@Stacy_Smith]

YOU TOO? When we lived in the apartment our pet skunk was stinking up the apartment. After I converted our ACs the problem was solved. WAIT A MINUTE... WE DON'T HAVE A PET SKUNK! Gee, I wonder where that smell was coming from? 🤔

[@kitkimbrough9441]

Sorry I'm your neighbor, I'll smoke on the other side of the house!!...promise!!

[@Stacy_Smith]

@@kitkimbrough9441 Lol, we don't live there anymore.

[@pixelbat]

I think you can make it even more efficient by insulating the exhaust hose. A lot of residual heat radiates back into the room from how hot the hose gets. The area behind my ac is always like 5-10 degrees hotter because of this.

[@Stacy_Smith]

YEP

[@autismlifehacks5233]

It makes sense why even dual hose units have two BTU's listed while window units have only one.

[@Steviek1234]

I believe the BTU is most efficient you can be. While the other is if you vent to a window at max length, not insulated, and unit getting warm air from other rooms - least efficient.@@autismlifehacks5233

[@Steviek1234]

Great video... I did something like this last week and it is amazing. GE sells a conversion kit for their unit to convert 1 to 2 hoses. However it has a grate (not fully covered like yours) so covers about 80%. Their engineers designed this on purpose - something to think about. I covered about 80% and works fine because I am worried about choking the intake and the messing with the design too much. With this, you are not using air that has already been cooled to feed the unit and be exhausted - AC'ed air stays in the room. My 2nd pipe is connected to the heating vent which goes to the furnace downstairs. This air is already cool compared to getting air from outside - just luck the vent was right beside my AC unit. My exhaust hose is 12 inches and goes through the wall to outside - most AC have a wall mount kit and looks really good compared using the window. My unit runs quieter due to this - I assume more efficient. Also, I also insulated this pipe which also makes a difference. With these modifications my 14,000btu is keeping my livingroom around 22C 1,000 sqft - while 32C outside.

[@kwacz]

Great video. Thanks. Finally someone who gets it. When i try to explain to people who have these that the one pipe versions suck your air conditioned air out of the room to cool the condenser and dump it outside. They either deny it or insist they work well and arent inefficient. Well that 8000 btu version that just keeps your room cool should only be 6000 btu but because you are using this 1 pipe version you now need a bigger unit to make up for the hot air that is entering 5he room to make up for the cold air you just sucked out. You might as well just leave a window partially open. Same damn thing. These 1 pipe systems should be ban.

[@Stacy_Smith]

Ty

[@KeithPickeringGuy]

People think their AC is "working" because it blows cold air on them, which feels nice. They don't understand AC is supposed to refrigerate the room, not run constantly

[@kwacz]

@@KeithPickeringGuy that is very true

[@eurovisie2010]

I saw a video where it was said that by taking the allready cooled air from the room instead of taking in hot air from outside by your second attached tube... the airconditioner would compensate somewhat for the infiltraition air that is replacing the used air from the room that is blown outside... With your upgraded version with a a second tube.. your airconditioner is in the end always working with hot outside air.. ! So one tube using inside air is not good .. but it maybe is a little bit less worse than black and white... We should also consider that all those producers of ac's are not completely stupid ! In the end.. a ""portable ac" is always a third choice.. First a split-airco (ductless), 2nd a window ac, third other solutions.. like "portable"" Which are not really that portable. They big and chunky and need to be close to a window.. Or hole in the wall ! Or 2 holes..

[@kwacz]

@@eurovisie2010 pulling already air conditioned air is not good. First living in a humid climate you already dehumidified that air so all of the btus did not go into cooling. Second it is probably well over 100 degrees in your attic and most homes are not 100 percent sealed so you are instead of pulling say 85 degree air you are now pulling over 120 degree air into the home. Now your home is at a negative pressure and your hot water tank starts to backdraft so instead of venting outside its venting all its combustion gases heat and moisture from burning the gas into your home. The ac companies being stupid isnt relevant here because the consumer wants it simple and cheap and a single house system is both. If sucking air from in the house to cool the condenser coil was better then a central air and window unit would do the same and guess they dont.

[@autismlifehacks5233]

That's a great life hack because it also helps you to find the features you're looking for since most are single hose. Some newer AC's are self evaporating, and have a heat pump and inverters. It looks so simple that companies should sell dual hose conversion kits

[@Stacy_Smith]

Lol, it's NOT accidental that these are inefficient. I highly doubt a truck driver (granted I was an aviation electrician in the USMC), is smarter than college educated engineers. Albeit, I don't have definitive proof, but it's highly probable that the inefficient design is INTENTIONAL so you have to buy more units. Without 2-hoses, 2 portable units + the window unit we had in our apartment wasn't good enough. We was on the top/3rd floor and it was sweltering! I did this before purchasing a 3rd unit. AFTER THE MODIFICATION WE DIDN'T NEED A 3RD UNIT!

[@autismlifehacks5233]

@@Stacy_Smith What they often mention is that single hose units are cheaper and easier to mount and store. Upgrading single hose units would be an employment opportunity. One can 3D print a hose attachment so that no modification is needed for the device. That would make the AC last longer and save on energy bills.

[@autismlifehacks5233]

@@Stacy_Smith If we think ahead, it just doesn't make sense to intentionally make ACs inefficient so that we have to buy more. There are potential impacts which may affect the designers. If too many ACs are running, it may cause a brownout. The wildfires from Canada right now could even be affecting themselves or their friends or relatives. The smoke could affect those far away from the fires. We're not sure how much, if any, is contributed by using single hose rather than dual hose units. I've heard of strategies that some may use to increase repeat businesses. For example, some mentioned about the right to repair. I ended up buying a Midea Duo and with a custom wooden panel, installed it onto a casement window.

[@osrevad]

I found the exact same thought for modifying our floor unit. Thanks for the tutorial

[@Stacy_Smith]

You're welcome!

[@chrisquick7160]

This is the video I needed. I'm looking to cool an RV trailer better, and the bad design of single hose units would likely be even worse in a small trailer. For sure going to be doing this! Thanks for the video!

[@Stacy_Smith]

Yw

[@Vmssupplies]

Buy a console type AC, much better, much safer, you just need to make 2 holes in the adjacent wall and that's that! Console ACs are slimmer too - look like normal heaters.

[@generosecrans7976]

While painful to follow, I found your solution very informative...

[@Stacy_Smith]

Lol, I'm not planning on quitting my day job.

[@BrewerShettles]

Nice work!!! I find adding a Cool-Aide heat sleeve keeps exhaust hose temp 82F vs 120F without one. Exhaust hose without a heat sleeve is just pumping removed heat back into your room.

[@Stacy_Smith]

I agree, but I don't have the time to mess with it. To be honest, I'd be more happy with the light blocking benefits than the increased efficiency. A lot of times when I go to bed it's still daylight.

[@BrewerShettles]

@@Stacy_Smith Very nice work that you did!!! Fresh Air intake from outside must be amazing. Might try it!! Keep making videos!!!!! Adding a heat sleeve is easy. Slide it on the exhaust hose and zip tie both ends. For my extended hose setup, I need two of them : Sleeve #1 = PAC to Duct Elbow Joint, then Sleeve #2 = Duct Joint to the window. Heat in the tube stays in the tube - until it reaches the window. Without a heat sleeve, the outside of the exhaust tube can reach 120°F and that heat is going to want to travel back into your room.

[@BrewerShettles]

What tool did you use to cut the opening circles for the duct tubing?

[@Stacy_Smith]

@@BrewerShettles A Leatherman.

[@Stacy_Smith]

​@@BrewerShettlesOne I did with a kitchen knife, the other was a Leatherman.

[@MrBilld75]

I could not find the original video I saw this heating ducting boot simple conversion, but then I saw your thumbnail for this one and went "cool, someone else did it too!". Trying the help out another person on another video, who asked how I did my single duct conversion. So I have them your video, seeing as I cannot find the one I saw. The heating boot conversion is soooo simple, cheap and easy. I've seen much more complex ones, but if you want a super simple conversion this is the fastest and easiest and works alright I found.

[@multifunctionalcompositesa3067]

Thank you! My Toshiba unit was fine last summer, but now we are going over 95F every day. This is will help a lot.

[@Stacy_Smith]

Yw

[@blinddog1212]

Clever hack. Thanks for sharing. Good call on the filtration at intake too. Food for thought!

[@johnpower8356]

I did this to mine a 12,000 btu haier. Much better now. The 6" hoses were a pia but it's done.

[@jasonbrown467]

i am using these units to heat my house. i have two units that both have heat mode, but only one has two hoses, so i plan do try something like this.

[@TheRealBigEE]

Great video. Can you actually notice that they cool better this way? I have three of these I might consider doing have casement windows on every window of my house

[@Stacy_Smith]

YES, OH YES!!! When I 1st installed them we had TWO in a 3rd story apartment building on the afternoon sun side (heat rises). Each apartment was outfitted with a rectangular hole for a basic window unit. I installed them to no avail! The thing you need to understand is these ACs SUCK! Not figuratively THEY LITTERALLY SUCK! The air supplying the intake side of the condenser has to come from somewhere. Not only are you cooling the air in your home, but you are sucking in OUTSIDE AIR through the vents, cracks in doors and windows etc. So you are cooling the outside air as well. AFTER I RETROFITTED MY ACs THE APARTMENT DROPPED 15 DEGREES IN 48HRS!!! This retrofit isolates the 2 air circuits. The evaporator draws air from the room and dumps it into the room. The condenser draws air from OUTSIDE and returns it back outside. When installing in a vertical configuration, always make sure the exhaust side is at the top and the intake is at the bottom. (Your comment reminded me to edit my pinned comment) The sad thing is I highly doubt the manufacturer is not aware of this design flaw. THEY WANT YOU TO BUY EXTRA ACs TO SOLVE YOUR PROBLEM!!!

[@Stacy_Smith]

Square footage is something to be considered as well. Hypothetically speaking let's say you are getting 85 degrees now on a 90-95 degree day. You retrofit the 3 you have yet you are still hitting tempratures around 75-80. At this point you'll have to make the decision: Is 3 enough to make it bearable? If not, buy a 4th. If yes, you'll have to decide: Is bearable satisfactory or do I want COMFORTABLE? If not, buy a 4th. I DO know it greatly helps because it helped us. I went from unbearable to shutting an AC down at night to avoid freezing my girlfreind's son in the living room. If you do choose to retrofit, please leave a comment about how much better those 3 did and whether or not there was a need for a 4th. Not only am I curious, but other readers will benefit as well.

[@Stacy_Smith]

Did you ever get around to modifying your AC?

[@MrJob91]

@@Stacy_Smith i did and your videos are helpful

[@depisiust3241]

Good effort

[@Stacy_Smith]

Thanks, I appreciate that.

[@squidben5780]

Excellent video !!

[@Stacy_Smith]

Thank you.

[@diogopedro69]

Great video! "... period!" :) I'm gonna buy one, and to the same

[@Stacy_Smith]

Ty

[@IvoPavlik]

Good hack! I wonder why don't they do this by default. Single-house design is very unfortunate. It not only sucks hot air from outside, but can also suck humidity into your (colder) house construction, increasing condensation there and helping toxic moulds to grow.

[@Stacy_Smith]

@@IvoPavlik It's inefficient design prompts people to buy more ACs. They're in the business of selling ACs.

[@IvoPavlik]

@@Stacy_Smith hmm, interesting. That didn't occur to me 🤔 However, they like to brag about efficiency, so why don't some of the producers increase it by adding another intake hose? That would be a competitive advantage over others. Maybe there's a cartel on the market? Maybe people don't buy dual hose, because they don't look so good? Sorry, too many questions 😀

[@megasyxx]

A+ for effort!

[@lesss4067]

How much difference is the noise level after converting it to dual hose? A lot? Not much? Thanks

[@Stacy_Smith]

@@lesss4067 The noise is reduced somewhat, but keeping your filter clean will make the most difference.

[@lost70s]

you know that's not bad .... yeah it looks not so good BUT using that duct work you can get a flex hose ... I converted my 2 dual hose AC from the rigid vinal to flex hose .... had to get oversized from amazon to make it work BUT ... now if we need to pull the AC away from the wall you don't have to fight the stiff hose and or take the adapter out of the window

[@BBurns008]

So I’m going to do that to mine when you bought the HVAC stuff did you buy the four-inch or the 6 inch inlet….. I don’t know much about that kind of stuff but I would say if you go with the 6 inch inlet and a 4 inch outlet it would improve because you can suck more in then you can push out

[@Stacy_Smith]

I went with 4, but you're totally right about 6 being an improvement. The only problem I ran into was finding a fitting for the window plate that would accommodate a 6in hose. One can fabricate anything, but it comes down to how much skill do you have, what tools do you have, and how much time do you have to do it? I'm a driver time is definitely not a luxury I have. The quicker and easier the better. Right now it looks like you placed a grenade at the front of my bike in my cousin's garage. Parts everywhere and I don't have a Harley so everything has to be fabricated to make it fit. It should be done by the 2nd week of PHUCKING JUNE.

[@theodorecarbajal2975]

Last question I want to vent these straight out my rv ac window, without any hoses, just make something like this and put the ac unit up against a window sitting on a stand, exhausting thru a back window

[@Stacy_Smith]

That might work depending upon the unit. You want to make sure your evaporator intake is still drawing air from the room.

[@MrNiceCobra]

Then just get window ac . Cheap, efficient and takes no room

[@peppermeat8059]

@@MrNiceCobra in general its not efficient, nor is it the cheapest, its just that its much more efficient than portables

[@MrNiceCobra]

@@peppermeat8059 According to my research window AC is much cheaper than portable AC with the same BTU and same quality/maker. Also, even 2 hosed portable AC are much less efficient than window AC, because of heat loss through the uninsulated hoses. I don't know what is more efficient than window AC. Do you? Let me know please

[@JotaStroeter]

that's a great idea!

[@Stacy_Smith]

Ty

[@peppermeat8059]

this is good BUT, make sure the air intake hose is much much BIGGER so it doesnt start somehow sucking more air outta your room. i got this BAUER portable ac yesterday, its a much much much different design for intake, theres like 3 vents that are big. ugh

[@Stacy_Smith]

I totally agree, but I had to work with what I had readily available at a cheaper cost. It's a "good enough" setup. Converting those 2 ACs dropped our apartment temperature from about 85F to about 70F.

[@peppermeat8059]

@@Stacy_Smith i have a 12k btu one but my room is 6k btu, it cools my rooms from high temperatures to 22-19c,, its okayi temp

[@sseforsale922]

You’re on the right path my friend but, not to shit on your parade, there is an even better way to do this that will increase the efficiency a lot. Where you messed up is by covering all that extra vent space with aluminum tape. Those holes are designed to remove heat from the condenser/compressor and by covering up 50% of them you are losing your heat exchange rate. Simple fix though. Build a box that doesn’t limit your hot intake holes and then pipe it to the outside with the same size exhaust hose. You can thank me later! Otherwise, nice job.

[@Stacy_Smith]

Agree and disagree. At the time this was done we lived in an apartment on the 3rd floor with a crappy window unit. Time and tools wasn't something I had a lot of (recent divorce). While your idea would greatly increase efficiency, it reduces simplicity. We needed a solution QUICK. It was so hot, we couldn't sleep.

[@sseforsale922]

@@Stacy_Smith What is the disagree part? I didn’t know you were limited on resources. My ex-wife thinks I explain myself funny too. I can send you her number? Lol.

[@Stacy_Smith]

@sseforsale922 The "Disagree" portion is due to the fact that the added steps eliminate the "quick & easy" aspect of this build.

[@ruanviljoen3260]

Doesn't this damage the unit?

[@Stacy_Smith]

@ruanviljoen3260 I've been running it this way for 5 years, and it's still going strong. That being said, it would be better if you used the same diameter hose as the exhaust. I was in a hurry when I made modified these.

[@WilliamGemstone]

You think this will work with a window unit? it's for my semi and I'm hesitant to cut a hole on the truck so thinking of using register box to vent it with an inline exhaust fan

[@Stacy_Smith]

Definitely would work. Use that thick rubber weather stripping and cut a groove in it to put in your passenger side window. NO FAN REQUIRED, the portable AC has a fan built in that pulls & vents air. BUNGEE IT WHEN ROLLING! It's not good for ACs to be on their side.

[@Stacy_Smith]

Out of curiosity bow are you powering it, because APUs provide AC. Is this for shore power use?

[@theodorecarbajal2975]

So keeps a lot of the heat essentially that comes out these things and keeps the machine a lot cooler? I want to install one in my rv but don't want to get a lot of heat

[@Stacy_Smith]

Not really. The one hose they come with exhausts the hot air outside. The problem with the one hose units is the fact they draw air from the room and blows it outside. THAT AIR HAS TO COME FROM SOMEWHERE. What ends up happening, is the negative pressure created by the unit ends up drawing air from any crack or vent in your home from the outside. You're basically pulling outside air into your home and then cooling it down. That's why they are so inefficient. The extra hose pulls air from the OUTSIDE, across the condenser, and blows it back outside, thus preventing the pressure differential.

[@theodorecarbajal2975]

@@Stacy_Smith so does it still produce a lot of heat behind the unit or not to bad?

[@username-rd8cl]

I believe you have the hose in the wrong vents. The intake panel that has a filter in it at the top of the unit is where it should go. The bottom vent is only to cool the compressor motor.

[@Stacy_Smith]

Nope I smoke tested it with incense. There is TWO intakes. One for the evaporator (it has the filter) and one for the condenser. My extra hose is on the condenser side. It's NOT to cool the motor.

[@Stacy_Smith]

Btw almost ALL ACs have 2 intakes. A window unit pulls air into the sides and blows it out the back for the condenser side. The evaporator is pulled in from the front and blows the cold air out the top. For central units the condenser is a separate unit outside. It pulls air into the sides and blows it out the top.

[@somethingsomething404]

That would mean 100% fresh outside air

[@peppermeat8059]

@@somethingsomething404 no, the air will still find its way inside no matter what, you should always leave a little gap for indoor air get sucked through

[@Braainwash]

I make a similar 2 hoses setup like you , but my compressor in the right side of the unit get really really hot when i touch the unit , is that normal ?

[@Stacy_Smith]

Not sure. The condenser is what releases the heat of your room to the outside.

[@Steviek1234]

GE sells a conversion kit for their unit to convert 1 to 2 hoses. However it has a grate so covers about 80%. Their engineers designed this on purpose - something to think about. I covered about 80% and works fine because I am worried about choking the intake and the messing with the design too much.

[@Justin-xk7yj]

Where did you buy that vent?

[@Stacy_Smith]

Lowe's Home Improvement

[@hdsheena]

Did you seal the inside to separate the condensers?

[@Stacy_Smith]

They are separated by design.

[@hdsheena]

@@Stacy_Smith yeah. Mine isn't. Sigh

[@User-w7ckl]

Mine isn't too. I did the conversion, but then instead the air is being pulled from the top intake, the one used for the evaporator. But still quite some decent air is getting pulled from the second adapted hose, efficiency was clearly improved but not as it should be. Thanks for the video

[@dertywhiteboy8944]

What’s the other intake for???

[@Stacy_Smith]

One is for the evaporator (coil that cools the room), one is for the condenser (coil that transfers heat outside). That's the best summary I can give you.

[@peppermeat8059]

so i got a newer one, hose is bigger, im using the old acs hose to try convert it, im using tin foil and leaving some gaps to not damage/overheat or stress the internal component/fan motor

[@Stacy_Smith]

How did that work out for you?

[@BrewerShettles]

0:30 - Central Air Conditioner vent - Called an Air Duct BOOT

[@Stacy_Smith]

Ok

[@somethingsomething404]

THANK YOU I couldn’t figure out what it’s called for the life of me I just kept looking for “vent box”

[@pollos6807]

Hi! 🇺🇲 What tejp do you use??

[@Stacy_Smith]

?

[@vig1909]

Do you think this will work for all types of single hose portable acs? Especially when the bottom intake of mine feels kind of weak and I don't want to spoil it so am asking around. Thanks!

[@Stacy_Smith]

The problem with most ACs is that the condensor doesn't have a filter. Start by ensuring the fins are clean, but yes it wil work on all types.

[@loickjaaj8969]

Be careful your intake diameter should be equal or a bit bigger than your exhaust don’t do it with a smaller diameter ⚠️⚠️

[@Stacy_Smith]

Not disagreeing with you, but they did get the room 10 degrees cooler when I went to 2 hose.

[@loickjaaj8969]

@@Stacy_Smith i did the same thing with mine and it’s working pretty well that’s nice

[@TheBlumann]

Sir, this was super helpful. next video, don't speak about the flaws or possible flaws you make. Just focus on the task at hand. Thanks for doing this, you save me some money!

[@Stacy_Smith]

You're welcome and thank you for the accolades.

[@TermoneenyCC]

I liked your zombie vid?

[@arfiansyah8718]

Can I hang the intake hose to the other side of the window as I have two windows on top that can be opened and the exhaust hose to the other side?

[@Stacy_Smith]

As long as both hoses face outside it doesn't matter what configuration you put them in.

[@arfiansyah8718]

@@Stacy_Smith Will the hose pull in outside air as the condenser intake is not separated from inside?

[@Stacy_Smith]

@@arfiansyah8718 I'm definitely confused. The evaporator (cold part) needs to be pulling air from indoors. They designed 1 hose systems to pull air from indoors, blow it over the condenser (hot part), and then exhaust it outside, thus creating a low pressure area in your home that ends up pulling air from outside in your home. My modification isolates the condenser to just outside air. By isolating the condenser you draw air from outside blow it over the condenser drawing heat off it in process. That air is then sent back outside creating an outside to outside circle of air. (Hot air from outside is heated becoming even hotter air blown back outside) By isolating the evaporator (cold part), cool air is drawn from the room, passed over the evaporator, and cold air is blown back into the room. I'm guessing you're from the Southern Hemisphere and English is not your 1st language. I suggest you show these comments to someone that has a better understanding of fluid dynamics & thermal dynamics that can assist you better than I can. At least this video can point you in the right direction so those you seek help from will be able to better assist you. Sorry this is the best I can do. Let me know how it turns out.

[@arfiansyah8718]

@@Stacy_Smith My 14000 btu portable AC blows cold air, and the room felt cold but the compressor doesn't cycle on and off I set it at 75 Fahrenheit is the unit undersize?

[@Stacy_Smith]

@@arfiansyah8718 Depends, if it's a 1-hose convert it to a 2-hose. The higher efficiency WILL make it easier to cool. If that doesn't work get a 2nd unit and convert it to a 2-hose as well.

[@Vmssupplies]

They already make 2 hose ACs that work like this, not worth the hassle as of 2022 as price point is the same. And there are also console type ACs much better - no hoses at all, just two short tubes, 2 halls in the wall 40 decibels max (unlike this which is 60+ decibels)... Consoles can also serve as heaters with great efficiency coefficient, save money. Of course most portable ACs have the heating feature too but boy the constant draining of water in heat mode is a bummer unlike in cooling mode where the water is removed automatically.

[@peppermeat8059]

YES, but they are all sold out, if you find one thinking atleast one is in stock. nope, right away someone is gonna buy it

[@danielsmith2447]

Not going to work unless you opened the unit up and created two seperate compartments insulated and air tight from each other. If it was this simple all portable ac units would be dual hose.

[@Stacy_Smith]

I've USED this setup for years now. They ARE separate from each other. Ever think that the inefficient design is intentional so they can sell more units?

[@danielsmith2447]

@@Stacy_Smith I can't see inside yours so couldn't say for sure, I opened mine up and they are not sealed from each other.

[@Stacy_Smith]

@@danielsmith2447 Maybe you can put in a styrofoam divider splitting the intake to the condenser and evaporator? I showed 2 different units on this video, maybe you could buy one of those.

[@danielsmith2447]

@@Stacy_Smith I was thinking between styrofoam and refectix I could figure it out. I may post sme pics of the results here.

[@bradtaylor1910]

1 word, tripod

[@Stacy_Smith]

Lol. I don't need a tripod to drive a truck.