How to Drain a Portable AC: Fully vs. Partially Evaporative | Sylvane

[@sevcanelmas784]

*Works so well **Fastly.Cool** that it only requires daytime operation until high temp and humidity are overnight. It is difficult to get to side filters, but back is easily accessible.*

[@errolmcinnes7938]

i've had success using a pond pump in a pan to pump the water into the discharge air stream. does a pretty good job of removing the moisture, and it was a dirt cheap solution. You can also run a thin tube from your drain pan into the warm air discharge stream. the venturi effect will draw the water out of the pan as long as the elevation grade is not too much.

[@GhostsOfThings]

Well at least this one didn't tell me to lift the unit onto a stool. Like please - how is one person supposed to life this beast up like 12 inches?? I'm going to try the cookie sheet thing next time.

[@boundariessetinstone5893]

I just bought a small square dolly on Amazon so it stays high enough where I can place a container under spout no lifting.

[@kgdingo352]

You’re weak as fuck

[@jaysonzhang9270]

Use a few books instead so you just need to lift one corner at a time

[@northernsoul0127]

mine is sitting on a chair with a bathroom rug. I brought it up my stairs on my own. Since it's on a chair I use a drain hose but I have yet to see it expell any water from it.

[@NoobSaibotMK666]

I just lifted it 3 feet high over my bed full of water but that spout wont leak the water out 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@tunein2life681]

Thank you so much for this video. I couldn't figure out how to actually empty the water without dragging the unit to the back door and over the threshold and drain onto the deck! That cookie sheet is perfect!!!

[@vBDKv]

I have to elevate mine and have a bucket under it. On a hot summer day it can easily fill up my bucket. Of course I could drill holes in my house for the hose to go through, but that sort of defeats the purpose of a *portable* ac :)

[@eXTreemator]

Not the greatest idea if done on default drain location height. If it's partially evaporarive there is a disk that throws water on radiator. But if it's single hose there is hardly any purpose aside power consumption

[@RXSVN_2]

I tried that thing about using a bucket to drain the water but it seems like that increase the humidity in the room because it was pulling air in across the water from the bucket

[@cricket33bug]

Cleaning the filters will help allot also,don't forget all of them ,some have more then one filter hiding somewhere.

[@anaardila6342]

Yep I just discovered this on my GE portable unit.it has 2 filters and I wasn't aware of that so it was getting really hot and then I found the second filter on the side .it was completely clogged. Yikes

[@TheJulianga]

Does the two exits work the same? I have to always open both or with just one is ok?

[@SpriteHide]

Purchased: August 2023 - still works GREAT!I kzbin.infoUgkxxsUnXhGsSJLim_XnMHyQK0u3XVaW-CGn live in a studio and during the summer it gets scorching hot - really old building with no ac units. I can’t express how EASY it was to install. This unit has been a life savior during the summer and some days during other seasons where it can still be a bit warm at night. In this small place is my friend, a husky, poodle mix and myself. We need AC - lolI don’t use the dehumidifier option - I’m not sure if it will leak in my house, since I did not install the small draining hose that came with it. May look into it late but I don’t worry about much humidity in the apartment. I don’t understand why the negative reviews since all things mentioned, I personally did not find issues with. Definitely worth it!

[@joelsch8627]

you show 'drain' has 2 different connections? do they both do the same job? so could only need to connect a hose to one or the other?

[@Chuckienut]

Excellent video. Very professional audio presentation!

[@GiveWithLove]

0:26 Thank you! This is the info I've been searching forever.

[@RainingDarkChocolate]

Mine doesn’t give an alarm when the tray is full, learned that the hard way when I woke up one morning with my floor all covered in puddles.. Also this happened after 2-3 years of using it and I never had to drain it once, in contrast to people saying they have to drain theirs every few hours. Really confused

[@Subjektt]

Mine is supposed to be drained over time and in the manual it states that it will have a sign on a display as a warning which i never had. Just out of curiosity i did drain it and all i could get was like 300ml tops

[@eXTreemator]

@@Subjektt because it never overfills and evaporates. It says to drain it only to clean somewhat the tray.

[@Edouble22Plays]

That's where I'm at now. Had mine for a year, and it's telling me it's full. I tilted the AC toward a bucket, and only minimal water came out. I then tried the hose hookup, and a little more water came out. It no longer says it's full, but it sure does flood my carpet

[@Constitution1789]

I have a sound booth that gets hot. I'm wondering if draining the fully evaporative AC via a hose will prevent it from expelling any moisture through its exhaust duct. I don't want that moisture to fill the room outside my sound booth. Good or bad idea?

[@paulinetison-h1m]

Very helpful

[@bicdut]

My ac stopped working so I opened the valve on the back. Out dumped a ton of the grossest scaly smelly water all on my carpet. Sometimes I gotta learn the hard way.

[@carbonr6r410]

mmmm

[@pabloacas3118]

I have an asahi portable air-conditioned. everytime I turn it on my p.a.c shuts off after an hour.... and a red light pops with a image of a bucket with full of water droplets. I tried to open the drainage and let the water go out, but it seems only a droplet comes out... I made a hose and plug it in the drain outlet and my p.a.c is back to normal. may I ask whats the problem? is there any problem with what I Did?

[@marziaysabelledesiderio3652]

Pablo Acas Same problem 😣

[@Sempiternal.Traditions]

There should be a 2nd plugged vent high up on the unit; find that and loosen it. Water shoukd pour out with ease. Be sure to stop it back up after you finish draining it if you unit is not set up/ meant for continual draining.

[@RagingRazor28]

Why does my portable AC smell sweet and moist with a hint of copper when I turn on the AC.

[@calebsulzberger8761]

Got a pelonis one. Where it sits inside and vent tube goes out the window. Says p1 code. Thats full water tank. Barly any water came out. Was that all it was? The error is gone. Or should disconnect the vent tube? So i can i tip it back and see if there is more water. Every time i see someone drain it. They just un do the plug. And thats all they have to do. Im also woundering if it could be like stuff in there and i need to suck it out with an air compressor

[@ArchieLovesMe]

Very helpful! Thank you!

[@Sylvane]

Lisa Elle We're so glad that this video was helpful! Feel free to subscribe to our channel for more videos like this one. Have a great day!

[@ChantelStays]

I have a danby and I'm having to empty it out every hour all of a sudden. It's a dual hose... I really need some help!

[@lnmend]

I have a Danby unit, but there’s these two grey caps on the two drain plugs. Can’t seem to remove them. Could it be that it’s fully evaporative?

[@chimoyTV]

Question. I have two drains on my portable ac on one on mid section and one at the bottom.. Im planing to place a hose. So which one should i place it.

[@Sylvane]

Without knowing your exact model, you'll likely want to add a hose to the lower one for continuous drainage. The one halfway up the unit is for Dehumidify mode. Double check your manual, but that's how most models work.

[@77dris]

@@Sylvane Thank YOU! I have an Uberhaus portable AC and wondered why there were 2 drains. The lower one almost never needs draining but the top one will empty out gallons in a day when in AC mode. From what you've said, I suspect that most moisture will evap out the air hose/exhaust and that top one isn't necessary to drain unless you use in dehumidify mode as you say (ie, without an exhaust hose attached).

[@mahambaig7101]

Helpful. Thanks!

[@roshawnhosea5201]

Nothing comes out the tube once we unscrew the hose but if we move the AC unit it pours out all over the floor!!! HELP!!!

[@eXTreemator]

Tube is clogged. Ever thought about it?

[@danb1391]

Don’t tip it 🤷‍♂️

[@Edouble22Plays]

@@eXTreemator Serious question; how would you unclog it?

[@truearmpitfarts]

@@Edouble22Plays run a wire up the drain port, blow pressurized air, spray hose up drain port, disassemble and further diagnose

[@Edouble22Plays]

@@truearmpitfarts thank you

[@1peanut]

can i just leave the drain plugs off all the time with drain hoses on it ? I have it up on a table and the drain hoses run down to a bucket under table. is this ok ?

[@eyeamateacher]

Yes

[@TarekFaham]

Could you please recommend a buying option for portable AC with dual hose and fully evaporative option unit and post a link?

[@soulstepper7370]

I have a Haier Commercial Cool Portable Air Conditioner (CPN14XC9) - 14,000 btu ,purchased in 2011 & still evaporating, but still needs to be drained, when it fills beyond evaporating capacity. lol A high chair, bucket and towels below, should do the trick to drain it.

[@Guile_The_Exile]

Very informative. Thanks.

[@ednaldocunha5733]

Thank you very much for the video.

[@Sylvane]

Hope it helps!

[@mohsinomatic]

But my question is where does this water come from do you guys fill this up yourself or it’s already there in the portable air conditioner? I haven’t have this air conditioner but I am asking this randomly?

[@Sylvane]

In humid areas, excess moisture is pulled out of the air naturally during the cooling process. In some instances, the moisture collects inside the portable AC. That's how moisture ends up being involved in the process. Thank you - Tony from Sylvane

[@mohsinomatic]

Better Air with Sylvane thanks it helped a lot

[@lexilexi3249]

Thank you so much for this video ♥️ Very helpful

[@Ericajoy98]

yes but how do you drain it out the window... that is the question I cannot find the answer to. There is no window panel where you can connect a water drain hose. The only window panels are the ones for the AC exhaust hose. Please help

[@grantsnydes]

You’d have to get a condensate pump like he says in the video. They can run from about $49 to about $115. It hooks up to the drain directly and then you plug it in and most have a float sensor that gauges how much water is in a reservoir so it knows when to start the pump.

[@Sparkalonius]

To drain mine, with the hose at the BOTTOM 🙄 I use a mini pallet stack that i mounted onto a planter-on-wheels from HD, into a condensate pump and out the window

[@detroitgirl7]

I just bought a LG Portable AC and living in the south I had to drain the unit every three hours so it was suggested to me to buy a condensate pump. I got the pump and attached it to the top drain port but I was told by HD store clerk that is incorrect. Will the pump work at the bottom too with the hose I bought?

[@Sylvane]

Hi Linda. Typically condensate pumps are attached using the top drain port. Those ports are designed to fit a traditional garden hose, which comes with most condensate pumps.

[@rubenrobledo9146]

I also have a LG Portable AC unit, but it doesn't have a top drain port. Only the one at the bottom. Is there another way to attached the condensate pump to the unit? I have to drain my unit every 15-20 minutes. the model of my AC unit is LP1111WXR and I got a Everbuilt condensate pump. Thank you,

[@eXTreemator]

@@rubenrobledo9146 yes there is another way, where you will have to use brain. disassemble it and use your pump to forward and spray water from bottom to hot radiator. It will evaporarte and lower power consumption.

[@surgle]

So I have this stupid ac unit, and every 5 minutes or so it has P1 error, and I check the drain on the bottom everytime and nothing, there's no water in the container or water from the top, but it starts the fan option, instead of the cool. it's getting annoying. I knew I should have bought that damn insurance on it.

[@Sylvane]

Sergei Mathas Sorry you're having so many problems. You should reach out to your manufacturer, because they'll have a better idea of how to fix the problem. There may be an issue with the draining system that you can't see (a crack in the pan can cause errors on some models), or it may be an issue with the control panel. The manufacturer should be able to point you in the right direction.

[@surgle]

We're all good, I didn't turn it on for a while and it seemed to reset it self

[@mikeyb5103]

+Sergei Mathas do you have an everstar unit? my everstar unit has a P1 error when the bucket on the side is full or isnt seated correctly.

[@intractablemaskvpmGy]

I bought a Whynter ARC-131GD and am continuously draining it through the bottom drain into a bucket. It collects approximately 5 gallons over 24 hours while in "cool" mode. The question is: would it be better to use the top drain and why?

[@Sylvane]

Hi! That particular model has Whynter's AutoDrain technology where if it's installed properly it's supposed to recycle the captured moisture and exhaust it outside. In that case the benefit is that you should never have to empty the reservoir unless it collects more moisture than it can pump out quickly. If that happened the compressor would automatically stop until the reservoir was emptied to prevent it overflowing. Thanks for your question!

[@SiBorg8A]

I noticed he was emptying at a low outlet and yet he attaches the hose to.the high outlet. Whats the difference?

[@Arvid2022]

Mine is really heavy cause of water but nothing is coming when I take that caps off

[@926angeleyes]

Hi ,I bought a used Noma 3 in one from 2016 . I Never owned one of these before and didn't come with an instruction manual .I am confused as to how the water drains. Do I need to attaché a hose or is it self draining . serial # KJF83JG0565

[@flamegirlrocks]

Ok but how do i out the water in there in the first place?

[@brucemoose9792]

Empty container?!!! It's a cookie sheet!!!

[@porkinwitz]

If I was to set the portable AC on a stool above the bottom window edge, could I run a hose out the window then?

[@wajidrazzaq9864]

Is it ok to keep this drain lid/cap open for ever that water drain automatically always?? Or Is it necessary to close that lid and drain water every time by own your own??

[@Sylvane]

It's more of a personal preference. You can keep the cap open, attach a hose to it, and allow the unit to continuously drain. Or you can close it and manually empty it. Either way is completely okay.

[@wajidrazzaq9864]

@@Sylvane thankyou so much for response but can you tell me if hose is completely ok why people drain own there own, is it much good for ac health then hose or equal to it?

[@margaretfleet3123]

Why does my air conditioner keep telling me that it is full when I already drained it

[@assyrianbull]

Same issue with me

[@eyeamateacher]

Some parts inside are still wet... set your unit to fan mode for 3 to 6 hours to ma,e sure it is completely try..

[@mega-hb4re]

Some HVAC guys said that the water helps to cool the unit even if is not self evaporated and no need to drain if you don’t need to , what’s true about this ?

[@truearmpitfarts]

I guess the condensation gets sprayed or dripped onto the condenser somehow to help cool it resulting in better efficiency and less draining. I think it’s bull tbh and mine is still getting water everywhere

[@pattymunoz7613]

Hi I have a problem today. we drain the water already. But today when we wanted to turn it on the power button was just flashing. please help. what could be the problem.

[@Sylvane]

Hi Patricia, sorry you are having this issue! What unit (brand and model number) do you have?

[@pattymunoz7613]

Sorry for the delay. But the model is WA-8070E

[@Sylvane]

Not a problem! We suggest you make sure the drain cap is on securely and then unplug your AC. If it doesn't work when you plug it back in, call Sunpentown's customer service at 800-330-0388.

[@picho5553]

my mastercool window unit doesnt seen to be draining any tips

[@lastempire7302]

I have a Danby Heat and Cool unit. When operating as an AC during summer, I didn't have to drain the thing at all; however, during winter when the unit is running on heating mode, I find it make a very loud noise due to water collection. And I have to drain the unit every couple hours which I find quite annoying especially with a sleeping baby. Is that normal? Do I have to continuously drain the unit whilst in heat pump mode?

[@uncleremus3211]

yes, I believe in the instructions it says you have to connect the hose during Heat Pump Mode

[@cbhence]

Does a portable AC unit exist with a removable tank that can be easily removed from the unit, poured out into a sink, then re-installed?

[@soulstepper7370]

Good luck with the removable tray. I have a Haier Commercial Cool Portable Air Conditioner (CPN14XC9) - 14000 btu, since 2011. Today, was 1st time I had to drain it, because it Shut Off. Then screwed off drain, tilted unit from a chair, into a bucket. Unit can only remove 110 pints/day of moisture in dehumidifying mode, which I must have exceeded in several days. Be careful when picking it up, since the unit weighs 83 lbs. :-)

[@mycosys]

Yes, my DeLonghi Penguino has a removable tray at the back

[@rainn124]

​@@mycosys Is it the PACAN125HPEK? because my penguino has a filter on the back but don't think it has a removable tank..

[@cindyshinn-dickson789]

I need help on the heater on a Haier portable air conditioner. When air conditioner is on it self evaporates the water but when we use the heater we have to drain it every 10 minutes. Does anyone know why it doesn't self evaporate while using the heater!

[@soulstepper7370]

I have a Haier Commercial Cool Portable Air Conditioner (CPN14XC9) - 14000 btu w/o the heater. The dehumidifier mode evaporates the water (looks like 2 droplets of water on the display) and can only evaporate (moisture removal) up to 110 pints/day. Cooling mode (AC) uses refrigerant (R-410A/24.70z), so don't think the water is coming from the AC.

[@tj_calisthenic1919]

I need to drain mines every hour or so. Its horrible. And if I don't it will just start pouring out on my carpet. These are the worse AC's in my opinion

[@jordbell]

Agreed

[@BlackAnvil47]

I have a temp unit in my home until my air conditioner is replaced on Monday...it was working great the first day..second not so good. The reason...trying to drain out a window instead of down into a bucket....remember you can't drain up hill.boing!!

[@edwardpate6128]

That is where the condensate pump would come in. Water won't run uphill remember.

[@6reece]

i have a Heller branded portable AC and i recently realised that it is leaking im not sure how to fix this any help? PS. there is 3 settings on AC (Fan, Cooling) but the third one i have no idea what it is it has a picture of something that looks like a tray with water drops...

[@Sylvane]

+Vendetta Bruh There may be a crack in your drainage pan, but we suggest reaching out to the manufacturer. They will have more information on your specific model.

[@jgbalboa]

I think the 3rd setting with the water drops may be the dehumidifier mode (whatever that is).

[@soulstepper7370]

+Jose is right about the dehumidifier mode, but +Vendetta, the reason it was leaking was because it was full. You have to unscrew the water outlet drain, which is on the back rear, at the bottom, to the left of the power chord. I put unit on a chair and tilted, but water didn't just come out the drainage hole, but also on each side of it. Some got on floor, but the bucket caught most of it. Unit shuts off also automatically, with STOP in the display, which indicates "time to drain". It is supposed to be designed to evaporate the water, but I guess a few of our 90+ degree Humidity days overflowed it. lol (Haier Commercial Cool Portable Air Conditioner (CPN14XC9) - 14,000 btu)

[@almi5260]

HELP! My portable AC keeps telling me it needs to drain. I unscrew it and try to drain it, but nothing comes out. I can hear the water inside. how do I make it come out???

[@candylanes6462]

+Arieru Marino this is late but ...did you take the plug out?

[@jgbalboa]

Yeah, I'm thinking there's a rubber plug (where you can alternatively attach a hose). You might have to remove it for the water to breathe out? This video is not clear and missing a lot of detailed information...fucking guy.

[@jgbalboa]

Captain Porksword No, in Lis Angeles, it hasn't really gotten A/C-hot, and when we got a heatwave, a few days ago, I wasn't home, so I texted my daughter to do it, but I don't know how she did it (or if she did). I told her, "google it". I don't know why they make these things so complicated...or maybe they're not...Maybe we just don't know.

[@Sylvane]

If your AC's drain pan is full, you should be able to drain it using the drain port on the back near the bottom of the unit. Water should drip out once the plug is removed. Each model/brand is different, so if you're still having trouble, we suggest calling your manufacturer to tell them what you're seeing.

[@dotjander]

How do I remove the plug so I can empty the water?

[@Sylvane]

It depends on your specific model, but the drain plugs are typically on the back of the unit.

[@wildflowertoo]

I have a Haier and it sloshes when you move it and I had to tilt it to move it and a lot of water leaked out (on the carpet :( ). Their instructions say to drain it to store but they don't say how. There is a pipe but no plug and no drain pipe. Very aggravating. They say if it is tilted to wait 24 hours to turn it on. I need to tilt it to get the water out. And does this water not harbour bacteria, mold etc?

[@Sylvane]

You should definitely drain the water before storing it for the season. The drain port is typically in the back at the bottom of the unit. Usually you can remove the plug and let the water drain into a pan. If you're still having trouble, we suggest you contact the Haier Customer Satisfaction Center at 1-877-337-3639.

[@1025092]

Is it the Haier Commercial Cool? Black and silver/grey? I have same one, there's a little cap at the very bottom on the back that you unscrew, then you pop out a little rubber stopper, it will train without tilting into a pan, if you need to tilt it, then it's probably clogged. You can get a hose and connector for it, it's just not a standard garden hose.

[@koalamama2]

Mine says to dry it completely for storage, run it in "fan" mode for 24 hours.

[@soulstepper7370]

+1025092 Me too!. Haier Commercial Cool Portable Air Conditioner (CPN14XC9) - 14,000 btu

[@davidhibbardintexas4080]

If you stay in Texas you never know!🤣

[@guysmith5504]

good ol michael bublay!

[@jbaz964]

My portable ac started smelling like urine. So I took it apart to see if I had a mouse nest but I didnt. It needed to be cleaned anyway but it still smells like urine? any clues?

[@shannonbailey7580]

It's black mold you'll need to take it outside, saturate it with Lysol foaming bathroom cleaner, let it sit awhile then pressure wash it out. Rinse and repeat once per week. I'm waiting on an inverter u shaped window unit to arrive and then I'm selling the portable. It's too humid in Arkansas, and forget this it's too much damn work.

[@shannonbailey7580]

It's in a blue can this is the only thing that works. Black mold gives me an instant migraine when I turn the unit on, nothing else not even bleach helped.

[@jgbalboa]

How come you have a drain at the bottom and the other one on top (where you attach the hose). Why is the hose so high? Do you have to siphon it out with the hose? You did not explain. Do you just plug the hose and it will gravitate down by itself? Will it gush out before you try to connect the hose? Do you connect the hose when it's empty and leave it on? When it's full?

[@Sylvane]

Both drains are used to get rid of collected water. The drain port at the bottom is typically used when ACs are in standard Cool mode and don't need to be emptied very often. When water collects extremely quickly (like in Dehumidifier mode if your AC offers that), then you can attach a hose to the top drain for continuous drainage. Water should automatically flow through the hose when the pan is full; but it won't come rushing out. Every AC is slightly different, so reach out to your manufacturer for specific instructions if you're still having problems.

[@jgbalboa]

+Sylvane Inc. Thank you brah.

[@lindaclark3121]

Jose Balboa qq

[@brucemoose9792]

Really? I have mine raised to put a cake pan under. Just overflowed once again cuz I didn't wake up.

[@soulstepper7370]

Put mine on a chair and tilted it. Some missed my bucket, not just coming out the drainage hole. Cleaned it up, washed the filter, plugged it back up and back in dehumidifier mode.

[@pabloacas3118]

and yeah I forget to tell... before I made a DIY drain hose. I tried to close the drain hole and the problem occurs again.

[@motoxtilldeath]

What causes slim & the AC Reeks

[@Sylvane]

Thanks for reaching out! What kind of drainage does your Portable AC have; fully self-evaporative, gravity drain/condensate pump, or manual? www.sylvane.com/portable-ac-faq.html#Portableacwatercollection

[@zkdr6278]

hey uh can you drink the water, asking for a friend

[@TheUgly1s]

i get buckets of water everyday. its so annoying.

[@fabiangranillo8541]

who the fuck has a condensation pump

[@fabiangranillo8541]

dumbass

[@edwardpate6128]

You can pick up a Little Giant like he showed for about $45.

[@JESShatt44]

I have a haire 8000btu how long should i be able to run this thing on cool without it shutting off saying it's full?? It's draining, maybe just not fast enough? I'm a full time boonedocking rv gangster and i have animals so when I'm away i cannot afford for this POS to shut off every 3 hours, my animals will die in this tin box.

[@eXTreemator]

There is no partially evaporarive air conditioners. There are only ones where manufacturer used tiny bit of common sense and "i am an idiot manufacturer i do whatever however i want and I don't have to explain to anyone my disregard for quality". Most of them are in second category.

[@elainebackmon2543]

beet juice

[@davidhuffman4036]

Portable a/c are a rip off!! PERIOD!!!

[@ryderwayland]

Why is it that no water comes out from the drain hole On my portable AC?