Setting up a continuous drain for your LG portable AC unit doesn’t have to be difficult. If you’re short on time, try following these few short steps:
- Unplug and turn off the AC from the wall outlet
- Take the vent hose assembly off of the unit
- Take off the drain cap
- Carefully remove the drain plug
- Get a drain hose
- Insert a zip tie around the drain hose after removing the drain plug and cap
- Insert a 5.8-inch diameter drain hose into the drainage canal
- Pull the zip tie tight
- Place the other end of the drain hose in a floor drain
Keep in mind that there’s more to a portable AC unit than you might think. Continue reading this article to learn more about what these devices are and the best ways to maintain them.
Table of Contents
What Is a Portable Air Conditioner?
A portable air conditioner is an air cooling system that can be easily moved around. This appliance can be positioned almost anywhere, except in front of a window and near a power outlet. Portable variants have wheels attached to the bottom, making them easier to move around. Because of its ease of placement and transportation, it is regarded as one of the handiest air conditioners.
Visit LG’s main website to see their vast selection of portable air conditioners.
How Does a Portable Air Conditioner Operate?
It operates similarly to other types of air conditioners. The AC’s main role is to pull air from the room, condition it by changing the temperature, and return the cool air to the area.
A portable AC can eliminate moisture from the air in three different ways:
- Evaporation on its own: Portable air conditioners evaporate moisture through an exhaust vent alongside warm air. This functionality is usually used by new models.
- Drainage by gravity: The gathered moisture is pushed away using a hose.
- Internal bucket: The liquid is stored in a bucket that must be manually drained and is only accessible on older models.
The key distinction between portable air conditioners and other kinds of cooling systems is that it integrates all of the processing elements into a single stand-alone unit.
Maintenance of a Portable AC Unit
It is critical to keep your portable air conditioner in good working order to help your unit live longer and run more efficiently.
Cleaning and replacing air filters is the first part of maintaining any ductless air conditioner. Cleaning the air filters on a weekly or monthly basis is advised, depending on your consumption.
Furthermore, the water tank should be emptied before it causes havoc in your house. If your portable AC is not reversible or you do not intend to use it in the cold, it must be safely stored. To avoid mold formation, clean the gadget and dry out the water tray.
To clean the outside of your portable air conditioner, use mild water, soap, and a soft cloth. Avoid exposing it to direct sunlight, or its color will fade with time.
Advantages of Owning a Portable AC Unit
- Ideal type of air conditioner for tiny rooms
- Suitable for those who don’t have a fixed address and move frequently
- Lightweight and portable, allowing you to move them from one room to another as needed
- Equipped with wheels at the bottom
- Easy to install and maintain
- Have a cheap initial cost and are becoming more accessible
- Does not block natural light
- Provides humidity and temperature control
- 3-in-1 OPERATION (Cool/Fan/Dry) - Cool mode provides powerful cooling and dehumidifying in hot days. Fan mode circulates air and dry mode is ideal for rainy and damp days.
- AUTO SWING AIR VENT - Oscillating air vent circulates air evenly to avoid hot spots.
- MULTIPLE FAN SPEEDS - 2 cooling and fan speeds allow you to customize your cooling.
- COOLS ROOMS UP TO 300 SQ. FT. - LP0721WSR is ideal for cooling medium rooms (12' X 25')
- Width: 19.41" x Height: 30.43" x Depth:18.11"
- Cooling Capacity (BTU): 14000 - Cooling Area: 500 sq. ft.
- SmartThinQ Works with Google Assistant/Amazon Alexa
- 3 Fan Speeds - 3 in 1 Operation - Wi-Fi Connection
- DUAL Inverter Compressor - Remote Control
- Energy Efficient - Sleep Mode
- CONTROL YOUR COOL FROM ANYWHERE - LG ThinQ Technology lets you control your LG air conditioner from anywhere. You can start or stop cooling, change the mode, or set the temperature while on the go. It also works with Amazon Alexa and Hey Google so you can change settings with simple voice commands.
- 3-in-1 OPERATION (Cool/Fan/Dry) - Cool mode provides powerful cooling and dehumidifying in hot days. Fan mode circulates air and dry mode is ideal for rainy and damp days.
- MULTIPLE FAN SPEEDS - 2 cooling and fan speeds allow you to customize your cooling.
- COOLS ROOMS UP TO 450 SQ. FT. - LP1021BSSM is ideal for cooling medium rooms (22' X 25')
Do LG Portable AC Units Need to Be Drained?
While in “cool” or “fan” mode, you shouldn’t need to drain the unit. To increase efficiency, the AC unit is intended to run with some moisture in the collection tank. However, if you intend to use the air conditioner in “dehumidification” mode, you can attach a drain hose and connect the open end to a suitable location, such as a floor drain or somewhere outside.
So, if you don’t want your condensate tank to overflow or your air conditioner to break, clean it on a daily basis. We recommend that you follow the LG’s manual to set it up and drain it without causing any damage to your AC unit.
How Often Do LG Portable Air Conditioners Need to Be Drained?
It all depends on where your home is located and how humid it is inside. If you reside in a humid environment, it’s a good idea to empty your portable air conditioner at least three times a day. If there isn’t a lot of moisture in your room, though, you don’t have to empty your portable AC as often.
If you live somewhere that isn’t particularly humid, you won’t have to empty it as frequently because the water in your AC is derived from the moist air in your home.
Most LG portable air conditioners can completely eliminate moisture from your house using the exhaust vent since the condensate evaporates as it comes into contact with the condenser coil. The vapor is subsequently expelled from your home via the exhaust hose.
This method is usually successful in eliminating water from the condensate tank of your portable AC. Only in moist conditions will the tank of your portable air conditioner need to be drained frequently.
Even if you reside in an arid climate, you should make it a practice to check your portable air conditioner’s tank at least once per month for indications of mold.
What if You Don’t Empty Your Portable Air Conditioner?
There are a few things that could happen if you do not empty your AC unit, and they are not nice. The most likely effect is that your portable AC unit will permanently break.
The good news is that most air conditioners feature a float switch that turns off the air conditioner if there is too much water inside. Whenever the AC unit’s tank is full, an alarm usually sounds to alert you to the issue. This way, you’ll be able to see when the tank needs to be emptied.
In any case, the tank has the potential to overflow, especially if your float switch fails. Although this might not seem dangerous, it could cause property damage.
Another factor to consider is the growth of mold in your AC unit. Mold growth is common in portable ACs that are not cleaned on a regular basis. If liquid is left in your portable AC’s tank, it forms a wet surrounding that is optimal for mold and mildew.
Why Do Portable AC Units Generate So Much Water?
In most cases, it isn’t a cause for concern if your AC unit creates a large amount of water.
It is natural for your AC to produce water, which is the mechanism by which it converts warm air into colder air. Dehumidification, which removes moisture from the air, operates in a similar way.
If your portable air conditioner is creating more water than usual, it’s likely that you reside in a more humid climate.
This can also be caused by internal factors like baking and bathing and external factors like humidity from somewhere outside your house.
Regardless of the source, cleaning up the extra water is always a good idea.
LG Portable AC — How to Set Up a Continuous Drain
The good news is that newer versions have an automated shutdown mechanism that will shut down your portable unit if it begins to overflow with condensate liquid. Nevertheless, you should not rely just on the sensor.
We will show you how to drain your LG AC unit with the most simple and convenient method possible. However, keep in mind to always disconnect all power to the equipment.
Remove Water With a Hose
There are two methods for removing the gathered water from an LG portable air conditioner.
The first is to connect a 10 mm inner diameter hose to the backside of your LG AC unit, ensuring that the open end of the hose leads either outside or to a collection pan. Excess water will flow through the hose when you operate the machine in dry or dehumidification mode.
The second alternative is to remove the drain cap from the unit’s bottom and tilt it backward. Because the water will spill out, make sure you have a shallow basin underneath your air conditioner. As you can expect, areas with higher humidity levels will necessitate more unit draining than dry areas. A typical draining time could be anywhere between several hours and several weeks.
Remove Water With a Condensate Pump
The next recommendation is to install a condensate pump. For your convenience, this sort of connection can remain attached to the unit. Furthermore, it is not required to be positioned at a specific angle since the pump will switch on and force the water away.
These pumps often have two hoses, one linked to the AC unit and the other to the pump, with the other side left open to drain the liquid outdoors. The condensate pump is likely the handiest option since it will begin to drain the collected water automatically once it reaches a particular level.
Remove Water in a Sink, Pan, or Bathtub
Before you begin, unplug the unit and turn off the power.
If you’re using a pan, place it immediately beneath the drain port in the back of your unit and allow the device to drain by removing the plug. Be aware that once the block has been removed, water will flow freely.
The procedure is the same whether you’re using a sink or a bathtub. After unplugging your unit, carefully transport it to a sink or bathtub. To prevent leaks, move carefully and keep it level at all times.
Keep in mind that your unit must be placed on a flat surface. Disconnect the drain plug and allow the device to drain once it is in place. Reconnect the drain plug, return the device to its proper placement, and plug it back in after it has finished draining.
Final Thoughts
One of the things you should know before purchasing a portable LG air conditioner is how to set up a continuous drain.
In addition to setting it up, knowing how to clean it and maintain its quality over time — as well as avoiding some other problems — is critical.
Keeping everything we’ve said above in mind, including how to drain, maintain, and clean your LG air conditioner, will ensure its longevity.
Also, keep in mind that cleaning and organizing is a habit, not a project!
FAQs
How Do You Use a Drain Hose on a Portable Air Conditioner?
Using a drain hose on your LG is a straightforward and convenient process. All you need to do is get a drain hose and connect it. The drain hose connects to the tank on one side and a drain on the other. The drain pipe automatically drains water from the condensate tank.
Is it Necessary to Fill a Portable Air Conditioner With Water?
A basic portable air conditioner does not need to be filled with water. If you already possess an evaporative portable room AC unit, you will need to replenish the reservoir with water and ice. As it lacks an exhaust vent, it cools the air via evaporation rather than condensation. It operates in a different manner than an air conditioner.
What Happens If Your Portable Air Conditioner Isn’t Drained?
You don’t have to worry about draining the water from a self-evaporative or gravity-drained portable air conditioner. Both types deal with it by evaporating or draining it. If your model has a water bucket, you must keep a close eye on it at all times. If the reservoir is not emptied on a regular basis, water can overflow and cause damage to your belongings.
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Last update 2022-07-06. Price and product availability may change.