How to Make Portable Air Conditioner Window Seals Attractive
We may be nearing the end of summer, but sweltering temperatures show no sign of subsiding. July marked the hottest month ever for the contiguous United States,* and the August forecast only predicts more major-to-extreme heat risks.
It’s certainly not time, therefore, to put any air conditioning units back into storage, or too late to invest if you haven’t already. And if the one thing holding you back is worrying about the aesthetics, our HVAC experts are on hand to advise.
Here, they share how to make portable air conditioner window seals look more attractive − to keep your home cool without compromising on style.
Latest Videos FromHomes and Gardens
1. Purchase the Right Kit for Your Specific Window Style
The right kit for your window will blend better with your space.
(Image credit: Future / PAUL MASSEY)
‘The biggest thing,’ says Josh Mitchell, HVAC Expert and Founder of AirConditionerLab, ‘is to start with the right window kit. A lot of ugly portable AC installations happen because someone is trying to make a standard slider kit work in a window it really wasn’t designed for.’
For normal single- or double-hung windows, Josh suggests a rigid adjustable panel. ‘When it’s measured and fitted correctly, it can look almost like part of the window instead of an add-on,’ he explains. ‘If the manufacturer allows the panel to be trimmed, take the time to cut it to the actual opening. Fewer overlapping pieces and seams make a big visual difference.’
If your portable air conditioner didn’t (or doesn’t) come with this sealing plate, this Portable Air Conditioner Window Kit can be purchased separately at Amazon. Alternatively, the EUHOMY Portable Air Conditioner, also available at Amazon, comes with everything you need for installation, and is a portable AC unit we’ve previously tested and recommended.
Unfortunately, casement or crank-out windows tend to be tougher. ‘For those, I really like the idea of having a clear acrylic or polycarbonate insert cut to fit the window, with a properly sized opening for the exhaust hose,’ he adds. ‘A local glass or plastics shop can usually make one.
‘It costs a little more than a fabric zipper-style window seal, but the finished installation can look dramatically better, and you don’t lose the entire view through the window.’
2. Use Weatherstripping to Close Small Gaps
Use weatherstripping to fill small gaps.
(Image credit: Future / Jon Day Photography)
Another simple trick is to use weatherstripping to weatherproof your windows and portable air conditioning unit.
‘Weatherstripping also makes a difference,’ says Josh. ‘Instead of stuffing foam into visible gaps or covering everything with duct tape, use thin compressible weatherstripping behind the window panel where you can’t see it.
‘Frost King Vinyl Foam Weatherseal (available at Walmart) is a good example. It helps close small gaps but mostly disappears once everything is installed.’
If you have a visible seam that needs sealing, clear weatherseal tape, such as the Frost King Clear Plastic Weatherseal Tape, recommended by Josh and available at Amazon, is preferable to silver duct tape.
‘It works well for this kind of thing,’ he adds. ‘The key is using as little as necessary and putting it on straight. Wrinkled clear tape isn’t much prettier than wrinkled duct tape.’
3. Don’t Forget About the Exhaust Hose
Place your unit close to the window to prevent the hose from snaking through your space.
(Image credit: Getty Images / onurdongel)
As Ross Palfrey, Owner at Harry’s Home Comfort, highlights, while many people focus on the window, the hose is actually what often makes a setup look cluttered.
‘Placing the unit closer to the window helps keep the hose straight instead of looping across the room,’ he says. ‘It looks tidier and can also help the unit run more efficiently,’ helping to cool down a room faster.
Josh agrees, adding, ‘You can have the nicest window seal in the world and ruin the whole effect with six feet of hose wandering across the room. Keep the portable AC reasonably close to the window and arrange the hose according to the manufacturer’s installation requirements.’
4. Vent Through a Wall Instead
If you have the means, consider permanent air conditioning instead.
(Image credit: Getty Images / onurdongel)
This won’t be a viable option for everyone, particularly renters, but if you’re able to install a more permanent air conditioner type, venting through a wall keeps your windows free.
‘If you own the house and the portable AC is going to live in the same place every summer, there’s also the more permanent option: Vent it through an exterior wall,’ suggests Josh. ‘A properly installed wall vent eliminates the window contraption entirely and can look much cleaner.’
However, as Josh advises, this is something you should have professionally evaluated. ‘You don’t want to start cutting holes through an exterior wall without knowing what’s inside it or accidentally restrict the airflow the AC requires,’ he adds.
5. Take Your Time Over the Installation
Taking your time over installation will ensure your portable air conditioner looks its best.
(Image credit: Future / BRENT DARBY PHOTOGRAPHY LIMITED)
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, don’t rush the installation, especially if you want to avoid making any costly HVAC mistakes.
‘Measure carefully, hide the weatherstripping, minimize seams, and resist the temptation to reach for cardboard, towels, spray foam, and duct tape,’ says Josh. ‘Those things may save you on a 95-degree afternoon, but nobody is going to mistake them for interior design.’
What to Shop
If you’re still struggling in the heat, I’ve rounded up six top-rated cooling essentials below. Whether you’re looking to cool a room with fans or invest in a portable air conditioning unit, you can trust that these recommendations will keep you comfortable before fall weather sets in.
All prices were correct at the time of publication.
Shark FlexBreeze 2-in-1 Fan
This has continuously been rated as our best fan, and now comes with a misting attachment. The clever 2-in-1 design can be used both as a pedestal or tabletop fan, and indoors and outside.
BLACK+DECKER Portable Air Conditioner
This unit is a portable air conditioner, fan, and dehumidifier. It comes with a full-function remote control and features a top-mounted control panel with an LED display for easy and convenient customization and adjustment.
Shark Flexbreeze Hydrogo Pro
This smaller fan is the one I’m currently planning on investing in. It efficiently lowers temperatures by up to five degrees, boasts up to 70 feet of power, 29 hours of battery life, and has five speeds to choose from.
DREO MC710S Air Purifier Tower Fan
We rated this as our best air-purifying tower fan. ‘It’s big, powerful, and uses one of the best appliance apps we’ve ever seen,’ said our Expert Tester and Former Home Tech Editor Dan Fauzi.
This DREO tower fan is affordable and ultra-efficient. The 90° oscillation ensures the whole room is covered and cooled, while the included Sleep Mode keeps you comfortable and helps you to sleep better.
Honeywell Turbo Force Power Small Table Fan
This small tabletop fan delivers maximum air circulation and airflow that can be felt 30 feet away. The compact, portable size is designed for easy placement on tables, desks, or shelves.
Meet the Experts
Josh is an experienced HVAC Technician and Owner of Air Conditioner Lab, an online resource on heating, cooling, and energy efficiency. Josh focuses on enhancing indoor air quality, reducing energy use, and addressing heating and cooling challenges. Through reviews, guides, and tips, Josh and his team provide information on HVAC systems, air purifiers, and other home comfort products.
Ross is the Owner of Harry’s Home Comfort. He specializes in HVAC installation and home energy efficiency and has helped over 10,000 homeowners improve comfort and costs.
For cooling in a pinch, try your hand at making a DIY air conditioner.
Love the latest product news and helpful shopping advice? Sign up for our newsletter and get the latest features delivered straight to your inbox.
*Data from CBS News.
