Using a portable A/C in sunroom

Hi all

I am hoping to use my sunroom as a home office. As one might expect, its pretty cold in the winter and really hot in the summer.

I know the 'right thing' to do is to replace the old jalousie windows with something more energy efficient and add insulation. I don't have the budget for that right now.

So, the plan is to put plastic over the windows in the winter and use a space heater when working.

In the summer, I may or may not put plastic up as well. My plan is to use a portable AC (I already own, from previous home).

The window adapter it shipped with wont work with jalouise style windows. So, my plan was to install a dryer vent and hook the hose to that. The issue is the exhaust. The hose that came with the unit is not the standard 4" diameter that you'd find at home depot--its a little over 5".

Any suggestions on what I can use? Ideally, I'd want something in the wall that I can plug up in the winter (maybe stuff insulation in it?) then open and attach rolling AC exhaust duct to it in summer...

 

If the unit is a single hose unit that is the real problem. They are inefficient and do not cool well. You need a two hose model. The one hose model pumps some of your just cooled air back outside to cool the evaporator and in the process draws in warm air. A two hose model uses the second hose to blow outside air over the condenser therefore you keep the almost all the cooled air.

The panes of glass in the jalousie window can be removed. In this case probably just the bottom two would be enough. Replace the glass with ¼" plywood. Cut a hole in the plywood for the adapter panel and screw the adapter panel to the plywood. A fancier way would be to use ¼" Plexiglass instead of plywood.

Edit: Added picture shows an awning window so my suggestion won't work.

 

Thanks for reply!

Maybe jalouise window is incorrect term? They are "standard size" windows with three panels that swing up and out.

I saw some videos with smaller louvre style, but these are a bit different. Unsure if removing bottom pane is still an option?

 

Yes, those windows will be a problem. If you are serious about this project I would do two things.

1. Get a two hose portable air conditioner. Most big box retailers do not sell them so you may have to special order it or buy it online. They are much more efficient and (yes, it's efficiency) they work much better. A single hose unit is always blowing air out of your room/home and that means that hot air from outside must leak inside. So, not only are you paying for that inefficiency but it means that you are paying to suck hot, humid air into the room.

2. I would consider installing ports through the wall for your two hoses. This would allow you to retain your pretty windows and use your portable AC in a more "permanent" fashion. There are no off the shelf kits but there are large diameter vents that work perfectly. You will not find them at big box centers but they can be easily ordered online.

 

Those are called awning windows.

If you are a bit creative you can make a piece from plywood that would fit between the (partially) opened window and the bottom of the frame. Add in tapered pieces on the sides, use rubber weatherstripping on the edges and then cut holes for the two ducts through the plywood. The whole assembly could be made to lift out and be stored when you want to close the window. It WILL be a custom job with lots of careful measuring and fitting required but it is not impossible. Cutting two holes through the wall might be far easier and actually less expensive.

And definitely go with a dual-duct portable, the single duct models are not worth the powder to blow them up.

Also, be forewarned that the portables ARE noisy simply because all the mechanicals are inside the house.

 

Forget my first suggestion. Those are not jalousie windows as I know them. They are awning windows.