Many people do not realize that air conditioner condensate can be recycled. The condensation produced by most air conditioning systems is drained into the sewer, and the water is lost. Many people do not realize that this water, known as condensate, can be recycled for uses that do not involve human consumption. The most common household use is for watering house and garden plants. Recently, businesses and public buildings have been reducing their consumption of potable water by harvesting condensate on a large scale for uses other than drinking. Condensate Central air conditioning systems pull humid, warm air from a space and turn it into cool air that is blown back into the space. When this humid, warm air hits the refrigerated air on the coils of the system, the water vapor at the coils turns to liquid. In turn, this liquid must be drained away from the coils to prevent damage to the mechanical parts of the system or to prevent water damage to the structure around the air conditioner.

The amount of condensate produced by an air conditioner can range from 5 to 20 gallons per day for a house to millions of gallons per year for large structures such as apartment buildings, schools and businesses. Collection Barrel Virtually all air conditioning systems that produce condensate have some sort of drain line. In a home, this is usually a hose that drains from near the coils on the system. Typically, this hose flows into a floor drain, sewer line or simply outside into the yard. A simple way to recycle this condensate in a home is to have the drain line run into a rainwater barrel or other storage container. Given that the system can produce up to 20 gallons of water a day, this can be a significant recycling of water. A drain line into a barrel, however, must be monitored and used regularly to ensure that the barrel does not overflow and cause water damage. Condensate Pump Sometimes a condensate pump is needed to drain the water to a particular location if the condensate water needs to flow uphill.

For example, if the condensate drains into a basement, a condensate pump will be needed to pump the water up and out of the basement and into the yard or wherever it is needed. Some will use this pump to drain the water directly into an irrigation system to water gardens, trees and other plants. There are many types of pumps available to accommodate the needs of the consumer, and these pumps can be easy to install and use. where to buy cheap window ac unitsCommercial Condensate Harvesting Some businesses and public buildings are recycling condensate on a large scale. ac unit buyThis becomes almost a necessity in areas hard-hit by droughts or access to water is difficult. ac power supply how it worksFor example, city officials in Houston, Texas, are using vast storage tanks and pumps to harvest condensate from public buildings.

At Rice University alone, it is estimated that up to 12 million gallons of water can be recycled annually. The condensate is most commonly harvested for use in power plant cooling towers that would otherwise use tap water. Care is needed if condensate is to be used for drinking or washing as it can harvest bacteria and will need treating. References Alliance for Water Efficiency: Condensate Water IntroductionASHRAE: AHU Condensate Collection Economics: A Study of 47 U.S. CitiesRWL Water Group: Drought Lessons: Harvesting Water From Air Conditioning UnitsWater Pumps for Garden Needs: The Usefulness of Condensate Removal PumpsKUHF Houston Public Radio: Reusing Air Conditioning Condensation To Save WaterEnvironmental Leader: Air Conditioning Condensate Recovery Photo Credits Comstock/Comstock/Getty ImagesA portable AC  is a small mobile air conditioner, unlike a window AC or split AC, but without any permanent installation required. All of our portable air conditioners are between 29" and 34" tall and weigh between 65 and 80 pounds.

Portable air conditioners also work well in apartment situations where a window unit is unacceptable.  See below for answers to some of the most common portable air conditioner questions we get from customers:   No, these are not the same.  Air coolers, also known as evaporative coolers or swamp coolers, use water and evaporation to cool. Generally, air coolers lower ambient temperatures by 10-20 degrees. Portable air conditioners use a compressor and coolant to cool and are much more effective in cooling rooms and for keeping the humidity low. Portable ACs extract hot air, and this hot air has to be vented. If the hot air isn't vented, the portable air conditioner will not be able to cool a room effectively. Window and venting kits are always included with portable air conditioners at no extra cost. For more information on venting, click here.You can also vent a portable AC through a wall vent, into the attic or drop ceiling, or even around a door - you're only limited by your creativity!

For information on venting portable AC systems through casement windows, click here.A portable air conditioner's exhaust hose is generally between 5 and 7 feet long and is made of high quality, flexible plastic. The plastic window kit simply is cut to fit almost any slider or up and down window in your home - up to 4 feet. The window is then closed against the window kit to seal the air from the outside, the exhaust hose then is fit through a small cutout in the window attachment. Installation takes about 5 minutes and this allows for easy portability from window to window. For windows larger than 4 feet, simply purchase extra Plexiglass or Styrofoam at the local hardware store. As mentioned earlier, for unique window situations such as casement (crank-out) windows, a little creativity is all that is needed.All portable air conditioners come with the standard hose length of 5-7 feet. If you need a longer hose, these can be easily found at a local hardware store. It is a good idea to avoid hose lengths over 12 feet or 90 degree bends.

You can also vent through the dryer hose as long as the hose diameter is 5" or more and the outdoor venting flap is removed. All portable air conditioners produce condensation as they are cooled. This water is then contained in an internal water reservoir or drained through a hose. On all of our models, this water reservoir has an auto shutoff feature so that water is never accidentally spilled onto the ground. With the unit off, the water is easily emptied into a drip pan. You can also gravity drain the portable AC by connecting a hose to the connection on the reservoir. Portable ACs are able to provide effective cooling with minimal water usage, making them one of the most efficient systems on the market. Energy Efficiency Rating (EER) is a standard measure of efficiency for comparing appliances and the cost of operation. The higher the EER, the more energy efficient the air conditioner. Any rating of 10 or more is considered excellent. By cooling only one room, portable air conditioners can save you a considerable amount of money on your monthly electric bill.