How To Insulate A Portable Air Conditioner Exhaust Hose?

A portable air conditioner exhaust hose insulation is required to increase the air conditioner’s efficiency by insulating the exhaust hose and allowing heat not to dissipate inside the room.

Usually, portable air conditioners are of two types – dual hose and single hose units. Both air conditioner types have a hose that vents the room’s warm air outside.

What You Need to Know About Portable Air Conditioner Exhaust Hose Insulation

Most air conditioners have exhaust hoses that are made of thin plastic. While taking in heat and expelling it outside, the exhaust hose gets incredibly warm. As the exhaust hose gets warmer and warmer, some of the heat is radiated back into the home, disrupting cooling speed and making the room hotter.

By insulating the hose, the problem of heat radiation can be easily avoided. The radiation can be significantly minimized by covering the exhaust hose with a duct tape insulator or sleeve cover. Most AC exhaust hose covers are easy to install.

Also, they can be removed for washing when required. All it takes are some supplies from the hardware store, and it can be installed in no time. No technical skills are necessary to set up the portable air conditioner exhaust hose insulation.

 

Should I Insulate Portable Air Conditioner Hose?

Yes, you should insulate your portable AC exhaust cause to avoid heat transfer from the hot hose back to the air in your room.

The single hose air conditioner has one hose through which the warm air is ventilated outwards. In contrast, the dual hose air conditioner contains two hoses – one to expel air and another to bring in cool air from outside.

Keeping the single hose air conditioner running for long hours has repercussions. The exhaust hose gets so warm that it dissipates heat and does not allow the air conditioner to optimally cool the room. This is where insulation comes to the rescue. Insulating the temperature blocks the heat radiation, which makes it easier to cool down the room.

So, if you are using a portable air conditioner and wondering why your room is getting cooled as expected or experiencing some sort of heat induction in your room instead of cooling, the possible answer is overheating your portable AC exhaust hose.

Is It Safe to Use a Portable Air Conditioner without an Exhaust Hose Insulation?

Yes, it is perfectly safe and acceptable for people who do not want to use an insulator for their air conditioner exhaust hose.

In that case, the best option is to find a portable air conditioner that is compatible with the size of the room. Portable air conditioners struggle in cooling when placed in a larger space for which they are not intended.

Also, they might not suffice extreme temperatures and fail to deliver optimal cooling by making the exhaust hose incredibly hot. For such scenarios, the best option is to use an exhaust hose insulation method to minimize the heat. Until and unless there is no problem with exhaust hose heating issues, it is perfectly safe to use a portable AC without exhaust hose insulation.

If you are not planning to use an exhaust hose insulation cover, the best option is to go for a dual hose portable air conditioner. It drastically reduces the heat of the exhaust to a great extent. However, if the exhaust hose affects the cooling, it is better to get an exhaust hose insulator.

How To Insulate a Portable Air Conditioner Exhaust Hose?

Before installing a portable air conditioner exhaust hose cover, it is best to know how to do so and what to be careful about. There are three ways to do so.

First, you have to remove the exhaust hose from the air conditioner. After removal, keep it on an even surface, keeping the hose stretched. Next, from one end to the other, wrap a thermal tape thoroughly for insulation.

Use a plastic food wrap to wrap the entire hose above the thermal wrap. Use your fingers to smooth the wrap onto the hose. Use duct tape to seal the front and back so that the wrap is firmly attached to the hose. Connect the hose to the AC unit.

Take out the hose from the end of the AC unit. Slip a dryer exhaust hose over the AC hose. Push it all the way down so that it covers the AC hose. Reattach the hose to the AC unit.

Place the end of the dryer exhaust hose against the AC unit where the AC hose is seated. Use duct tape to seal the end of the dryer exhaust hose to secure it to the air conditioner.

Measure the air conditioner exhaust hose. Measure the diameter of the exhaust hose, and according to the measurement, purchase a flexible duct. Cut a hole through the wall bearing in mind the measurements of the duct. Place the vent in the wall.

Use a foam spray to spray on the sides of the duct on the outside and inside the house. Take the exhaust hose and place it in the duct. Lastly, use foil duct tape to seal the end of the hose to the sides of the duct.

Types of Insulation For Portable Air Conditioner Hose

As portable air conditioners vary in size and features, so do portable air conditioner exhaust hose covers for insulation. There are several products from which people can choose. However, what is essential is the type of portable AC insulation.

There are two types of AC exhaust hose insulation:

• sleeve cover
• spiral duct wrap

Universal Sleeve Cover (De’Longhi Insulated Hose Cover)

De’Longhi Insulated Hose Cover for Portable Air Conditioners (Universal), DLSA003CHECK CURRENT PRICE

Universal sleeve covers are a type of portable air conditioner exhaust hose insulation for people who want to use temporary insulation. Most universal sleeves are made of fabric, and that is why the covers are washable.

The De’Longhi Insulated Hose Cover is one such insulation type that effectively minimizes heat and is efficient in ensuring cooling. The AC exhaust hose insulation is  60-inch long and 6-inch in diameter, which adheres to most AC exhaust hoses in the market.

The material is made of fabric and can be washed when required. They are cheap and easier to install than other exhaust hose insulation types. Furthermore, they are also effective in managing the noise of the exhaust hose. Covering the exhaust hose with the De’Longhi Insulated Hose Cover will drastically cut down the exhaust hose noise.

However, keep in mind to measure the diameter of your exhaust hose and buy an insulation cover, i.e., one inch larger than the hose. Unlike duct insulation, a universal sleeve cover does not spoil the room’s aesthetics and is incredibly easy to install.

Before choosing fibrous insulators, remember that they can be harmful to health. It dispels harmful particles in the air, which can severely affect the respiratory system of people, especially children. It is best to be knowledgeable about the material of the insulator when buying it.

Spiral Duct Wrap (Reflectix)

Reflectix DW1202504 Spiral Duct WrapCHECK CURRENT PRICE

Another type of air conditioner exhaust hose cover is the spiral duct wrap. It can be wrapped around the exhaust hose to avoid heat from radiating. The Reflectix Spiral Duct Insulation is a popular product of this type.

It has multiple layers made of insulating bubbles and polyethylene to obstruct the heat from getting out. Even though it is a bit more expensive than sleeve covers, Reflectix consists of two highly reflective layers with a 96 percent reflectivity rate.

The product is simple to install in an exhaust hose. Unlike sleeve covers, it does not require the exhaust hose to be taken off from the air conditioner.  Also, using the foil tape above will provide stiffness and increase the effectiveness of the spiral duct wrap.

It has a clean appearance and functions most efficiently if cut in sections and wrapped instead of wrapping it all together.

Both types of insulation have their advantages and disadvantages. However, the disadvantages of sleeve covers outweigh those of spiral duct wraps. Furthermore, users have opted more for the spiral duct wrap than they have for sleeve covers. So, if you are willing to spend a few extra bucks and can get along with the design, the best option to go for is the spiral duct wrap.

Conclusion

Insulating the exhaust hose is a great way to increase efficiency and get the most out of the portable air conditioner. It does not matter whether you are using the portable air conditioner exhaust hose insulation sleeve or spiral duct wrap.

As long as the insulation for the portable air conditioner hose matches your portable AC exhaust hose and fits your preferences, you are all good to go.