There are times that a room or space needs to be cooled, and there are no windows to install a window mounted unit.
When this happens, there are a few options depending on your budget and HVAC skill set.
Let’s take a look at a few options for how to cool a room that has no windows.
Can You Put an Air Conditioner in a Room With No Windows?
Yes, an air conditioner can be placed in a room with no windows.
Portable units and HVAC systems called mini split are widely used to cool a room without a window or with no vents to the outside.
More details are below on the three best options to cool a room without any windows.
What Air Conditioner Can I Use Without a Window?
The main options to cool a room without a window include portable units or a mini split.
Portable units are the easiest to install and can be evaporation or air conditioner units.
Evaporative units use water to cool and only work in dry climates. When it is humid evaporative cooler will not work.
Portable air conditioners are also available but will use a small 5-7 inch hose to pump air into another room or similar.
Mini split units are likely the best option but will require refrigerant lines to run from the inside unit to the outside unit.
The refrigerant lines, called a line-set, require a 3-4 inch hole to be run outside.
The line-set can be run to a roof or into the attic and fed out to different locations.
This makes mini split units used by most HVAC companies to install air conditioning in a windowless room.
3 Options for an Air Conditioner for a Room Without a Window
- Mini Split Systems
- Portable Units
- Cut Out a Hole (Not recommended)
For a professional installation of an HVAC system into a windowless room, a Mini split system is the best option.
They do require more knowledge to install than a package window unit but are much more efficient, quiet, and long-term HVAC solutions.
They are called mini split since the two main components of the system, the evaporator coil and condenser, are separated.
A copper line-set is run between the two components taking heat with it.
Most mini split units also heat pumps, so they will both cool in the summer and heat in the winter.
While it is suggested that a professional be hired to install a mini split, there are DIY kits that are sold that allows anyone to install a unit.
Read here for more on a Do-It-Yourself Mini Split install.
Portable cooling units are also an option.
There are two types of portable units evaporative and standard air conditioning type units.
Evaporative type units work well when there is no humidity. They also don’t need an opening to the outside, making them ideal in dry climates.
Air conditioner portable units require a vent hose to be fed outside to pump out hot air.
The vent hose can be fed out a door or even up to the ceiling but will require a 5-7 inch hole.
Both type types of units have their advantages and disadvantages depending on the scenario.
Read Here for more on portable units for rooms with no window.
A hole can be cut out, and a window mounted A/C unit installed.
This is not professional and often makes a home look a bit shanty, but it does work.
A professional HVAC person would install a Mini Split system and not bother with a window-type unit.
It still is quite common as it is straight to the point that most anyone can understand.
I cant suggest anyone do this, but we all have been short on money, and what doesn’t work for one person may work for another.
How Can I Cool Down a room with No Windows?
The two main options for cooling a room with no windows are portable air conditioners or installing a mini split system.
For quick temporary relief, a portable air conditioner would likely be best.
For a long-term solution installing a mini split is the best option.
Summary
There are several different methods for cooling a room with no windows.
The best option is to install a Mini Split unit which is the way a professional HVAC person will suggest it be done.
Portable units are also an option, although unless you live in a dry climate, a hose attachment will still need to be run outside.
With the many different methods and styles of A/C units, there is no doubt at least one way that will fit your budget and keep a room cool.
Since there are so many variables to take into consideration, often the best solutions can be found reading reviews on Amazon or in the forums to see what others have done and how it worked for them.