Automatic Drainage Via Hose
The best modern portable AC units dont have to be manually drained. The no drain portable air conditioners are automatically drained via the exhaust hose. As we have written before, there are no portable air conditioners without a hose .
Despite the no drain portable AC name, these units have to be drained. However, you dont have to do anything to drain them yourself.
The accumulated moisture is basically vaporized and expelled via the exhaust hose. If you measure the humidity levels of exhaust airflow in older units, you will see that you are expelling dry air . If you measure the humidity levels of these newer units, however, you will see that they expel hot and humid air .
These no drain portable air conditioners sound to good to be true. Thats why most future owners have two questions about them, namely:
Despite being new and more user-friendly as far as drainage goes, these units dont cost more. Its just the case of new technology replacing the older technology. You might see a $10-$50 increase in price tags of no drain portable air conditioners but thats a pretty insignificant price increase given how easier these units are to drain.
Other Features Included With Lg Air Conditioners
LG air conditioners may also end up lasting longer than other air conditioner models because they have such modern built-in features.
The inclusion of dual inverter technology, which makes air conditioners more energy-efficient and quiet, as well as SMART technologies such as mobile applications, Wi-Fi, and home assistant compatibility means that you will be at the forefront of innovative technologies if you buy one of these ACs.
Additionally, you will not have to upgrade your air conditioner as often to keep up with the latest technologies and features.
How To Drain Lg Portable Air Conditioner
Do portable air conditioners need to be drained? Certain conditions such as climate settings and usage may require you to drain the water tank if you live in an area where the weather is very humid for extended periods. Excess water may build up in the water collection tank too quickly to be recycled in very humid weather.
The tank may need to be drained often to remind you an FL indicator code will appear in and display when the water collection tank is full and needs to be drained.
To drain the condensing water from the collection tank, first, turn off the unit and unplug it from the wall outlet. Remove the vent hose assembly from the unit. The drain port is located on the back of the unit at the bottom. If the unit needs to be drained into a container, carefully lift the entire unit onto a firm and stable platform high enough to empty ate it into a container place under the drain plug.
Make sure the container can hold at least 28 ounces of water. To begin draining, turn the drain cap counterclockwise and remove it. Next, pull out the drain plug carefully. The water will start to drain. Remember to check and empty the container frequently to avoid overflows.
Once draining is complete, remove the container and use a towel or soft cloth to dry any wet areas. You can also move the unit to a location that has a floor drain or an outside area where water can be drained to avoid leakage. Be extremely careful when moving the unit with a full water collection tank.
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How To Drain An Lg Portable Air Conditioner
Draining your LG portable air conditioner should be done carefully and is critical for avoiding issues of overflowing, especially when moisture levels are high.
Portable air conditioners operate by extracting moisture from the air to efficiently cool a room down. Some units need moisture to operate but when the portable air conditioners water tank gets full, it needs to be emptied for the unit to continue operating accordingly.
For people with an LG portable air conditioner, LG has recommendations on how to safely go about draining the condensation water from the unit to keep it in good working condition. Following LGs guidelines will help owners of these portable units drain their tanks.
How To Drain Your Portable Ac Using A Condensate Pump

The condensate pump is another efficient tool to drain any portable air conditioner. Even though a condensate pump may be a bit costly, however, it has many advantages. Unlike hose-pipes, you can keep it connected to the AC unit.
This means you do not have to attach and detach it every time you need to drain your AC. Also, unlike hose-pipes, it does not need to be positioned downward or at a certain angle for drainage.
Condensate pumps can automatically turn on and pump the water out itself. The condensate pump operates using two pipes. One stays connected to the unit and the other to the pump. The other end is left open to drain the condensed water out in a container.
Most condensate pumps automatically drain water out of the portable ACs when the water level rises to a certain level in the interior tank.
Related reading: What To Do When Portable Air Conditioner Exhaust Hose Gets Hot?
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Where Is A Drain Hole Located On A Window Air Conditioner
The drain hole is located on the bottom of traditional window units and the side of modern units. The location varies depending on the drain hole type. When all the water needs to drain, the hole will be on the bottom of the unit. Otherwise, it will be on the side to prevent the unit from flooding.
As discussed, older units are meant to drain excess water from inside the unit. So, this requires a drain hole on the bottom of the unit. Otherwise, there would be water sitting in the unit until it rises high enough to drain.
On more modern units, youll find the drain hole on the side of the unit. Modern window air conditioners will collect the water in a pan and reuse it to keep the system from overheating. So, the drain hole is on the side in case the pan overflows with water.
Having the drain hole on the side makes sense for modern units as they reuse the water, but its important that you know where the drain hole is located. If your unit were to overflow, water would come out of the drain hole. So, you should place something under the hole to catch any excess water if it is going to drip inside of your window.
Whether its a modern or traditional setup, the drain hole will be small on any window air conditioner. They usually dont produce enough water to require a large hole. Because of this, it can be hard to find the drain hole, especially if its clogged, covered, or rusted.
How The Window Air Conditioner Operates
A window AC eliminates heat and moisture from a room while cooling the air to release into the room. It is fitted with a thermostat that can be preset to turn on the fan if the temperatures in the room exceed pre-determined levels.
The fan creates proper air circulation. It sucks room air into the unit and runs it through the cold refrigerant coils to cool it. The air is then dispersed into the room, lowering the temperature in the room. Once the temperatures fall to an acceptable level, the thermostat switches the fan off.
Air drawn into the AC contains moisture. As this air courses over the condenser coils, moisture condenses and collects in the pan as water droplets. If the condensate is left to accumulate, it can cause the unit to rust as it drains from the bottom or side. The condensate can also stagnate along the ground beneath the appliance, creating a breeding ground for mosquitos and other insects.
Newer window AC models have a slinger ring installed around the rear fan blade to improve efficiency. As the water accumulates on the pan, the ring propels it towards the condenser coils. The condensate cools the coils, which enhances the AC’s efficiency.
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Btu Window Air Conditioner
Out of Stock Free Shipping
- Estimated Cooling Area 450 Sq. Ft
- 3 Cooling and 3 Fan speeds with Auto Cool
- Automatically restarts after power failure
- Easy To Use Electronic Controls
- Window Installation Kit Included
Out of Stock Free Shipping
KEY FEATURES
- Estimated Cooling Area 450 Sq. Ft
- 3 Cooling and 3 Fan speeds with Auto Cool
- Automatically restarts after power failure
- Easy To Use Electronic Controls
- Window Installation Kit Included
- Estimated Cooling Area 450 Sq. Ft
- 3 Cooling and 3 Fan speeds with Auto Cool
- Automatically restarts after power failure
- Easy To Use Electronic Controls
- Window Installation Kit Included
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Why Does My Window Ac Have No Drain Hole
Not all window AC units have a drain hole. Lets talk about why that is and if you should be worried about it.
Do All Air Conditioners Have Drain Holes?
There are many different models of air conditioners: including portable, window units, and central air conditioners. Some dont have or need them, but as a rule, most modern window AC units have them.
Related Article Complete Guide To Window Air Conditioners
What Happens If the AC Has No Drain Hole?
If your find a window air conditioner no drain hole model, dont panic. If it is a new model, the AC unit is likely created in a way that does not need a drain hole. It may not have been built with one if it is an older model.
Advantages/Disadvantages Of ACs With No Drain Hole
Everything has advantages and disadvantages, including having an AC drain hole.
The advantages of not having a drain hole on your AC are that you may have a newer unit with self-evaporation abilities. This means you dont have to worry about cleaning your drain hole, and the unit is self-cleaning and evaporating.
However, this has disadvantages, such as having a unit that needs to be dumped when the AC drain pan fills up. If you live in a tropical place with a lot of humidity, you may have to empty this often, or it will overflow.
Related Article What to Do When AC Starts Leaking Water?
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Locate Your Drain Line
You can usually find this component at the back bottom of your unit. When you have a washing machine, then this should make it easy for you. With the drain line on the bottom, it is easy to discharge the water without flooding your room. This hose usually has a cap to prevent the water from flowing without your notice.
Casement Air Conditioners For Sliding And Crank
This style of air conditioner installs into a horizontal-sliding window or a crank-out window. Such models are more expensive than typical double-hung-window units, but they cost about as much as a good portable air conditioner and work more efficiently. The Frigidaire FFRS0822SE is one of the few widely available models we consistently see. It comes with everything you need for installation in a sliding window, though if youre installing it in a crank window, youll probably need to buy a piece of plexiglass.
Unfortunately, casement-window ACs dont actually fit into all slider or casement windows. The model we recommend needs an opening of about 15 inches across, 21 inches tall, and 24 inches deep. So if your windows are narrow or dont crank all the way open, you might have to go with a portable AC anyway a portable AC needs an opening of only about 6 inches across, 12 inches tall, and maybe 2 inches deep, so its a lot more flexible.
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Do All Window Air Conditioners Have Drain Holes
Not all window air conditioners have drain holes. In fact, most modern units dont come with one. These units work by reusing the water they would otherwise get rid of.
Traditionally, window air conditioners have drain holes that allow the water to drain, but most units made today do not. Thats because manufacturers have found a way to put the water to good use.
The water falls into a tray where it is stored until it is needed. Once it is needed, its slung onto the condenser.
This way, not only does the water keep the unit from overheating, but it also allows an otherwise wasted component of the design to be recycled.
Most modern units still have a fail-safe drain hole located on the side of the unit. However, its commonly plugged as these units are not meant to drain. So, your unit may have a drain hole, but it could be plugged in until it is needed.
How Often Do You Need To Drain The Air Conditioner

How often you need to drain an LG portable air conditioner unit varies depending on the temperature of the room it is operating in and the amount of moisture that needs to be extracted.
If the climate is very humid, you will have to drain the unit more often as high humidity means water is filling the unit at a rapid rate. Time between drainage can range from two to eight hours but varies based on the capacity of the portable unit.
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Draining Lg Lw5016 Air Conditioner
I have a LG LW5016 air conditioner. It is a room ac that is 5000 btu. It seems that water is building up inside of it. Is there a way I can drain it?
Usually if a window mount AC is not draining, then it is not installed properly. Typically these units need to be installed so the underside is level, or tilted so that the outside is slightly lower than the inside.
The drain hole might also be clogged, which can usually be cleared with a bit of compressed air or a pipe cleaner.
I could not easily find the manual for your unit, so I am unable to advise on the correct installation angle or the location of the drain hole. You should try to find the owners manual.
Edit: I found a copy of the manual:
The rear of the unit should be about a 1/4 inch lower than the front of the unit.
The unit also comes with a drain pipe you can install to drain the condensate faster if it doesn’t drain correctly by itself. Theoretically, you could just remove the cap and not install the little pipe, but the pipe is designed to carry the water away from the metal case and reduce corrosion.
Some air conditioners make use of the water the builds up in them to improve efficiency by slinging the water against the condenser. Some owner manuals even point this out, including the one for your model! You can download the manual from their website, but to quote:
Should You Remove The Drain Plug From A Window Air Conditioner
- Post published:January 23, 2022
- Post comments:
Disclosure: We may get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
A window air conditioner helps disperse and cleanse the air, reducing your exposure to indoor pollutants. Although advanced technology in making these air conditioners has done away with the need for a drain plug, most older models still have one. If your window AC has a drain plug, you may be wondering if you should remove it. We have done the research and shared our findings.
Ideally, you should not remove the drain plug from a window air conditioner. The plug is intended to be removed only for draining water to prepare the unit for storage, typically done by a technician. It can also be used as a method to channel water away from the unit.
Now that you are aware that you should not remove the drain plug from the window AC, you may also be interested in finding out how a window AC operates, how you can help the AC drain better, or even how to take care of your AC, so it serves you efficiently. Dive in as we will discuss all there here.
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Window Air Conditioner Drainage
It is important that your window air conditioner drains the water it collects when it extracts the humidity from the air inside a room.
If the unit does not drain this water, it will cause issues because the unit will not work efficiently, which will in turn, lead to unwanted complications with the internal parts of the unit. Water accumulated in the unit needs to be drained through what is called a drainage hole.
How To Use The Drain Plug To Manually Drain Your Lg Air Conditioner
Once you have located the drain plug for your LG air conditioner model, you will be able to drain your unit quite easily. However, before you remove this drain plug, there are a few preparation steps you should follow, such as:
- Ensure that your LG air conditioner is powered off and plugged out
- Ensure that you have a firm and stable platform to put your air conditioner on top of in order to fit the container underneath the drain port conveniently
- Ensure that you have a container without any holes to catch the moisture released when you open the drain plug
- Ensure that you have a towel to dry any spills and to dry the drain plug and hole after all of the moisture has drained out
Then, in the same way, you can unscrew the drain plug and remove the internal drain plug to drain the excess moisture in your LG air conditioners internal tank.
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