I have a portable AC unit which run from about April ’til October. It has a reservoir that needs to be emptied about every 4 months, and even then, it’s about 2 tablespoons of water. How is this possible?

Question

I’ve had portable AC units before that had reservoirs which needed to be emptied a couple of times per day (constant use) and I’d have to dump a gallon of water out.

I don’t understand how this portable AC unit is able to function without moisture collecting in large amounts.

This is a portable, not a window-mount. It doesn’t drip water from the out-duct.

Additionally, about every 30 minutes it makes a sound that is very clearly ‘trickling water’. Not sure if that helps, but I’m trying to add as much info as possible.

I’m baffled

In: Engineering

Answer 1

Some AC units, pump the condensate, over the heat exchange coils. The cold condensate water, absorbs more heat as it evaporates, helping increase the overall efficiency. What doesn’t evaporate, is collected in the reservoir.