On this page
- The part list is model specific
- Three terms that decide the parts
- Window unit parts: panels, seals and brackets
- Portable unit parts: hose, adapters and window slider kit
- Foam seals: small parts with a clear job
- Brackets and screws: support, security and mounting
- Filters, drain parts and remote controls
- A simple check before you install
- Which to choose
- Questions people ask
The part list is model specific
Room air conditioners do not ship with one universal box of parts. A window unit needs parts that hold it in the window and seal the sides. A portable unit needs parts that carry exhaust air out of the room. The maker's part list for the exact model is the only reliable list, because two units of the same type can differ in brackets, seals, hose adapters and filters. The terms below are the ones that appear most often in those lists. For a wider vocabulary, see the room air conditioner terms glossary.
Three terms that decide the parts
A window kit is the general name for the parts that fill a window opening around a portable hose or a window unit. A slider kit is the portable version, with bars that extend across the window and a cutout for the hose adapter. Accordion panels are the window-unit version, folding out from the cabinet to the window frame. The term in the manual tells you which parts to expect in the box, and it also tells you which sealing parts should be there with them.
Window unit parts: panels, seals and brackets
Window air conditioners commonly include side panels or accordion panels, a top rail, foam seals and screws. The Midea manual for the MAW06R1WWT-T lists a top rail, left and right accordion panels, window sash seal foam and screws. Those parts fill the gap between the cabinet and the window frame and hold the cabinet in place. The LG manual for the LW1022FVSM lists two heatproof foam pieces, an L bracket and a support bracket. The foam sits between the window sashes, while the brackets steady the unit in the window. For more on bracket types, see L brackets and support brackets on a window AC.
| Part | What it does |
|---|---|
| Accordion side panel | Fills the space between the cabinet and the window frame. |
| Top rail | Provides a mounting point on top of the cabinet. |
| Window sash seal foam | Seals the gap at the window sash. |
| L bracket | Helps hold the unit securely in place. |
| Support bracket | Secures to the inner window sill. |
| Heatproof foam | Inserted between the upper and lower window sash. |
Portable unit parts: hose, adapters and window slider kit
A portable AC box centers on the exhaust path. The Whynter ARC-102CS manual lists an exhaust hose, an adapter to the unit, an adapter to the window, a window slider kit, foam seals A, B and C, a security bracket with two screws, a drain hose and an activated carbon filter. The ARC-1030WN series uses a hose-in-hose assembly, window sliders A, B and C, foam seals, a security bracket, a drain hose adaptor, a remote control, a washable filter and a carbon filter. The hose carries hot air to the window, and the slider kit holds the hose end in the window opening. For the difference between one hose and two, see single-hose vs dual-hose portable ACs.
| Part | What it does |
|---|---|
| Exhaust hose | Carries hot air from the unit to the window. |
| Hose adapter | Connects the hose to the unit or to the window slider. |
| Window slider kit | Holds the hose end in a hung or sliding window. |
| Foam seal A or B | Adhesive seal for the window frame. |
| Foam seal C | Non-adhesive seal for the gap between sashes or panes. |
| Security bracket | Optional bracket with screws for the window kit. |
| Drain hose | Used for gravity drainage of collected water. |
| Carbon filter | A filter for smoke and odors, per Whynter. |
Foam seals: small parts with a clear job
Foam seals are easy to overlook, but they close the gaps that the window kit leaves. Whynter manuals separate adhesive seals A and B from a non-adhesive seal C. The adhesive strips attach to the window frame, and the non-adhesive strip goes between the glass and the frame or between the sashes. Whynter says seal C keeps outside air from coming in, and LG says its heatproof foam improves the cooling capability of the unit. For a closer look at the window kit, see sealing gaps in the window kit.
Brackets and screws: support, security and mounting
Brackets in the box have different jobs. An L bracket helps hold a window unit securely in place, and a support bracket attaches to the inner window sill. A portable unit's security bracket is a separate part that can be screwed to the window frame to steady the window kit. Screws come with those brackets, and the manual states where each type goes. Do not substitute parts from another model unless the manual allows it. The maker's installation instructions and the owner's manual give the requirements for your unit. For window types, see which window types take a window air conditioner.
Filters, drain parts and remote controls
Filters are part of the box, even when they are already fitted inside the unit. Whynter manuals list a washable filter and a carbon filter, and the carbon filter is described as a part for smoke and odors. LG's window manual describes removing the air filter for cleaning, with a Clean Filter light as a reminder. A drain hose appears in portable part lists for gravity drainage, and the hose must run straight down for water to leave the unit. Some portables also include a remote control and batteries. For filter care, see how to clean a room air conditioner filter. For drain parts, see drain plugs and water trays.
A simple check before you install
Unpack on a flat surface and compare the contents with the part list in the manual. Set aside the window parts, the seals, the brackets and screws, the hose and adapters, the drain hose and the filters. Read the part names in the manual before discarding any bag, because small screws and foam strips are easy to lose. If a part is missing, contact the maker or the point of purchase named in the manual. For the first week of use, see first week with a new room AC.
Which to choose
| If you | Look for |
|---|---|
| If you have a double-hung window and a portable AC | Look for a window slider kit, foam seals A, B and C, and a hose adapter that fits the slider. |
| If you have a window unit | Look for accordion panels or side panels, a top rail, sash seal foam and the listed brackets. See sealing the sides of a window AC. |
| If the box includes an L bracket and a support bracket | Check the manual for where each bracket goes, because they are not interchangeable. |
| If you want fewer gaps around the window kit | Check that foam seals are included and that the manual names adhesive and non-adhesive strips. |
| If you plan to use dry mode on a portable | Check for a drain hose and read the gravity drain note. See how a portable AC handles water. |
| If you have a sliding door | Check that the window kit can fit the opening and that a security bracket is included. See venting a portable AC through a sliding door. |
Questions people ask
Does every room AC include a window kit?
No. Window units use side panels or accordion panels and seals, while portable units use a window slider kit and hose adapters. The exact contents depend on the model, so check the maker's part list.
Are foam seals always included?
Many portable and window manuals list foam seals, but the number and type vary. Whynter lists adhesive seals A and B and a non-adhesive seal C; LG lists heatproof foam; Midea lists window sash seal foam.
What is a security bracket?
It is a bracket with screws that can steady a portable unit's window kit. Whynter manuals list it as an optional part for the window frame.
Why is a drain hose in the box?
Portable units collect water. A drain hose allows gravity drainage, and the manual says it must run straight down.
Is a remote control always included?
No. Some Whynter portables list a remote control and batteries, but the part list for your model is the authority.
Can parts from another model be used?
Only if the maker's instructions allow it. Brackets, seals and adapters are shaped for a specific cabinet or window kit.