It's nothing new to find a room without windows, but they often come with a common downside: lack of air circulation. Without proper airflow, heat gets trapped in the space, making it harder to maintain temperature. In this case, how can you cool a windowless room, and what units work for them? We've looked up these questions and summed up the answers in this post!
You can cool a room without windows through several methods, such as installing an air conditioning unit. Air conditioners come with portable and ductless options that work without requiring windows. Other ways to cool the room include using fans or switching out lights.
Although ventless air conditioners are a popular solution to cooling windowless rooms, it's crucial to weigh down the options to pick the best unit for your space! Keep reading as we delve into how to cool a room without windows and the types of air conditioners you can choose from.
Can You Cool A Room With No Windows?
Yes, you can still cool a windowless room. When a room has no windows, it's difficult for hot air to circulate or exit, causing the room to feel warmer than those with windows.
Cooling the room requires using different devices or appliances that produce cold air while pushing or transferring warm air outside. You can also lower the room temperature by being more mindful of electricity use within the room.
How To Keep Windowless Rooms Cold
Windows help with improving air quality through better air circulation and quicker cooling. However, not all rooms will have space for a window. So, how can you cool the room?
Here are a couple of tips on cooling a room with no windows:
Install Ductless Or Portable Air Conditioners
Most experts recommend ductless and portable air conditioning units to cool rooms without windows. These let you enjoy the benefits of having regular air conditioners without going through the hassle of duct installation.
These are also easier to add to a windowless room because they require less work to install. Through these types of air conditioners, the room will be able to cool effectively while maintaining controlled humidity levels.
Some variants may require you to vent them outside, but you can usually do this even without a window.
Make Use Of Fans
Next to air conditioning units, fans are a great way to cool and improve airflow in a room with no windows. In addition to having a wide variety available, you can strategically place them around the room for better results.
Read this post for a few of the top cooling fans: 8 Best Fans That Blow Cold Air
One way is by angling two fans to push cooler air within the home towards the room without windows or push hot air outside. For better air circulation, install a ceiling fan with them or in conjunction with an air conditioning unit.
If you have a bathroom with an exhaust fan, turning it on and leaving the door open can help pull and release heat. However, this method will only work if the temperature indoors is higher than outdoors. It would be better to try this during winter or cooler seasons.
Switch Out Your Lights
Replacing your light bulbs makes a big difference in room temperature and power consumption. Based on this lighting comparison by Energy Saver, LED lighting brings the most advantages in terms of operation.
Experts tend to suggest turning off lights to achieve cooler temperatures. But unlike other bulbs, LED lights don't give off heat, so you can keep them on without worrying about your room getting warmer!
Turn Off Appliances
Like some lights, electrical appliances emit heat when on or in use. Although a single device cannot warm a room alone, having all your appliances opened at once affects the overall temperature.
And so, it helps to keep your appliances turned off unless you need to use them, avoid using too many products at once, and take out heat-inducing devices from the room.
Try The Ice Cube Trick
A quick, cost-effective method you can try involves using ice and a fan. To start, you'll need to place a lot of ice in a large bowl (preferably a lower, wider one).
Adjust the fan to ensure it points toward the direction you want, and set the bowl in front of it. Be sure the bowl is high enough for the fan to blow through.
The goal is to create a makeshift air conditioner by having the fan blow cool air from the ice throughout the room. But keep in mind that this method is temporary and will not be as effective once the ice melts.
Types Of Air Conditioners For Windowless Rooms
Owning a good air conditioner keeps you comfortable even without windows around. Windowless options usually come in variants that are portable or require installation. Here's a brief about each of them:
Evaporative Cooler
An evaporative cooler or ventless air conditioner uses a similar mechanism as the ice cube trick. It works by evaporating ice or cold water into the air to circulate.
If you leave your door open while using an evaporative cooler, it pushes warm air outside, allowing you to receive better results. They also work best when used in low humidity locations.
Check out the Hessaire MC37M evaporative cooler on Amazon.
Portable Air Conditioner
Another easy-to-move and affordable option are portable air conditioners. These models don't require permanent installation, but they need to vent warm air into a different location.
The venting may be a hassle when the room has less access to an outdoor area, and some homeowners find their operation loud. Regardless, most would consider them a cost-effective way to cool windowless rooms.
Click here to see the BLACK+DECKER portable air conditioner on Amazon.
Through-the-Wall Air Conditioner
A through-the-wall air conditioner is the closest to traditional window air conditioners. The core differences are their venting mechanism, placement, and power output.
These units literally go through the wall, so they usually don't have vents on the sides. Instead, they vent through the back of the air conditioner.
They tend to have higher cooling capacities than window ACs, and they are more energy-efficient since it's less likely for air to go through leaks or gaps.
Get this Koldfront Through-the-wall air conditioner on Amazon.
Ductless Mini Split Air Conditioner
The ductless mini-split system is popular because it provides the same benefits as a central air conditioning system without requiring ducts. They also operate quietly, have slim styles, and can connect to smart controllers.
A ductless mini-split comes with two units. These are an indoor unit that cools a space and an outdoor unit that releases hot air. The design increases energy and cooling efficiency by reducing heat loss.
Check out the Senville LETO Series Mini Split Air Conditioner on Amazon.
Are Windowless Air Conditioners Safe?
As long as you follow the proper installation and venting requirements, windowless air conditioners are safe. It's crucial to ensure that air gets vented out properly to prevent problems from occurring.
They usually have a hose you will need to connect outside to let out warm air. If you fail to do this correctly, it causes overheating due to trapped heat.
Should Windowless AC Units Be Vented Outside?
It's important to vent a windowless air conditioner outside, especially when it doesn't include a ventilation hose during installation. If a room has no access direct access to outdoor spaces, you can consider the following methods:
Through The Door
Door venting is the most common way to vent a windowless AC. In this method, take note of where the door leads. Your AC will not work as effectively if it leads to a hallway or room.
Through The Wall
If you can't vent your air conditioner through a window, vent it through the wall. This method is a semi-permanent solution since it requires drilling holes in the walls for the ventilation hose to go through. If necessary, contact a professional for this.
What Air Conditioner Should I Use In The Basement?
Air quality influences comfort within a home. Usually, a basement tends to feel stuffy due to its location. Installing an air conditioner does wonder in improving its condition.
You can use any windowless air conditioner you prefer in the basement. Evaporative coolers and portable ACs are the best temporary solution and homeowners who don't want much hassle. If you want a longer-lasting unit, go for a ductless mini-split!
If you're thinking of installing HVAC in your basement, read this post for a summary of the costs: How Much Does It Cost To Install HVAC In Basement?
Final Thoughts
The biggest disadvantage of a room with no windows is the lack of air circulation and warmer temperature. To counter this, consider installing windowless air conditioners such as evaporative coolers, portable AC units, through-the-wall ACs, or ductless mini-split systems.
These improve air quality and comfort by regulating temperature and increasing airflow. Other tricks to cool a windowless room include using fans and even ice!