Does my LG portable air conditioner need to be drained?

Portable air conditioners, like those made by LG, are a convenient way to cool a single room without having to install a permanent window or wall air conditioner. However, they do require some maintenance, including periodically draining water that collects in the unit.

How do portable air conditioners work?

Portable air conditioners are self-contained units that sit on the floor or ground. They pull air from the room through the unit, cool it, and then expel the hot air outside through a flexible exhaust hose that you vent through a window. The cooling process removes moisture from the air, which collects in a reservoir or drain bucket inside the unit. If the water isn’t drained, it can overflow and leak onto your floor.

Two types of drainage systems

There are two main types of drainage systems that portable air conditioners use:

• Self-evaporating – Some models use an internal evaporator system that vaporizes most or all of the collected moisture so you don’t have to drain anything. This is more common on smaller units.
• Manual draining – Larger capacity portable ACs usually require periodically emptying a drain bucket or refilling the water reservoir.

Portable vs window/wall units

Permanent window or wall air conditioning units are installed in a window or wall opening to the outside. They don’t require manual draining because the condensation runs outside via a drainage pipe. Portable units recirculate indoor air so the moisture collects inside the unit instead.

Do LG portable air conditioners need draining?

Most LG portable air conditioners require periodic manual draining of water that collects in an internal bucket or reservoir during use. However, some smaller units may be self-evaporating and not need draining. Here are some specifics on LG models:

LG 8,000 to 14,000 BTU portable air conditioners

Higher capacity LG portable ACs like the LP0817WSR (8,000 BTU), LP1017WSR (10,000 BTU), LP1217GSR (12,000 BTU) and LP1417GSR (14,000 BTU) models all require manual draining. They drain into an internal bucket that must be emptied when full.

LG dual inverter portable air conditioners

LG’s dual inverter portable ACs like the LP1021BSS (10,000 BTU) use an internal condensate tank that collects moisture. You’ll need to periodically empty and refill the tank as it fills up. An indicator light lets you know when it’s time.

Smaller LG portable air conditioners (5,000-7,000 BTU)

Some smaller, lower BTU LG portables like the LP0521WSR (5,000 BTU) and LP0721WSR (7,000 BTU) use an evaporative system and don’t require draining. Any moisture collected during operation is vaporized back into the air so no draining is needed.

How often should I drain my LG portable AC?

How often you’ll need to drain your LG portable air conditioner depends on several factors:

• Unit size – Larger capacity units will collect more condensation so require more frequent draining.
• Room size – Cooling larger rooms means the unit runs longer, filling the drain bucket faster.
• Humidity – More humid environments lead to more collected moisture.
• Temperature – Lower set temperatures remove more moisture from the air.
• Run time – Longer run times = more draining.

In general, expect to drain a 10,000-12,000 BTU LG portable AC somewhere between 2-4 times per day given average use. Very humid climates may need daily draining. Check your owner’s manual for specific guidelines.

Draining tips

• Drain bucket when the unit’s “bucket full” indicator comes on.
• Drain water before moving the unit to avoid spills and leaks.
• Don’t let the bucket overfill and overflow.
• Be prepared – keep a spare bucket on hand to drain into.

LG portable AC draining process

Draining your LG portable air conditioner involves a few simple steps:

1. Turn off and unplug the unit.
2. Carefully pull out the drain bucket located on the back or bottom of the unit. This may require removing a panel.
3. Empty the drain bucket into a sink, tub or spare bucket. Discard any excess water.
4. Replace the empty drain bucket back into the unit.
5. If your model has a condensate tank, remove the old water, refill with fresh water and replace.
6. Plug the unit back in and power it on.

The drain buckets are designed for easy access and removal. Just take care when pulling out a full bucket of water and emptying it to avoid spills. The entire process takes just a couple minutes.

Draining tips

• Check drain bucket levels frequently to avoid overflows.
• When unplugging, wait 3 minutes before removing drain bucket.
• Empty all water – don’t just drain out partway.
• Use fresh water in condensate tanks.
• Replace the bucket and panels properly when done.

Proper drain bucket care

To keep your LG portable AC drain bucket functioning properly:

• Check for leaks/cracks and replace if needed.
• Clean the bucket periodically with mild detergent.
• Rinse thoroughly after cleaning.
• Check the float and make sure it can move freely.
• Remove any accumulated scale or sediment.

Also, be sure to re-attach the drain bucket correctly after emptying it to ensure proper drainage. Follow any additional maintenance tips provided in your owner’s manual.

Using a garden hose to drain continuously

Rather than manually emptying the bucket, some choose to drain their portable AC continuously by connecting a garden hose.

To drain continuously:

1. Remove the drain plug located under the unit.
2. Attach a garden hose to the drain outlet.
3. Run the hose to an appropriate drain area like a floor drain or outside.

This allows the unit to drain automatically whenever the bucket fills up. Just be sure the hose is firmly connected on a downward slope. Check that water is flowing through the hose to the drain area.

Considerations for continuous draining

• Unit must be kept upright and not moved while draining.
• Drain hose must run downhill without kinks.
• Keep an eye on the hose to ensure proper drainage.
• May need a condensate pump if draining vertically upwards.
• Discharge water appropriately away from the home.

Troubleshooting LG portable AC drainage issues

If you’re having trouble with draining your LG portable air conditioner, check the following:

Water leaking

• Ensure the drain bucket is seated properly.
• Check the drain plug and hose for tight fit and leaks.
• Remove blockages in the drain line.
• Clean the unit and drain of any sediment or algae.

Drain bucket overflows

• Drain the bucket more frequently.
• Make sure the float moves freely to trigger automatic shutoff.
• Ensure the unit is on a level surface.

Pump noise

• Check water level and drain if full.
• Make sure pump inlet is fully submerged.
• Check for blockages in the drain line.
• Consider replacing the pump if excessively loud.

Bucket full light stays on

• Empty the drain bucket fully.
• Check that the float moves freely and resets.
• Unit may need leveling if light stays on.
• Ensure bucket is aligned and fitted properly.

Conclusion

To summarize, most LG portable air conditioners require periodic draining of a built-in bucket or condensate tank. This is necessary approximately every 2-4 times of daily use, but will vary based on your model, runtime, room size and climate. Draining the unit involves simply removing and emptying the bucket, then replacing it in the unit. Proper drain maintenance will keep your LG portable AC running efficiently.