Are holes suppossed to be drilled into new window units to allow water to flow out?

Question

*Just so we are clear I do mean window A/C units*

Answer 1

GOOD HEAVENS NO!!  That was in the old days.  Most units built today have the high pressure lines (hot ones) at the bottom of the tray, immersed in the condesate water.  That helps to cool the refrigerant better and more efficiently. By design, some water should be in that tray!

I once worked for a know-it-all who ordered a coworker to drill drain holes in the bottom of a window unit  -  a hissing sound ensued, as the drill bit hit a pressure line.  The unit was ruined, and Mr. KIA had to buy a new unit for his client. Ha.

Don't pretend to know more than the engineers who designed your product unless you've gone through thermodynamics class.

Answer 2

No.

Some units use a sling-er on the fan blade that picks up the water and throws it on the condenser coil to evaporate.

If it needed a drain hole it would already be there.

Answer 3

NO!

Window units already have a built in water channel in the bottom of the cabinet. The window unit just needs to be tilted slightly to the outside so the water will drain.

When your father in law drills the cabinet he is probably drilling into part of the coil which will damage the unit.

Do not drill holes in the next one.

If you need a second opinion just ask the salesman to write that down on the receipt for you - then maybe your father in law will believe you, - but sounds like he won't believe anyone.

Answer 4

As mentioned, most are designed to hold water that is splashed on the hot coils to aid in efficiency in very hot weather.

My manual talks about it. You might read that to your father. (I know ALL about working with a stubborn parent that assumes they have all the answers. (grin).  

So removing the water can lower the efficiency.

Most will come with a removeable plug on the end if you do not want to it to hold water. My new one is that way. It also came with another fitting to put in the hole which either directs the water off the case or you can hook up tubing to it to direct the water elsewhere.

In high humidity they say you might want to remove the plug to get rid of the excessive water.

Unless it quit working immediately the failure is likely not a result of drilling the bottom.

Good Luck.

Answer 5

No, new windows do not need holes drilled into them.

Answer 6

If its a window type A/C, water should drip outside of the unit. The base of the A/C unit was designed to catch the dripping water created by the evaporator and there should be a slight elevation in a way that water will flow at the other side where the aircon condenser is located. This is where a hole should be drilled at the base and placed with a hose for proper disposal of the water.