Can a portable AC vent through a sliding window in my Brentwood condo?

Venting a portable AC through a sliding window is the standard approach and it works fine in most Brentwood condos, but there are a few layers to think through before you set it up.

The short answer is yes, with a kit and your strata's blessing.

Most portable AC units come with a sliding window kit that fits a horizontal slider, which is exactly what most Brentwood towers and low-rise strata buildings have. The kit seals around the exhaust hose so hot air exits and outside air does not pour back in. A vertical slider needs a different adapter, but those are widely available at hardware stores for around $20 to $40.

What actually matters here

Portable AC units are not permanently installed, so they do not trigger Burnaby's building permit process or an electrical permit. You plug them into a standard 15A or 20A outlet. That said, Burnaby's noise bylaw sets a limit of 55 dBA by day and 45 dBA at night, and a portable unit running near an open balcony or thin wall can be noticeable to neighbours, so it is worth checking the unit's rated sound level before you buy.

The bigger question in a strata is whether your bylaws or rules restrict window modifications, even temporary ones. Many Brentwood strata corporations have rules about what can be placed in or against windows, especially on upper floors where appearance standards apply. Check your strata's bylaws and, if there is any doubt, send a quick note to strata council before setting it up. You do not need a formal council vote for a portable unit in most cases, but getting written confirmation protects you.

A few practical points for a condo specifically: make sure the condensate drain or collection tank is managed, because in Metro Vancouver's humid summers a portable unit can fill a tank surprisingly fast. Keep the exhaust hose as short and straight as possible; a kinked or long hose reduces efficiency noticeably. And if your suite faces west or southwest, which is common in the Brentwood towers along Lougheed and Willingdon, a portable unit will work harder during afternoon heat waves.

On cost, a portable AC runs roughly $400 to $800 depending on capacity, and a window unit (if your strata allows it) runs $300 to $700. Neither requires a contractor. If you find that a portable unit cannot keep up with a west-facing top-floor suite, a ductless mini-split is the more effective long-term solution, though that does require strata approval, a wall penetration, and a licensed refrigerant technician for installation.

If a portable unit is not enough by next July, a ductless system is the next step, and local contractors can quote it once your strata has signed off.