Too Hot to Ignore! AC Ports/Heat Pumps: What Designers, Contractors, and Consultants Should Know

Amelia Davis

This presentation examines the integration of AC port and heat pumps in multifamily buildings, with a focus on their impact on vertical wall and window assemblies. As demand for cooling increases in Seattle, AC ports are emerging as a common design feature that allows residents to install or rent air conditioning units while providing added value for building and condominium owners.

We will explore common AC port and heath pump configurations currently used in new construction and existing buildings and evaluate how these systems interface with the building enclosure. Emphasis is placed on the technical considerations required to maintain enclosure continuity and performance when introducing these penetrations into assemblies.

• Identify common AC port and heat pump types used, including window-based systems, through-wall ports, and retrofit penetrations, and describe how they interface with vertical wall and window assemblies.
• Evaluate the impact of AC port/heat pump installations on building enclosure performance, including disruptions to water, air, thermal, and vapor control layers.
• Apply best-practice detailing and coordination strategies to integrate AC ports and heat pumps while maintaining continuity of control layers and accommodating constructability and retrofit conditions.
• Recognize common failures associated with installations, including improper occupant use, missing components, and poorly executed retrofits, and select appropriate strategies to mitigate water intrusion, air leakage, and thermal discontinuities.

April 16, 2026

5:00 pm - 5:45 pm Socializing & Networking 
5:45 pm - 6:00 pm SeaBEC Business + Announcements
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm Speaker Presentation and Q&A