window air conditioners, like all air conditioners, work by cooling the air and removing moisture from it. When warm and humid air passes through the cold evaporator coils of the air conditioner, the moisture in the air condenses into water droplets. In traditional window air conditioners, these water droplets collect in a drip pan or tray at the bottom of the unit and are then drained out through a small hole or tube.
However, advancements in technology and design may have changed this by the time you're asking in 2023. Manufacturers might have developed new models with improved engineering to minimize or eliminate the need for a drip pan. Here are a few ways that newer window air conditioners might be able to achieve this:
Evaporation: Some newer models may employ more efficient cooling mechanisms that allow the condensed water to evaporate back into the hot air exhaust or through the condenser coils, reducing the need for a drip pan.
Improved drainage system: Manufacturers could have implemented a more effective drainage system that quickly and effectively removes the condensed water without causing any drips.
Enhanced insulation: By improving the insulation around the cooling components, manufacturers can reduce condensation and minimize the amount of water generated in the first place.
Self-evaporating systems: Certain air conditioners come with a self-evaporative feature, where the unit uses the condensed water to enhance the cooling efficiency and reduce the amount of water that needs to be drained.
It's worth noting that even if newer models claim to be "drip-less," some humidity may still be extracted from the air, especially in high-humidity environments. The way they handle this moisture might differ from older models, but completely eliminating all water production in an air conditioner is not practically feasible, as condensation is a natural result of the cooling process.
If you're interested in a specific window air conditioner model, I recommend checking the manufacturer's specifications or consulting product reviews to understand how they address the water drainage and condensation issue in that particular unit.