Portable air conditioner: What do you need to know?
The portable air conditioner is an excellent cooling option for rooms and apartments that do not have central air conditioning. And it comes with many features for easy use. But consider these four things before buying a portable AC for your home or office.
- Size
- Placement
- Maintenance
- Noise level
Which size is a portable air conditioner suitable for you?
Portable air conditioners are rated British Thermal Units (BTU) per hour; models with higher BTU ratings provide more cooling power for larger rooms. It’s essential to buy a portable AC that’s right for your area. So you don’t waste energy or money on a machine that doesn’t have enough cooling. You can consider the size of the room you need to cool.
- 8,000 BTU for 200 square feet
- 10,000 BTU for300 square feet
- 12,000 BTU for400 square feet
- 13,000 BTU for450 square feet
- 14,000 BTU for500 square feet
Where will you place a portable air conditioner in your room?
During the cooling process, the portable AC produces hot air that must be exhausted through a vent pipe. All models come with a window kit for external warm air. This means that most portable AC power outlets must be plugged in within a few feet of a window. Put it next to the window in the easiest and quickest way to install.
How will you maintain your portable AC?
The only maintenance you need to worry about is draining the accumulated moisture. All air conditioners draw moisture out of the air as it cools, including the portable air conditioner. There are several ways to remove condensate: manually remove the pan and pour it out as needed. You can connect the gravity drain hose to a different location. Or use an external pump to push the water up and out of the AC to the proper drain.
However, the most hassle-free portable ACs feature an entirely self-volatile design. So you don’t have to worry about draining, and if necessary to drain, it is to be carried out only from time to time. You will need to clean the filter as instructed and thoroughly defrost if ice builds up on the coil.
How loud is a portable AC?
Unlike window ACs, portable air conditioner makes noise in your space. All portable air conditioners are installed in your room. Any machine that generates air currents will produce some level of noise. If you are particularly concerned about this, be sure to compare the decibel (dB) levels generated by different units. So you can choose the quieter models on the market with a low level of dBs at the highest setting.
Benefits of using portable air conditioners:
Nowadays, the best air conditioner for you depends on your needs. Portable air conditioners bring air into the room, Cool it and send it back into the room. The outside, warm air is vented through the exhaust pipe that you install in the window. On-board controls let you adjust settings such as fan speed and temperature.
This appliance is a simple and versatile alternative to central air conditioning and window units. It is designed to cool individual rooms, is easy to install, and is a good choice for rooms without refrigeration or where you don’t need to cool all the time. It can also complement larger systems and help keep apartments or rentals cool where you can’t install a permanent unit. Easy to install and carry, thanks to its compact design and wheels, you can move the air conditioner from room to room and install it again without much effort.
Make sure your window is compatible with the portable air conditioner. Units fit different sizes of windows and are designed for single or double-hung windows. And sliding windows will not work with casement windows that open by swinging outward.
Bottom line:
The portable air conditioner is a quick and easy way to cool a room or area from 200 square feet to over 1,000 square feet. Consider the size of your room to determine the BTU level you need. Be mindful of where the windows and sockets are placed, as your portable AC will need to ventilate through the windows. It must have a portable AC condensate drain, easy to install and truly portable so you can use it wherever you want.
