In the past few years, portable air conditioners have become a popular trend in every country. Most people have shifted their focus to these trendy cooling units to keep the rooms in their homes fresh. However, are portable air conditioners worth it?
In this guide, we’ll look at some of the fantastic facts of portable air conditioners, including their pros and cons. You will also learn how this type of cooling unit works to cool your house and whether it is efficient. Keep reading to learn more.
How Well Do Portable Air Conditioners Work?
Portable air conditioners are free-standing air conditioning units that can cool any room in your home. It functions the same way as other air conditioners, but the only difference is in their portability. You can check out this article to learn about other air conditioners.
When turned on, the air conditioner will pull the warm air from your room. As the air passes through a series of coils in the AC, a refrigerant fluid in the coils will absorb the heat and release it outside through an exhaust vent.
While it’s possible to move the portable air conditioner from one room to another, you’ll need a window to funnel out the heat. That means you’ll have to attach the exhaust hose on the window when the portable AC is running.
Thankfully, a portable air conditioner usually comes with an exhaust vent and a window kit to simplify the installation process. The good news is, some portable air conditioners come with double-hose units. They are better than ACs with single-hose units.
When you turn on a portable AC with two hose units, the first hose will bring fresh air in from the outside. The second hose will simultaneously pump the warm indoor air out, leaving the room cool. This AC will also help to maintain stable pressure in the house.
Portable Air Conditioner Pros and Cons
Are portable air conditioners efficient? The truth is that portable air conditioners have numerous benefits compared to other cooling units. However, it also has a few drawbacks that you may not like.
Thankfully, we’ll look at the pros and cons of portable air conditioners to help you figure out if the AC is worth it.
Pros of Portable Air Conditioners
How good are portable air conditioners? If you’ve always asked this question, we’ve got the answers. Here are the advantages of portable air conditioners.
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Easy to install: When you buy a portable air conditioner, you won’t have to hire a professional to help you fix it. Since the AC is portable, you can quickly move it from one room to another without any technical difficulty.
Since the portable air conditioners are easy to set up, you can save on installation costs. Besides, not every portable AC requires a window as there are many ways to vent out hot air, including into a ceiling or through a wall.
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Easy to Move: What makes the portable air conditioners stand out is their ability to move. You can quickly handle and carry them from one room to another. You won’t have to call a professional to help you move the AC.
For instance, you can use the portable AC in your bedroom at night and move it to the lounge during the daytime. You don’t have to buy two air conditioners for the two rooms. That will even help you save more money.
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Relatively Affordable: Portable ACs are becoming increasingly cheaper as technology advances. You’ll find many models in the market at affordable prices. In fact, new AC models are even smaller and more affordable than the old ones.
However, you need to be more careful when purchasing a smaller and cheaper portable AC. If you are not sure about the size of an AC required, you can seek help from a professional. They will guide you appropriately.
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Requires Little Maintenance: Unlike other air conditioning units, the portable AC doesn’t require much maintenance practices. A good example of a portable AC that requires little maintenance is a model with a self-evaporative design.
Such AC models will evaporate water collected in them during dehumidification, saving you from draining the collection tank every time. However, you should occasionally hire a professional to clean and maintain your air conditioner.
Cons of Portable Air Conditioners
Like any other device, portable air conditioners also have a few drawbacks. Here are some of them.
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Less Economical: Most portable air conditioners tend to consume more power than a window or through-the-wall air conditioner. Some models don’t have outdoor units to release warm air outside, adding a little warmth to a room.
When the AC produces warm air around it, the cooling process will slow down, forcing the machine to run for extended periods. So, you will end up spending a lot of money on electricity bills.
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Produces Much Noise: If you cannot concentrate on whatever you do when there is noise, the portable AC may not be an ideal option. These ACs are known to produce a lot of noise compared to their counterparts.
With an average noise level of 53dB, a portable AC produces a sound that’s almost equal to that from a vacuum cleaner or dishwasher. However, if the noise level of your AC is unusual, it may be as a result of an internal problem.
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Not Suitable for Big Rooms: A portable air conditioner will not cool your room adequately if it’s too big. Consequently, that will compromise the primary purpose of the AC, which is to offer active cooling and comfort in the entire home.
If your portable air conditioner is too small for your room, you can consider other types of AC, such as the central AC system or split AC unit. Alternatively, you can install more than on portable AC in the big room.
Final Words
Are portable air conditioners worth it? Yes. Portable air conditioners are the best choice for most homeowners. It’s the most affordable way to cool small-sized rooms. Besides, the air conditioner is easy to install and operate. Thankfully, most portable AC models have a remote control that makes them more convenient.
For helpful hints on selecting the right portable air conditioner, reducing noise, increasing cooling capacity and improving your overall experience, visit the Portable AC section at Project Launchpad.