Buying Your First Portable Air Conditioner - Things to Consider

Ahh, summer! Finally, you can wear those loose sundresses and walk around town on your flip-flops. Maybe you are dying to visit the beach, lay on the sand, and enjoy the warm breeze on your skin. But you loathe dry, irritating heat. You hate the sunburn. And you despise the sweat! No one wants the sweat, especially if you are at home trying to relax and perhaps read a book or something. The thing is, summer weather can be enjoyable, but not when you feel uncomfortable because of the steadily rising temperature. Hence, during the summer, an efficient air conditioning (AC) system is a must in your home, not only to keep you cozy and calm but also to spare you of the health hazards of extreme heat!

Portable Air Conditioner: Is it worth the hype?

A portable air conditioning unit is a popular alternative to the commonly used window or split-type AC for several reasons. One, it is pretty easy to install. Any DIY-minded homeowner can install a portable AC without trouble. Secondly, as what its name suggests, the unit is portable and very mobile. Thus, you can relocate it readily from one room to the other, whichever one you are using at the moment. Homes with central air condition system installed can also take advantage of a portable AC unit by installing it in the particular room where you spend most of your time in. Turning on your central AC is not very wise if you are only staying in one room most of the time. Having a portable AC unit will definitely reduce your energy usage significantly.

But not all portable air conditioners are made the same. Thus, should you consider buying one, it is essential to consider several factors to make the most out of your purchase. Things to Consider in Buying a Portable AC UnitFinding a portable AC unit is really not that difficult. Typically, you would want something that is affordable but does the job efficiently. But really, how do you know that the unit is efficient, or that you actually saved costs? Here are some considerations to take note of:

• Cost

Depending on the size and purpose (whether for the home or for commercial use), portable AC unit prices can go from $800 to $10,000. Units for commercial use normally are more expensive because they are built with higher power and are intended to cool a considerably larger space.

The price of the unit is one thing; its energy consumption is another. Consider how efficient the portable AC is so you will have an idea on how much will it add to your monthly energy bill. Try looking at maintenance costs as well, such as air filter cleaning and replacements, as these can add up the to cost in the long run. The good thing is that there are several inexpensive brands or portable air conditioner that are cheap but works efficiently.

• Room size

You cannot expect a single portable AC unit to cool up an entire home because they are made to work on smaller areas. The thing that you have to look into is the size of the space it can effectively cool. This determines the power of the unit, and is measured through British Thermal Units (BTUs). The AC units with higher BTUs generally are more powerful, thus can cool larger spaces. Generally speaking, a room that is 100 to 150 square feet in size would require an AC unit with around 5000 BTUs. However, this measurement is not absolute, as it can be affected by different factors such as doors and walls. While an AC unit with 14,000 BTUs can technically cool a 700 square foot studio apartment, it may not be as efficient if the apartment has wall divisions.

Apart from the power of the portable AC, it is also essential to take note of the size of the area where you are going to install the unit. It must fit right into the space and should not obstruct corridors or walking spaces. If you are considering moving the unit from one room to the other from time to time, consider also its weight and portability.

• Specific features

Portable AC units come with different features that may or may not appeal to you. Here are some features that you may find helpful

• Programmable thermostat.

Units with programmable thermostat typically are more energy efficient because they automatically turn off once the room reaches a certain temperature.

• No-drip unit.

It is the easiest to use because you never have to worry about emptying any internal bucket.

• Malfunction.

Some portable AC units are multi purpose. They can be a combination of AC and a heater as well, and some can even function as a dehumidifier. Normally, these units with double functions are much more expensive than regular ones.

• Dual-hose.

AC units with dual-hose are much more energy efficient and would usually cool a space 40% faster than its single-hose counterpart.

Conclusion

There are a lot of different types of portable AC units and choosing the best one that will work for your specific needs can be quite intimidating. You have to remember though that having a cool and relaxing living space especially during the summer is a must – for your comfort, health, and the overall inviting feeling of your home!