What is a Portable Air Conditioner? Advantages, Drawbacks, & Comparison

Maybe you have that room that is always hot. Perhaps you live in an apartment that features an inferior ductless air conditioner. It could be that your building codes do not allow hanging window units. Whatever the case, you might find yourself wandering down the portable air conditioner isle and looking at the array of portable AC units. You might begin to wonder which model is best for your home and climate. To help you keep your house cold this summer, we have created an outline of the benefits and drawbacks of portable AC units.

Which Portable Air Conditioning Unit is Best for You?

Unfortunately, portable air conditioners are not very effective. In addition, portable AC units are hard to move. Although the average weight of a portable system is 80 pounds, they are extremely hard to move up and down the stairs. Most portable air conditioners come with wheels, which do not work very well on the carpet. You will notice immediately that the portable air conditioner is noisier than a window mount unit. This is because the entire cooling appliance is inside of your home, while a window mount unit leaves the loud parts outside.

Portable air conditioning units are not very efficient. You will spend more money on electricity. Hot air is transferred out of the unit through something that looks like a dryer hose. This movement creates negative air pressure and pulls heated air from other parts of your home into the room you are trying to cool. If you love a nice cold room, a portable air conditioner will leave you unsatisfied.

Although a portable AC unit features a high amount  of cooling power, this type of system will struggle to decrease the temperature in your room below 78 degrees. These problems lead many disgruntled consumers to return the unit, a fact that many retailers report after each season. If you want a room to be cold, we recommend purchasing a window air conditioner instead of a portable AC unit.

What if you are stuck with a Portable Air Conditioner?

Some apartment buildings and condos do not allow window mount units and your only option is the portable air conditioner. If you find yourself in this situation, make certain that you use the appropriate widow exhaust manifold. Often these will come with the unit, but you will want to make certain it is installed correctly. Make certain that the seals are tight and do not allow for any of the outside air to find a way inside.

Do not let the sun shine into your house; you do not need the extra heat. If you see rays of sunlight on your floor, close the blinds and pull the drapes. You could also look into having a ceiling fan installed to help increase air movement. Need assistance with an HVAC project. We offer furnace repair and air conditioning installation services in New Jersey. Schedule an appointment to receive assistance.