Portable air conditioners can be very smart choices when you’re in the market for an air conditioner. But before you decide to get one, here are some basic facts about this air conditioning unit that you should know.
What are portable air conditioners?
Portable air conditioners are free-standing air conditioning units which are mobile. You can transfer the appliance easily from one room to another because it has caster wheels and handles that make movement easy. These are larger in size compared to the window models, but only because you only see the front part of the air conditioner in window models, while portable models are seen as a whole. But the spaces that they occupy are completely different because window air conditioners are installed through windows or walls, while portable air conditioners occupy floor space.
There isn’t much difference between portable and window models because they both have a one-part system where the evaporator, compressor, and condenser are all in a single casement. But portable air conditioners are usually less powerful in cooling capacity and are mostly not available in Energy Efficient models.
Are portable air conditioners only for the home?
No, there are also commercial portable air conditioners that you can use for bigger establishments.
What are the common features of home portable air conditioners?
Usually, features differ from model to model, but the main features of portable air conditioners are not very different from those of other types. They also have timers, remote control features, programmable thermostats, automatic restart, intelligent cooling systems, and multiple cooling and fan speeds. Some home portable air conditioners have all of these features while others don’t. Most low-end models only have mechanical controls and nothing more. But the latest models today especially from Soleus, Danby, and DeLonghi, have advanced features that are quite amazing.
What are advantages of using these appliances?
Most homeowners prefer using portable air conditioners if they live alone or if their house is very small. A portable air conditioner can be brought around the house to the specific location where you want cool air. If you’re in the living room, you can drag the unit there and operate it after a step or two of installation. At night, if you want to bring it in the bedroom, you just have to move it there. The wheels enable you to easily transport the appliance and the simple installation doesn’t contribute any difficulty at all. Also, most portable air conditioning units are cheap and many homeowners prefer to invest in efficient yet affordable appliances.
What are the disadvantages?
Home portable air conditioners usually aren’t energy efficient, and even if they are, they are probably not at the same efficiency level as window models. These appliances are also usually noisy, and even if there are models which have sound blankets, this will not keep the air conditioner from making significant amount of noise because the compressor and condenser are also in the same casement as the evaporator. Portable air conditioners also can be space-consuming because they are placed on the floor. For very small living spaces, these appliances may cause crowdedness.
What models of home portable air conditioners can I buy today?
There are a lot of choices that you can select from if you’re thinking of buying a portable air conditioner. But the best brands to buy from include Soleus, Danby, DeLonghi, LG, Sharp, EdgeStar, Amcor, and other similar popular names in the appliance industry.
Conclusion
If you’re thinking of getting a home portable air conditioner, you should refer to this guide first. Knowing everything about the appliance will help you in deciding which air conditioner is best to use for your home.