Free standing room air conditioners, commonly known as portable air conditioners, are a great way to cool a smaller space without having to obstruct the view through your window. They are usually lighter, smaller, and more easily portable than that of a window unit. More often than not, they are cheaper too. Although they are not placed in a window they do normally require one in order to vent the hot air taken from the room and release outside. If a free standing unit is something that interests you, there are many great models and brands available. Here are 5 models with ranging BTUs for you to choose from.
Frigidaire FRA064VU1
This unit has 6000 BTU and an EER of 10.7. Having an EER that high makes it energy efficient and Energy Star qualified. This portable air conditioner has many features that anyone is sure to appreciate. It has 3 fan and cooling speeds, 8-way air direction, antimicrobial mesh filter, a remote, sleep mode, and a 24 hour timer. Having these features is especially great, considering most free standing room air conditioners with lower cooling capacities tend to lack in features.
MobilComfort KY-80
Although this 8000 BTU unit isn’t Energy Star rated it uses R410A refrigerant which is eco-friendly and helps save energy used. This unit also has a sleep mode to help lessen energy usage too. Its features include a remote control, washable filter, 3 fan speeds, a 24 hour timer, and multiple air flow.
Whynter ARC-12S
This energy efficient unit has 12000 BTU. That’s enough cooling capacity to cool a room of 550sq ft. This unit acts as a fan, air conditioner, and dehumidifier. Like the MobilComfort KY-80, it uses R410A refrigerant. It has 3 fan speeds, 24 hour timer, and an auto restart. This free standing unit also has a sleek silver exterior, making it rather modern in appearance.
Koldfront PAC1401W
There is no word as to what the EER of this model is, but it is said to be rather energy efficient. It has 14000 BTU and receives great reviews from its customers. The features of this unit include a 24 hour timer, washable filter, remote control, 3 fan speeds, multiple air flow, and a dehumidifier function.
Amcor PLM16000E
This unit has 16000 BTU which is a high cooling capacity for a portable air conditioner. The EER rating of this model is very high, being 12.1. It has 3 fan speeds, 24 hour timer, remote control operation, washable filter, and adjustable air flow.
Finding a free standing room air conditioner for your home can be exhausting. There are so many makes and models to choose from, that your search can seem endless. Don’t get overwhelmed. Make a list of what you expect from a free standing unit as well as a price range you would like to stay within. While well known brand names often provide quality products, there are some portable units out there by smaller name brands that receive amazing reviews from their purchasers. The units listed above are all great air conditioners to consider.