Choosing a Small Portable Air Conditioner
Unlike central air conditioning units, portable air conditioners can easily go where you go. Many have wheels that make it easy to move them from room to room — for instance, from your home office during the day to your bedroom at night.
Some portable ACs can double as a heater, making them appropriate for all-year use. Fully self-evaporative models automatically evaporate moisture through an exhaust hose with warm air, so you’ll rarely need to empty their internal tank.
Size
The size of a Small Portable Air Conditioner depends on the amount of space it can cool. The cooling capacity of a portable air conditioner is measured in British thermal units (BTUs). This rating indicates how much heat it can remove from the room. A smaller BTU unit may not be sufficient to adequately cool large spaces, while a larger one can overwork itself and wear down quickly.
A small, lightweight portable air conditioner can be easily moved from room to room or up and down stairs. This makes it a convenient option for a single person living in an apartment or a college dorm. Small portable air conditioners are also great for use in small spaces like offices and bedrooms. The smaller size of these units also makes them easy to fit into tight spaces.
In addition to cooling, portable air conditioners can also function as dehumidifiers. They can remove up to 101 pints of water from the air in a day. This is a handy feature for people who live in areas with high humidity.
It is important to remember that portable air conditioners must be vented. The venting system typically consists of a flexible exhaust hose that connects to the unit and vents out through a window. The unit will need to be located within close proximity to a window that opens Small Portable Air Conditioner outward or upward. The amount of direct sunlight and other factors will affect how well the air conditioner works.
Weight
While you may think that the more BTUs an air conditioner has, the better it will cool, this isn’t always true. In fact, most portable ACs that fall into the 14,000 to 18,000 BTU range will have similar cooling capacities.
This is because the most energy efficient models use fewer BTUs than their less-efficient counterparts. Additionally, many of these units have features that help to reduce energy usage, such as programmable timers and remote control capabilities.
When choosing a small portable air conditioner, consider the size of the space you’re looking to cool as well as your mobility needs. If you plan on moving the unit between rooms or up and down stairs, a lighter model may be more practical for you.
The Honeywell MO08CESWK portable AC is a lightweight, compact air conditioner that’s ideal for cooling a room up to 250 square feet. It also offers dehumidification and fan functions.
The BLACK+DECKER BPACT08WT portable AC is another affordable option that provides effective cooling and dehumidification for up to 450 square feet. This unit is designed to help you save on energy costs as it has a 24-hour programmable timer. In addition, it has a digital LED control panel and an LED remote control for convenient Small Portable Air Conditioner company operation. It comes with installation accessories including a clip-on drain hose and adjustable window brackets.
Energy efficiency
When you choose a portable air conditioner, the energy efficiency rating is an important factor to consider. In the past, efficiency was rated using the same method as other AC units, which measured how many BTUs (British Thermal Units) it removes per hour of operation. The US Department of Energy changed the system in 2017, introducing a new seasonal energy efficiency rating called SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio).
A portable air conditioner has an exhaust hose that needs to be vented through a window, which can pose a problem if you live in a house with a tighter insulation or you have a homeowner’s association or building regulations that prevent the installation of a window-mounted AC. The hose also adds to the overall cost of the unit and can be unsightly in some situations.
Other factors that impact the energy efficiency of a portable air conditioner include temperature settings, use patterns, and insulation and sealing. Setting the thermostat to a higher cool temperature will require the unit to work harder and consume more electricity. Turning the unit on and off frequently also uses more energy, but a programmable timer can help balance the need for convenience with optimal energy efficiency. Some models also have a built-in dehumidifier that helps reduce energy consumption by eliminating excess moisture from the air.
Convenience
Using a Small Portable Air Conditioner allows you to spot cool your home or office when you need it. This can help you avoid making your HVAC system work too hard and racking up your energy bills. In addition, these units are a great choice for cooling high-traffic areas without having to modify your windows or installing expensive equipment like mini-splits and central ACs.
While many manufacturers list their appliances’ BTU ratings according to the older ASHRAE standard, most of these units also use the DOE (U.S. Department of Energy) rating, which takes different factors into account and results in a lower number. This makes it easier for you to select the correct appliance based on your space and needs.
Some models feature dual-hose designs, allowing them to move fresh air in and exhaust the warm air out more quickly and efficiently. They’re a good fit for spaces that don’t have easy access to a window, and they can be used as an alternative to a ceiling fan for cooling your home. They also offer convenience features like dehumidification, sleep mode and multiple fan speeds. Unlike single-hose units, these dual-hose models require a drain pan that must be manually removed and emptied regularly. Check the manual for specific instructions. In general, you should empty this pan anywhere from every 8 hours to just once per month, depending on the humidity level in your home.
