How good are portable air conditioners?
Read on to discover why we would recommend purchasing a portable air conditioner and what exactly you can expect from your new purchase.
26/09/2020
When it comes to summer and nice weather, few products can offer as much use and cooling power as a portable air conditioner. Have you ever sat in your front room trying to focus on a book but the heat is too distracting? If so, then we know exactly how you feel as we have been there many times. Trying to read in sweltering heat can be extremely challenging which is why a portable air conditioner can make it so much more relaxing.
If you have ever considered buying one before but second guessed yourself by asking, "How effective are portable air conditioners?", then we have just the article for you! Read on to discover why we would recommend purchasing a portable air conditioner and what exactly you can expect from your new purchase!
Is it worth buying a portable air conditioner?
Purchasing yourself a new portable air conditioner can be incredibly worth it - especially once the summer season kicks in. But why exactly is that the case? Firstly, portable air conditioners are typically fairly cheap means of lowering the temperature in a certain room. Unlike most thermal technology, they are extremely mobile and can be moved between rooms depending on heat levels.
There are different types of AC units and they range widely in price. For those looking for cheaper options I would scout around or check out comparison sites like BestBudget or TheSpruce.
They are also especially effective if your home features few windows. Other AC appliances, such as the popular window AC unit, can block an entire window of light and thus make your house feel more gloomy than it should. This can also lower your productivity as research has shown working beside a window can help increase your work-flow. As opposed to blocking the sun by using a window unit, a portable AC unit can be moved to wherever you think it fits.
Portable units also require very little set-up and you can usually use them straight out of the box. You no longer need to worry about paying a professional to install it or risking back injuries lifting your window unit up. This is because most portable ACs can simply just be plugged into a wall socket.
Are portable air conditioners bad?
As useful as a portable air conditioning can be, it still has some caveats, as do all electronic devices. Due to their mobile nature, a portable air conditioner will sadly have a higher BTU rating to ensure every room, regardless of room size, has adequate cooling. This higher BTU rating means that your conditioning unit will require more juice and will thus be slightly less efficient than most window air conditioners. BTU ratings also affect the cooling capacity of a unit and as portable ACs require a higher BTU to cool a large living space than most air conditioning units, the energy usage can increase rapidly. Lower energy efficiency standards may mean you will have to pay more for the energy used.
Some air conditioners, especially mobile ones may also get pretty loud when they reach their maximum coolant capacity. As portable air conditioning systems are smaller, their working parts will be slightly closer together and thus can be louder than other thermal units. Although this is rarely the case, the noise level is something you should consider before purchasing such a unit.
Do portable air conditioners use a lot of electricity?
Regardless of whether your air conditioner is mobile or not, they will tend to use a fair amount of electricity. This is especially true during summer or if you are ever surprised by a heat wave. An AC constantly cycles hot air and passes it through coolant coils. Any excess air is passed outside using a dual hose system to prevent your houses central air from reaching high temperatures. This cool air is then dispersed throughout your home keeping the temperatures low and creating a pleasant atmosphere. However, as they are constantly doing something the electricity usage is fairly high. This is especially true on slightly cheaper models that feature worse efficiency than a typical premium choice.
You should always take into consideration any external factors as these can play a large role in how efficient your AC unit is. One of the largest ways in which your system can draw more is if the weather outside is extremely warm and thus your house will be of a higher temperature. Your heating device will have to work overtime to lower this hot airflow and keep a cool atmosphere, this in turn will increase how much electricity is uses.
How large an area is in square feet will also have a massive impact on the electricity usage. Firstly you should always ensure that your unit is the right size for where it is situated. If it is too small then it will need to work harder to keep the internal temp constant, this can rapidly decrease its efficiency.
Are window or portable air conditioners better?
This depends exactly on where you are most likely to set up your unit and how much room you can access. Window ACs will require a window, which may not feature in your living room or other important places. A window AC will also typically block out most of the sun coming through your windows which can mean your rooms receive less natural light. As you will mainly be using your AC during summer, this can become extremely noticeable. This is a massive drawback for a lot of people who are considering purchasing a window air conditioner. They can also prevent you from closing your curtains thus lessening your privacy and reducing how secure you will feel inside your home.
On the other hand however, many portable ACs will require a lot more power than your typical cooling method and therefore can end up costing slightly more. For this potential price increase you will have a powerful heat dispersing unit that takes up less space than window units. They also offer the convenience of being mobile allowing you to bring your cooling unit into the bedroom on a night then back beside the sofa the next day.
Overall, we would say that the benefits of a portable conditioner unit far outweigh any potential drawbacks. The best portable options will offer unsurpassed heat regulation and shouldn't cost too much. There are a host of differences between most air portables so be sure to check out customer reviews and an appliances specifications before making a final purchase.
Air Conditioning Problems
Like traditional air conditioners, portable appliances also encounter problems. Here are some examples of common air conditioning problems and recommended solutions:
- Improper Vent Airflow: Dirty or blocked AC filters cause improper vent airflow. AC overheating causes problems with the metal grates or registers, which would require resetting of the circuit breaker. The issue also occurs because of a thermostat, wiring, or control board problem. Often, the solution involves replacing the condensate pump.
- Air Conditioner Doesn’t Cool: Your air conditioner won’t provide proper cooling if the compressor is malfunctioning or defective. The cooling cycle doesn’t start, which results in failure cooling the room. Check the air filter if this happens. Also, repair or replace blocked condensate drain. Inspect the coil for the ice formation too.
- Low Refrigerant: Low refrigerant level in an air conditioner may cause cooling failure. The refrigerants might be leaking or undercharged, causing the refrigerant to flow back into copper wires, freezing the unit. Check your unit’s refrigerant level and change the filter monthly. It’s also helpful to inspect the condensate drain every week.
- Air Conditioner Doesn’t Switch On: If the condenser is blocked or clogged, the AC may not turn on because of a heated thermostat. Let the thermostat cool down. Check the electric panel to rule out a blown or broken fuse. Inspect the furnace power switch and the power supply wires too. If all else fails, contact emergency HVAC services.
- Air Conditioner Blows Hot Air: If your air conditioner blows hot air, it could be a problem with the outdoor unit or compressor of the AC. It may also be the result of broken duct.
In Conclusion
You have learned the best features and
benefits of portable air conditioners. They’re a
flexible and reliable cooling solution,
providing much-needed relief on hot days.
Portable air conditioners may also use less
electricity, compared to traditional air
conditioners.