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Portable air conditioner is the next big thing this summer. The product is known for the great benefits it offers to individuals and families. Apart from being portable or transferable from one place to another, it works similarly to fixed ACs. However, the difference is, you do not have to worry about the extra installation and maintenance costs.
What is amazing about a portable AC unit is that you do not have to hire a professional to initiate its operation. You could simply use the manual included in its package and that is it. You could start enjoying a cooler temperature anywhere you may be.
Factors to Consider Before Buying a Portable Air Conditioner
A clever decision-making is necessary if you would like to purchase a portable air conditioner. Be reminded that not all air conditioners are cheap and effective. Alternatively, not all expensive mobile ACs work as claimed by its manufacturers.
To help you narrow down your choices for the best portable AC unit to buy, given below are factors you should look into:
Size
The size of the portable AC unit you should buy must be determined through measuring the average room size in your house. The measurement unit used to determine the capacity of a portable AC is British Thermal Units (BTUs) per hour. Models with higher BTUs could cool down a larger space or room.
The estimations for a standard room with ceiling eight feet from the floor include 8,000 BTUs for 200 square feet and 10,000 BTUs for 300 square feet. On the other hand, if you have an area that is 400 square feet, you may need 12,000 BTUs capacity. For 450 square feet room, you need a portable AC with 13,000 BTUs. Lastly, for 500 square feet or larger area, a stronger AC at 14,000 BTUs should at least be obtained.
Take note that the estimations are not exact. These may depend on the external factors, such as number of appliances in your room and the insulation options. You may need more BTUs if your room is filled with things and only has limited numbers of airing areas.
Ideal Features of a Portable AC
The features of a portable AC must make up a very efficient device for your home. Look for capabilities that make the unit more convenient to use and versatile. For instance, instead of solely considering the cooling capacity of a unit, you should also look for a dehumidifying capability. Dehumidifiers function by removing moisture from the air without cooling.
In addition to this, fan function is also useful for better distribution of cool air across the room. The heating feature is also a plus for dual-purpose portable AC. Instead of keeping the appliance during winter, you may still use it to keep the temperature comfortable throughout the season.
The self-evaporating function is also a plus if you do not need to drain the AC and stop its operation every time. If you do not have time to set the portable AC every now and then, look for an appliance that has a programmable timer.
Noise Level
People’s preference when it comes to noise from a portable AC may differ from one another. If you do not want a loud unit, you should learn how to compare decibel levels of the products. Quieter models tend to have lower decibels at 45 or below.
Energy Consumption
Saving money also includes determining whether a merchandise would consume high levels of electricity or not. You should look into the energy efficient ratio or EER of the unit. If the product has a higher EER, it is more energy efficient. EER is calculated by dividing BTUs with watts of power required.
Price
Its cost matters if you have a limited budget for a portable AC. Although expensive products tend to have better chances of giving you added features, it does not mean they are generally effective. Try looking for one that suits your budget but gives you the basic advantages of a portable AC.
What is BTU, and should you care?
Many coolers and heaters are BTU rated.
1 British Thermal Unit = 1055 joules
BTU tells you how much heating / cooling the core unit can produce. 2546 BTU/hr is about 1 hp. This is not a good measurement of the effect on a room though. That depends on fan type and speed, dry or mist cooling, air vent configuration, etc.
BTU is not used much abroad but still seems to be a common measurement in US.
BTU gives you a performance hint, but square foot capacity is what you want to look for.
Top 7 Portable Air Conditioner for Home
The selection of apparatuses could be very difficult. In order to help you with it, consider the following as your best option for quicker acquirement of portable AC:
1. Haier HPN12XCM 12000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner Review
Haier HPN12XCM is one of best portable ACs for most people. It is available at 12,000/ 11000 BTUs capacity for cold and heat, respectively. The product features dehumidification capability with cutting edge eco-friendly refrigerant.
Its cooling capacity is highly commended. It is equipped with insulation foam, which makes its cooling efficiency better. You could use the device in an area as large as 500 square feet.
The Haier portable air conditioner is quieter than most designs you could find. You may place it from room to room regardless of the area. When the compressor is turned off, the product’s highest decibel setting is 60. Alternatively, when the compressor is on, its highest value is 63.5 decibels.
Moreover, it boasts its simple settings adjustment feature, which is usually described being intuitive. It could remove up to 4.2 pints of water per hour. Its solid design makes it durable for consistent use. In addition, its installation is very straightforward. Setting up the hose is easier if you had a Haier portable AC before.
Many would disregard the purpose of remote controls in most portable ACs. Nonetheless, if you will have Haier HPN12XCM, you would likely find the remote sleeker and simpler to use. The remote control only has six buttons to control all the AC’s functions. You may even hang it in front of the machine after use.
2. DeLonghi PACAN135EWS 3-in-1 6,800 BTU Portable Air Conditioner Review
DeLonghi PAC AN135EWS is an accessorized device that is very easy to use. It has an LCD screen for easy setting adjustments for all of its functions. In addition, the remote control of the device makes it easier to set the unit from the distance.
Apart from its cooling capacity, the DeLonghi portable air conditioner is known for its dehumidification feature. It could reduce the humidity in your area, specifically if the weather always exhibits rain and dampness. DeLonghi PACAN135EWS has the capability to reduce up to 24 liters of water every day.
What makes DeLonghi PAC AN135EWS totally different is that it uses the water to air technology. It works by removing heat from the room through the water’s cooling effect. The water in the tank will be brought to a collection tray. The contents of the collection tray will then be pumped upwards over the condenser. Consequently, the portable AC’s performance and efficiency will improve.
Other exceptional features of the product include smart mode, turbo power, auto fan, sleep mode, 24-hour clock and timer, as well as window kit
3. LG LP0817WSR 115V 8000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner with Remote Control Review
LG Electronics LP0817WSR is one of the newer models from the manufacturer. It features a programmable timer for 24 hours, multiple fan speeds, auto-evaporation system, and remote control.
The LG portable air conditioner has a capacity of 8,000 BTUs, which means it could cool down areas up to 150 square feet in size. The product has an auto-cooling system that will keep your room temperature at a level during summer. You can keep it cool as long as you want without removing water.
4. Whynter ARC-14S 14000 BTU Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner Review
The Whynter ARC-14S 14000 btu Ac is a heavy duty workhorse designed to handle large areas of up to 500 square feet. The dual hose design requires a slightly more complex arrangement than a single hose portable AC but it comes with a dedicated window adapter which makes installation easier.
This is a 3-in-1 portable air conditioner which has AC, heater and dehumidifier.
Considering the high capacity and the very good rating this unit it is getting from buyers, this is a portable ac that offers the best value in price vs capacity ratio.
5. Honeywell MM14CCS 14000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner Review
This Honeywell portable air conditioner is equipped with various features, including LCD remote control, dual slide-out filters, dehumidification function, double hose for better cooling, and Plasmacluster ion generator.
Honeywell MM14CCS could remove up to 66 pints of moisture every day. It will allow you to keep out rain and insects with its ventilation system. You may control the unit everywhere with its fully featured and LCD-supported remote control.
6. Handy Cooler Personal Air Conditioner Review
The Handy Blue is a handheld fan and air conditioner for personal use. This is a excellent gadget for cooling in doses as it utilizes minimal power and creates a limited field of soothing cool suitable for face and neck.
This little gadget can cool air locally down to a fantastic 30F even in the hottest of weather, and utilizes a quiet 30db turbine fan using whispersoft technology. It even performs outside!
Water-powered and rechargeable, this is the best option for individual cooling needs on the go, and comes at a very low price.
7. SciencePurchase Deluxe Water Misting Fan Review
This is about as portable as it gets. A simple water spray bottle with a fan. The wind effect and the cooling mist are more effective than you may think. Obviously, this only works on very short range and if you wear glasses, they will probably get lightly sprayed! But, if you need quick relief from the heat at the BBQ party, this is a fun and surprisingly effective cooling gadget.
Basic Portable Air Cooler with Ionizer
If you have a smaller area you want to cool and live in arid region, this portable cooling unit may be the solution at a nice price. Obviously, it won’t be as effective as the more powerful units, but it does also have a ionizer which helps in refreshing room odor.
1. Portacool PAC2KCYC01 Cyclone 3000 Portable Evaporative Cooler Review
This is a high capacity air cooler on wheels for large areas, garages, warehouses and even outdoor cooling. Cools up to 700 square feet. The choice for crowded events like weddings and conferences.
Final
Get the right portable AC for your family by choosing wisely. Be reminded that it is not all about the price, but mostly about the quality. Find one that could cool your area and is highly portable from one place to another. An effective portable air conditioner is the one that lives by its name.
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