subject: Portable air conditioner- eats up less space and less electricity [print this page] Portable air conditioner- eats up less space and less electricity
Do you have an outdoor workshop or some other building that you spend time in that isn't part of your home? Or how about a room inside your home that isn't cooled by your central air conditioning system? You might be thinking that your best option is a window air conditioner, but you could be wrong. For example, most basements don't have windows, and your workshop might not, either. So what's the best solution to your cooling problem? It might very well be a portable air conditioner. A portable air conditioner can be moved from room to room, requires no permanent installation, and is perfect for cooling individual rooms or areas up to 450 sq. ft.
Portable Air Conditioners are designed to condition the air by changing the temperature and/or humidity of the area. Although some of these units may cool the air, many have adjustments to help control the humidity while filtering the air as well.
Portable air conditioners virtually always have caster wheels for portability. They consist of one "box" that holds both the hot and cold side of the air conditioner in one and they use their exhaust hose to expel heat. There are several ways to get rid of the water that the air conditioner condenses out of the air. Most units collect this water in an internal drain bucket, but some units exhaust the water through their drain hose. Some units have pumps that pump the condensate water out through a tube in their drain hose. Most models that collect condensate water in an internal bucket can also be adapted for direct drain off. There are now models that produce no water at all.
Portable air conditioners are becoming popular choices, due to their portability, flexibility and small size. But overall they are far from being your best choice, except for small and very intermittent uses. Before you make any purchase learn the pros and cons about portable air conditioner. The portability and small size of portable air conditioners are an advantage in some specific cases, namely to supplement cooling needs. Only consider them as a useful short-term solution for cooling and dehumidification in the cooling season.
Choosing a Portable Air Conditioner
There is a wide variety of portable air conditioners available on the market. They range in size and style and can accommodate rooms large and small. When choosing a portable air conditioner for your home or office, consider the size of your room and the unique needs of the area. Your portable air conditioner unit should be able to easily condition the air of the room without overtaxing the system. Air conditioner models that are too large may use too much energy or cycle too often for your needs.
Not all portable air conditioner units work the same so be aware of your individual needs prior to making a decision. Some of these air conditioner units have dehumidifiers with an attached receptacle while others have drainage systems that require less attention. Many of the portable air conditioners come with a filtration system to help remove airborne particles that contribute to allergies and dust. Be careful to choose systems that have High Efficiency Particle Air (HEPA) filters as these have been tested to remove most of the allergens from the air. In fact, these air filters are tested to remove over 95% of most airborne particles.
If you follow these tips while buying a portable air conditioner, you should be well on your way to enjoying a cool summer.
