The portable air conditioner is ideal for those who like warmth but don’t want to deal with humidity and stuffy indoor temperatures.
It is a simple device that can refrigerate any environment, making it perfect for those who go on vacation and ideal for those who are used to travelling often in warm places.
Be careful though: they can also be an innovative solution for anyone who wants to avoid installing an air conditioning system in their own home. If you want to know more about these appliances to choose the most suitable for your needs, continue reading our guide on portable air conditioners.
Right below we had listed out the best portable air conditioners.
Portable Air Conditioners Buyer Guide
In this section, we will talk about some important aspects concerning the portable air conditioner. These are relatively recent devices, which have only recently appeared on the international market.
Buying one is an excellent solution for those who, for one reason or another, do not have a fixed cooling system.
What Is a Portable Air Conditioner?
The portable air conditioner is nothing more than a device capable of releasing cold air (at the preset temperature) and therefore performs the same function as the fixed air conditioners, but it is easier to install.
It has one or more pipes, to be placed in contact with the window, which is used both to suck in air from the outside and to expel it.
These must necessarily be sealed, to allow the appliance to work more effectively. Some models include everything needed for installation in the set, while for others that do not have it, a separate purchase will be required.
How Do You Install a Portable Air Conditioner?
The portable air conditioner always needs an exit to the outside; for this reason, it must be positioned near a window (or an entrance/exit door). Sealing the ducts is then almost mandatory if you want to prevent the expelled hot air from returning to the house driven by the current.
Although at first glance, it may seem complicated, the installation process is far from difficult. Even if you are not a professional, you can easily do it, just follow the information reported by the seller in the instruction manual. You will see, it will be child’s play!
How Many Ducts Can a Portable Air Conditioner Have?
Portable air conditioners are equipped with one or two pipes. The appliances that have a single duct absorb the hot air through a particular grill, and a compressor positioned inside cools it and pushes it back into the room.
The hot air that is produced during the cooling process is instead expelled outside. Models that have a double duct use one of the two pipes to absorb the outside air. this is cooled by the machine, which then pushes it into the home.
The other pipe is instead used to expel the hot air produced by the compressor: given the two ducts, one that is connected to the outside and the other to the inside, it is even more certain that the flow of hot air does not return to the room.
Better a Portable Air Conditioner or A Fixed One?
Here is a doubt that grips many potential buyers. Fixed air conditioners usually consist of two components: the first houses the compressor, which is used to cool the air, and is placed outside the home.
The other one, which is positioned inside the room, deals with dispersing the flow of cold air into the environment. Fixed air conditioners are low in noise, but cost more than portable models and need to be installed by a professional.
On the other hand, portable air conditioners, with integrated compressor, are equipped with a single unit which takes care of both absorbing the air (from the outside or the inside) and cooling it.
In addition to being less expensive than the fixed ones, they are easy to install, which is why you hardly ever use the figure of an expert for assembly.
Is It Difficult to Take Care of Your Portable Air Conditioner?
The maintenance that portable air conditioners need is fairly basic. If they are equipped with a deposit for condensation, it will be necessary to empty it every time it reaches the ridge, always checking that it is clean.
Also remember to clean the filters occasionally, following the instructions given by the seller. To remove the dust that accumulates between the fan blades, simply use a simple damp cloth.
What Are the Functions that A Portable Air Conditioner Must Have?
Almost all portable air conditioners, like the fixed ones, have the main functions, but it is always recommended to check it in person. In the list below we have decided to list what just can’t be missing in every model of the air conditioner.
- Timer. It Is Used to Program the Switching on And Off of The Device.
- Various Speeds. at Least Three Speeds Can Be Set: Low, Medium and High.
- Night Mode. Reduces Appliance Noise at Night.
- Wheels. There Are at Least Two if Not Four. They Facilitate the Portability of Portable Air Conditioners.
- Led Screen. Show the Necessary Values clearly.
- Remote Control. It Allows You to Control the Machine Even without Staying in Contact.
- Washable Filters. Remember to Clean Them up From Time to Time and To Remove Any Stuck Remains.
- Installation Kit. Not All Models Sell It Together with The Product, but You Can Always Buy It Separately (unless You Already Know-how To Install an Air Conditioner).
What Are the Main Advantages and Disadvantages of Portable Air Conditioners?
Air conditioners are among those machines that can no longer be missing in the homes of us westerners: there is nothing better than returning from work on a sultry day and relaxing in the cool of your own home! Let’s briefly analyze the advantages and weak points of these appliances:
Advantages
- They are easy to install
- They cool the air effectively.
- They are transportable, and consequently usable in every home.
Disadvantages
- The fixed models are, however, more effective and faster in cooling.
- They are generally quite noisy.
Heat Pump
Most portable air conditioners are used for cooling, but there are some equipped with a heat pump, also ideal for heating. Since it is an additional component, the models that are equipped with it cost more. Evaluate according to your needs if such a solution can be beneficial for you and your family.
Cooling Power
The unit of measurement used to calculate the cooling power of the air conditioners is the Gregoria, which corresponds to the amount of heat that must be subtracted from a kilogram of water to lower its temperature from 15.5 ° c to 14.5 ° c, at the pressure of 1 atmosphere.
Although complicated to understand, it is an extremely useful indicator for measuring the efficiency of the air conditioner based on the square meters of the home.
Usually, this value is reported by the seller on the packaging or in the manual: it would be too complicated for most of us to make these calculations individually.
Conclusions
In this short guide, we talked in-depth about the portable air conditioner. It is nothing more than a device capable of cooling the air through a compressor located inside it, thus exploiting the same operating principle of fixed air conditioners.
Why are portable models more advantageous then? In addition to costing less, they are easier to install: just follow the assembly instructions in the manual, and you’re done! It is not necessary to spend additional money to get the job done by a professional.
Furthermore, it is an optimal solution for all those who are used to moving often, and who perhaps want to avoid spending a fortune to acquire the necessary heating systems.
Keep in mind that some portable air conditioners are equipped with a heat pump, and are therefore ideal not only for cooling but also for heating rooms.
