When we speak of air conditioners, most people imagine of central air condition units or window units.
However, little attention is given to portable conditioning units even though they could be essential appliances in any home.
When buying a portable air conditioner, you want to ensure that you opt for the best item.
But, this may be daunting since there are different types in the market.
Below are helpful tips to guide you in making the right choice.
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Consider the size
Portable air conditioners come in various sizes and designs; some are small, while others are big.
The BTU (British Thermal Unit) is a critical factor to consider when choosing a portable air conditioner.
The BTU rating depicts power and cooling capabilities.
Also, the BTU measures the amount of heat that the air conditioner can expel.
So, the higher the BTU value, the mightier the air conditioner. BTU ratings typically range between 5,000 to 30,000, and the size chosen depends on the area to be cooled.
Therefore, the effectiveness of a portable air conditioner can be affected by the wrong BTU value.
Luckily, the Igloo’s iceless cooler comes in various capacities with the right levels of BTUs; this makes it the best iceless cooler in the market.
Check the type of venting
Portable units come with different types of venting. Consider the venting system of the air conditioning unit and ensure that the one picked matches your window specifications.
Placement of your unit
A portable unit will come with collapsible duct tubing for directing hot air outside, and others will even come with an adjustable fitting to your window.
So, consider where you’ll place your air conditioner and ensure that you have access to an exhaust location.
Consider the noise generated
If you plan to use your portable air conditioner to cool you while sleeping, examine the amount of sound produced.
Some air conditioners don’t emit any noise; but, they may be pricier. However, cheaper ones may be noisier hence keep you awake. Also, they may make some noise as you drain them.
Review energy efficiency
Some portable air conditioner models will efficiently cool your room without lots of excess moisture or a considerable increase in your energy bills.
So, you want to acquire the best unit that you can afford.
To achieve this, examine the PAC’s Energy efficiency Ratio (EER).
The EER guides on the number of BTUs used for every watt of power. Similarly, units with high EERs are more likely to save on energy.
Examine the condensation capacity
Another feature of all air conditioners is that they eliminate moisture from the air to various degrees of efficiency.
Central conditioning units dispose of this condensation by use of pipes connected to your home’s sewerage system.
However, with portable units, there’s nowhere to dispose of the condensation.
So ensure that the air conditioner picked has a container or tub where the condensation is stored until you empty it.
Required maintenance
The only maintenance you’ll need to worry about is draining of moisture collected.
All air conditioners draw moisture from the air and its part of the process. However, there are several approaches to clear this moisture.
First, you can dismantle the pan and drain it manually as required.
However, there are hassle-free units with fully self evaporative designs.
They dissipate most of the water collected; so you don’t need to bother about draining them manually.
Take home
By picking the right portable air conditioner, you ensure that it functions efficiently.
So, consider the size, amount of noise produced, energy efficiency, condensation capacity and the type of venting.