Portable Air Conditioners: What Features to Look For

Because portable air conditioners are compact, portable, energy efficient, and require little installation, it's easy to see why they are the ideal portable cooling solution in instances where traditional air conditioning systems are impractical or expensive to install.  Though they still require an exhaust tube that must be vented, portable air conditioners are portable in the sense that they require no permanent installation, making them ideal for homes, apartments, or offices. 

While many consumers understand that a portable air conditioner's BTU rating is important, there are several other features that you may not be aware of and should consider.  Many portable air conditioners boast advanced features such as auto-evaporative technology, timers, and even built-in heaters.  Here are some features you may want to pay attention to before making your portable air conditioner purchase:

BTU Requirements:

One of the first things you will notice when shopping for a portable air conditioner is the term "BTU's" or "British Thermal Units." Every air conditioner has a cooling capacity number that ranges anywhere from 5,000 to 30,000 BTU's, and the higher the BTU value, the stronger the air conditioner. However, be aware that purchasing an air conditioner with the wrong BTU value for your area will result in problems with cooling efficiency, as an air conditioner that is too powerful will cycle off too quickly and not properly dehumidify the room, and similarly, a portable air conditioner with too low a BTU rating will not adequately cool. To accurately find out how many BTUs your room needs, perform one of these two equations:

1. Find the square footage of the room and multiply this number by 35 to get a general ballpark figure.
2. Find the square footage of the room and find this number range in the following chart:

EER Ratings

"EER" stands for "Energy Efficiency Ratio," and this is another number that is commonly used in the portable air conditioner industry. Essentially, high EER ratings are favorable because this means the unit costs less to operate. Portable ACs have EERs usually ranging from 8 to 11, and the higher the EER, the more the air conditioner will cost. Therefore, if you plan on constantly operating your portable air conditioner, it may be worthwhile to get a unit with a high EER.

Drainage Requirements

Consider whether you mind emptying a portable air conditioner's drainage bucket a few times a day or if you prefer a unit that can be drained continuously. Also, if you are willing to pay a bit more, there are portable air conditioners that exhaust the condensed water through its exhaust hose, therefore eliminating the need for any type of drainage at all, such as the NewAir AC-12000E.

Noise Level

Many modern portable air conditioners are now relatively quiet, but if you are concerned about noise levels, be sure to pay attention to decibel ratings. The higher the decibel, the louder the unit is. To get a basic idea of decibel ratings, refer to the following chart:

Air Output

Almost all portable air conditioners will have at least two settings for airflow, but you may want additional settings to increase the unit's versatility. As well, pay close attention to a unit's CFM (cubic feet per minute) rating, as this is the measure of the volume of air flow, and higher CFMs will mean more airflow.

Air Filtration

The air found indoors is often many times worse than the air outdoors, and to address this issue, most portable air conditioner manufacturers will include some kind of air filter. However, for even additional protection, some of the most advanced portable air conditioners even include built-in air purifiers complete with ionizers and activated carbon for odors and gases.

Temperature Range and Increments

If you live in an especially hot and arid climate, portable air conditioners spanning less than 20° may not be sufficient. Also look for temperature increments, and be sure that the portable air conditioner you choose can be incremented in notches of 1° to 2°, as this allows for greater precision and prevents electricity waste.

Timer Functions

Portable air conditioners with timers, such as the Soleus LX-140, allow you to save energy by running the unit only at set times. Sleep settings are also quite useful as the air conditioner will slow down the cooling process to a minimum while you are sleeping, therefore saving you time and money.

Adjustable Louvers

Adjustable louvers in a portable air conditioner will allow you to adjust the louvers from up/down or side-to-side. This function will provide you with more options for directing airflow.

Built-In Heaters

Some portable air conditioners such as the Amcor ALW-12000EH offer even more versatility by both cooling and heating your area.

Installation Requirements

Portable air conditioners will usually come with installation directions and window kits for venting. When choosing a portable air conditioner and if venting through a window, make sure the window you intend to install the vent on matches the type of window covered by the kit. For even added convenience, the Amcor APC2000E does not need to be vented and does not utilize an exhaust hose.

See Portable Air Conditioners

Portable Air Conditioner Comparison Chart

Portable Air Conditioner Recommendations

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