Portable Cooling Applications

A portable cooler can provide cooling comfort during the scorching summer by relocating heat in two ways: either by dropping the temperature or by the use of water. In portable air conditioners, refrigerant carries and discharges the heat, while evaporative coolers (also called "swamp coolers") use water to relocate this heat.

Portable air conditioners and evaporative coolers are versatile appliances that can be used in a variety of situations such as cost-effectively spot cooling or supplementing a central air conditioning system. However, portable coolers are especially suitable for areas where permanent installation won't work, as it may be expensive and difficult to install traditional or central air conditioners. As well, many consumers may cringe at the thought of placing a window air conditioner in their home, as these can often affect the aesthetics of their surroundings.

Therefore, whether you need to find a portable cooling solution for spot cooling, temporary cooling when a permanent system is not an option, supplemental cooling due to inadequate main systems, or after hours additional cooling, a portable cooler such as a portable air conditioner or evaporative cooler is sure to suit your needs.

Homes

For hot and muggy days, portable air conditioners or swamp coolers can bring you cooling comfort. Both types of portable coolers move easily from room to room, and because they do not require permanent installation, they are also perfect for difficultly shaped window situations. Because portable air conditioners cool the air by removing moisture, they are best suited for more humid climates. More advanced units will offer built-in thermostats and utilize auto-evaporative technology in order to minimize maintenance. However, for arid climates, an evaporative cooler will cost-effectively cool the air and also add much-needed moisture to your environment. Keep in mind that if you choose an evaporative cooler, note that these are rated by the amount of cubic feet per minute of chilled air they can deliver and compared to portable air conditioners, all evaporative coolers require more maintenance such as regular cleanings and a steady water supply.

Computer Server Rooms

Keeping temperatures controlled is especially imperative in computer server rooms because prolonged operation of equipment at high temperatures can result in unpredictable hardware malfunctions and even system failure. Data management requirements of modern companies also need larger numbers of servers within corporate data centers, but this often results in additional heat being generated by the equipment, as well as additional strain placed on the already limited space. Therefore, the installation of computer room air conditioners can minimize system shutdowns and component failures.

However, many central air conditioners are prone to shutoffs during the weekends, and because most server rooms do not have easy window access and are usually located in an interior room, finding a way to keep equipment cool may seem difficult. Thankfully, portable air conditioners are great for this purpose, as they provide reliable cooling with ease of use and the flexibility needed to keep your server room running 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Be aware that one of the most critical components of a server room air conditioner is an automatic restart function, such as that found in the Amcor ALW-12000EH portable air conditioner, as this will keep the unit running continuously even in the case of a power failure. Also, be aware that server rooms can only be cooled with portable air conditioners, as evaporative coolers will add moisture to the air and cause damage to machinery.

Industrial Areas

Factories, warehouses, and processing plants often require year-round cooling, and regardless of the outside temperature, these heat-intensive areas require cooling even in the cooler months. Studies have also repeatedly shown that high temperatures can often result in lower employee productivity and a higher incidence of accidents. Therefore, keeping workers cool and comfortable may be an investment that can bring excellent returns in both productivity and safety.

With that in mind, if you need to cool a large area or working space quickly and efficiently, commercial evaporative coolers such as the Port-A-Cool PAC2K163SHD commercial evaporative cooler may be the answer. Because evaporative coolers use simple evaporation to cool an area, they can cost almost half as much to run than a traditional air conditioner. However, keep in mind that like all evaporative coolers, these units will only work efficiently in a hot, dry area, as they will not be able to evaporate additional water in humid climates. As an added bonus, evaporative coolers can also act as air filters by cleaning the air in your environment.

Here Are a Few Other Portable Cooling Applications:

See Portable Air Conditioners

See Evaporative Coolers

Return to the Portable Cooling Guide