Sweltering in the summer heat can be an extremely uncomfortable feeling, and during a heat wave, the body has to work extra hard to maintain a normal temperature. Excessive heat can also result in serious body threats by pushing the human body beyond its limits, with young children, the elderly, and those who are ill or overweight being the most at risk groups.

While electric fans can oftentimes bring some relief from hot temperatures, they may not be sufficient in especially hot climates. With that said, central cooling is such an important part of every summer, but unfortunately, some areas such as apartment buildings and warehouses make installing standard air conditioning units cost prohibitive or even impossible. For such problems, portable cooling units such as portable air conditioners or swamp coolers can be the answer.

Most portable air conditioners and swamp coolers are truly portable in that they usually do not require permanent installation, they have casters built-in, and they can easily be moved from room to room. Portable AC's use the same heat exchange principles as central or window air conditioners, and swamp coolers use simple evaporation to provide a low-cost, low-technology alternative to refrigerated air conditioning. As well, these two types of portable coolers are best suited for different climates. Because portable air conditioners also act as dehumidifiers and whisk moisture out of the air, they are best suited for humid areas. On the other hand, dry, arid areas such as the American Southwest fare better with swamp coolers, as these add moisture to the air.

In order to decide what type of portable cooler is best for your cooling situation, consider important factors such as the method of cooling you wish to employ, the size of the room or area you wish to cool, and energy efficiency ratings. This Portable Cooling Guide will help take the guesswork out of choosing a portable air conditioner or swamp cooler.