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Features
to Look for When Choosing a Portable AC
Need to cool your living space without having to
invest in an expensive central air conditioning system? If so,
a portable air conditioner may be the answer. Portable air
conditioners allow you to enjoy all the benefits of traditional air
conditioners but have the added benefit of being fully portable. Best of all, portable ACs don't require
permanent installation and are perfect for keeping apartments and
condominiums cool and comfortable.
To make sure you get the most air conditioning for
your money, don't forget to consider these features before you
decide on a unit that's right for you:
| Consider the
size of your room when determining your BTU requirements.
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| Before you choose a portable air
conditioner, the first thing you should consider is how
large of an area you're
trying to cool. Portable air conditioners are rated in
BTUs, or "British Thermal Units." Most portable ACs
have cooing capacities that range from 5,000 to 16,000 BTUs,
and the higher the BTU rating, the stronger the AC.
Don't be tempted to purchase a unit that's significantly
more powerful than your cooling needs, though. The
size of your portable air conditioner should be adequate and
not too large or small. A unit that's too powerful
will cycle off too quickly and not properly dehumidify the
room while a portable air conditioner with too low a BTU
rating will not adequately cool. See our
portable AC sizing guide to figure out how large of a
unit you need. |
| Pay attention
to EER. |
| Always check the unit's EER (Energy Efficient Ratio)
before making your purchase. The higher the EER, the
more energy-efficient the portable air conditioner.
Currently, the minimum requirement by law is an EER of 10.
Purchase a model with the highest EER you can reasonably
afford because this will eventually save you money on your
energy bill. |
| Look at a
portable AC's drainage requirements. |
| Because portable air conditioners remove moisture from
the air, they need to be drained occasionally. Do you
mind emptying a portable air conditioner's drainage bucket a
few times a day or do you prefer a unit that can be drained
continuously? If you're willing to pay a little bit
more, choose a portable air conditioner that exhausts the
condensed water through its exhaust hose such as the
NewAir ACP-1400H.
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