Portable Air Conditioning Unit – Things You Need to Know
Well, from the word itself, portable air conditioners are like ACs “on wheels” – they are convenient to use for your home or office and has two models – monoblock and split-type air conditioners.
Based on my experience, twin duct systems are the most excellent because the air in single pipe systems are drained from the room and replaced with the outdoor’s hot air, thus decreasing its effectiveness.
A portable air conditioning unit are likely candidates to replace wall or window units and are excellent to utilize in apartment complex where window units are not allowed, or in homes which have windows that are not suitable for certain window models. Since they are mobile, you can roll them in and turn on without difficulty, but keep in mind that they are a bit heavy – weighing around 50 to 80 pounds.
The only thing that I don’t like with portable air conditioners is their price tag, but one thing is for sure – they are totally worth every penny, even though they are about $200 more expensive than window-type ACs. Some are even more expensive since they don’t just cool a room, they also dehumidify it. Various types can be utilized as space heaters, while others can be utilized as fans, and since they are rather expensive, it would be a smart and cost-effective move to buy one which includes functions, as well as features that you can make use of all year round.
In terms of the BTUs on portable air conditioning unit, majority available in the market starts at 6,000 BTUs. There is however a bit of price difference between smaller or larger (10,000 BTUs) models and 12,000 BTU models. One thing that you have to remember is that portable ones need more BTUs to cool a room as opposed to window units. So, if you want to cool your room that has a 300 square ft. area, then you will require around 10,000 BTUs, unlike if you have a window unit wherein you will only require 8,000 BTUs. So, you see the difference?
Portable air conditioning unit that has 14,000 BTU are what I would highly recommended since it can easily cool and dehumify small or large areas through the window with the use of hoses, thus getting rid of the need to install the unit itself on the window. They come with thermostat, remote control, LCDI shock-protected power cables (115V) and casters for easy mobility. 2-speed fan, quiet cooling, automatic defrost, adjustable louvers for airflow direction and 12-hour timer are some of the features of portable AC units. In addition, since they have replaceable and washable filters, they are easy to maintain.