The air conditioner is a wonderful thing. Without it, the summer would be a lot more difficult to handle, especially on those very hot, humid days. Having an air conditioner can make things much more manageable, makes people happier, and it makes them more productive. There are countless choices out there for air conditioners, and you have many options at your disposal. If you are like most consumers, you have probably looked at purchasing a portable air conditioner.

These air conditioners are perfect of people who live in apartment buildings or condos with no central air, or for those who don’t have the money to spend on a large central air conditioning unit.

There are several things to consider when buying, or looking to buy, a portable air conditioner.

Portability

With a portable air conditioner, the greatest benefit is the fact that it can be moved, hence portable. You can move it to any room you like as long as you have set up the room to have an exhaust outlet for the air conditioner. Having an air conditioner in a room, wherever you are, gives you greater control over the energy that is being used by you. Depending on your daily needs, you are going to be able to have the air conditioner with you, wherever you are in the house.

Portable AC Cost

Unlike through-the-wall or mounted air conditioners, the portable air conditioner typically costs more to purchase and to operate. The energy savings can be better since you are only trying to cool down one room, and it is the room you are in, so there is no wasted energy as a result. In the long-run, the cost should be offset by what you save.

Portable AC Ability

Of course, when you decide to cool a room, it is going to make a big difference how large the room is, which in turn brings up the question of how much energy is going to be used to cool the room. Generally, most portable air conditioners have the ability to cool a room that is 300 to 400 square feet in size. Given that most homes are between 1,000 and 2,000 square feet that should be more than enough to not only cool a room but a large area of the home. Remember, the larger the room, the greater the effort will be to cool it and the more energy you are going to use.

Is a Portable AC unit right for you?

Portable air conditioners are quite popular, but is it right for you? If you are any of the following, a portable air conditioner may work:

  • If you live in an apartment or a condo, or you do not have the money for a central air conditioning system.
  • If you do not need a large air conditioner to cool down an area due to good airflow in the home.
  • If you are the only person in the home, and just want to keep where you are cool.
  • If you don’t want to have to install a window-unit, which can be a hassle for some.