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Buying a Portable Air Conditioner?
There are so many things to enjoy about summer, beach trips, getting lunch with the family on the porch, going to the nearest water park. People often have positive summer relationships. But, then the heat is there.
Once you’re out there for a day splashing around in the sun, the heat of summer can be enjoyable, but less so when your home is unexpectedly stifling and you sit there feeling depressed. If you can at least bundle up with a blanket when you’re cold, heat is a little harder to fend off with quick remedies.
You will surely think of cooling out as the weather heats up.
Why Should You Consider a Portable Air Conditioner?
Heat may have significant health effects, in addition to the discomfort it creates. In fact, the CDC reports that each year, about 700 individuals die from exposure to excessive heat in the US.
For others, buying portable air conditioner may feel like a luxury, but beyond simple convenience, they serve a vital purpose. If you find the heat unbearable and try to find a remedy, don’t feel like you’re oversensitive – it can be vital for your wellbeing to cool down when it’s hot outside!
For people who do not own an AC device, portable air conditioners are not only a smart choice, they are also a perfect way to save money and cut the amount of electricity you consume. In fact, the advantages associated with these AC units are numerous.
A portable AC device will help you lower the temperature of a small environment in which you spend a lot of time, for homes that also have central air conditioning.
Not only does this make you comfortable, but since you do not have to cool your whole house, you can save on electricity bills. If you mainly use only one or two rooms in your whole house, this is highly helpful.
What does BTU mean?
The letters stand for the British Thermal Unit, the unit used for thermal (heat) energy calculation. Specifically, it is the amount of energy used to increase 1 pound of water to 1°F at sea level.
The calculation is defined in terms of how much BTUs per hour the product can add or subtract from the air as applied with respect to air conditioning systems or heaters.
How to Choose the Best Portable Air Conditioner for You
It is much less efficient to cool a whole house with the intention of keeping one room cool than merely cooling one targeted place.
Whatever the reason for starting to consider a portable air conditioner, before making a purchase, it is important that you find the right portable AC for your room.
Here are the key things you need to know to help you make a better decision in your quest to help you discover the right portable air conditioning unit for your home and lifestyle.
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Room Size
The size of the air conditioner will not matter to many customers as much as the size of the room it cools. A whole house or apartment can not be cooled by most portable air conditioners; they are more suitable for cooling particular rooms, such as a bedroom or living room. Then what you want to watch is how large a room is going to cool down.
In addition, you must also take into account variations in the atmospheric heat that each room absorbs. It would be wise to keep this in mind and go up in BTU’s if you are trying to cool an environment that suits these scenarios.
Size
Size The “portable” aspect really matters to some and they want to be able to transfer their AC device from room to room or house to house. If you fall into the above group, then selecting an air conditioner that you could always move easily is essential.
Be mindful of both the air conditioner’s height and its weight. Is this going to fit in your car? Will you pick it up on your own, fairly? For easier mobility, does it come with wheels?
Even though you aim to keep it for the long run in one place, you need to make sure it suits that place. Measure the space to make sure that the dimensions of the package meet what you have room for.
Also, decide whether you’re going to need to re-arrange the space for it to fit in the position you’ve picked and whether or not you’re all right with that.
Cost
The cost differential can be related to a variety of various factors the biggest one being how good and efficient the air conditioner is. You must opt to pay for more than one that is intended for a small bedroom if you want a portable AC that can cool a large living room area.
Many compact air conditioners often act as heaters or dehumidifiers, and these additional applications normally tip the cost upwards, as will additional functionality such as remote controls or programmable timers.
As for other products, it will cost you more upfront to go with a company known for making better portable air conditioners that can last a long time but save you money by not having to bother purchasing a new one for several years to come.
Additional Costs
Air conditioners use a lot of energy, as you already know, but the price tag on the item itself is a tiny part of the entire tale of what a portable AC would really cost you. Around 13 percent of the monthly heating bill of an average household goes to cooling costs, according to Energy Star.
When deciding which choices are the most successful, make sure that you take energy efficiency into consideration.
And ultimately, don’t forget about other recurring expenses, such as air filter repair. Check out how much it will pay for a replacement filter and how long you will need to buy a new one. Those costs can easily add up if the filter has to be changed regularly.
Proper Ventilation
Portable air conditioners blow out hot air, so you’re going to have to keep yours near to a window. Window venting kit often comes along with most portable air conditioners and simple directions about how to set up the air conditioner so that it vents correctly. They are all pretty easy to install, which makes them possible to move.
If you’re looking to have your air conditioner in a position that is a ways away from the fan, then check the maximum distance the window kit can be stretch to.
Some models have packages that allow you to be more comfortable on where the air conditioner is mounted, while others need to remain close to the window.
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Single Hose vs. Dual-Hose
You will find that you have two main hose types to pick from in order to dig a little further into the airflow of your portable air conditioner. This has AC modules for single-hose and dual-hose.
AC Units Single-Hose: This configuration uses the same hose for both the air intake and exhaust. Although the space you use it in is always cool, it will have to work harder to do so and is not as powerful as a dual-hose air conditioner.
Dual-Hose AC Units: There are one intake hose and one exhaust hose in this configuration. This type of portable air conditioner is not only more energy-efficient due to having two separate hoses but will cool your room up to 40 percent faster than single-hose designs.
Both designs will cool the room in which you are using them. However, because they are more energy-efficient, we indeed suggest using a dual-hose portable AC unit. It can cool your space at a faster pace and have stable air pressure. This is particularly important if you want larger rooms to cool down.
Noise
Most air conditioners create noise. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a fan, ductless or portable unit, any air conditioner you purchase will make you hear a little bit of noise.
This noise will be low for the most part and often described as “background noise” that you actually will not even hear. However, with a portable air conditioner, noise is also an important consideration to remember when shopping.
If it’s important to you to have an AC device that doesn’t bring too much noise to your home while it’s switched on, you will find some that are built to be quieter than normal.
Features
Unique features that improve the cooling experience are provided by several portable air conditioners. These features provide comfort and save you money on energy consumption.
Programmable Thermostat: A programmable thermostat helps you to adjust the air conditioner to the exact temperature that you like and trust that if the room is cooled to that extent, it will turn off immediately. Not only does this remove the need to turn it on and off remotely, but you can also pre-program the machine to start cooling at certain hours.
Automatic Drain System: An automated drain system converts all the water into the exhaust from condensation, meaning you never have to deal with emptying.
Mobile Remote Control: A remote control allows you to control the air conditioner from a distance over so that you can switch it on and off without moving off the sofa or climbing out of bed.
Heater/AC: An air conditioner that acts as a heater would spare you the difficulty of having to buy a different product in the winter to heat your house. As you can use it all year-round, this feature can give you extra value for your money.
Dehumidifier: An air conditioner that comes with a dehumidifier will assist in removing air humidity. For several factors, regulating the humidity in your home is helpful, but when the heat begins to increase, it is extremely necessary.
Final Thoughts
Summer doesn’t need to have a drawback, at least not because, in your own way, you can regulate the heat in your house.
When it comes to buying a portable air conditioner, there’s a lot to remember and to consider, and the first time you switch it on during a hot summer day, you’ll be happy you took the time to pick out the right one.
