How to Select a Portable Air Conditioner
What factors do I need to consider before making a purchase?
Area to be cooled
Two factors to consider when sizing the cooling power of a portable air conditioner are the room size (sq. feet) and presence of a heat source, such as direct sunlight or heat from something in the room like a server.
It is recommended to go with a portable air conditioner that is rated at cooling a larger room area than the size of your room, especially when there is a heat source.
Water Drainage
As part of the cooling process, a portable air conditioner will collect condensation similar to a dehumidifier. A key decision in selecting a portable AC is how to empty the collected water. Most units can be connected to a tube (not included) for continuous drainage via gravity while others have a water tank that can be removed and emptied. In either case, the units will shut off when the water tank is full.
Some models have a built-in pump that automatically pumps the condensation to the outside so the unit will not fill with water and shut off. In 2005, many models are utilizing a technology called ‘self-evaporation’ where the condensation is removed with the exhaust air.
We have found that in humid environments, the self-evaporation models do not effectively remove all of the condensation and drainage is often required, either through emptying a water tank or gravity draining through a tube.
Exhaust Venting
Another aspect of the cooling process is the creation of hot air that must be exhausted to the outside or to another area.
All portable air conditioners come with a flexible plastic exhaust hose that typically expands to 5 ft and is 5 inches in diameter. They also come with a window kit that the exhaust hose snaps into such that the air can be vented to the outside. Each model has a specific window kit that is either foam or hard plastic and they can be installed with either vertically or horizontally sliding windows. They are not designed to be used with casement windows (that open out).
Other venting options are to vent through a wall similar to a dryer vent or let the hose exhaust into another room that is able to support the warm exhaust air.
Area to be cooled
Two factors to consider when sizing the cooling power of a portable air conditioner are the room size (sq. feet) and presence of a heat source, such as direct sunlight or heat from something in the room like a server.
It is recommended to go with a portable air conditioner that is rated at cooling a larger room area than the size of your room, especially when there is a heat source.
Note: Don't compare just BTU capacity. Some manufacturers may call their units 12,000 BTUs but have smaller compressors that cannot meet that requirement. Here is a link that shows a room coverage comparison for each model.
Water Drainage
As part of the cooling process, a portable air conditioner will collect condensation similar to a dehumidifier. A key decision in selecting a portable AC is how to empty the collected water. Most units can be connected to a tube (not included) for continuous drainage via gravity while others have a water tank that can be removed and emptied. In either case, the units will shut off when the water tank is full.
Some models have a built-in pump that automatically pumps the condensation to the outside so the unit will not fill with water and shut off. In 2005, many models are utilizing a technology called ‘self-evaporation’ where the condensation is removed with the exhaust air.
We have found that in humid environments, the self-evaporation models do not effectively remove all of the condensation and drainage is often required, either through emptying a water tank or gravity draining through a tube.
Exhaust Venting
Another aspect of the cooling process is the creation of hot air that must be exhausted to the outside or to another area.
All portable air conditioners come with a flexible plastic exhaust hose that typically expands to 5 ft and is 5 inches in diameter. They also come with a window kit that the exhaust hose snaps into such that the air can be vented to the outside. Each model has a specific window kit that is either foam or hard plastic and they can be installed with either vertically or horizontally sliding windows. They are not designed to be used with casement windows (that open out).
Other venting options are to vent through a wall similar to a dryer vent or let the hose exhaust into another room that is able to support the warm exhaust air.
