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A portable air conditioner offers many benefits with a few drawbacks
As we approach the warmer months, you’re probably eyeing options for staying cool. You could get a new fan or maybe even a swamp cooler. However, those options will fail to cool you down easily if it’s too hot and humid. If you and your family thought last summer was brutal, then it’s time to invest in an air conditioner.
Now, there are multiple kinds of air conditioners that you can get that require varying levels of installation costs and commitment. The easiest way to dip your toe in the world of air conditioning is getting a portable unit. They are easier to install than window units and cost significantly less than mini-splits or a whole HVAC system.
But if you’re still not sure, here are some pros and cons of getting a mobile air conditioning unit.
Portable Air Conditioner Benefits
1. Cooling & Dehumidifier 2-in-1
You might not know this, but an air conditioner and a modern dehumidifier both use condenser coil technology, so it’s pretty simple to create a two-in-one air conditioner and dehumidifier. This means you can activate the dehumidifier feature when it’s a sticky heat and the AC portion when the weather is a dry heat.
Unlike a dehumidifier-only unit, a combination portable AC unit (PAC) can pump the exterior water away through its exhaust hose so you won’t need to empty the drain bucket. These units also often have a high-speed fan built in as well, making them a three-in-one unit.
2. Not Subject to Restrictive Policies
If you rent or live on a property overseen by a restrictive HOA, getting a window unit or a full HVAC system might not be in the cards for you. However, a portable air conditioner is most likely not subject to any restrictions since it requires no construction and can’t easily be seen from the outside.
3. Portability
The portability of a PAC gives you a lot of flexibility. For example, you can use it to cool down a room and then roll it into a closet when guests come over or when the weather changes. In addition, their lighter weight and wheels allow you to transport a PAC to places where it’s typically difficult to get more traditional cooling systems like an outdoor shed or a basement.
4. Efficiency in Small Spaces
If you live in a home with central air conditioning, sometimes you don’t want to turn on the whole system that cools down every room. Or perhaps you live with people who have different opinions about what’s an acceptable temperature. A portable unit is a great solution. You can lower the temperature of only the room you’re in without the need to install a costly mini-split.
5. Year-Round Utility
It’s a huge hassle to install and take out a window AC. So some people leave the unit installed year round. That can cause huge problems. Exposing the exterior to seasons upon seasons of lashing rain, piles of melting snow, and bird droppings can cause it to prematurely rust. Icicles can form on the underside during the winter, which can pose a danger.
A portable air conditioner faces none of these problems. People who live in places where it never really gets that cold will appreciate always having an AC on hand that isn’t exposed to the elements. Plus, there are portable units that have built-in dehumidifiers and high-speed fans, giving them added utility in the cooler months.
6. Lower potential costs
Portable air conditioners run the gamut of cheap to expensive. However, their unexpected costs are much lower than window units or central air. Window units can fall out of the sill, potentially causing bodily harm and property damage. And it’s common for large HVAC units to spring a leak and ruin walls and ceilings. When a portable air conditioner unit fails, it usually just stops working.
7. Easy installation
Window units are awkward to lift and put into place. In some cases, you need to drill screws to secure it. Portable units can be cumbersome with the hoses, but they typically do not require any strength or extra tools to set up.
Portable Air Conditioning Cons
1. They are noisy
Lacking any real baffling or insulation, portable air conditioners tend to be way noisier than window units or HVACs. It’s very common to want to run the AC to help you sleep, but if you don’t like white noise then a PAC is not for you.
2. Not as powerful as window units
While the technology powering portable units is getting better all the time, window units still typically produce more BTUs. If you’re looking to rapidly cool a room or consistently keep it cold, a portable air conditioner may not be a good option.
3. They take up space
The majority of a window unit’s footprint is outside your home and an HVAC is mostly hidden in the walls. However, a PAC is inside your home. Even when it’s not in use, it takes up closet space.
Portable vs Fixed Air Conditioning
On the spectrum of air conditioners, portable units sit on the opposite end as fixed units. Here’s how they compare to what’s out there.
If you’re interested in cooling multiple rooms, but only one at a time or live in a place that doesn’t allow alterations, a portable unit will suit your needs.
People looking to cool one room for a season or all year round will benefit from a window unit. Window units are also quieter on average than PACs.
An entire HVAC system or a mini-split is a huge investment both in money and construction time, but if you’re willing to make it, they are the most powerful air conditioners you can get.