Portable Air Conditioning Units – Some Facts and Tips!

Fundamentally, portable air conditioning units are a great way of freshening up the air in your home or office. They are chemical-free, and good models are also built in with filters that keep the air pure and optimal for breathing.

Portable air conditioning units also keep the air moist through the use of in-built damp mats. This is a particularly useful feature in climates that are particularly dry, and it can help you keep your skin and respiratory system in good health through exposure to greater levels of humidity.

An eye on energy
Keeping an eye on the amount of energy a portable air conditioning unit uses before you make your choice is a sensible move. The price tag on cheaper models can often seem appealing, but when you calculate the ongoing costs of running a less energy efficient model, that small saving in store can quickly be forgotten about. Better, newer models are fitted with a number of features to limit their energy usage.

How Many Watts Does a Portable Air Conditioner Use?
On average, a portable air conditioner uses around 800-1000 watts of power while in use. However, with the advent of modern technology, most of these units feature energy-saving mechanisms. This allows your unit to consume less power without effecting the cooling performance of the unit.

How Long Can You Run a Portable Air Conditioner?
Portable air conditioners can operate effectively as long as they are taken care of. Ideally, you would want to shut off your unit when it is not required. If you perform regular maintenance checks on your AC unit, there is a greater chance that it will operate longer.

Features
Wading through features can either be a dream or a nightmare. Some companies have gone the smart-house route that gives you greater control at the thermostat. Others have kept things bare bones.

Certain features can be particularly useful, and some are only for flash. If unnecessary features are driving up the price of a unit, a company may have cheaper models that will match your needs at a lower price.

Convenience
The next thing to consider is the convenience factor. The majority of ventless portable AC units have an array of useful features like a programmable timer, auto restart function, digital display, and remote control.

Portability
Ventless portable air conditioners, as their name suggests, are essentially designed to be portable. However, as much as they are portable, weight is a major concern, especially when it comes to lifting them up and down stairs.
Aside from weight, also consider the height of the unit. You want to choose a unit that is light enough for one or two people to carry and not extremely tall, just in case you have to transport it in your car.

Air Filters
The filtration system in portable AC units is designed to keep out airborne particles such as dust or spores. Some models even come with built-in air purifiers. This helps reduce the humidity in the room as well as ‘conditioning’ the air for a cleaner atmosphere.

You need to clean the filters in these units to ensure that their ability to do this job effectively. Doing it once every two weeks is a good idea, as this will stop them from clogging. Blocked filters prevent the AC from cooling the air as they cannot suck in air effectively. This leads to reduced effectiveness and higher energy bills as the air conditioner works overtime in an attempt to cool the air.

Obviously, cost is the top thing on your mind during a big buy and it is an important consideration. Budget can make or break a decision when it comes time to pull the trigger on your home AC system.