Portable Air Conditioners

How Do Portable Air Conditioners Work – A Complete Guide

How Do Portable Air Conditioners Work – A Complete Guide

As the name implies, a portable air conditioner is movable, though some work, such as installing the exhaust tube and locating a suitable power point, is required. Most designs will include caster wheels to increase the unit’s mobility.

Unlike window air conditioners or PTAC, which require fixed installation by trained technicians, the portable type is simply installed following the DIY instruction.

How Do Portable Air Conditioners Work:

Like a clothes dryer venting system, portable air conditioners release exhaust through a standard window venting kit.

Because of the heat exchanger in the unit, the front side will discharge cool air into the room, while the back will discharge hot air. This hot air needs to be discharged outside the room through a flexible exhaust tube. Most units come with a window installation kit to mount the hose on the window.

Condensation collects water droplets in a tray or bucket inside the portable air conditioner. When the collected water is full, it must be manually removed. If you find it a hassle to do this, find units that can drain this water by installing a drain hose.

Portable Air Conditioner Features

Controls: Typically, manual or electronic controls are available. In comparison to its electronic-based counterparts, the manual type is straightforward with few functions. The digital variety usually includes a temperature display and a remote control. Other functions may include the “Sleep” function, which causes the unit’s set temperature to rise after a certain number of hours of operation.

This feature comes in handy when using the unit while sleeping. It helps to cool the room to a higher temperature as less cooling capacity is required when one sleeps compared to when one is active. This helps save your electricity bill, thus contributing to conserving our depleting natural resources.

CFM and Noise Level: These are two other factors to consider before purchasing the unit. The higher the CFM (cubic feet per minute), the longer the discharged air can travel. The noise level should be kept as low as possible because excessive noise causes discomfort to the occupants of the room.

UL Safety: This is another marking you should look for on the unit to ensure that it is designed according to UL safety standards. This marking should be present in the majority of units.

Louvres and swings: are used to direct the flow of air that exits the unit vertically or horizontally. Some units can only do this manually and remain at that particular location. Other more advanced and feature-rich units have motors that change the position of the louvre or swing automatically.

Heater Option: It should be considered when you need heating during winter. This type of unit is more expensive than a simple cooling unit. In the long run, having this option is preferable to not using the unit during winter.

Auto Restart: Valuable function in places where electricity supply outages occur frequently. It will shut down when the unit is turned on, and the power is cut off. When electricity resumes, the unit will automatically start using the last user settings.

Timer function: This is a must, as this feature is helpful in OFF or ON the air conditioner after a certain time. You may want to turn on the unit for an hour during the night to cool the room and then use the fan.

What is the Advantage & Disadvantage of portable AC?

Advantages

Mobility: A portable air conditioner, unlike a traditional window air conditioner, is easier to move from one location to another thanks to casters mounted to the unit or wheels attached to the base. Because it is portable, it can be used in a home office during the day and then moved to a bedroom at night.

Pocket friendly: Compared to large window units and central air conditioning systems, portable air conditioners are less expensive because they are smaller units. You don’t need to reduce your other expenses because they are less expensive, so you can easily purchase one for your house.

Easy to install: What could be better if a home appliance can be used right out of the box? A portable air conditioner will simplify and hassle-free installation since it doesn’t require screws or other fasteners. To get the condensed air out of the room, you must make an exhaust vent.

Convenient for Rental Apartments: There are far too many restrictions on everything, including the furniture you can use in a rented home. You should purchase furniture or other items that are simple to install in the new home and convenient to transport while moving. Because of its portability and simple installation, a portable air conditioner is the best tool. With this type of AC, you have less trouble and can concentrate on moving other bulky appliances and technology.

Disadvantages

Challenging water management: In addition to dehumidifying the space and generating a comfortable atmosphere, an air conditioner has the capacity to draw moisture from the air in an enclosed space. To allow the water to exit the room through a hose attached to the portable AC, it must be placed close to a window or another location where it can be easily discarded along with the moisture that is drawn from the air. Some models have an internal pan that needs to be emptied after each water fill-up. On the other hand, a window air conditioner has an exhaust fan on the outside that effectively removes water in the form of steam.

Less Efficient: The air sent out of the hose by AC units with a single hose is dehumidified air from inside the room, making them ineffective at cooling the space. Energy is wasted as a result of the condenser having to cool the air instead of the dehumidified air. The air that replaces the dehumidified air is warm and humid outside air, which also contributes to the uncomfortable atmosphere. Recent portable AC models, on the other hand, are much more effective because they have two hoses (similar to the design of a typical window AC unit) to direct the heated and cooled air to the proper locations.

Despite its portability, moving a portable air conditioner can be difficult due to its weight. A thick layer of carpet or uneven floor leveling may create obstacles when moving the AC from one room to the next, which is another way in which the floor surface has a significant impact on how the AC moves.

Noisy compared to other systems: These air conditioners typically make more noise than other air conditioning systems like split and ducted air conditioners because every component is contained within a single unit. Additionally, window air conditioners are less noisy than portable units because the unit’s noisiest component is located on its exterior, which automatically muffles any noise it makes.

Portable Air Conditioner Maintenance

Remove water: During the cooling process, portable air conditioners draw moisture from the air in the space, and this condensate needs to be disposed of. A drain pump or hose should be used to empty the internal tank that most PACs have for storing extra condensation.

Clean filters: Take out all filters that are part of your portable air conditioner. In most cases, replacing these filters is preferable to cleaning them, but always adhere to the manufacturer’s maintenance recommendations.

Clean exterior: Every few weeks, be sure to clean the exterior of your unit in addition to draining the water and changing the filters. Clean the surface with a soft, damp cloth after the device has been turned off. Avoid using harsh detergents or abrasive chemicals as they may damage the surface.

Cleaning the entire PAC twice a year, at the start and end of the season, is a good PAC maintenance tip. Before putting your portable air conditioner away, follow these instructions:

End season maintenance: Make sure to remove any remaining water condensate. Remove the lower drain plug, then catch the water in a shallow pan. Before storing, run the appliance in fan-only mode for 30 minutes to remove any extra moisture.Clean the air filter with water after removing it. Reinstall the air filter after it has dried.Remove the window installation kit’s cables. Take care not to bend any plastic parts at an acute angle as you remove the plastic hose, window bracket, window bracket panel adaptor, and hose connector before storing them with the portable air conditioner.

Are Portable AC Units a Good Choice?

Yes, Compared to a standard window air conditioner, a portable air conditioner is simpler to move from one place to another. Portable air conditioners are less expensive than large window units and central air conditioning systems. Installing a portable air conditioner will be incredibly easy and hassle-free. Thus, portable AC units are a good choice.

Why is Coolersonline.ae Portable Air Conditioners a perfect solution?

Picking the right appliance for your needs requires the quality of services on offer. While choosing the portable air conditioners, coolersonline.ae is the perfect solution for you. Coolersonline.ae apart from providing quality portable ACs, offers excellent services. It promises customized solutions for your needs, installation within 2 hours, free installation services, and an extended warranty period on products. These qualities make buying from coolersonline.ae the perfect buying solution for customers.

Conclusion

Make a budget before purchasing a portable room air conditioner. Then eliminate options that are within your price range. Check what size should be appropriate for your room after that. Give preference to dual-hose units depending on the available space in your room. Choose a model that includes a heating option as well for all-year use.

Opt for coolersonline.ae for purchasing your next air conditioner, as you get customized solutions for the best-fit ACs for your requirements, timely maintenance and repair options, free installation on your first purchase, extended warranty periods on select brands, and many more other features.

FAQ

Q. Are Portable Air Conditioners Energy-Efficient?

Ans. Portable air conditioners use very little energy. They are more energy-efficient than window fans and less energy-intensive than conventional air conditioners.

Q. Do you put water in a portable air conditioner?

Ans. You are not required to fill in a typical portable AC. However, you’ll need to restock the reservoir with ice and water if you have an evaporative portable room air conditioner, also known as a swamp cooler.

Q. Are Portable Air Conditioners Noisy?

Ans. Yes, running portable air conditioners can be quite noisy and distracting, especially if you’re working from home, watching TV, or talking on the phone.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *