Portable Air Conditioner FAQs – Are Portable Air Conditioners Worth It?

Portable Air Conditioners – Spot Cooler

MyPowerCool BTU Portable Air Conditioner

1. Are Portable Air Conditioners Worth It?

Yes, they are quite effective. Sizing and making sure it fits your needs is a first important step.  It is best to think about the what your needs are to and make sure a portable air conditioner is what you need.

2. When should you use a portable AC unit?

Portable air conditioners are best used as spot coolers for smaller rooms.

  • They can be used if you are not able to use a window AC unit
  • Security is a problem, with window air conditioning units
  • Don’t want to lift a heavy unit in and out of your window and destroy the window
  • Or want to be able to move the air conditioning from room to room as needed and don’t want to purchase multiple window units.

We also find our customers like them to augment inefficient central air conditioning systems, especially when the upstairs bedrooms are hotter. Having an extra spot cooling, can be a real help.

3. What capacity portable air conditioner do I need to buy to equal the performance of a window air conditioner?

Our general rule is that a portable air conditioner will cover the same as a window air conditioner, but how effectively it does that depends on the size of room and the manufacturer. If you have questions about sizing please feel free to call us at 888-236-7231.

4. Do portable air conditioners dehumidify a room?

All air conditioners will dehumidify a room somewhat, but often not to the humidity level that feels as comfortable as you might want. The reason for this is that an air conditioner turns itself on and off depending on the temperature that you have preset and will often turn off before the humidity is removed to the level that you want. A dehumidifier on the other hand, turns itself on and off depending on the humidity level that you want to achieve and doesn’t care what temperature you have set.

5. Are portable air conditioners energy efficient?

It depends on the brand and model, some are not. You will save the most money by properly sizing your unit, so that it doesn’t have to work as long or as hard as a small unit might.

6. What is your best recommended portable air conditioner and why?

Our best unit is the Friedrich ZoneAire PH14B Portable Conditioner because it also contains a heat pump.Friedrich ZoneAire PH14B Portable Air Conditioner With Heat Pump

7. Do I have to vent these air conditioners to the outside?

Yes, venting is very important. All AC units produce heat when cooling, for example a window AC unit produces heat but you don’t feel it because it’s just outside the window. The heat produced by the portable air conditioner has to be vented to work effectively; otherwise you’re cooling and heating the same space.

8. Can I increase the length of the exhaust tube that comes with the machine?

No, it isn’t a good idea. The manufacturers correctly determine the hose length and adding to it makes it more difficult for the air conditioner to remove the hot air. You need a smooth and easy exhaust flow or backpressure will develop which would reduce the efficiency of the machine.

9. The installation diagrams show the exhaust hose exiting horizontally. Can I install this vertically to exhaust into a ceiling?

No, that would not be a good idea because you would either have to lengthen the hose, which we don’t recommend, or raise the unit on a table so that the hose would reach. Additionally, since the exhaust air is carrying the moisture out along with the hot air and exhausting to a ceiling, this could produce condensation of this moisture above the ceiling. If you are looking for a more permanent solution, we also sell ductless mini splits air conditioners.

Check out all the portable air conditioners on our website.