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| Portable Air Conditioners Are a Great Option to Stay Cool |
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The first day of fall in the Northern Hemisphere, i.e., the United States, Canada and most of Europe, begins on September 22, 2009 at 2:18 p.m. PDT. Although that date is now less than a month away, if you live in California or another southern state, the summer heat could remain clear into October. What that means is if you still don’t have air conditioning in your home, it’s not too late to get a unit.
Portable air conditioners are a great option to central air conditioning because they do not require permanent installation, are energy efficient and lower humidity levels. Most portable air conditioners work similarly to traditional air conditioners; they product a cooling effect utilizing the refrigeration cycle and a coolant such as Freon. The portable AC unit consists of a boxed frame that holds the cold and hot sides of the AC, and an exhaust hose blows out the air. Once a portable air conditioner cools the air, water is removed and most of the water is then used to cool the actual unit.
The water that collects in the unit can be removed two ways. The first way is to empty the bucket or tray located within the unit that collects the condensate. The second way to remove the water to prevent overflowing is auto-evaporative technology, which involves evaporating the water and exhausting it through a main venting hose and through a window, drop ceiling or wall.
The key to purchasing the right portable air conditioner is to correctly determine the size of the area you would like to cool. Portable air conditioners are effective for areas up to 450 square feet and require 5,000–30,000 BTUs, depending on the square footage of area desired to cool, and a few other variables. Many consumers make the mistake of assuming that more power is always better, but that is not always the case. Choosing a portable air conditioner with a higher BTU rating than needed will cause the unit to cycle off too quickly, and will not properly remove humidity from the air. On the other hand, choosing a portable air conditioner with insufficient BTUs, will not adequately cool a room.
Before you decide on your area’s BTU requirements, compile the following information:
1. Calculate your room’s square footage by multiplying its length by its width.
2. Verify the size of the window opening for venting.
3. Check the plug type and electrical requirements of your room.
After you have completed your checklist, you can determine your required BTUs:
100–200 Sq. Feet = 7,000–10,000
150–250 Sq. Feet = 8,000–11,000
250–350 Sq. Feet = 9,000–12,000
350–450 Sq. Feet = 12,000–16,000
Portable air conditioners are perfect for homes that cannot or do not accommodate central air conditioning or window air conditioners. They do not require permanent installation and can be moved from room to room. The refrigeration cycle utilized by these units naturally produce a dehumidification effect, making them ideal for use in humid climates. Many portable air conditioners also feature built-in heaters and air purifiers to provide year-round use and cleaner air. Portable air conditioners are very energy efficient and affordable to own. |
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