Maybe you're renting an apartment with no central air, or maybe you're a homeowner in a climate that's often temperate. Either way, there's no reason you'll need an air conditioner, right? You might think you'll be able to get away with cleverly placed fans and ice packs until you hit that first 90-degree day. That's when you'll need a portable air conditioner. These devices solve multiple problems at once, all without needing to be mounted in the window or complex installation.
Portable Air Conditioners: How Do They Work?
A portable air conditioner can typically cool a space between 100 and 950 square feet wide. While that is a broad range, these machines come in a variety of sizes and BTU power levels. The portable AC units look very similar to dehumidifiers or a slim mini fridge. Install by moving close to an open window, placing your exhaust hose and frame in the window, then choosing your cooling cycle. They're simple and maneuverable, too, so when it's time to get up and go to another room, caster wheels help you to glide the machine into the kitchen or bedroom. On humid days, many of these portable coolers can function as dehumidifiers as well. Switch to dehumidifying mode, then ensure that the excess moisture has a place to drain to, like a bucket or nearby floor drain. Otherwise, your dehumidifier may start pulling moisture from the environment and compressing it right onto your floor. Before you go ahead and pick out a portable air conditioner, you should know what to look for. That means understanding what features you absolutely need to have, and what level of power you need for your home. If you live in a humid area, you'll definitely want a model with a dehumidifying dry mode mentioned above. But maybe you'd actually benefit from a model that doubles as a space heater, or one that evaporates water all on its own with no need to drain. No matter what features you're hoping for, make sure you find one that can cool as much space as necessary.
The Coolest Support
If you're still not sure that a portable air conditioner is right for you, check out our air conditioner sizing and buying guide. There, our HVAC experts take every mode of cooling technology apart, showcasing their strengths and weaknesses in a way that's easy to understand. Maybe a window unit would fit your home better after all. For more personalized advice, give us a call at 800-860-3577. Our main goal is to help you find the device that fits your lifestyle. And we want it to work for a while. That's why all of our appliances are backed by at least one year of manufacturer's warranty. We'll service any local appliance throughout the length of its lifespan.
Had never heard of Abt until I read the ratings in Consumer Report. My wine cooler was delivered as expected in perfect condition. Excellent value for the money. I will shop with them again.
