Sarah on April 29, 2014 5 Comments Is a Portable Air Conditioner or a Window Air Conditioner the right unit for me? Whether you are looking for an air conditioner to be the primary source of cooling for your bedroom, living room or even office, it is important to consider what type of cooling system will best fit your needs and restrictions. The two primary concerns when selecting an air conditioner are the size of the room you are trying to cool and where the unit will be installed. When looking to cool a small space, the most popular types of air conditioners available will be window air conditioners and portable air conditioners, both of which cater to different installation constraints and functionality requirements. Prior to making your purchase, it is important to consider the unique advantages that are offered by a portable air conditioner as well as some of the long standing benefits provided by a window air conditioner. Portable Air Conditioners Offer Versatility Portable air conditioners are ideal for the person who prefers an easy temporary installation. Portable air conditioners can be easily disassembled and rolled away into a closet for storage. Window air conditioners can be extremely heavy and hard to remove without help. Also, because portable air conditioners arrive with mobility casters, you can easily move the unit from room-to-room, cooling only those spaces you’re residing. Especially if you live in a small apartment, great natural light can be hard to come by. Rather than block out what little light you have with a window air conditioner, you can use a portable air conditioner instead. Although these units vent through the window, the venting kit requires significantly less window space than a through-the-window a/c. Many homeowner associations and housing ordinances forbid the installation of window air conditioners due to aesthetic, obstruction, and concerns of safety. A portable air conditioner provides the perfect option for someone facing these regulations. Window Air Conditioners Save Floor Space If conserving floor space is important to you, then it is likely that a window air conditioner is the more suitable. Although portable air conditioners are compact, they do reside on the floor and take up space. Window air conditioners, on the other hand, are stored entirely outside of your living space. Additionally, though both window and portable air conditioners are more efficient than central cooling systems, window air conditioners utilize the energy they consume more efficiently and are able generate more cooling power per BTU. Many window air conditioners carry Energy Star certifications, further proving their efficiency. Another factor to consider when deciding between a window and portable air conditioners is the level of noise produced during operation. Although they both tend to produce a similar range of noise and neither can be determined inherently quieter than the other, portable air conditioners’ noise levels are determined by a dB (decibel) rating. If noise is a concern, you will want to pay attention to these ratings and choose a unit with a low dB. Alternative Cooling Solutions are a Win-Win Central AC alternatives like these can do more than cool your space. They offer versatility, cost less to operate, and consume less energy than central cooling systems. They can also help alleviate energy costs through spot cooling or supplemental cooling. If you’re looking for a way to cool a specific area or room, consider choosing either a window or portable air conditioner. Once you weigh the pros and cons of each, you’re sure to find the perfect solution for your cooling needs.
Suzanne Niedzielska says May 17, 2017 at 5:07 pm Thank you for the guidance. Decided on portable as I live in a condo, would rather not deal with window installs and removals by myself, and have just enough space left (next your my small electric fireplace with owl andirons)😊 Reply
Mel says June 29, 2017 at 5:18 pm Hu Sarah, I have slider or casement windows and am having one heck of a time finding a unit that indicates whether or not it can be installed in this kind of window. I need one that is Energy Star certified and can cool up to 450 sq feet. Any suggestions or pointers? Reply
Karen says July 20, 2017 at 4:11 pm i need to air condition upstairs and downstairs rooms equal in size. Should i purchase a unit for each room or can i purchase a more powerful unit to cover the entire square footage? Reply
Julie says September 10, 2017 at 9:39 pm You’ll likely want multiple units in the living areas you wish to cool. You’ll set the upstairs thermostat slightly higher than the one downstairs. If the living area is large open area, one larger unit (larger btu) should suffice. If it’s multiple rooms, you’ll likely need multiple smaller btu per room. Hope this helps. Reply
sharman says September 11, 2017 at 8:11 pm How large btu can be used with 230 volt for dryer outlet not being used? Is ir expensive to have longer cord indtalled on air conditioner? Reply
