Can Home Portable Air Conditioners Help You?When you need to cool a specific area of your house, home portable air conditioners are a cost-effective and convenient solution. Whether you need them for the office or for the home, portable air conditioners are the perfect solution to temporary cooling needs. Portable air conditioning units are lightweight and mounted on wheels so they can easily be moved from room to room, or from office to office. They are ideal for temporary offices such as those found at construction sites and other industrial operations. A portable air conditioning unit does not mount in a window, but does need to be vented out a window, so it can only operate in rooms in which there is a window available for ventilation. These units typically have a hose with an end that fits easily into a partially opened window. The size of unit that you need depends on the size of the area that needs to be cooled. Calculate 20 BTU for each square foot of space in the room and choose the air conditioner accordingly. Too large of an air conditioner will make the space feel damp and cold, and too small of a machine will run non-stop and still be unable to cool the area sufficiently. Large air conditioning units are expensive and need to be permanently installed, but many people who live in areas with cold winters and short summers don’t feel that the installation of a permanent air conditioning system is justified. Instead, a portable air conditioning unit can provide relief during those few months when it’s needed and can be easily stowed away in a closet or storage room during the winter. For year-round comfort solutions, one might consider an all-in-one unit that provides heat during the winter, air conditioning during the summer, and can also function as a dehumidifier or a fan when needed. An all-in-one unit is a streamlined, slim device that can sit quietly in a corner of a room without becoming an eyesore. When purchasing an air conditioner, there are a few things to look for, aside from price and convenience. Good features to have in an air conditioner include quiet operation, controls that are easy to operate and air filters that can be easily removed for cleaning. Other useful features are adjustable air vents and air speed and programmable timers that allow you to schedule when cooling begins and ends. Look for the Energy Star symbol (in the USA) on any home portable air conditioners that you consider buying. A unit with an Energy Star rating will use 30-40% less energy, saving you money and causing less damage to the environment. Inquire about the type of refrigerant that the machine uses. The refrigerant known as R22 is one of several ozone-damaging chemicals that is being phased out as part of the EPA’s 1990 Clean Air Act . A new, more environmentally refrigerant is being used in some systems, and since an air conditioner is expected to last a long time, it makes sense to buy an environmentally friendly one. To read more about related subjects, please follow these links:
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