Winter is over, and summer is knocking at the doorsteps. And as you can guess, the heatwave in Summer will take a toll on you cooling bill. But If you have a central cooling and heating system, you won’t have to worry about how you will manage the summer heatwave. However, if you don’t, it’s time to rethink. To combat the heatwave, you have two options – buy a regular air conditioner or a portable air conditioner.
In recent years, portable air conditioners have become very popular among homeowners across the US. But you may be thinking, are portable air conditioners worth the investment or not. In this article, I’ll tell you whether you should buy a portable air conditioner or stick to the regular air conditioner. But before that, you need to know about the factors that determine the effectiveness of your air conditioner.
Factors that Determine the Effectiveness of the Air Conditioner
Outside Temperature
The outside temperature has a huge impact on the effectiveness and efficiency of an air conditioner. For example, if the outside temperature is 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit, your air conditioner will have to work less to remove the hot air from your space. On the other hand, if the temperature is more than 95-degree Fahrenheit, it’ll be harder for your regular or portable air conditioner to remove heat from your home or office space. In the high temperature, your HVAC system will have to run longer to reach your desired temperature.
That’s why before buying an air conditioner, no matter whether it’s a portable or regular air conditioner, you’ll have to consider the outside temperature of your state or area.
Size of Your Space
When you’re planning to buy a portable air conditioner, you’ll have to first consider the size of the size of your space. If the size of your space is too big, a portable air conditioner may not be able to cool the house properly. To buy the right sized air conditioner, you’ll have to look at the BTU rating. If your room space is small, for example, 200 square feet, you can buy an air conditioner with 8,000 BTU. On the other hand, if your room is big, around 600 square feet, you’ll have to buy an air conditioner that is 14,000 BTU.
Most of the homeowners in the US believes that the bigger air conditioner is better. But it’s not true. When you buy an oversized air conditioner compared to your space’s size, your air conditioner will have short cycling that will eventually lead to system failure. Again, if you buy a small-sized air conditioner, your air conditioner won’t be able to cool your space and run longer. Eventually, your cooling bills will go up.
Now, I’ll tell you about whether you should invest in a portable air conditioner or not. Keep reading.
Are Portable Air Conditioners Worth It?
Pros of a Portable Air Conditioner
Portable air conditioners are-
- Cheap
- Easy to move
- Easy to install
- Doesn’t block the sunlight
For detailed information, click here- 4 Pros of Portable Air Conditioner.
Cons of a Portable Air Conditioner
Noise
One of the biggest drawbacks of using a portable air conditioner is that it produces significant noise. If you’re a person who is easily irritated by noise then you should rethink buying a portable air conditioner. Again, if your portable air conditioner is making a lot of noise, there’s a high chance that there’s a malfunction in the portable air conditioner, and you should call an HVAC professional as soon as possible.
Not so Effective in Cooling Larger Space
If you’re planning to replace your regular air conditioner with a portable air conditioner for your large office or home space, there’s bad news for you. Portable air conditioners are generally made for small spaces and can cool a certain area. It’s not built for bigger spaces like commercial space or restaurants. That’s why before buying a portable air conditioner for your space, contact an HVAC professional to determine whether a portable air conditioner can cover your space or not.
Is It Worth the Investment?
Answer to the question varies from user to user. If you want more natural light, more portability, and good night sleep, you should go for a portable air conditioner. On the other hand, if you cannot tolerate noise, you should stick to a regular air conditioner. Again, if you live in a place where humidity is very high, you should invest in a portable air conditioner as it works as a dehumidifier also.
See the summary of this content here in the Infographic – Pros & Cons of Portable Air Conditioners [Infographic]
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