One of the effective ways of controlling the heat and moisture levels in your indoor spaces is by choosing the right portable air conditioner. You can choose from large portable air conditioners, which can regulate the temperature in large buildings or smaller ones that are restricted to smaller indoor spaces. Portable air conditioners are usually designed for air regulation in smaller spaces.
With the wide range of available options, it is necessary to compare several portable models before settling on a specific model for your indoor space. If you're looking to improve your modern space, look out for a sleek and contemporary design, which will make it comfortable to move around and position in the rooms. Enough coverage of the indoor space will ensure complete air circulation for effective cooling.
For some inspiration and to get you started in choosing the right portable air conditioner for your indoor space, the following are some of the best portable air conditioners available in the market.
1. LG
LP1417GSR 115V – Automated for Improved performance
The LG LP1417GSR 115V uses automated functions for higher capabilities. It is equipped with an LED display and remote control for easier control and settings. Using its unique auto evaporation system, you can enter settings to ensure continuous air conditioning even when you are out of the room, for up to 24 hours.
Additional features include side handles and caster wheels. These make it convenient
to move the air conditioner from one room to the other. As it weighs 75 pounds,
you can easily drag it around to air-conditioned areas that would
otherwise remain untouched in the course of use.
The overall design
makes it possible to blend the device with any type of room décor. This way,
you can have little to no additional spending trying to make the design fit
with your overall interior décor.
Adjustable louvres
prove convenient in the case of adjusting fan speeds. This goes along with the
inclination of the air discharge, meant to cover any remaining areas.
Though it is designed for rooms that measure up to 500 sq. ft., this portable
air conditioner records optimal performance when used in a relatively smaller
space. A potential limitation of this model is that you might have to put up
with the need to frequently drain water from the reservoir.
Pros:
·
Sleek attractive design
·
Auto-evaporation system
·
Remote control and digital
display
Cons:
·
Frequent water drains
2. Whynter
ARC-14S – For a Faster Cooling Experience
Choosing the Whynter
ARC-14S will give you a cooling experience that works faster than other models
in the same range of portable air conditioners. It has dual hose functionality
that gives an optimal cooling experience. An additional and unique feature of
this model is its patented auto drain technology. Using this feature, the
moisture collected during the cooling process is recycled and used for further
cooling of your indoor space.
A programmable timer
lets you enter settings on how long you want the air conditioner to run. The
automated system has a digital display and remote control functions, increasing
the ease of use and settings for a 24-hour cycle.
You can choose from any
of the three available modes; fan, dehumidifier, or air conditioner. For a continuous
optimal cooling experience, install the device in a space that is 500 sq. ft.
or smaller. This will provide enough space for the best cooling experience. You
can also switch between 2 fan and cooling speeds to achieve an added and unique
level of flexibility.
Pros:
·
Three operational modes
·
Dual hose functionality
·
Auto drain technology
Cons:
·
Influenced by humidity levels
3. Della
Portable Air Conditioner – Reduced Noise Levels
For minimal energy
consumption and significantly reduced noise levels, you can choose the Della
Portable Air Conditioner. It makes use of advanced heat technology to generate energy from the air. This reduces the need for continuous heavy power usage.
The air conditioner uses a programmable unit, which you can set to run on and
off for up to 24 hours.
The additional remote
control functionality that comes with the device puts the ease of control at
your fingertips. Automated functionality using a smartphone app is a great
addition to the Della portable air conditioner, considering that you might move
it around the house often. An LED digital display creates ease when you want to
switch between the constant fan, dehumidifier, heater, or auto-fan.
The window kit is an
additional unique feature, which allows you to place the air conditioner in any room
within your indoor space. The hose might appear to be made of weaker material
compared to the rest of the device parts. Cooling can cover up to 700 sq. ft.
of your indoor space, and performs optimally at 500 sq. ft. of room space.
The additional
self-evaporation will ensure you save time on the additional task of emptying
water from the device. A downside to this is that the built-in dehumidifier
might record average performance in areas with high levels of humidity.
Pros:
·
Reduced noise levels
·
Expandable window kit
·
Reduced energy consumption
·
Programmable timer and remote
control
Cons:
·
Need to empty bucket in high
humidity areas
4. hOmeLabs
14,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner
An easy-to-install
portable air conditioner with a built-in dehumidifier that functions better
than traditional dehumidifiers. Its gravity-powered drainage system enables you
to continuously empty water collected through the dehumidification process as it
primarily cools your indoor space. The device runs smoothly with low noise
levels enabling you to have a quiet time as it continues to run in the background.
It is equipped with
wheels for easy movement from one room to the other and to the nearest window
spaces. Using an accompanying hose, you can attach it to the nearest window
using sliders and adapters. This makes it possible to cool a room measuring up
to 600 sq. ft. with optimal cooling performance for 450 sq. ft. of space.
The conditioner also comes
equipped with an automated control system. You can use a remote to control the
different functions or make use of its digital display to enter settings.
Frequent filter
cleaning and wiping of the grill is recommended for the continued optimal and quality
cooling experience. The blockage of filters will lower the device's performance
and increase the chance of breakdowns. The possibility of skipping the regular
need for clean-ups is one of the limitations of using the hOmeLabs 14,000 BTU
Portable Air Conditioner.
Pros:
·
Runs quietly with no
disruptions
·
Indicator light to signal
filter cleaning
·
Window slider, adapter and
security bracket
·
Wheels for easy movement
around the rooms
Cons:
·
Periodic filter and grill
clean-ups
·
Lacks built-in reservoir tank
5. DeLonghi
Pinguino PACEL290HLWKC-1A – Higher Convenience for extra comfort
Offers an improved cooling
experience in larger spaces for this range of portable air conditioners. The
DeLonghi Pinguino PACEL290HLWKC-1A can work in a space measuring up to 700 sq.
ft. with optimal performance in smaller spaces. You can switch between 4 modes
ranging from cooling to heat.
Advanced settings allow
you to adjust the area size you want to cover in the cooling process. This is a
unique feature that will save you more on energy costs. The settings can be set
to normal for maximum air conditioning.
Remote control will
create ease for entering and setting the conditioner to the desired levels. The
digital display complements the remote controller, enabling you to enter
settings directly on the device.
The inbuilt BioSilver
filter prevents bacterial growth as it comes into contact with moisture. This
is a great addition to the significantly reduced noise levels, which helps in
ensuring a conducive indoor space. The smooth running of this conditioner makes
it stand out, apart from the periodic need to empty the water pan. This might
prove a disadvantage, as excess moisture build-up might lower its performance.
Pros:
·
Significantly reduced noise
levels
·
Mode switch for different
temperature control options
·
Bacterial resistance using bio silver filter
·
Energy saving
Cons:
·
Reservoir tank frequently
fills-up
6. Honeywell
MM14CHCS – For extra security and comfort features
For extra security and
comfort features, the Honeywell MM14CHCS air conditioner ranks higher than
other devices in the same category. It is equipped with a protective mechanism
against thermal overload to ensure the conditioner serves you longer. For comfort,
the conditioner runs quietly as you switch between any of the different modes.
You can choose between heat, fan, and dehumidifier to serve an area between 550
and 700 sq. ft.
A double filtration
system is a great addition and will help extend the conditioner’s length of
service and performance. The easy filter-cleaning procedure eliminates the need for
time-consuming clean-up processes. The additional window kit enables fixing the
hose on vertical and horizontal-styled windows, which makes it convenient for modern
room styles.
The evaporation system
eliminates the need for emptying out water time and again. The convenience is
further enhanced by the use of remote control and digital display
functionality. A 24-hour timer enables you to control the temperature in
different rooms for a given period of time.
As an energy-saving
option, this portable air conditioner will enable you to enter settings for low
energy consumption in rooms that are not in use.
Pros:
·
Double filtration system
·
Thermal overload protection
·
Auto-evaporation system
Cons:
·
Need to empty water in high-humidity areas
Buying Guide
Size of the Portable air Conditioner
When choosing the right air
conditioner in terms of size, you should consider the size of your indoor space and
the conditioner’s capability. A small-coverage conditioner such as the hOmeLabs
14,000 BTU serves best in 450 sq. ft. of space. In comparison, conditioners
designed for larger spaces will give you the best experience on wider floor
spaces. Having an inappropriate size might prove ineffective for cooling and
leave behind moisture after automatically switching off. Choosing the
appropriate size will ensure you get a quality experience at a fair price.
Picking the right conditioner will also save you additional maintenance costs
and fees in energy bills, repairs, and maintenance. Other factors that will
determine the size of the air conditioner you pick include other
heat-generating devices in the room, room insulation, and level of indoor
humidity.
Ventilation and Exhaust
Getting rid of the
exhaust is an important part of the air conditioning process. Traditional
indoor designs might lack the ample space required for ventilation. In this
case, picking a conditioner that comes with a window kit will create ease when
getting rid of the exhaust. Most air conditioner models have window kits as add-ons.
Using a slider and adapter, you can ensure there is ventilation for the
efficient elimination of exhaust. Whether you choose to install the ventilation
through a wall, drop ceiling, or window, it is necessary to ensure that the
system works for the benefit of your indoor space.
Single or Dual Hose Model?
Single and Dual Hose
models operate differently, resulting in a difference in room
air pressure. The single-hose model uses a single hose to draw air from the
room. The air intake is cooled and released back into the room. The same air
intake is also used for cooling the air conditioner as it continues to run. You
might expect some negative pressure in your indoor air experience while using
the single hose model. In a dual-hose model such as the Whynter ARC-14S, one
hose is used for air intake, cools it, and releases it back into the
surroundings. The second hose draws in air for use in cooling the conditioner
as it continues to run. The performance of a dual hose model might decline in
highly humid areas.
Drainage Condensate
The process of
eliminating moisture build-up in the air conditioner varies from one model to
another. You can choose a model with a self-evaporative mechanism, which does
not necessitate the periodic and manual emptying of collected water. Another
option is the gravity-fed drainage system. In this case, water is released
through a gravity-powered drainage hose. This is a great option for models such
as the hOmeLabs 14,000 BTU that lack an inbuilt reservoir tank. Using pumps or
buckets are additional alternative when emptying water from an air
conditioner. Considering the drainage will help you choose an air conditioner
that meets your time and budget needs.
Efficiency
Energy-efficient air
conditioners could save you large sums in energy bills. Checking a
conditioner’s score on a rating scale will let you determine its level of
energy efficiency in the course of use. The Honeywell MM14CHCS portable air conditioner has settings to
regulate energy consumption in each room. You can adjust to full usage in one
area of your indoor space while reducing energy consumption in a different
room. You can expect to have higher energy efficiency with the use of any
portable air conditioner with varying degrees from one model to another.
Electrical Outlets Requirements
The electrical outlet
is easy to manage for most portable air conditioners. There are no special
requirements for electrical outlets for most of the models. This
makes it easily manageable when assembling and setting up the device for use.
Complex outlets are usually associated with high-power air conditioning units.
These are used for commercial purposes and often beat the purpose of small indoor spaces.
Noise Level
Using a decibel
measurement can help you decide how much noise you can put up with when
deciding on a suitable portable air conditioner. Consider the decibel rating when running the portable air conditioner at its highest speed. Having extra
features such as sleep mode can ensure you get silence when needed. Adjusting
the air conditioner position, the type of carpeting in the room, and the fan
speed can affect the noise levels from the device. For a portable air
conditioner with a decibel rating of 50-60, you can expect to have a quieter
indoor experience.
Maintenance
Carrying out regular
maintenance procedures will ensure your portable air conditioner gives you
quality service for longer. You can set it and leave it to run without regular
checks, which will result in a reduced lifespan and lower-level experience. Some
procedures to carry out for maintenance purposes include proper installation of
parts, completely draining out water before storage, and cleaning of filters.
The maintenance process might seem repetitive but will enable you to get longer
and efficient service.
Cooling server and Computer rooms
Server and computer
rooms usually have high temperatures compared to other indoor
spaces. In this environment, portable air conditioners serve as supplemental
cooling devices for the existing air conditioning system. Maintaining cool
temperatures in server and computer rooms might require a consideration of the
venting spaces and air conditioner hose capabilities. You might choose to
direct the exhaust through holed walls or drop ceilings. Whichever option
you choose, ensure the amount of BTUs matches the required cooling needs in
your rooms.
Heating options
Using a reversal mechanism, portable air conditioners can release heat into the surroundings instead of cool air. Switching between the different modes in most air conditioners will enable you to have heat dispensed into the air and warm up your indoor spaces. Portable air conditioners come equipped with either a pump or an electric coil for the heating mechanism. You can expect to have higher energy consumption in the case of electric heating compared to the alternatives using heat pumps.
Opting for the electric-powered heat function will prove beneficial in cooler surroundings, where the pump-powered heat function might not perform
optimally. In winter, having a portable air conditioner with an efficient and
dependable heating function will save you money on additional heating device
purchases.
Conclusion
Portable air
conditioners are the best choice for indoor spaces lacking a central air
conditioning system. The low energy consumption, portability, and ease of
installation that comes with the portable air conditioners make them suitable
for use in the kitchen, bedroom, office space, and any other indoor
space.
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