|
Pros
and Cons of Choosing a Portable Air Conditioner
In
the last few years the portable type of window air conditioner has become very
popular. While there are many factors involved in this switch to portables
the primarily reason is because their free-standing design eliminates most of the
difficulties associated with installation.
An
old-fashioned window type must be lifted into a window, secured, leveled
properly, have blocks added to rear for support, secure the overhead window,
extend and lock
side panels into place, and seal the cabinet exterior against air
leakage. Alternately, a portable air conditioner installation is a great deal
simpler because the only part put through the window is the exhaust hose and
mounting plate -- everything else is part of the floor unit. The result is
that while a through-the-window air conditioner requires approximately 45
minutes for installation the portable type can be up and running in about 5
minutes.
Advantages and Disadvantages
As its name implies this type of air conditioner is portable
and therefore can be moved with very little effort. This allows you to provide cooling to different areas of the house throughout the
day by rolling it between rooms. Whether moved to the kitchen while cooking,
the family room during the evening, or the bedroom at night, it pumps out
cold air with equal intensity.
For this reason most
portable air conditioners come with wheels attached to their base, allowing greater
maneuverability. Those without wheels are okay if
installation is to be semi-permanent but any movement of the air conditioner
will certainly be restricted. A portable air conditioner tends to be heavy
piece of equipment and without wheels even moving them into a closet for winter storage can be
difficult. Therefore before purchasing a portable air conditioner always confirm that it has wheels
.
To
those living in an apartment building the portable may be a lifesaver. Many
apartments no longer allow the installation of through-the-window air
conditioners because of the liability associated with them accidentally falling out the window. Or they
are prohibited by the building management simply because of aesthetic
concerns regarding the buildings exterior appearance. Even the noise levels produced by
window air conditioners can result in them
being forbidden. A portable eliminates all of these problems because the
only thing in the window is an inconspicuous plastic mounting plate and
exhaust hose. The rest of the equipment sits inside the apartment.
Another
advantage of portable air conditioners is their ease of storage. At the end
of the summer they can be
rolled into a closet or corner of any room with very little effort. The
plastic hoses and window mounting parts can be put into a plastic garbage
bag and stored nearby. Any small parts such as screws can be put into a sealed bag and tape to the air conditioner.
If your portable came in a box we suggest cutting out one end of the
box so it can be slid over the machine to protect it from damage. The top and control area
that contains the electronics are particularly delicate.
Store your portable air conditioner indoors in a warm dry area away from any
sources of dust or moisture.
All window air conditioners
produce an abundance of water. While a through-the-window
type simply drops the excess water outdoors the portable must do it
differently. Some use a storage container to collect the water
until it can be removed and dumped into a sink. This can be a disadvantage because the
buckets can be both heavy and cumbersome, especially for seniors. Others evaporate the water then blow the moisture outdoors via the exhaust
hose. The first method is dependable and less complex, while the latter has
the advantage of never having to empty a water storage bucket, thereby
relieving you of that chore.
One
possible disadvantage of portables is their noise level. Because all the machinery
is inside the room they may be slightly noisier than a comparable
through-the-window type. Every time the compressor and fan
motor start the overall noise level of the room will increase. Therefore, if you are
someone who demands an unusually quiet environment then avoid a portable.
But for most people the operating noises associated with this air conditioner will not be an issue.
Portable
window air conditioners
are a somewhat complicated piece of machinery. This results in maintenance and repair costs
being higher than for the old fashioned through-the-window units. Plus due
to their complexity portable air conditioners are a type that consumers should
not try to repair themselves.
Definitely leave these ones to the professional.
Stick with
simple
Although most portables contain electronics and digital
displays try to pick one with simple controls. The tendency today is to
offer models with lots of unnecessary options. ‘Bells and whistles’ that
most people will never use and may in fact confuse them. For these reasons
we suggest that if you are shopping for a portable window air conditioner
you should look
for a basic model. One that meets all your criteria while at the same time
uses simple controls, allows easy disposal of the water, and is within your
price range.
By
Donald Grummett
Copyright © 2010 Donald
Grummett. All rights reserved
|