In
the last few years the portable type of air conditioner has become very popular.
Its greatest advantage over other types, including the standard
through-the-window style, is its ease of installation. Because of it’s
free-standing design the portable type eliminates most of the installation headaches.
A window type must be lifted into a
window, secured, leveled properly, blocks added to rear for support, the
overhead window made secure, side panels extended and locked into place,
and exterior sealed against air leakage. With 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 suggests this type of air conditioner is portable and can be
moved easily. While a window type is stationary the portable 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.
Most
portable air conditioners come with wheels attached to their base, which
is a great advantage for ease of movement. Those without wheels are okay
if installation is to be semi-permanent but movement of the air
conditioner is restricted. Even moving them into a closet for winter
storage can be difficult. Therefore confirm that it has wheels before
purchase.
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 the potential of them falling out the window.
Or they may be prohibited because of aesthetic concerns. Even the noise
levels produced by these machine 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. They
can be rolled into a closet or corner of any room with very little
effort. The plastic hoses and window mounting parts should be put into a
plastic garbage bag and stored in the same place. If yours has small
parts such as screws put them into a sealed bag and tape to the air
conditioner. There is nothing more frustrating than not having all the
parts ready for next years cooling season. If your portable came in a
box we suggest cutting out an end of the box and sliding it over the
machine to protect it. The top and control area in particular should be
protected because they contain the electronics. Store indoors in a warm
dry area away from sources of dust or moisture.
A
disadvantage associated with all window air conditioners including
portables is an abundant production of water that must be disposed of.
While a window type simply drops the excess water outdoors the portable
must do it differently. Some portables use a storage container to
collect the water until it can be removed and dumped. This can be a
disadvantage because the buckets can be both heavy and cumbersome, especially for
seniors. Still 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 due to the machinery being inside
the room. That is, the noise level is higher. Every time the compressor
and fan motor start the overall noise level of the room will increase.
If you are someone who demands quiet then avoid a portable, but for most
people the starting and stopping of the air conditioner will not be an
issue.
The main disadvantage of a
portable air conditioner is it’s higher purchase price. A 7000 BTU that
might cost $300 as a window model would cost $500 as a portable version.
Whether the difference in cost is justified is for people to decide for
themselves. Second, they are a complicated piece of machinery, therefore
maintenance and repair costs are higher than for the old-fashioned
window unit. Portables are not air conditioners that most consumers
should try to repair themselves.
Stick
with simple controls
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 even use and may in fact confuse them. Also since
electronics can be more prone to failure than mechanical switches we
always suggest the purchase of a simple model with fewer things to go
wrong.
Lastly,
while a portable air conditioners purpose is to provide cooling many have the option to
also use them as dehumidifiers or heaters. These alternate
functions can be useful but really not necessary. Therefore if the model
you are considering only provides air conditioning, and consequently is
less expensive, that would be the one we suggest.
By
Donald Grummett
Copyright © 2010 Donald
Grummett. All rights reserved
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