Pros and Cons of Choosing a Portable Air Conditioner

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, the installation of a portable air conditioner  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. Therefore, while a through-the-window air conditioner can require an hour or more for installation the portable type can be up and running in about 5 minutes.

Advantages and Disadvantages
As its name implies the portable air conditioner 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. To facilitate their movement most portable air conditioners come with wheels attached to their base, allowing greater maneuverability. Those without wheels are okay where installation is to be semi-permanent but any movement of the air conditioner will certainly be restricted. A portable air conditioner tends to be a 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 a set of good quality 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

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