The Benefits of a Portable Air Conditioner
If you are one of the millions of homeowners who don't have central air conditioning, you might want to consider a portable air conditioner. Unlike a window air conditioner, A portable air conditioner can be rolled from room to room and vented through any window opening.
Until the past decade or so, the only alternative to central air was a window air conditioner. Window air conditioners are still an excellent value. You can buy a good one for as little as $299.00 or less, depending on the features you want and how much space you are trying to cool. On the downside, window air conditioners are fixed in one room and are not designed for easy portability to cool other rooms.
One of the biggest benefits of portability (rolling the unit from room to room) is that you can take your comfort with you. Rather than wasting energy in one area of the house (while hoping that the cool air will reach into connected spaces), we like the concept of cooling only the room you're in at the time. This zone cooling concept can save a boat- load of energy. Of course, you could buy a window air conditioner for every room, but that might be a little impractical, as well as unsightly.
There is a lot of information floating around the Internet about efficiency as it relates to air conditioners. Most portable air conditioners operate with an energy-efficiency ratio (EER) of somewhere in the range of 5 to 7. Window air conditioners are somewhat higher (usually around 8 to 9). However, it is important to note that the EER rating of the unit may or may not determine actual energy savings. It is how you use the unit that can determine the greatest energy savings benefit.
For instance, if you're only trying to cool one room, a window air conditioner makes a lot of sense and you may benefit from the higher EER. On the other hand, if you're relying on that air conditioner to transfer cool air to adjacent spaces (such as a sun room, den or dining area), you could be wasting a lot of energy trying to cool those areas down. That's especially true if those other spaces are far away from the primary space where the air conditioner is located.
That's where portable air conditioners come in. Although they cost a bit more ($349 to $699, depending on features), portable air conditioners offer the advantage of taking your cooling ability to different rooms, even garages. That advantage alone may be worth the extra cost.
It is important to consider that portable air conditioners come with a single exhaust hose , which gets routed from behind the unit to a low-profile window adapter bracket that is easily installed in any double hung window. That's where the hot, humid air gets vented to the outside. Note: since these are water-cooled air conditioners, we recommend buying one that allows condensation to drain through that same hose outlet. Otherwise you'll be required to empty a drain pan periodically, which we feel is a nuisance.
Whatever you decide, whether it's a portable or window air conditioner, we like the overall energy savings they can provide by simply not cooling unused spaces or where cooling is generally not required, such as basements and storage rooms.
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Why do people always drop dead from the heat in France?
You never hear about this happening in Belgium or Spain or Portugal, but it seems like every time there is a heat wave the poor French drop like prices at Walmart. There are hotter places in the world. Is it because they are too cheap to buy air conditioners for old people? Look honey, another 35 miners died in China and 42 French dudes died from the heat wave. Is there a factor I?m not aware of? I hope someone from France can answer this.
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What brand of air conditioner would your recommend?
I know it is still cold outside but they say buying air conditioner now is cheaper than when it is in demand (like during the summer season). What would you recommend that would not rob me of hard-earned money?
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Where to buy air conditioner cover?
I've read through answers about covering out door air conditioner unit. A couple of suggestions here and there on the type of cover. But no one actually says anything about where to get one. None of the big box stores carry such a cover. The only alternatives are online stores. I would like to be feel the cover before plonking down about $70 for a cover. Anyone has any good recommendation?
Thanks
Thanks for all your answers. I should have said I live in California and get no snow. I am mainly trying to prevent leaves and such from getting through the rather wide top grills. I saw this on ebay, but instead of springing $40 for it, I think I'll cut out a sheet of weedblocker and anchor it down with weedblocker "staples".
I'm not the seller, but this is the one which gave me the idea.
http://cgi.ebay.com/AIR-CONDITIONER-COVER-TOP-PROTECTION-SCREEN-30in_W0QQitemZ170111352150QQihZ007QQcategoryZ79623QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
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I am planning to buy air conditioners for my bed room (12 ft x 12 ft x 11 ft). I am looking for suggestion?
I want the tonnage required. whether 1ton or 1.5 ton will be sufficient
I am bit confused whether to take 1 ton or 1.5 ton AC. Technically 1 Ton AC is sufficient but everbody is recommending for 1.5 ton. can any one explain for my room size why 1.5 ton is advantageous then 1 ton.
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