Do Portable Air Conditioners Work?

A portable air conditioner is a good option if you need a temporary cooler for a space. You may not be able to install a proper air conditioning system if you are renting a flat or office space, so an alternative is a portable version. However, while a portable air conditioner is more powerful than a fan, it does have some limitations. Let’s take a closer look at portable fans and weigh up their advantages and disadvantages.

Cooling a Rooms vs. House

A portable air conditioner will not cool your entire home. In fact, they struggle to cool even a large room, so they’re best used in smaller spaces where the unit can work and reduce the temperature within a reasonable amount of time. Unfortunately, some people expect a portable air conditioner to work as well as the larger units, which means they tend to get upset and claim that these cooling machines do not work. They do, just not in a large space. Remember; when choosing a portable air conditioner, be sure to check how large a space it is rated for.

Heat Generation

A key issue with portable air conditioners is that you have to vent them outside, but not all the heat will dissipate. The unit itself produces heat as it works and can be rather noisy. You’ll certainly need to place it near an opening, whether that’s a door or a window, so as much heat is expelled as possible.

Energy Usage

It’s likely that your portable air conditioner will take longer to chill a room than a full system and that’s to be expected. However, you should also be aware that it uses quite a bit more energy than many other systems and may even use more than a fan. However, it does cool your space more than a fan, so most people feel this is a good trade. You can expect to see an increase in your energy bill if you have your air conditioner on all day, so to reduce the costs, you may wish to turn it off when you are out.

In short, if you’re wondering if portable air conditioners can actually cool you down, the answer is yes. They may have some limits, but they’re a great alternative to simply being too hot throughout a heatwave or the summer months. 

If you’re looking for a better way to cool your space without installing a full air conditioning unit, you should look into portable air conditioners. Contact Wescott Air Conditioning to learn more about your options.