ALLBIDS Blog

Guide to Buying a Portable Air Conditioner

Tuesday, 02 October 2018 | Mike Leano

Have you ever endured sweltering heat at home but can't install an air conditioner because you're a) renting, b) dealing with a temporary home arrangement, or c) short on cash? We feel your pain; it gets scorching hot during the summer.

But good news: you don't have to spend for a $900 split unit to improve your quality of life. What you need is a portable air conditioner, which is far more affordable. Here's a short guide on how to buy one.

What is a portable air conditioner?

As its name suggests, a portable air conditioner is a self-contained air cooling system that can be moved around. Unlike other types of ventilation units which require permanent installation (e.g. splits, wall A/C), portable air conditioners are relatively easier to wheel around and set up.

Portable air conditioners work essentially like regular A/C units: they transfer heat from the air inside the room, to the air outside. This is done via a flexible duct, which is fastened to a panel that can easily be attached to (or subsequently removed from) a window or sliding patio door.

What size do I get?

Portable air conditioners come in different sizes and cooling capacities, which is related to the amount of space it can cool. Thus, the very first thing you need to do is determine the floor space of the room where you want to place the unit. This is done by multiplying the room's length and width.

• For rooms sized 20 square metres and upwards, aim for a portable with a cooling capacity of 6,000 BTU (British thermal units).
• For rooms sized 40 square metres and upwards, get one with 10,000 BTU.
• For rooms sized 65 square metres and upwards, use one with 14,000 BTU.

Note: You wouldn't want one that's small and not powerful enough to cool the room, or one that's too large for the area. Portable air conditioners - particularly the ones available in Australia - come with only one duct, not two, making them less efficient and effective.

Such a setup wastes energy because the warm air vented outside seeps back into the room and then cooled. A two-duct portable unit, on the other hand:

1. Draws in the air from outside through one pipe.
2. Cools and dehumidifies the air.
3. Sends the air outside through the other pipe.

What other factors do I consider?

Proper cooling isn't just a matter of room size, however. There are other considerations to take into account:

• Are you cooling an open indoor area or enclosed space? Open areas will need a larger, more powerful unit than a similarly sized enclosed one.
• Ceiling height makes a room larger, which would then require a unit with more cooling capacity.
• Is the room's walls and ceiling insulated? If yes, cooling it should be easier.
• Room shape affects airflow. If the air doesn't flow to certain sections of the room, you'd need a more powerful A/C unit as well.
• The amount of sunlight that enters the room also matters. Having more sunlight makes a room warmer, so you'll need more cooling capacity to make up for the heat.
• The portable A/C has to be positioned near a window/sliding patio door because that's where you install its duct.
• The room should have a power outlet near the window/sliding door. As portable A/Cs consume a lot of power, plugging one into an extension cord risks a short circuit or fire. Avoid this by always plugging it directly into the power outlet.

Characteristics to watch out for

Various operating modes
At a basic level, air conditioners are designed to cool rooms, and most can help filter out dust. More sophisticated models may come with several other features such as:

• A heater - Some portable air conditioners have a reverse cycle mode that also heats a room. If you live somewhere that gets cold during the winter, look for a unit with this mode.
• A dehumidifier (or dry mode) - This reduces the amount of humidity in the air, making the room more comfortable, particularly during hot and sticky days.
• Fan mode - A/C units also come with a fan mode, which usually offers multiple speed settings.
• A smart mode - Having this mode activated will have the unit automatically switch to the most suitable temperature, fan speed and mode.

Timer
With a timer, you can set the air conditioner to automatically switch on or off at certain times. For instance:

• You can have the A/C shut down at dawn while you're still asleep because it's already cooler during that time. This should reducing your power consumption.
• During summer, you can program it to start up before you get home from work. When you arrive, the room should be nice and comfy.

Portability
While they can be transferred from room to room, portable air conditioners are heavy. The lighter models weigh 25kg to 30kg, while others can be as heavy as 45kg or more. Find one with castors (i.e. sporwivelling wheels), and perhaps even a handle of some sort for easy movement.

Water drain
Portable air conditioners inevitably accumulate water from the moisture it draws from the air. Here's how the condensed water is usually disposed:

• A drip tray collects the water. When it fills up, you'll need to throw the water out.
• A direct drain hose that empties the accumulated water.
• A self-evaporating system that automatically gets rid of condensed water

Models with self-evaporating technology are more convenient to use, but generally cost more.

Installation kit
Portable air conditioners are supposed to come with an installation kit, which allows you to connect the unit to a window or sliding door. The kit should include all the necessary parts to put everything together, including:

• Window brackets.
• A hose and its connector.
• Some screws/wing nuts.
• Instructions on how to put it all together.

When installing, make sure you also have some weather stripping tape (in case it's not included) to cover little seams and prevent leaks.

Note: All portable air conditioners must have a hose that connects to a window. Otherwise, it's an evaporative air cooler.

Noise level
Portable air conditioners are still relatively noisy, and this may take some getting used to. Granted, newer models have become quieter. Some even have a "silent mode" but its effectivity varies. Then again, the sound generated may serve as white noise to drown out noise from outside.

How much do they cost?

Prices usually start at $300+ for the low-end models, while high-end units cost from $800 to nearly $1,400. A more expensive A/C doesn't necessarily mean better quality and performance so see to it that you read the reviews beforehand.

Be confidently cool

ALLBIDS regularly holds online auctions for portable air conditioners. We provide layers of protection on every auction, which means you can bid with complete confidence and stay absolutely cool. So look for the right portable A/C today here at ALLBIDS.

If you wish to sell your unit, ALLBIDS can help. For more information, contact us through phone, chat or email.