Portable Air Conditioning
What is Portable Air Conditioning?
Portable air conditioning has seen an explosion in popularity over the past few years for many reasons. The units work in a non-standard space and run on electricity similar to a window air conditioner without actually requiring to be installed in the window. Until their invention, a space that wasn’t practical to call for central air yet didn’t have the right size window for a traditional air conditioner, really had no cooling option other than a fan. Today, portable air conditioning units are enjoyed in any room of the house including attics, basements, offices, recreational vehicles and even large boats.
The Demand
The development of such units was promoted by industrial spaces that needed an air conditioner that was able to be moved from one work space to another since it was incredibly expensive to cool an entire warehouse. Since their creation, they has undergone several changes to make them available to use beyond a commercial capacity. This modification required changing the cooling technology, adapting the power source so it would run off battery converters and of course, reducing the size.
Old vs New
Original portable varieties are similar to window units, running on a chemical known as freon. Since the air conditioner is plugged into a 120-volt electrical outlet, it has to be vented through a window or duct to run safely because of the chemical process. These types of units are mounted up on sturdy casters, allowing them to be moved to different locations.
Newer varieties use evaporation technology instead of coolant which is quite similar to the concept of a swamp cooler. These highly portable, smaller devices contain a reservoir of water that is used to cool the air through evaporation. These units are so compact that they can be used in cars, motor homes, boats or anywhere that you have access to a 12-volt converter. Although it does have to be maintained by keeping the reservoir full, they are an effective way of cooling a small space without a venting option.
Recommended Picks
- Dimplex 3kW GDC12RWA Portable Air Conditioner – This new product offers 3.5kW cooling capacity and has the ability to comfortably cool rooms that are up to 400 square feet. The Dimplex 3kW GDC12RWA Portable Air Conditioner is equipped with a self-evaporation system which means that no hose or drip tray is required. This unit comes with a window kit, remote control, sleep mode and dehumidifying option. It is suggested that this will be a top pick for the summer however since it is a new product, unfortunately there are not any reviews to use for your decision.
- Highlander 1.5HP Portable Mobile Air Conditioner – This 12,000 BTU unit is perfect for small to medium-sized rooms. This is a moderately priced air conditioner that offers sleep mode, air swing, auto timer and a remote control. The Highlander 1.5HP Portable Mobile Air Conditioner has three fan speeds and claims to be efficient and quiet however, with a 55 dB(A) noise level, it is a bit louder than others in its class. While the unit does not require any permanent installation, it doe need to have the drip tray drained periodically, especially on humid days.
- Nobo Mega 5.0kW NC49DPC Portable Refrigerated Air Conditioner – This popular air conditioner is one powerful pick. At 17,000 BTUs, it will stand up against some of the hottest summer temeperatures. The Nobo Mega 5.0kW NC49DPC Portable Refrigerated Air Conditioner is easy to operate with its “set and forget” technolody and has a water tank that never needs to be emptied, not even on the most humid days. This portable air conditioning unit has a three speed fan and comes up a built in timer and a window kit that fits all types of windows and sliding doors.