The Truth about Portable AC Units

Frididaire 8000 BTU Window Air Conditioner

Many consumers think that window air conditioner units are ugly.

Manufacturers have picked up on this trend and made a big push to sell portable A/C units–which sit inside the room and are not visible through the window–as an alternative to a window AC. As a result, we have recently seen a huge spike in portable AC unit sales.

In some cases, apartments and condominium boards even ban the installation of window air conditioners precisely because they are deemed to be an eyesore.

Many manufacturers tout their portable A/C units as being “windowless.” In reality, however, this isn't exactly true.

Yes, the portable air conditioner sits inside your room and does not rest on the windowsill. However, even a portable AC unit has to be vented through a window or sliding door. This is necessary so that the hose from the back of the unit can expel the hot air outside.

Although a portable AC is not windowless per se, you really can't see it from outside of your home or building. As a result, most apartments and condos will allow you to use one of these units, even if they ban window air conditioners.

Koldfront 14000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner

Is important to keep in mind that, if you are planning to purchase a portable AC unit, it is essential that you place it in a room that will allow you to vent through to the outside. If the portable AC unit cannot remove the hot air and push it outdoors, it simply will not cool your room.

You will also have to rig up a system through which to feed the hose. Many portable air conditioners come with an installation kit that consists of a strip of plastic with a hole big enough for the hose to fit through. You are supposed to attach the plastic to the window nearest the unit to feed the tube out. This means, however, that you will have a white or gray plastic strip attached to your window.

Also, because the entire air-conditioning unit is housed in one case, a portable AC also creates heat from its compressor and condenser. This means that the unit itself gives off a fair amount of heat. Again, this means that you must have a way to set up the venting hose.

Bear in mind that you will have to place your portable A/C unit in a room that will allow you to vent its outside. In other words, it will have to be placed in a room with a window or sliding glass door.

If you are looking to purchase a portable AC to use in a factory, however, you may have a different option for venting.

Some consumers purchase portable AC units to keep workers cool on the assembly line. In this case, it's feasible to vent a portable AC unit not to the outside, but to a different section or room of the building. This would result in keeping the workers cool where you want them to be and directing the key to a different space that is unoccupied.

12000 BTU Air Conditioner

Your choice of a portable AC unit depends on your particular individual needs.  You might live in a leased room or sublet an apartment that does not have air conditioning facilities.  To avoid major discomfort due to sweating it out while inside the room, you buy a portable air conditioner.  Naturally, you want to get one of the highest-rated portable cooling systems on the market, while also staying within your budget.  Following is a list of the best sellers:

1. NewAir AC-12000E 12000 BTU Air Conditioner

Customer satisfaction surveys name the NewAir AC-12000E as one of the most efficient and reliable portable ACs on today's market.  It is perfect for space up to 425 sqft and provides a full 12,000 BTUs of cooling power.  It is environmentally-friendly as it uses R-410 refrigerant with automated evaporative technology.  it is one of the best-ranked portable ACs in its category and unparalleled in its performance, style, make and overall value for the money.  It comes with a one-year comprehensive Manufacturer's Warranty and one of the best return and warranty policies in the entire industry.

2.  Whynter 12000 BTU Air Conditioner

As it features CFC-free R-410A refrigerant and RoHS-complaint lead-free components, this unit cools very efficiently.  It utilizes a patented technology for its auto-drain features that recycles accumulated moisture to generate cold air.  A double-hose system enables the machine to cool a room up to 400 sqft with 12,000 BTUs of cooling power.  It has three operational modes:  Fan, Air Conditioner, and Dehumidifier.

3.  Honeywell MN12CES 12,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner

With a sleek modern design, this unit is among the best-rated portable ACs around.  It offers optimum cooling efficiency and dehumidification for areas of up to 600 sqft.  It has a digital LED display, automatic 3-speed on and off timer, and feather-touch controls.  It also features a fully functional remote control that lets you set room temperature from across a room.  The unit comes with an exhaust duct hose extension kit that affords easy maneuverability by increasing the length of its flexible hose.

4.  SoleusAir 8,000-BTU Portable AC

This product has a single evaporative hose that provides rapid cooling.  It also includes a 38.4 dehumidifier that decreases excess moisture in the air and allows it to drop down into the condenser.  Its programmable timers shut the unit on and off, its memory sets controls, and its sleep mode helps conserve energy.  Other helpful features include:  3-speed fan system, washable and reusable filters, and 4-way adjustable louvers for enhanced airflow. 

5.  Frigidaire FRA0531PU1 5,000-BTU 115

This is the ideal cooling device for areas of up to 216 sqft in size.  It has a cooling capacity of 5,000 BTUs along with electronic controls that shift the air to all areas of the room.  It also comes with an antimicrobial mesh filter that allows access to the top of the filter from the back of the machine.  In addition, a remote control feature lets the user control cooling performance from across the room.  It also includes a three-fan speed with swing air directional controls for increased cooling comfort and flexibility.  Finally, a set of caster wheels and side handles makes it a breeze to move this product around.

In Summary

The best cooling products have user-friendly features.  They must also deliver cooling comfort very efficiently and be easy to operate.  Moreover, they must be reliable enough so that owners may depend upon them to last for a long time.  Their design should be sleek and modern in order to complement room furniture.  Finally, they should be capable of delivering enough cooling power to provide user comfort even during severe heat.

Tips for Buying a New Air Conditioner

A lot of the homes in this country contain air conditioning equipment, which certainly makes life fantastic: filtering, cooling, and dehumidifying the air your family breathes in.

Choosing the appropriate equipment can certainly be a tough job due to the fact that you need to consider things like initial fees, energy efficiency rating and other issues like BTUs prior to purchasing one. Capacity of the unit is a vital factor to think about, since you require equipment that isn't too little or big for the house or office to be cooled. A good contractor can easily make the load calculations required.

An additional thing to think about prior to purchasing HVAC equipment is the SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating. These ratings will let you know the efficiency of the AC unit. It is law for the newest models to have at least 13 SEER rating.

There are a lot of brands of air conditioning accessible around the U.S. That are well known for their good quality. Frigidaire, Delonghi, LG, Amana, and Soleus are 5 of the best brands out there. All of these manufacturers provide great cooling equipment with a lot of options that'll fit every budget. You can discover these great air conditioning brands at your local HVAC stores, home improvement shops, or even online. And these brands make different types of air conditioners, ranging from central air conditioners to window units (including casement window air conditioner units) and portable air conditioners.

The fact is that cost is a huge constraint when picking a brand. But picking a system just on cost can cost you a lot more over the next ten years of ownership. Each of these brands are great quality and very reliable. The popular brands will definitely cost much more, but they'll always be around once you need service. The models that have high efficiency ratings will also add to the price of the front end, but they'll save you money in the long run.
It's definitely safe to say that an old air conditioning unit must be upgraded to a much more efficient one, especially if it's more than twelve or fifteen years old. You could even get tax credits. You must also think about a consistent maintenance system for your A/C unit to keep it working properly so you will not need to call for A/C repair any sooner than required.

How Much Does an Air Conditioner Cost?

 

As summer approaches, you might be thinking that it's time to get a new air conditioner. Before you go out air conditioner shopping, however, perhaps you should get a sense of how much is this is actually going to cost you.

Central air conditioners are the most expensive of all of the available units, costing many thousands of dollars. But some small portable AC units can cost you as little as $100.

Whynter 12000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner

To get a high-quality portable AC unit from a top manufacturer, you can expect to spend anywhere from $300-$700. These are the most expensive of the non-central air-conditioners. You will pay a premium for the convenience of a portable AC unit.

Bear in mind, however, that Consumer Reports doesn’t actually recommend any portable AC unit. CR has tested portable air conditioners and its reviewers argue that portable units don’t cool as well as they claim.

A brand-name window air conditioner, however, is can be priced much more reasonably, running anywhere from $150-$400 for a low level of BTUs (under 8000 BTUs, for example) while a larger capacity unit can run anywhere from $400-$800. Finally a through-the-wall model can cost you anywhere from $300-$1500.

Frigidaire 15100 BTU Window Air Conditioner

In terms of installation costs, these can vary widely depending on which type of air conditioner you plan to buy. For example, portable and window AC units require no special installation. So once you buy the unit, it that is all that you will spend except for, of course, the monthly electricity bill. A window unit might require some minor installation, but you can do it yourself and it won’t cost much at all.

For moderate installation costs, consider a through-the-wall unit. To install one of these air conditioners, you can expect that the cost will be under $300. This is pretty low because these units don’t require ductwork.

When shopping for a central AC system, the cost of the unit and installation increase considerably. If you already have a furnace in place and the duct work is already done, you can expect that adding a new central air conditioner to your home will cost about $3500-$4500. Of course, the price will vary depending on which brand you buy, which model you choose, and how big the cooling capacity is.

If you have to put in new ductwork as well as install the AC unit, the price of installing central air can jump up to $8000. If this is the case in your home, you might consider going with a ductless mini split system, which does not require ductwork.

If you're replacing old central air conditioner, bear in mind that there may be higher costs involved because the installers may need to fix the insulation in the older ductwork. 

This is important because you did not want the cool air to leak out of the ducts if they are poorly insulated. This can happen if the cool air is escaping the ducts and not making it to you room. This can cost you a ton of money and energy bills.

Should You Buy a Split AC or a Window Air Conditioner?

As summer approaches, you might be thinking about buying a new air conditioner so that you aren’t sweltering during the dog days of summer. But deciding which unit to buy can be stressful.

One of the most common questions is should you buy a split AC? Or should you opt for a window air conditioner?

A window air conditioner includes the entire air conditioner unit inside one box. This type of unit is small enough to fit on your windowsill where it should be firmly attached to the frame. This can provide excellent cooling for a single room.

SPT 12000 BTU Window Air Conditioner

A split AC, is more expensive and more complicated. It includes two units that basically relies on an indoor and an outdoor unit.

Design: A window air conditioner comes in one unit with the compressor and condenser housed together. The unit is designed to sit on your windowsill and be anchored in place. By contrast, a split AC comes with two units. The compressor and condenser are in the unit outside your house while the air-handling unit is inside. 

Amvent 18000 BTU 1.5 Ton Ductless Mini Split

Space: A window AC is about the size of a microwave and remains in the window. A split AC is larger because it comes with two separate units.

Installing: For DIYers, you can install a window AC very easily. You just need to anchor it to the window. A split AC, by contrast, may require professional installation because you need to connect tubing from the inside unit to the outside unit. This requires drilling holes through the wall.

Noise Level: A split AC is much quieter than a window unit because the noisiest part of the unit – the compressor - sits outside of your home.

Cooling Capacity: Both a split AC and a window unit do a good job cooling a room (especially when compared to the mediocre cooling capability of portable AC units). But a split AC can has much more power than a window unit and, as a result, is capable of cooling a much larger space than a window unit. In fact, some split ACs can blow cool air 30-40 feet.

Energy Efficiency: Interestingly, both the window AC and the split AC have very similar electricity needs and, therefore, cost about the same to run in terms of electricity costs.

Room Size: Window AC units are designed to cool rooms that are 300 square feet or smaller. By contrast, a split AC is capable of cooling larger spaces.

Cost: Window AC units are pretty reasonable. In fact, you can find some units priced at under $200. On the other hand, a split AC unit can cost quite a bit more. Moreover, you may also need to pay for professional installation depending on your situation.

Bottom Line: If you are looking to save cash or you are renting an apartment, you should probably go with a window AC. On the other hand, if you live in your own home and have some extra cash to spend, go with the split AC.

Tips for Buying a Central AC

Investing in a new central air conditioner system can be an expensive and time-consuming process. Here are some tips that make this as painless as possible. 

Although many people would prefer a DIY approach to putting in a central AC, experts caution against this for a number reasons.

First, a central AC system requires ductwork to move the hot air out in the cold air in. This can be a complicated and tricky process and you probably want an expert working on the ducts in your house.

The second issue in installing a central AC is that you need to check the insulation around the ducts in order to make sure that your cold air is not leaking out. This is so important because you do not want to waste money on electricity bills because you are losing your cool air due to poor insulation.

So what should you do if you are looking to purchase a new central A/C?

The first thing you should do is some research about which is the best AC unit for your home. In particular, you should measure how many square feet you need to cool. You should also determine which AC features are most important to you. You should also think about the current climate zone you live in because this can determine how powerful unit that you need.

Your second step is to contact local air-conditioner contractors. If you're looking for recommendations, consider asking friends or joining a referral service like Angie's List. Bear in mind, however, that many AC service providers will only deal in one specific brand of air conditioners. If you are looking to purchase a different unit, you may not be able to use an installer that specializes in a different one.

Next, you need to start collecting price quotes for purchasing and installing your new AC unit. Experts recommend that you get at least four different price quotes from different contractors. These quotes should include the price of the actual central air system itself as well as the cost for installation.

In the past few years, some consumers have chosen to purchase AC units online directly from distributors. This can be a good deal and save you a bit of cash. For example, you can purchase central AC units from online merchants like Amazon.com or Overstock.com.

If you choose to buy online, however, make sure that you thoroughly research which central AC unit you wish to purchase. You also need to know if installation requires you to buy any additional components, like systems for ductwork. Also, ask about guarantees and warranties.

And if you do choose to purchase your own central AC online, make sure that you have a local contractor who can install it. It's also good idea to speak with your contractor about the costs and process of installing it before you make the purchase.

Make sure you do your homework before making an online purchase. This is a pricey investment and you don’t want to get stuck with an AC unit that can’t be installed.

How Does an Airconditioner Work?

Have you ever wondered how an airconditioner actually works? Here is an overview of the ins and outs of central AC.

A central airconditioner is a large appliance that is permanently installed inside or outside of your home. The purpose of the central AC is to cool your entire home. As a result, this appliance packs quite a bit of power in order to force cold air throughout your entire house.

With the central AC, there is a unit inside your house that pulls the hot air out of each room. A separate device pushes cool air back into your home. At the same time, the AC unit also works to reduce humidity.

Basically, there are 3 steps in how a central AC is able to cool your home.

First, it sucks the hot air out of each room. This requires the use of evaporator coils in the AC unit. Inside each room, the evaporator coils – along with the refrigerant – pull the heat into the unit.

There is a fluid - called refrigerant - used inside the air conditioner that has a very low boiling point. Because it has such a low boiling point, it is able to easily go from a liquid to a solid. In recent years, manufacturers have found more environmentally-friendly refrigerants to use. Earlier in the twentieth century, they often used Freon as a refrigerant but they learned that it depleted the ozone layer.

The second part of the process requires that the condenser unit remove any moisture from the hot air that it has collected. This is also known as the dehumidification process.

Inside the AC unit, the refrigerant moves from the compressor to the condenser. It is the condenser, which will eventually push the hot air outside. This is why essential AC so important to have in hot and humid climates. The airconditioner does a terrific job in not only cooling the room but also reducing the humidity

The third and final step in the air-conditioning process involves the compressor, which forces cool air back into your home. The cool air is pushed through the ducts into the room.  

Essentially, central AC functions like the 3 phases of water that we learned about in high school chemistry class: solid, liquid, and gas. When a substance moves from one form to another (like ice melting into water or water boiling in evaporating), this is referred to as a “phase change.” When a phase change occurs, one of two things can happen: either heat is removed from the environment or heat is released into the environment.

In a central airconditioner, the refrigerant cycle turns liquid into a gas. This is also known as evaporation. It is this evaporation process that allows the AC unit to pull the heat out of your house.

After the refrigerant is forced into the compressor and the condenser, it returns to liquid form as water. This phase change does the opposite of the previous one, by returning heat. The main difference, however, is that the AC unit forces the heat to the outside of your home.

So essentially, an air conditioner works by removing heat from the inside of your house and transferring it to the outside of your house.