Are there any other features I should look out for? The higher the class, the more efficient the unit will be. Your air conditioner should have an energy efficiency class, from A++ down to G, just like your fridge or cooker. If you really struggle with the noise, though, think about cooling the room before you go to sleep, or try using a desktop or pedestal fan instead.Īs for running costs, a higher BTU rating generally means the PAC will be doing more work and consuming more energy, but not all units are created equal. These power down the compressor and reduce the speed of any fans to make the PAC’s hum a little easier to sleep through. Some are quieter than others, however: you should find the minimum and/or maximum noise pressure levels listed in the manufacturer’s specification. Are they going to be noisy and expensive to run?Īll PACs incorporate a compressor and one or more fans, so they’re never going to be totally silent. Some units can evaporate this internally and exhaust it through the hose or the back of the unit in other models, it’s kept in an internal reservoir that needs to be emptied manually. As the air cools, moisture condenses out of it, which is collected inside the PAC. Hot air isn’t the only thing your air conditioner needs to expel. While you might be able to improvise with hardboard or towels, it makes sense to check what options you have available for your chosen PAC before you get it home. Most PACs will come with a window fixing kit to block any gap, but this might only be suitable for a sash window, sliding door or hinged top window. In fact, the negative air pressure created by the air conditioner actively encourages it to do so. What’s more, where the air goes out, there’s also potential for more warm air to creep in. Positioning is another issue: most PACs need to vent hot air through a window, and if you can’t place it right next to a suitable opening, you’ll either need to put a permanent vent through the wall or find a model with a hose extender.
#Movable air conditioner portable
Where can I put a portable air conditioner? You need to balance the cooling power you need against how big and obtrusive a PAC can be before you’re not prepared to put up with it. Weight, size and convenience matter, and if a unit’s too big, too heavy and too difficult to set up, then you may end up avoiding using it except for a few really hot days in the summer. Of course, you don’t want to go much bigger than you have to.
Measure your room before you buy to make sure you choose an air conditioner that's up to the job. A 9,000BTU unit will handle a space of approximately 45 cubic metres, while a 12,000BTU unit could go up to 90 cubic metres. A higher rating means an air conditioner can cool a larger space, which normally means the unit itself will be larger and more expensive. PACs are rated in British thermal units (BTU): one BTU is the amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree. How much you need to spend depends on your cooling requirements. The best air purifier 2022: Clear the air and take a break from your allergies with the top air purifiers from £70 Below this price, you tend to find evaporative air coolers rather than true air conditioners, which aren’t as effective. PACs aren’t cheap: most cost somewhere between £300 and £1,000.
#Movable air conditioner how to
How to choose the best portable air conditioner for you How much do I need to spend? Best PAC for medium-sized rooms: De'Longhi Pinguino PAC EX100 Silent.While we wait for stock to recover, here's a list of the products we recommend that are still available. Thanks entirely to the unpredecented heatwave that gripped the UK (and everywhere else for that matter) this summer, portable air conditioners are in short supply. You can even move them around, with some limitations, so the same unit that cools your home office in the day can also keep your bedroom chilled at night.īest portable air conditioner: Still in stock Most models feature a built-in timer, so they run only when you’re using the room and without wasting energy. Do you struggle to sleep when it’s too hot? Or do you have an office where it’s too muggy to get anything done? The best portable air conditioners (PAC) will keep a single room cool in the hot summer months, with no disruptive installation required and at a much lower cost than house-wide systems.