How to Choose the Best Portable Air Conditioner for Your Home

If you live in a home with small to medium-sized rooms without central air installed, portable air conditioners are a great way to cool off as the summer heat intensifies. They're affordable, effective, and easy to use. Plus, because they’re portable, the same unit used to cool a living room in the daytime can be wheeled or moved into a bedroom at night.

If this sounds like what you’re looking for, there are several things to consider when choosing which portable air conditioner to improve the comfort of the air in your home.

Cooling capacity

Cooling capacity is important in two ways. First, choosing the right cooling capacity means you will be able to cool your space to a specific desired temperature. Second, choosing an insufficient cooling capacity can mean your air conditioner needs to run for longer periods of time, which may impact the lifespan of the unit and lead to higher utility bills.

Portable air conditioners are rated using one of two ways: in total square footage (meaning the square footage of the largest room the unit can effectively cool), or in British thermal units (BTU), which is the quantity of heat required to raise or lower the temperature of one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit.

Measuring the square footage of a room is straightforward; it’s configured by multiplying the length of a space by the width. However, keep in mind that high ceilings in a room can have a significant effect on cooling capacity because they create more air space. Other factors that can negatively affect cooling capacity include poor insulation, drafty windows, strong sun exposure, heat emitted from electronics in the room, and humidity.

While BTUs can be more confusing, the basic principle is the higher the number, the more powerful the unit. As stated, cooling capacity can be affected by many things, but in general, an 8,000 BTU unit will cool a room up to 350 square feet, one with 10,000 BTUs will cover up to 450 square feet, and an air conditioning (AC) unit with 14,000 BTUs will accommodate 700 square feet.

Size and position

The AC unit you purchase will need to fit near a window with adequate space around it to operate. Similar to a window air conditioning unit, a portable model draws in air through its intake, then sends hot air through a vent tube and out the window. This might mean that you need to set aside about twice the space of the unit itself. While you should prioritize cooling capacity first, make sure you don’t buy a unit that’s too large for the space you have available.

Noise level

Between the motor and the fan, air conditioners can be quite noisy. Depending on how badly you need to cool off, you may not care. However, many people would prefer home appliances to operate as quietly as possible, especially when they might be running every day for a few months. If this is a concern for you, but sure to read reviews that feature comments remarking on noise levels from the fan or motor before finalizing your choice.

Portability

All portable air conditioners are portable, right? It’s in the name! True, but that doesn’t mean every model is easy to move around a house. If you are going to set up your portable AC unit in one room and leave it there, there’s not much to worry about. But if you want the ability to roll it from the living room to the bedroom at night, then you’ll want wheels. Not all units have these, so, be sure to filter your search to narrow down the list of options. Another aspect to consider is the weight of the AC unit. This specification is important if you will be frequently moving your unit up and down stairs.

Timer and remote

Many portable air conditioners come with a timer so that you can set the unit to turn on before you get home from work or off in the evening when you can open the windows and let in the cool air from outside. This is a great feature for anyone who wants to maintain a comfortable temperature when home and save money on their energy bill.

Remote controls are sometimes included with portable air conditioners. This is a great feature to have if you work from home and want to be able to adjust the temperature when you’re in the middle of a virtual meeting. For added convenience, consider buying a smart portable AC unit that works with your smart home technology. With this type of model, you can monitor and control your unit whether you’re home or away through an app on your smartphone.

Energy efficiency

Are you concerned about how much running your AC unit will increase your summertime electric bill? To keep your energy usage at a minimum, look for a unit that is labeled ENERGY STAR certified. This yellow sticker indicates that the appliance meets the standards set by the government to earn the designation. Additionally, you should take steps to ensure that the space you’re cooling is optimized for saving energy. This can be done by limiting full sun exposure by closing blinds, shutting doors and windows to keep in cooled air, and sealing areas around your home where there are drafts.

Another way to keep your eye on energy usage is by choosing a portable AC unit that connects to your smart thermostat. These models communicate wirelessly through your home Wi-Fi network to turn off when the temperature is reached, or to turn on when the humidity in the room is at a certain level. Plus, you can track energy usage on a mobile device while you’re away from home and adjust as needed.