Keeping cool in the summer time or on those warm nights is important to most homeowners and renters. One quick and easy way to stay cool is by purchasing a quiet portable air conditioner. There are many types of air conditioners that can be purchased, but why be held down with a window air conditioner when a portable air conditioner can be moved from room to room, if necessary.
A quiet portable air conditioner gives you the freedom to move your unit easily and to take it if you choose to move or relocate. The portable air conditioner is easy to use and has many benefits compared to the more permanent window air conditioners.
How to Install/Vent a Portable Air Conditioner
Installing a portable air conditioner is simple and requires only a very few steps. Since portable air conditioners are just that, portable, it is important to make sure to install them properly so that they can exhaust the hot air all while keeping your home cool and comfortable.
Most portable air conditioners come with a kit that helps making installation a breeze. The standard window kit allows the user to vent the hoses and to connect the hose adaptors with ease. Most of the hoses for the portable air conditioner are 4-5 feet long and these hoses must be installed in a window, so the portable air conditioner needs to be set up close to a window.
Venting the portable air conditioner is simple, all that the user needs to do is attach the hose to the connectors that come with the air conditioner and extend the window kit so that it fits perfectly inside the window frame. Sometimes, the bracket might need to be shortened in order to make it fit. After the window hose and connector is connected to the window, lower the window to help hold the kit in place.
After the window kit is properly in place, connect the air vent hose to the window kit and plug the portable air conditioner in. Turn on the machine and get ready to relax in the cool!
Maintenance of Portable Air Conditioners
There is little maintenance when installing a portable cooling fan air conditioner. The most work that will need to be done after installation is cleaning the vent hoses and the filters periodically. This usually needs to be done every couple of months in order to keep the air conditioner running smoothly and effectively.
Why Portable Air Conditioners are a Smart Buy
Heating and cooling units can be pricy and hard to install, and window air conditioners can be bulky and unsightly. If the home is in need of a cooling unit, a portable air conditioner is the way to go. The prices run from around $130-$500 and most of the units come with an easy to install window kit and a machine that is portable and easy to move. Portable air conditioners are easy to run, efficient and can even act as a dehumidifier to help keep the home dry and free of allergens.
Portable air conditioners have no restrictions, except for room size and window type. Most portable air conditioners can work with any style of window, other than the crank type window and can be used in any room that has a window present. These type of cooling units can be perfect for portability and for the design of your home, ridding you of bulging and unsightly window air conditioners.
Portable air conditioners are perfect for small spaces and are quick and easy to set up. Most portable air conditioners take up small spaces and still allow you to see outside the window. These air units can help cut the energy bills compared to a window air conditioner and they can be used as needed, allowing you to only use while at home, or they can even be taken on trips.
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Some Portable Air Conditioners to Consider
Black + Decker BPACT08WT Portable Air Conditioner
The Black+ Decker BPACT08WT is a lightweight and portable air conditioner with tons of features. It features a digital LED display that is easy to control and includes a remote control so that the air conditioner can be controlled from all around the room. This machine has four wheels for easy portability and handle grips, so taking this unit to any room is easy.
This machine can be used for any sliding or double hung window, in any room up to 150 square foot, or a 10×12 foot room. This machine runs on 115 volts and has a 5-foot exhaust hose, with an included window kit, which makes set up easier.
The Black + Decker BPACT08WT has 9 amps and an easy to clean filter. This machine has a dehumidifier built in and does not have a bucket that has to be emptied but empties itself through the exhaust system. This unit weighs approximately 53 pounds and is ready right out of the box.
According to amazon.com, out of 1,174 customer reviews, the Black + Decker BPACT08WT has 3.7 out of 5 stars with exciting features including easy assembly, easy installation and durability.
Emerson Quiet Kool EAPC12RD1 Portable Air Conditioner
The Emerson Quiet Kool EAPC12RD1 portable air conditioner is an amazing buy for anyone looking for an energy saving portable air conditioner. This air conditioner uses auto evaporation technology and features a built-in dehumidifier to rid the home of moisture that can cause germs and allergens to nest.
This machine offers a timer and a sleep mode that can run 24/7 and offers a quiet comfort with a 3-fan speed of low, medium and high. The Emerson Quiet Kool EAPC12RD1 has a digital display control, including a remote control and can cool the room from 62 degrees to 86 degrees Fahrenheit.
The Emerson Quiet Kool EAPC12RD1 has four wheels that move in each direction and handles, making this machine portable and easy to move. This machine can cool a room up to 350 square feet and has 14000 BTU. This machine weighs around 64 pounds and is ready to use right out of the box.
One of the greatest parts about this portable air conditioner is that it offers a 1-2-5-year warranty, which includes 1-year labor, 2 years parts and 5 years compressor warranty.
According to amazon.com, this machine is easy to install and has a quiet noise level. One customer said, “This is the 3rd portable AC I have purchased. This one is the best! Quiet, easy to install, compact (requires less space than my other 2) and easy to use. What more do you need?” –Steve B, 5-star rating.
Honeywell MN10CESWW Portable Air Conditioner
The Honeywell MN10CESWW portable air conditioner is top of the line portable air conditioner with a room cooling of up to 450 square feet. This machine has a filtration system that comes with washable filters so that you do not have to spend extra money on disposable filters.
This machine offers thermal overload protection, protecting your home from overheating or motor issues and adds extra safety for each family. The Honeywell MN10CESWW is light and easy to install. It comes with a window kit and has an easy to use on/off switch located right on the machine.
The Honeywell MN10CESWW is quiet, featuring a dual motor technology and has one of the highest speed settings with 51-54 decibels, keeping the machine quiet all day. The machine is easy to use with a Smart Digital Thermostat system and a remote control, so it can be controlled anywhere in the room. The front display is touch control and the machine is shiny and smooth, making this a special addition to any home.
The Honeywell MN10CESWW has a built-in dehumidifier that has no bucket to empty due to its “Self-evaporation” system and built in drain system.
One of the best features of this machine is that it is backed by customer service and offers a hotline that can connect the customer instantly to the Honeywell Portable air conditioner support team. This machine also offers a 1-year limited warranty.
According to amazon.com, out of 2,352 customer reviews, the Honeywell MN10CESWW has a 3.5 out of 5-star rating with some of the best features being the ease of assembly and the durability.
Whynter ARC-14S Portable Air Conditioner
The Whynter ARC-14S is Amazon’s Choice, with a 14,000 BTU dual hose machine. The Whynter acts as both a portable air conditioner and a portable dehumidifier and fan but includes an Activated Carbon Filter which helps to keep mold, germs, viruses and other allergens out of the air.
The Whynter ARC14S is a sleek design that is powerful and comes with a programable 24-hour timer and a remote control so the unit can be controlled anywhere in the room. This machine features an automatic restart after a power outage and temperature control, helping to keep the home cool, all day long. This machine offers washable filters and is environmentally safe, using non-ozone depleting refrigerant.
This machine has three modes of operation including a fan, dehumidifier and air conditioner and holds 101 pints per day (dehumidifier). The thermostat ranges from 61 degrees to 89 degrees Fahrenheit and continuously self-drains to keep out moisture.
The Whynter ARC14S is considered the GREEN machine, using eco friendly CFC free and lead-free cooling and it recycles the moisture in the air to help keep the room cool to the max. This machine covers a room that is up to 500 square feet.
One of the best features about the Whynter ARC14S is that it offers a 1-year warranty on the unit and a 3-year compressor warranty.
According to amazon.com, out of 1,765 customer reviews, the Whynter ARC14S received an overall 3.7 out of 5 stars, rating material quality and assembly as important features.
Frank is the chief editor and director at Specialty Air, where he oversees testing, research, and editing for all air quality-related articles. Frank is an expert in the air quality space with extensive experience testing, researching, and reviewing air purifiers, air conditioners, air filters, air fresheners, fans, and more. He also has over 4 years of experience with issues surrounding mold remediation, radon mitigation, moisture management, air duct systems, HVAC, and insulation.