In the summertime, (what we have of it here !), your home can get very hot and sticky. This can go for any room, but if you have poor air ventilation in your kitchen, it can become rather stifling. A very practical and cost effective way of countering this is to invest in a portable air conditioner. When you need to effectively cool a small space such as a kitchen, bedroom or living room, a portable air conditioner could prove invaluable.
The most important thing to determine when choosing a portable air conditioner is the size needed. An air conditioner that is too small will not be able to keep up with your cooling demand. An air conditioner that is too large will cool your space, but it won’t dehumidify it properly, leading to a damp and clammy space.
Portable air conditioners come in many shapes and sizes but normally range between 28 to 36 inches tall. Keep in mind that portable air conditioners are fairly heavy so the unit’s weight should be considered before purchasing, particularly if you intend to be carrying it up and down stairs.
Choose the right number of BTUs for the room. While most air conditioners list the room size you can expect it to cool in addition to the BTU rating, keep in mind things that may increase or decrease your needs, including ceiling height, insulation type, a room that’s shaded or in direct sunlight, a very hot outside temperature, a room that needs to be cooled to a very low temperature, heat-generating appliances in the room, and number of people in the room. Choosing an Energy Star room air conditioner is an easy way to save money on energy costs. If possible, however, it’s best to compare the actual power consumption or energy efficiency rating of similar units to make sure you’re getting the coolest room for the lowest price.
Also consider other features including quality of air filter, speed controls, direction controls, timer settings, whether or not a remote control is included, and whether or not the room air conditioner will fit in your window.
There are many branded and non-branded portable air conditioner makers, but among the best are:
Amana portable air conditioners
Amcor portable air conditioners
Danby portable air conditioners
Delonghi portable air conditioners
Edgestar portable air conditioners
Everstar portable air conditioners
Fedders portable air conditioners
GE portable air conditioners
Haier portable air conditioners
LG portable air conditioners
Maytag portable air conditioners
Sharp portable air conditioners
Once you finally decide on which portable air conditioner to buy, it is important that you follow instrutions so as to use your portable air conditioner properly:
1. Venting for air conditioners is important, either through a window or a wall. A portable air conditioner vents warm, humid air from indoors to the outside. When it comes to venting your portable air conditioner, read the manufacturer’s instructions as venting standards will vary from unit to unit. You’ll often receive a venting kit or the option to purchase one as part of your portable air conditioner package. The kit will include a hose and a window kit that provide venting options for a variety of window sizes and styles. Make sure that the window you intend to install the vent on matches the type of window covered by the kit (i.e. sliding or casement).
2. Electrical Power Available. Make sure that you have enough electrical power available for your portable air conditioner so that you don’t blow a fuse. Air conditioners pull a lot of juice and you don’t want to trip your switches. Do not use extension cords with your portable air conditioner as the cord could become overloaded and present a fire hazard.
3. Water Removal Trays. Different portable air conditioners will handle the condensate that accumulates from the cooling process differently. Some portable air conditioners have water removal trays while others use a continuous drainage hose (dual exhaust hoses). If your unit does have a water removal tray, be sure to empty it at the frequency recommended by the manufacturer’s guidelines. Otherwise, your portable air conditioner may either automatically shut off or the tray could spill over. Also check that the water removal tray is easily accessible as different units locate the water trays differently.
4. Change Filters. You may have two different types of filters on your portable air conditioner. A carbon air conditioner filter that helps to remove odours, and an air filter that collects dust particles. These are either washable or replaceable, and need to be cleaned or replaced regularly, depending on the type of filter. Again, reference the manufacturer’s guidelines regarding how often you need to change out the air conditioning fillter or filters.
5. Exhaust Hose. Make sure you keep the exhaust hose straight while the venting system is in use. When installing the exhaust hose, it is generally okay to shorten it, but not to add on any additional length. Obviously, try to place it somewhere that Grandma won’t trip over it when she’s not wearing her glasses.
Here at KitchenSolution.co.uk we show you only the best US portable air conditioner suppliers so you can search and find the best deal.