English (CA)
English (USA)
English (UK)
Spanish (MX)Portable Air Conditioners
Portable AC - Before You Buy
1. Portable AC vs Window AC
The Top 3 Benefits of a Portable AC
- Mobility and Versatility: Portable ACs are easily movable and can be used in different rooms or taken to a new place.
- No Installation Required: Portable ACs don't require complex installation and can be set up without permanent modifications to windows or walls.
- Window view and Natural Light: Portable ACs allow you to keep your window unobstructed, preserving the view and letting in more natural light.
The Top 3 Benefits of a Window AC
- Cooling Efficiency: Window ACs are designed for window installation and offer more powerful cooling performance for larger areas or rooms with high heat loads.
- Cost-effectiveness: Window ACs are often more affordable upfront and consume less energy, resulting in lower electricity bills over time.
- Space-Saving: Window ACs don't take up floor space and are more compact, making them a space-saving option for cooling specific rooms.
Common Misconception
Bigger is not always better. Too large of an air conditioner unit will cycle off too quickly, not properly removing moisture from the air and may even freeze.
2. Measure Your Room
Quick Tips
- Clear the space of any furniture or obstacles that may obstruct accurate measurements.
- Use a measuring tape to measure the length and width of the room in feet.
- Multiply the length and width measurements to calculate the total square footage.
Square or Rectangular Rooms
total Square Feet:
14 x 10 = 140
Connected or Complex Rooms
total Square Feet:
140 + 30 = 170
Triangular Rooms
total Square Feet:
20 x 10 / 2 = 100
3. Understand BTU Values
An example product name:
"10,000 BTU DOE SACC/12,000 BTU ASHRAE Portable AC"
BTU
(British Thermal Unit)
- Defined as the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit.
- Used to measure heating and cooling capacities of appliances.
BTU ASHRAE
(American Society of Heating. Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers)
- Primarily measure cooling capacity, following ASHRAE standardized conditions for testing air conditioning systems.
BTU DOE SACC
(Department of Energy Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio)
- Considers energy consumption and provides an efficiency rating specifically for portable air conditioners according to DOE standards.
The BTU ASHRAE value, on average is
35% higher than
BTU DOE SACC
VS
The BTU DOE SACC value, on average is
35% lower than
BTU ASHRAE
4. Determine Your Rooms Sun Exposure
Sun exposure has a direct impact on the effectiveness of a portable air conditioner.
Shaded rooms allow the AC to cool the room more efficiently due to the lack of sun exposure.
VS
A room that is neither shaded nor sunny will face some heat gain, but to a lesser extent to a sunny room.
VS
Sunny rooms require higher BTU power based on the heat transfer into the room.
Shaded rooms typically need
10% fewer BTU power
VS
Sunny rooms typically need
10% more BTU power
5. Our Sizing Guide
Room size (SQ. FT)
100 - 150
151 - 250
251 - 300
301 - 350
351 - 400
401 - 450
451 - 550
551 - 700
701 - 1000
New Doe BTU SACC
3250
3900
4550
5200
5850
6500
7800
9100
11700
OLD ASHRAE BTU
5000
6000
7000
8000
9000
10000
12000
14000
18000
Additional Rules to Consider:
- Add 10% BTU power for every foot above the standard 8 ft. celling.
- Subtract 10% BTU power for every foot below the standard 8 ft. ceiling.
- If the space includes a kitchen, add 4000 BTUs.
- Any rooms with more than 2 people that regularly occupy the space, add 600 BTUs per person.
- If the average climate is cold, subtract 10% to the BTU value.
- If the room climate is hot, add 10% to the BTU value.
- If the room is heavily shaded, subtract 10% to the BTU value.
- If the room is very sunny, add 10% to the BTU value.
