Ask any air-conditioning salesperson what their busiest day of sales is, and inevitably they’ll tell you, “The first hot day of the year.” Why so many people wait until it gets hot before thinking of buying an air conditioner remains one of life’s unsolvable mysteries! But when those sweltering dog days of summer have you screaming for some relief, you’ve just got to cool down the house. So, the question is, which is more energy efficient and cost-effective: a portable unit that you can move from room-to-room, or a central air conditioning system that cools the whole house but costs much more. Portable units have become increasingly popular and many are designed for use in any room of the house. Larger models that are equipped with wheels can be moved from room-to-room conveniently and without any installation problems. One argument for the portable cooling option is that it’s usually only being used in the room that you’re in; therefore you’re not wasting cold air in rooms that you’re not occupying.

Now if you’re considering getting a portable air conditioner, you need to consider the area you want to cool. Keep in mind that you should buy a portable unit based on the size of the area you want to cool. If you select a model that doesn’t have sufficient power to work efficiently in a given space, you will be wasting money as the unit works overtime to vent warm air and provide adequate cooling. Either way, consider getting an ENERGY STAR certified model, as it will be more energy efficient. Nevertheless, in comparison to other cooling options, such as window-mounted AC units and central air, portable units are, for the most part, less energy efficient in general. That is just an inherent part of the design of movable air conditioning. But if it’s transportability that you’re looking for, then you may consider the convenience of a portable unit worth those extra energy costs. It all comes down to your needs. In the long run, central air conditioning is the most energy efficient way of cooling a home and will add value to a property.

Your best bet is to do a little homework before you purchase in order to find out what type of air conditioning system will meet your needs based on your home, space, and of course your budget. Talk to your local certified RESNET HVAC Contractor for good advice on what your most cost-effective solutions are. Vast Majority of U.S. Homes Are Under Insulated It’s hard to believe but 90% of existing American homes are under insulated. That means 90% of existing American homes are... How to Warm Your Home Without a Heater Now that we’re in the middle of winter, don’t panic if your heater breaks down! Believe it or not, there are a number of... Don’t Let A High Energy Bill Haunt Your Halloween! It’s that time of year again when ghosts, ghouls and goblins emerge from their dark recesses to stalk the earth, but they...While evaporative cooling is one of the oldest forms of climate control still found today, evaporative coolers remain a highly sought-after alternative to traditional air conditioning.

While very effective and efficient when used properly, these cooling units are not for use everywhere. Due to the evaporative process used by these swamp coolers, these cooling units are best used in hot, dry climates, including the Southwestern United States. In these climates, however, an evaporative cooler can be your most effective and efficient means of climate control. There are many different benefits of evaporative cooling, but to truly understand them, you have to compare evaporative coolers to more traditional air conditioners. air conditioning fan running not coolingThe comparison below covers some of the biggest benefits of evaporative coolers: Evaporative CoolingTraditional Cooling - Economical to operate  - Higher-cost to operate - Energy efficient - Higher energy usage - Best used in hot, dry climates - Effective in any climate - Fresh, clean air - Recirculated air - Inexpensive installation - More up front installation costs - Minimal maintenance required - Regular cleaning needed - Very low CO2 emissions  - Higher emissions comparatively   - Adds moisture to the air - Removes moisture from the air - Allows for open windows and doors - Effective in enclosed how much does a 3 ton ac unit cost installed

space - Quiet operation  - Some are noisy when runningOperational costsEvaporative swamp coolers are highly efficient and economical cooling devices that, on-the-whole, will operate for less money than an air conditioner. Evaporative coolers cost less to both operate and maintain than their air conditioning counterparts. In addition to being inexpensive to install, evaporative coolers also do not require anything more than minimal seasonal maintenance. buy wall mounted air conditioning unitsTraditional cooling devices, however, require regular cleaning of the air filter to ensure the unit is operating at maximum efficiency. Evaporative coolers also use less energy while operating when compared to typical a/c units. It is important to remember that due to the evaporation process, an evaporative cooler is most efficient in an area that is both hot and dry, without a lot of moisture in the air.

Air QualityDue to the cooling process utilized by evaporative coolers, these units work best by circulating outside air throughout your home or office. This ensures that your air is fresh and does not become stale. This also means you can operate your evaporative cooler with your windows and doors wide open. In contrast, air conditioners and other traditional coolers work best in enclosed areas, and typically will only work well when windows and doors are closed. Thus, these units are forced to constantly recirculate the same air within your room in an effort to keep cold air within your room. Moisture LevelsEvaporative coolers use their simple cooling technology to inject moisture into the air, cooling your home or office through evaporation. This added moisture can keep your eyes and skin from drying out. Traditional air conditioners remove moisture from the air, which can be difficult on your eyes and can cause your skin to dry out and crack. If you suffer from asthma or allergies, an evaporative cooler can help with your symptoms.

Dry air can aggravate allergies and asthma, especially in children and the elderly, so an evaporative cooler and the added moisture it provides can be particularly beneficial. Environmental ConcernsWhile some traditional air conditioning units emit a particular level of carbon dioxide, evaporative coolers emit a much lower level of CO2. Evaporative swamp coolers also use less energy, which not only keeps costs down, but is better for the environment. If you're more worried about noise pollution, then an evaporative cooler also has you covered. Evaporative units operate much quieter than traditional air conditioners, making them a perfect cooling option for the bedroom, office, or any other area where you have to monitor noise levels. In contrast, air conditioners are typically much louder when operating. However, there are some portable air conditioners that run quietly and can still be used in bedrooms or offices.For more information on evaporative swamp coolers, check out these resources: The complete guide to evaporative coolingA rundown of the best evaporative swamp coolersSide-by-side comparison of different swamp coolers