Portable air conditioners vs window unitsAAPortable air conditioners sound like an easy solution for cooling a room that can't accommodate a window air conditioner, but many are returned by unhappy customers. So Consumer Reports tested 8 from Honeywell, Haier, Frigidaire and Sunpentown, ranging in price from $250 to more than $500.Consumer Reports used a special chamber to test their cooling power. The temperature outside is kept at 90 degrees, the humidity at 70 percent. Inside, each air conditioner is set to 75 degrees. Strings of thermocouples record temperatures throughout the room. The results were disappointing. None of the units, not even the biggest ones, could get the test chamber below 80 degrees even after an hour and forty minutes.That was true even of the most expensive unit tested - the $550 Honeywell MM14CCS, which promises it "cools up to 550 square feet." It struggled to cool the test chamber, which is half that size. Consumer Reports' tests show window air conditioners are much more effective and they tend to cost less.

Consumer Reports found several to recommend. Top-rated for larger rooms (350 to 650 square feet), the $350 LG LW1214ER. For medium-sized rooms (250 to 400 square feet), the LG LW8014ER for $240. And for smaller rooms (about 100 to 300 square feet), the $210 GE AEM05LS is a Consumer Reports Best Buy. Consumer Reports says be sure to pick the right size air conditioner for your space. If the unit is too small, your room won't get cool enough. best ac split unitBut an air conditioner that's too big may make it feel cold and clammy. cost of new carrier ac unitLearning Center / Indoor Air Quality / Is a Portable A/C or a Window A/C the Right Cooling Unit for Me?cost to install air conditioner brisbaneIs a Portable A/C or a Window A/C the Right Cooling Unit for Me?

If you live in an area with long, hot summers, then chances are that you know just how important a solid air conditioning unit is. Even if your hometown has only short summers, you’ve probably wished your home had an AC a time or two before. When selecting an air conditioner, one of the first choices you have to make is between a window air conditioner and a portable air conditioner.Because both air conditioner types have their benefits, and the best one for you really depends on your individual needs and preferences, we’ve decided to look at the pros and cons of each below. Hopefully this information will help you decide whether to buy a window AC or a portable AC.Window air conditioners are units that are mounted in a window in your home. This allows them to pull in and push out air. Price: Window units are among the cheapest air conditioner options.Efficient: These air conditioners have become increasingly efficient over the years. The newest models are highly efficient both at cooling and with energy use.

Their energy efficiency actually affects their price too as they can lower the amount you pay for your energy bill each month.Easy Installation: Window air conditioners are easy to install because they do not require ducts (like central ACs).Size: Most window units are designed with a slim, low profile. They are tucked out of the way in your window and do not take up much of it, still letting sunlight through. Noise: Window ACs are not the quietest units. In fact, they can be extremely loud. This doesn’t make them a good choice for bedrooms or other rooms where quiet is required.Wear and Tear: This type of unit tends to wear out faster than others. As they age, window ACs become inefficient and even louder than before.Size: Though the newest models are smaller than ever before, they still take up window space. If your home does not have many windows, this can be a serious concern.Portable air conditioners are units that are not installed in one particular spot. They often include wheels and can be easily moved from place to place.

Mobility: As mentioned above, portable AC units are easy to move from place to place. Many of them are mounted on wheels. This makes it easy to position the unit in whatever room you are using.No Installation: Portable ACs are great because you can use them straight out of the box. No installation is necessary.Price: Portable air conditioners are smaller than window units so naturally they cost a bit less. Convenient: These units are great for apartment and home rentals since they are not permanent installations. You can use yours for your apartment and then pack it up with you when you move. Noise: Like window units, portable ACs are nosiy.Efficiency: Portable air conditioners are slightly less efficient than their window mounted counterparts. Placement Restrictions: Most portable air conditioners need to have room to operate. They recommend that no objects be placed with 24 inches. This limits the area that you can use them in. Most of them also pull in moisture from the air and this collected water needs to be discarded somewhere.

These units come with a drain hose that either needs to run outside or into a pan or cache. The type of air conditioner that is right for you depends on your own needs and preferences. However, most people find that both portable air conditioners and window air conditioners meet there needs. Central air conditioning units (not discussed here) are perhaps the most effective though they are also the most expensive. Chances are high that you will do just fine with one of the two options discussed here.Need to Cool Down Fast? Buy Online, Pick Up in Store Free! More than 12,000 BTUs 8,000 - 12,000 BTUs Shop All Air Conditioners SPT 12,000 BTU Window Air Conditioner with Classic Accessories Villa Small Window Air Haier 10,000 BTU Window Air Conditioner Stay cool and comfortable this summer with a powerful air conditioner From traditional window units to permanent in-wall systems, Kmart carries air conditioners for spaces of nearly any size. Instead of circulating room-temperature air throughout your home or office using ordinary ceiling or tower fans, create a cooler environment with powerful AC units that can actually lower the temperature to a more comfortable level.