PACs typically fall in the middle ground compared with the costs of other cooling options. Portable air conditioners offer a distinct alternative to complex HVAC systems and basic cooling fans. These self-contained, mobile systems cater to spaces ranging in size from dens to garages, provided you have a nearby window through which to vent hot air. Like any electric cooling solution, however, the benefits provided by PACs come at a cost. The impact your PAC has on your electricity bill depends on the size of the unit, your utility provider's rate and other factors. Energy Estimates Portable air conditioners range from compact, rolling boxes to mini-fridge-size towers. Likewise, they vary greatly in energy ratings, which are measured in British thermal unit, the amount of energy needed to cool or heat one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. This measurement translates to how much heat your PAC can remove from the room each hour. Especially compact PACs cool about 150 square feet and feature a BTU rating of about 7,500.

Mid-range models cool about 300 square feet and output 10,000 BTUs while the largest PACs cover roughly 500 square feet and run at 14,000 BTUs. Converting Energy to Cents Converting BTUs to kilowatt-hours, a measurement equal to one kilowatt of power consumption per hour, you'll find that a 7,500-BTU PAC consumes about 2.2 kWh, a 10,000-BTU unit 2.9 kWh, and a 14,000-BTU unit 4.1 kWh. As of 2014, the U.S. Energy Information Administration estimates that one kilowatt-hour of energy usage costs about 16.18 cents in California, for instance. At this rate, running a small, medium or large PAC for eight hours a day would cost roughly $2.84, $3.75 or $5.31, respectively. For 30 days of use, these figures come to $85.20, $112.50 and $159.30. Considering the Variables In addition to BTU ratings and hours of use, location plays a major role in PAC operating cost; for example, the EIA estimates that electricity costs 21.75 cents per kWh in New York, 9.78 cents in Tennessee and 12.74 cents in the District of Columbia, with a national average of 11.88 cents.

A longer hose causes your PAC to use more energy, as it diverts hot air through the length of the hose. Similarly, MSN Real Estate estimates that a 10-year-old air conditioner is only about half as efficient as a newly purchased unit. In Comparison According to 2013 reports from the “Rapid City Journal,” running a portable air conditioner uses as little as one-eighth of the electricity required to run a central air-conditioning unit, which roughly translates to one-eighth of the cost, as well. Unlike central cooling, which cools the entire house, PACs cool only one room at a time. In 2013, Home Energy Pros -- “Home Energy” magazine's website -- noted that PACs offer roughly half the cooling power of window air conditioners. Duke Energy estimates that ceiling fans consume about 23.4 kWh per month, placing them at an average operating cost of only $2.78 per month, according to EIA's 2014 national averages. However, ceiling fans only provide a breeze; they do not actually cool air.

References Sylvane: Knowledge Center: Portable Air Conditioners Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)U.S. Energy Information Administration Independent Statistics and Analysis: Electric Power Monthly: Table 5.6.A. Average Retail Price of Electricity to Ultimate Customers by End-Use Sector, by State, February 2014 and 2013 (Cents per Kilowatt-hour)Rapid City Journal: Is a Portable AC Unit Cheaper Than Central Air?ac/dc power supply inrush currentDuke Energy: Electric Appliance Operating Cost ListHome Energy Pros: Warnings About Portable Air ConditionersMSN Real Estate: 27 Cheap Ways to Keep Your House Cooler Photo Credits Polka Dot Images/Polka Dot/Getty Images Suggest a Correctionac window unit energy cost Danby Premiere DPAC12010H 12,000 BTU portable air conditioner with heater- Euro Greyac and heating window unit

16.3 x 19.7 x 32.7 inches #1,467,246 in Home and Kitchen (See Top 100 in Home and Kitchen) #451 in Home & Kitchen > Heating, Cooling & Air Quality > Air Conditioners & Accessories > Air Conditioners > Portable See all 33 customer reviews rob the computer guy See all 33 customer reviews (newest first) Have had this unit for 4 yrs now and it's still going strong. The only problem I've had is the touchpad which is unresponsive at times but the remote offsets that issue. we've had it at our cabin in sweltering Missouri for five years and it has not disappointed. However, if we arrive on an afternoon of 100+ degrees, it does take a while to catch... Produces so much heat that sometimes it cant cool enough to counter its own heat. Might be okay in a small room with well insulated walls/windows. Its a bit loud and its not as energy efficient as other models. I love this air confitioner! It's perfect for my bedroom. Being portable makes this usable in any room.

This model (DPAC12010H) gave me very good service for nearly 2 years. When it suffered a failure, Danby's customer service went to great lengths to make it right. Unit arrived as described. I'm glad I bought the double hose unit. It took minimal time to cool down our up-stair bedroom, which is over 500 sq. ft. Easy to operate and setup. I purchased this air conditioner as a last ditch option last summer, and I couldn't be more happy with my purchase! Our last AC unit died after just one year (yeah..., thanks, Koldfront). As other have said, it is on the large size, but still quite manageable. First off, this unit is huge. This is the first time I've had a 12,000 BTU unit, so I don't know if this is what a typical size is for this btu rating. See and discover other items: ductless air conditioner, portable air conditioners, air conditioner portable, air conditioners portableBack to: Portable A/C Units Climax V12 Portable AC unit Ask a question about this product

Check out this video! Climax offers a 12,000 BTU DC Inverter dual hose portable AC that delivers its full rated capacity. Combining a dual hose design with a variable speed DC Inverter compressor provides the most efficient possible portable air conditioner, capable of using 67% less power to perform the same amount of cooling, alternatively it can provide twice the cooling for the same power. The Worlds Most Efficient Portable Air Conditioner Features: One Ton /12,000 BTU Cooling Capacity The Climax portable AC uses a "real" rating of the unit that considers outdoor temperature. It's not a claim based only on change of enthalpy between the supply and return air. " At 95 ⁰F outdoor temperature the Climax VS12 delivers nearly twice the net cooling of a standard 12,000 BTU rated portable air conditioner. The Climax VS12 high efficiency portable AC uses 50% less energy compared to normal portable air conditioners of the same rated capacity. Actually the VS12 can save up to 72% under certain hot weather conditions.

No Drain Line Needed Condensation liquid is sprayed onto the condenser coil to evaporate and provide additional cooling efficiency. This evaporation system vaporizes accumulated condensation and discharges it out of the exhaust hose which avoids the need for a drain line or emptying a reservoir. High SEER DC compressor automatically adjusts it's speed and capacity to allow the portable AC to use less power. And of course, DC inverter compressors have a longer life, run more quietly,  and start slowly to avoid voltage surge or dimming. This is the same type of compressor used in the worlds highest SEER mini-splits. Using dual hoses, no outdoor and indoor air are mixed - this increases capacity, lowers indoor humidity, and allows the DC Inverter compressor to  ramp down to a reduced power draw. Digital remote control feature allows adjusting the temperature settings from across the room. Simple Installation by End User This high efficiency portable air conditioner does not need a professional installer, it simply pugs into standard 120v power outlet and connects quickly using the window kit (included).