A portable AC  is a small mobile air conditioner, unlike a window AC or split AC, but without any permanent installation required. All of our portable air conditioners are between 29" and 34" tall and weigh between 65 and 80 pounds. Portable air conditioners also work well in apartment situations where a window unit is unacceptable.  See below for answers to some of the most common portable air conditioner questions we get from customers:   No, these are not the same.  Air coolers, also known as evaporative coolers or swamp coolers, use water and evaporation to cool. Generally, air coolers lower ambient temperatures by 10-20 degrees. Portable air conditioners use a compressor and coolant to cool and are much more effective in cooling rooms and for keeping the humidity low. Portable ACs extract hot air, and this hot air has to be vented. If the hot air isn't vented, the portable air conditioner will not be able to cool a room effectively. Window and venting kits are always included with portable air conditioners at no extra cost.

For more information on venting, click here.You can also vent a portable AC through a wall vent, into the attic or drop ceiling, or even around a door - you're only limited by your creativity! For information on venting portable AC systems through casement windows, click here.A portable air conditioner's exhaust hose is generally between 5 and 7 feet long and is made of high quality, flexible plastic. The plastic window kit simply is cut to fit almost any slider or up and down window in your home - up to 4 feet. The window is then closed against the window kit to seal the air from the outside, the exhaust hose then is fit through a small cutout in the window attachment. Installation takes about 5 minutes and this allows for easy portability from window to window. For windows larger than 4 feet, simply purchase extra Plexiglass or Styrofoam at the local hardware store. As mentioned earlier, for unique window situations such as casement (crank-out) windows, a little creativity is all that is needed.

All portable air conditioners come with the standard hose length of 5-7 feet. If you need a longer hose, these can be easily found at a local hardware store. It is a good idea to avoid hose lengths over 12 feet or 90 degree bends. You can also vent through the dryer hose as long as the hose diameter is 5" or more and the outdoor venting flap is removed. All portable air conditioners produce condensation as they are cooled. why do central ac units freeze upThis water is then contained in an internal water reservoir or drained through a hose. ac and heater filtersOn all of our models, this water reservoir has an auto shutoff feature so that water is never accidentally spilled onto the ground. mobile office hvac unitWith the unit off, the water is easily emptied into a drip pan.

You can also gravity drain the portable AC by connecting a hose to the connection on the reservoir. Portable ACs are able to provide effective cooling with minimal water usage, making them one of the most efficient systems on the market. Energy Efficiency Rating (EER) is a standard measure of efficiency for comparing appliances and the cost of operation. The higher the EER, the more energy efficient the air conditioner. Any rating of 10 or more is considered excellent. By cooling only one room, portable air conditioners can save you a considerable amount of money on your monthly electric bill. All of the portable air conditioners that we carry operate on 115 Volt/60 Hertz - the normal household standard. They generally run on about 7-10 amps and require a regular, 3-prong grounded plug found in most homes. This is one of the most common uses of a portable air conditioner! Even in small computer rooms, a 12000 BTU unit should be purchased due to the extra heat produced. Moreover, the portable AC will help keep the air dry and more suitable for computer application.

See our server room portable AC guide to learn more.Shop Our Selection of Portable Air ConditionersIn many parts of the country, the hot summer months can be almost unbearable without a proper cooling system in place. These days, many homes and offices have central AC systems that eat up energy bills, often just to cool the few rooms they spend time in. If this scenario applies to you–or if you don't currently have a central AC and are looking for a less expensive alternative–look no further than a room air conditioner. There are 5 major types of room air conditioners to choose from. Portable air conditioners are freestanding, easy-to-move models that cool by pulling in fresh air, removing heat and moisture, and returning cool air into your space. To cool properly, they have to vent warm air into another location, usually outside through an included window kit. Installation usually takes just a few minutes. Other ways to vent a portable AC is through a wall hole or drop ceiling.

Main benefits include you can move them into different rooms, they don't require permanent installation, and they're typically affordable options. Some people find them noisy, and they're typically not as efficient as other room AC options. Look for models with heat for year-round use. To learn more about portable air conditioners, check out our Portable AC Buying Guide. In contrast, window air conditioners are designed to be installed inside a standard window or, in some cases, through a measured and prepared wall hole. These appliances are secured in a partially opened window–or on the wall frame–with the hot air exhaust system facing outside and the cool air return system facing inside. They're typically efficient options that can cool small or large rooms. Features to look for include heat modes, programmable timers, and digital control boards. Learn more about them in our Window AC Buying Guide. Very similar to window air conditioners, thru-the-wall air conditioners are window-style ACs designed instead to install through a wall inside a chassis sleeve.

In many cases, through-wall units can be installed flush with a wall for a streamlined appearance. Through-wall ACs differ from window ACs mainly in their housing design, cooling capacity, and weight. Unlike window units, thru-wall units typically do not have venting mechanisms on each side of the housing. This is because the venting grilles would be blocked in a through-wall application, which would lower the unit's cooling efficiency. Through-wall ACs are typically available in higher cooling capacities than window AC models and weigh slightly more. Learn more about them in our Thru-Wall Air Conditioner Buying Guide. Popular for their high-efficiency cooling, ductless split system air conditioners provide quiet, unobtrusive cooling for multiple "zones" within a home, office, or commercial space. Unlike portable AC units and window-style ACs, mini-split air conditioners are not self-contained appliances. They also do not require ducting like central air conditioners. These systems have two basic parts: a large condenser unit that installs outdoors and one or more compact wall-mountable blower units that are placed strategically inside the space(s), or zones, you want to cool.

When installed, insulated conduit housing the refrigeration lines runs from the outside condenser unit to the blower system(s) indoors. Each wall-mounted blower system can be controlled independently to provide comfortable room cooling right where you need it. Ductless mini-split system air conditioners are known for their high cooling efficiency, quiet operation, and slim profiles in your space. View our Mini-Split Buying Guide for more information. Package Terminal Air Conditioners (PTACs) are commercial-grade models usually installed in hotels, assisted living facilities, and offices. PTACs are capable of cooling and heating spaces of nearly any size, and most brands allow you to control multiple units from one location. Though PTAC AC units are popular in the hospitality industry, they're also used in sun rooms and various other residential spaces. They’re typically installed through an external wall right above the floor and often under a window.Check out our selection to see if we offer one that matches your needs.