Now that we are in summer you do need something that allows you to refresh your house. The problem is when it is impossible to place the typical external compressor refrigeration system. You may be renting or may not be allowed to do an installation in your community but don't worry, there is a solution. Today we tell you everything you need to know about portable air conditioners. Your lifeline, figuratively speaking, this summer.
How do portable air conditioners work?
The first thing you should know about this equipment is that its operation is similar to that of the wall unit together with its outdoor unit, but there are two clear differences: it does not need any type of installation and, of course, they are less efficient than the air "common" conditioners.
Let's say in this body of reduced size a refrigeration system that collects hot air from the room in which it is located, goes through a compressor that puts it in contact with the condensing unit (so that part of it cools down and refrigerates the place) and the rest leaves through the tube on its part back until you reach the outside through a window. Explained in a simple way, this is how this type of equipment works.
Differences with an evaporative cooler
not knowing the difference between a air conditioning or an evaporative cooler It is usually one of the most common confusions when buying one of these teams.
While air conditioning uses a compression and condensation system together with a refrigerant liquid that circulates inside said closed system, the evaporative air conditioner lowers the room temperature with water vapour.
The latter have a much lower energy consumption than the former but, on the other hand, have a major disadvantage: they are only recommended in environments where the heat is abundant and with dry climate. Evaporative coolers add humidity to the air, so in places where the percentage of this is high, they will not be effective at all.
How to choose the best portable air conditioner?
Now that you know how to correctly identify this type of equipment, you need to know those characteristics that allow you to make the best decision when buying it. The main points to keep in mind are:
- Necessary refrigerators: Depending on the space you want to condition, you will need this appliance to have a minimum number of refrigerators. This element measures the cooling capacity of a system of this type. The number of frigories needed per square meter of stay is between 125 – 150. Normally you will find the measure of this characteristic in air conditioners with a value in BTU, that is, the British thermal unit. You can calculate the number of frigories by dividing this value by 4 to make the appropriate change.
- Energy consumption: Obviously, this is another quite important parameter and it will be directly reflected in what this device spends in electricity per month. One way to regulate this is through energy efficiency, which is measured with the letter system that goes from A class, being this level the most efficient, up to the class D, which are the least efficient. Most of these devices are currently within class A, so a system of "pluses" has been devised that reaches up to 3 degrees more than this level. Therefore, if you buy a class A+++ efficiency device, it could consume up to 40% less than class A.
- Noise level: As you can imagine, by compacting the entire common air conditioning system inside this small body, the sound emitted by the compressor does not remain outside our home. This type of noise can be extremely annoying, especially at bedtime. Therefore, observe the maximum noise values of the equipment that you are going to buy or, even, if it has a night mode.
These are the 3 main parameters that you should take into account when purchasing these devices. In addition, there are others such as the energy efficiency of the refrigerant gas or how respectful it is with the environment, or also if, in addition to cooling, they have dedicated filters for air purification.
Best portable air conditioners
Now that you know everything about portable air conditioners and how to differentiate them from evaporative coolers, it is time for you to decide on a model to buy.
To make this task easier for you, we have collected several interesting models, dividing them according to whether they are air conditioners with or without WiFi connectivity. you know what techies that we are and if it can be connected to the smartphone, even better.
Portable air conditioners with WiFi
There are few models of this type of device that currently have a WiFi connection. You may be wondering, and what do I need this for? Well, this connectivity gives you the possibility to manage the device through your own smartphone. This is a positive detail, since the number of possibilities and functionalities of this increases, reaching the point of being able to manage it even when you are away from home to: turn it off remotely (in case of forgetting), or, if you want that when you arrive your home is at a comfortable temperature.
The first model we want to talk about is the portable air conditioner HTW P11 Wi-Fi. This model has quite small dimensions. It is capable of refrigerating a maximum area of 23 square meters and, together with it, they include the window kit for the tube to facilitate the air outlet. In addition, it has WiFi connectivity, so we can manage it remotely from our phone.
This is the KLARSTEIN Iceblock Ecosmart, a portable air conditioner available in powers from 7.000 – 9.000 BTU. It is a 3-in-1 unit as it cools, extracts humidity and ventilates rooms from 26 to 44 square meters. From its application, we can make different adjustments within its large number of functions that, of course, we can also do from its remote control. The maximum noise it emits is 65 dB.
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Another option may be the Daitsu APD 09X WiFi R290. Be careful with this since there is an air conditioning model and another that only has a cold pump. In this case we are talking about the second model. In this case, the power of this equipment reaches 2.300 frigories, somewhat low due to its small size. The maximum noise level is 53 dB. It has WiFi control.
Finally, within the models with WiFi connectivity, we have another option from the manufacturer HTW. It's about the model P18, which also has a heat pump so that we can use it throughout the year. This is equipment capable of cooling rooms of up to 23 square meters, with a noise emission of 54 dB. The pack includes, as in the previous model of the brand, the installation kit for the window tube.
Portable air conditioners without WiFi
Now, if you want to opt for the "lifelong" model, without connectivity, without WiFi, you can also do it. We show you some of the best options that you should consider when making your purchase.
This is the HAVERLAND IGLU-7, a portable air conditioner that is available in 2 models with different cooling capacities, ranging from 7.000 BTU to 9.000 BTU. In addition to having the ability to cool the environment, it also ventilates and dehumidifies it. It has a remote control in which we can set up to 2 fan speeds and program a timer for up to 24 hours of continuous use.
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Another option could be this Olimpia Splendid, with capacities ranging from 8.000 BTU to 10.000 BTU, with the latter being able to cool rooms of up to 80 square meters. It has a remote control from which we can control all its operating modes: cooling, fan, dehumidifier, night, automatic, turbo.
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If you want to bet on insurance and, in addition, you were looking for a silent option, the De'Longhi Penguin EL98 is the best alternative for you. This has a maximum capacity of 10.700 BTU, reaching to cool rooms of a maximum of 80 cubic meters. It has a touch panel to manage all its functions, including a silent mode at night. Of course, all these characteristics are directly reflected in its price, which reaches 690 euros.
See offer on AmazonThese are some of the best portable air conditioners that you will be able to find on the market. Now you just have to decide on one of these models to enjoy a more pleasant and "cool" summer.