Air Conditioning Plug and Play: When to Get a Portable AC

Despite their limitations, they still have their uses.

That’s why in this article, we’ll go through the advantages of portable aircon and list down some situations where it might actually be the best option for you!

1. When you’ve got uncooperative windows

Depending on your home, you may have some areas that simply don’t allow for a window type or split type AC. Perhaps you don’t have enough room, the window opening is too high, or some other valid reason. Fortunately, the exhaust hose of a portable AC is flexible enough to work in such clunky situations, able to fit into pretty much any kind of window. This includes sliding windows (instead of the ones that swing outward) which are common in condominiums and apartments, and windows that have grates.

Also, if your home has a room with only a single window which a window type AC would take up, you could opt for a portable AC instead so you could take it out whenever you want to let in fresh air and sunlight.

2. When you can’t lift your AC into position

Let’s be honest. ACs are REALLY heavy. Weighing anywhere from 50-80 pounds, the prospect of having to lift one of those and then fit it into a precisely-measured opening is challenging to say the least, especially if you’re doing it solo.

Portable ACs? They weigh about the same but they usually come on rollers or wheels so it’s no problem to push them from one room to the next. Naturally, their easy installation process lends itself nicely to their portability, as you just need to attach the exhaust hose to a window and plug in the AC itself into a nearby outlet.

3. When you don’t want to bother with the carpentry or electrical work needed to install a split type AC

To their credit, split type ACs are among the most energy-efficient (albeit with a more expensive entry cost) AC choices out there. But even if you could afford one, that doesn’t yet include the work you’ll need to put in to make a place for it and then install it.

To begin with, you’ll need a licensed AC professional technician to assess your location’s compatibility: you may need to build concrete pads for the outdoor unit, install refrigeration pipes connecting the indoor to the outdoor unit, add circuit breakers, or fulfill one of many other prerequisites. Only after all that’s done with the help of a carpenter and/or electrician can the AC technician install the AC.

If that sounds like too much to wait for and pay for, you could just go for a no-fuss portable AC and DIY your own cooling setup.

4. When you need cooling only in certain parts of the house or at certain times of the day

If your current AC setup doesn’t reach all the parts of your home you want to cool, a portable AC can be a good supplementary pickup, especially when you want to provide direct cooling to a particular area. Also, just like when you use a small electric fan, you can point it in exactly the direction you want, adding more control to your cooling than the more widespread flow of other AC types.

Additionally, it’s a sensible choice if you aren’t planning to use it all day long, and intend to use it in a more limited space or small room. For example, you could use it only in your bedroom for your nightly sleep, letting you stay cool while saving on energy costs.

5. When your building has specific rules about ACs

Some condominiums, apartments, and homeowner associations are particular about what types of ACs can be installed. If you don’t want to bother arguing your case or simply don’t have another option, you can play it safe with a portable AC.

6. When you have sudden and necessary cooling needs

Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, many of us have had to move to work-from-home and schooling-from-home setups, part of which includes allocating spaces where family members can work and study peacefully. If you find yourself in a situation that needs cooling ASAP, don’t have an existing AC, and don’t want to risk opening your bubble to let in AC installation specialists, a portable AC can make a decent temporary solution at least until you can install a permanent AC.

Even after we’ve gotten through the pandemic and returned to in-person working and studying, you can always store it away for future use. After all, having a backup portable AC could be useful just in case your main AC conks out.

At the end of the day, the main priority of having an AC is to keep everyone that matters to you cool and comfortable, no matter the situation or time of the year. When it comes to navigating the more unpredictable cooling challenges life sends your way, a portable AC’s primary strength is to give you the flexibility to face them with confidence.