Portable Cooling Guide: Top Five Portable Cooling Mistakes

The summer is turning out to be a hot one. People often turn to portable air conditioners and swamp coolers to help them cool their environments. These appliances are good solutions because they are compact and mobile. They are a great alternative to wall or window air conditioners because they do not have to be permanently installed. They also work great as supplemental cooling to central air conditioners.

If you choose the wrong air conditioner or swamp cooler you could end up melting in the heat anyway. To help you choose wisely, here are the top five mistakes consumers make when choosing a portable cooling unit:

1. Not Considering Environmentnn • Some people may think that portable air conditioners and swamp coolers are interchangeable. They are not. Although they both lower the temperature of the air, they use totally different cooling methods and are suited for different environments.
• Portable air conditioners extract hot air that must be vented. They function as dehumidifiers and are great for areas with moderate humidity levels.
• Swamp coolers blow water-cooled air throughout an area or room. They work best in dry climates like Southwestern states.

2. Miscalculating BTUs and Room Sizenn • Choosing the correct amount of BTUs is very important. BTUs describe the power and cooling capacity of a cooler.
• How many BTUs you need depends on the area being cooled. The greater the BTU value, the stronger the air conditioner. If there is a higher BTU value than the required room size, the unit will cycle off too quickly and will not properly remove humidity. If there is a lower BTU value than the required room size, the unit will not properly remove humidity.
• You should keep the dimensions of the room in mind and where it is going to be located. Sunny areas will need an additional 10 percent in BTUs. Shaded areas need 10 percent less BTUs. Kitchens need an additional 4,000 BTUs.

3. Energy Efficiency Rationn • The EER measures how efficiently a cooling system operates when the temperature is at a certain level (usually 95 degree Fahrenheit).
• EER is the ratio of BTUs to the amount of power consumed in watts.
• People buy oversized units and ignore EERS which is a big mistake. Choosing a high EER can help you save a considerable amount of money on your electric bill.

4. Not Venting A Portable Air Conditionernn • Portable air conditioners need to be vented through a window, wall or drop ceiling.
• Venting is necessary to exhaust hot air from indoors to outdoors.
• Venting kits usually come with portable air conditioners. They are complete with a hose so that venting is simple and effective.

5. Insufficient Electrical Powernn • You will need enough electrical power available to prevent breaking a fuse.
• You should pay attention to the type of plug an air conditioner or swamp cooler uses. It may also require a dedicated unit.
• Larger air conditioners and swamp coolers may require a 230/280 volt circuit which is not common in standard households. You may require assistance from an electrician. n