If the summer heat is driving you crazy, it might be time to invest in a portable air conditioner. But which one should you choose? Any appliance store will likely have dozens of brands and models in stock, so how can you tell which ones are best suited to your needs? If you're planning to go air conditioner shopping soon, keep a few of these criteria in mind as you look at potential buys.
Are You Sensitive to Noise?
Like many appliances, air conditioners make noise when they run. Some machines make more noise than others, however, and these noisy models can interfere with your concentration if you need a quiet place to work or relax. Unfortunately, when you choose a model in the store, you may not have the option to run it and see how loud it is.
One solution to this problem is to look up your chosen model online to read reviews from the people who already own one. Another way of finding out the noise level is to contact an air conditioner rental company about renting the model for a day. That way, you can test out your potential air conditioner to make sure it's quiet enough to meet your needs.
Does Your Home Have a Humidity Problem?
If humidity is allowed to build up inside your home, the effects can be nasty. Mold, wood rot, and mildew are all drawn to places in your walls where the water condensates. Wood-burrowing pests will also find your home's wood more appealing, since it's softened by water exposure.
To combat this risk, consider buying an air conditioner with a dehumidifier setting, or one that dehumidifies while it cools. With these models, excess water is sucked up by the machine and vented outside, allowing the inside of your home to stay nice and dry.
How Big Is the Room You'll Be Cooling?
Portable air conditioners are available at many different levels of strength. Weaker machines tend to be the least expensive, but they can come up short if the room you need to cool is large. An underpowered air conditioner is also likely to break down faster if it runs at capacity all the time, which can end up costing you more in the long run when you have to replace it.
You can find the BTU, or energy output, your air conditioner will need by multiplying the area of your room by 25. For example, a 10 by 10 room would have an area of 100 square feet, and would need an air conditioner that could consistently output at least 2500 BTUs in order to stay cool. Keep in mind that if the room you'll be cooling is poorly insulated, like a shed or garage, you'll need to get a much stronger machine.
Getting the perfect air conditioner for your home can be difficult, especially when you've never bought one before. However, if you do a little research beforehand and discuss your needs with a heating and air conditioning professional, you can hopefully end up with a machine that will keep you cool and comfortable all summer long.
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