Portable Air Conditioner Quick Guide - Everything You Need to Know

A portable AC unit 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:  

Are a Portable Swamp Cooler and a Portable Air Conditioner the Same Thing?

No, these are not the same. Swamp 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 keeping the humidity low.

The Importance of Venting a Portable AC Unit

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.

Learn how to vent a portable AC unit.

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!

A portable air conditioner's exhaust hose is generally between 5 and 7 feet long and is made of high-quality, flexible plastic.

Finding a good heating and cooling solution for your home can be tough,” states Patrick Holmes from homeairguides.com. “But if you take the time to select the best air conditioner for your needs (a portable air conditioner, window AC unit, or ventless air conditioner), then you’ll have a good air conditioning unit that will last you a lifetime

The Most Popular Way to Vent: Use a Window Kit

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, and 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.

Can the Exhaust Hose be Extended?

All portable air conditioners come with a 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. 

Remember to Check the Water Reservoir.

All portable air conditioners produce condensation as they are cooled. This water is then contained in an internal water reservoir or drained through a hose. On all of our models, this water reservoir has an auto shutoff feature so that water is never accidentally spilled onto the ground.

With 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. 

Are Portable Air Conditioners Energy Efficient?

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. 

Portable air Conditioners are Perfect to Cool Computer Server Rooms.

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 applications. See our server room portable AC guide to learn more.