Portable Air Conditioners Buying Guide

When the weather gets warmer, we rely on fans and portable air conditioners to keep us cool at night and feeling comfortable throughout the hotter days.

However, when it comes to working out which air conditioner is best, it can be hard to know where to start. From how an air conditioner works to which air conditioner is best for home use, we’ve put together a useful guide to help you find the perfect fit for you.

What Types of Air Conditioners Are There?

There are many types of air conditioners out there – from fans to coolers. But, for the purpose of this guide, when we talk about air conditioners we’re referring to portable appliances that draw hot air in, cool it down and then circulate colder air throughout a room.

Though static units are available that can be built into walls and windows, most air conditioning units in the UK are portable, allowing you to move the appliance to wherever it’s needed in your building.

How to Choose an Air Conditioner

The best air conditioner for you will depend on your personal preferences and how you intend to use your appliance. Before making any decision on which air conditioner is best for your home, consider the following features:

An Adjustable Thermostat

An adjustable thermostat allows you to have complete control over the temperature of your room while the unit is operating, which is really important for maintaining a constant, optimum room temperature inside your home or office.

A 1-12 Or 1-24-Hour Timer

A timer will allow you to select a specific operating period. Once this period has ended, the air conditioner will switch itself off, reducing wastage and saving you money.

Washable Pre-Filters

Washable pre-filters remove dust, dirt and hair from the air being drawn into the filter, improving the air quality of your home, and preventing your air conditioner from becoming clogged up and working less efficiently. These filters can then easily be removed, cleaned and replaced.

Mode Settings

Some air conditioners have up to four different mode settings, allowing you to either cool, dehumidify, fan or heat the air as needed – making them suitable for use whatever the temperature.

Energy Efficiency

As with many household appliances, air conditioners are given an energy rating to show their efficiency. A-rated units are the most efficient and G are the least. If you want to know how much an air conditioner costs to run, it’s worth noting that the better the efficiency of your air conditioner, the less money it will add to your energy bills.

Frequently Asked Questions

There are a few questions that crop up again and again when people are looking to invest in a portable air conditioner. To give you a helping hand, we’ve answered a few of them below:

Air Cooler Vs. Air Conditioner: What’s the Difference?

For anyone wondering what the difference is between an air cooler and an air conditioner, it is fairly straightforward.

Think of an air cooler as an appliance that combines the functions of an air conditioner and a fan. It draws in warm air and passes it over a cold water source. The water evaporates into the hot air, having a cooling effect. This cooler air is then re-circulated around the room by a fan.

Air coolers are often cheaper than air conditioners and do not need to be externally vented. However, they are usually less powerful. For this reason, portable air conditioners are the most common and effective choice for cooling homes.

How Do Air Conditioners Work?

When the appliance is switched on, air is drawn into the unit and passed over a cold evaporator coil, where it’s cooled and some of the moisture removed. The air is then re-circulated into the room, reducing the overall temperature and humidity.

At the same time, a chemical refrigerant in the system absorbs the heat from the warm air before venting it to the exterior of your home via a hose. As the air cools, water is released into the air conditioning system. This either empties away through an external drain or is collected in a tank that you can remove and empty when full.

How Cold Can I Make a Room with Air Conditioning?

All Homebase air conditioning units have a minimum cooling setting of 16˚C or 18˚C and a maximum setting of 32˚C or 35˚C.

Though an air conditioner’s effectiveness will depend on the size of the room it’s placed in and the conditions, in general, this should be enough to maintain a perfect temperature, keeping you cool and comfortable whatever the weather.

Investing in a portable desk or tower fan is also a great way to keep cool on warm days. Simply plug into your nearest socket and enjoy the cooling breeze.

How to Keep Your Air Conditioning Working Efficiently

Ensuring your air conditioner is working efficiently will not only help it to cool your home or office more quickly, it will also keep your energy bills down.

When installing your unit, it’s sensible to make sure that the hose expelling the warm air goes directly to an exterior window. If the air escapes inside your home, then your unit won’t be able to cool the space as effectively.

Closing windows and doors will also help to cool your space more efficiently. Similarly, keeping blinds and curtains drawn will prevent your interior from being heated by the sun.

What are BTUs?

When browsing our great range of portable air conditioning units, you’ll notice that all appliances carry a British Thermal Unit (BTU) rating. This rating gives an indication of how much cooling the machine is capable of, and the higher the BTU rating, the larger the volume of air the unit can cool.

For a general guide on air conditioning costs, the first number of the BTU rating will refer to how much an appliance costs to run per hour in pence. For example, a 9,000 BTU air conditioner will cost 9p per hour to run, and a 12,000 BTU air conditioner will cost 12p per hour.

With the right air conditioner for your home, you can enjoy those long summer days in complete comfort. Explore our full range of Homebase portable air conditioners and fans today to find everything you need to keep cool.