With summer upon us, you might be thinking about ditching the pedestal fan and getting serious about cooling. 

If you rent your home, don’t have the budget for an expensive built-in air-conditioning system, or you simply like the flexibility of moving your air con between rooms, a portable air conditioner can be a good option. 

ÌÇÐÄVlog experts regularly review portable air conditioners, assessing key factors such as cooling performance, running cost and noise level when set to high (learn more about how we test).

They’ve found some impressive performers (both cheap and expensive), and they’ve seen some disappointing duds, too – sometimes from the same manufacturers.

Things to think about before you buy a portable air conditioner

Before you buy, check out our portable air conditioner buying guide, where we have loads of must-read advice. In the meantime, here are our top tips:

1. Capacity is important

You need to make sure the portable air con has the capacity to cool the room you need it for. This cooling capacity, or size, is measured in kW (kilowatts). For every extra kW, you have more cooling power, but it’s also going to cost you more in energy. 

Some air cons will specify the size of the room they’re best designed for, but as a guide, for a small bedroom, you’ll need one that is 2.0–2.5kW. 

Check out our portable air conditioner buying guide for more room sizes and further info.

2. Factor ongoing costs into your budget

Think about more than the price tag when you’re shopping. You might pick up a cheap deal on a unit, but it’s no good if that appliance will cost you a fortune to operate over its lifetime. 

We calculate the approximate cost of operating the unit at maximum capacity for four hours per day over three months in hot weather, based on 40c/kWh. Some units could add a whopping $250 or more to your electricity bill during this time. 

You can check the running costs of each model in our portable air conditioner review (go to the ‘Specifications’ section of the review).

3. Consider physical size and proximity to your window

These are bulky appliances that aren’t exactly an aesthetically pleasing part of your home decor. Most portable air conditioners also require a window vent, so you need suitable windows and enough space next to the window for the unit to go (with access to a power point). 

Find out more about the best smallest portable air conditioners.

4. Is it the best type of cooling for you?

If you own your own home and can afford the upfront installation costs, reverse-cycle air conditioning is one of the most effective and efficient ways to cool your home in summer and heat your home in winter. Find out more about air conditioner running costs.

5. Check ÌÇÐÄVlog reviews before you buy

The price you pay doesn’t always match up to the performance you’re going to get. Check out our expert portable air conditioner reviews to help you make the best choice.

We don’t want you to end up with a bad buy, so here are the products that scored lowest in our lab tests. Consider becoming a ÌÇÐÄVlog member to see the best performers.

The worst portable air conditioners in our tests

These models may come from a range of manufacturers and price points, but there’s one thing they have in common: they’re all terrible at cooling. 

Not a single one scored more than 41% for cooling, and all were rated as ‘Noisy’ or ‘Very noisy’ by our experts. Some are quite heavy as well, which doesn’t seem very portable.

We can excuse a $300 model for not being perfect, but it’s reasonable to expect that a unit that costs over $1000 should do the job well. 

Four of these low-ballers come from Dimplex and there’s one each from Excelair, EWT and Shinco. Most of the other models from these brands didn’t score very well either, and there’s currently only one model in our latest round of testing that was recommended by our experts.

Here are the models to cross off your shopping list.

Dimplex DCP33EB

• ÌÇÐÄVlog Expert Rating: 50%
• Price: $899

Dimplex DCP26EB

• ÌÇÐÄVlog Expert Rating: 50%
• Price: $700

EWT EWTP11

• ÌÇÐÄVlog Expert Rating: 50%
• Price: $799

Excelair EPA58023W

• ÌÇÐÄVlog Expert Rating: 50%
• Price: $699

Shinco SPO6-07C

• ÌÇÐÄVlog Expert Rating: 50%
• Price: $320

Shinco SPS-12C

• ÌÇÐÄVlog Expert Rating: 50%
• Price: $500

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On this page:

• Are portable air conditioners any good?
• Should you buy the Aldi portable air conditioner?
• Is $229 a good price for a portable air conditioner?
• ÌÇÐÄVlog verdict on the Aldi portable air conditioner

Extreme temperatures are predicted to continue across Australia this summer, and if you’ve been breaking out in a sweat worrying how to keep yourself and your home cool, you may be enticed by Aldi’s cheap offer on portable air conditioners.

The supermarket chain is selling a 0.9kW portable air conditioner as a Special Buy this Wednesday 19 November. 

But is this a hot deal you should grab or should you cool your heels? ÌÇÐÄVlog experts share their take on portable air conditioners and things to consider before picking up this Aldi buy. 

Are portable air conditioners any good?

There are various pros and cons to consider before buying a portable air conditioner. They’re relatively cheap to buy, but they are an inefficient way to cool your home, and anything you save on the purchase price can show up in increased energy bills down the track. 

They can be a useful cooling option if you aren’t lucky enough to have reverse-cycle air conditioning installed in your home – for example, if you’re in rented accommodation or you can’t afford the upfront costs associated with installing this more efficient type of air conditioning.

Portable air conditioners are also easy to install, simple to use and you can move them from room to room, but they can be quite noisy, especially when used on a higher fan setting. 

Should you buy the Aldi portable air conditioner?

How does it perform?

While we can’t give away all the details from our expert review of this Aldi portable air conditioner (full reviews are available for ÌÇÐÄVlog members), we can reveal that it scored the same, and even outperformed, other models that cost hundreds of dollars more.

Overall, most of the portable air conditioners we’ve tested haven’t blown us away and our experts rate them as only ‘OK’, and others as ‘Borderline’. Only one model scored well enough to be recommended, and it costs more than three times as much as the Aldi model.

What are its specifications and features?

The unit being sold by Aldi is a portable heat pump air conditioner, which means it comes with a large flexible ducted tube that exhausts air outside via a window. 

Most portable air conditioners of this type, including the Aldi model, come with a ‘window kit’ which is an adjustable panel that helps you seal the ducted tubing into your window with minimal leakage. So the first thing you need to check is that you have enough space to place the portable air conditioner next to a suitable window. 

The Aldi model comes with cooling, fan and dehumidifying features which are common to most of these types of portable air conditioners. It has an LED display control panel, 24-hour timer and a remote control. 

Like most portable air conditioners, it comes on four castor wheels so it can be moved around (but keep in mind that these models can be quite bulky and heavy and will need to be placed next to a suitable window to operate). 

What size room is the Aldi portable air conditioner good for?

It’s important to note that its cooling capacity of 0.9kW is very low, which means it’s only suitable for cooling a 5–8 square-metre room – a small bedroom, for instance, but not a living room.

For a room that’s up to 15 square metres, you’d need a portable air conditioner that’s 2.0–2.5kW. See our size guide in our portable air conditioner buying guide. 

Is $229 a good price for a portable air conditioner?

Generally the greater cooling capacity a unit has, the more it will cost to buy and the more it will cost to run.

We do not have any other 0.9kW models in our portable air conditioner review, but models in the 2–3kW range are priced from from $249 up to more than $800, so the Aldi model is definitely at the lower end of the pricing spectrum. 

On top of the purchase price, the running costs for this type of appliance can be significant. As part of our reviews, we look at energy efficiency and performance.

We have calculated that the average running cost for a 1.2–3kW unit used for four hours per day over summer is $132* and the average price of a unit for this size is $585.

Using the same formula, we have estimated that the Aldi model will cost roughly $83* to run for the same period over summer, which means its running costs are below average for units of this approximate size.Ìý 

Consider performance and how long the product will last

The price of an appliance doesn’t always indicate performance, and there are certainly cheaper models that outperform more expensive models in our testing. 

When an appliance is sold for such a low price, it’s worth considering the customer service that may or may not be available to you should something go wrong with the product, and also how long it will last. 

A cheap product could mean it is made with cheaper components that may make the unit harder to repair later in its life. One benefit of the Aldi model is that it comes with a three-year warranty. Most of the 45 products in our portable air conditioner review come with a one- or two-year warranty; only 11 models come with a three-year warranty.

But you’d still want your portable air con to keep running for longer than three years, so the quality of customer service after that point is worth considering.

ÌÇÐÄVlog verdict on the Aldi portable air conditioner

Although we’re not fans of portable air conditioners in general due to their inefficiencies, we know that for some people, they’re the only option to beat extreme heat. And, they’re easy to install and cheap to buy, which are both bonuses if you find yourself in need of a cooling solution, fast. 

This Aldi portable air conditioner is a tempting buy due to its low price tag and the fact it scores relatively well against other models that cost significantly more. 

If you intend to pick this appliance up in the Special Buy sale, keep in mind that these units can be very heavy (almost half the portable air conditioners in our review weigh 30kg or more and some weigh over 40kg), and they are quite bulky, so you’ll likely need a large car or van and someone to assist you. 

And if you’re trying to decide whether the Aldi model is worth buying, or whether you’re better off spending a little more on a higher-performing model, log in or sign up to read our full portable air conditioner review, which compares almost 100 products.

*We calculate the approximate cost of operating portable air conditioners at maximum capacity for four hours per day for three months in hot weather, based on 40c/kWh.

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Clank, whoosh, beep, shudder! Portable air-conditioning units can be quite loud and distracting, especially if they’re on full blast while you’re working from home, watching TV or on the phone.Ìý

They also aren’t hugely energy-efficient, but the reality is they’re a good cooling option if:

• you can’t install air conditioning because you rent or you’re in a strata complex that requires approval
• you need an immediate cooling fix and can’t wait for installation 
• you don’t have the budget for a fixed option.Ìý

But if the thought of a whooshing unit that keeps you up at night gives you nightmares, and you’re looking for the best model that’s also quiet, we can help.Ìý

Read on to find out which portable air conditioners were the quietest in our latest tests.Ìý

Quietest portable air cons – the good and bad news

Let’s start with the positives.Ìý

In our comprehensive lab tests, ÌÇÐÄVlog test experts found a number of units that rated in the ‘quieter’ category, with noise registering at 57–59dBa, so they’re a good option if you’re looking for a model that’ll keep the peace in your home.

The catch? They didn’t score that well for actual cooling performance (the one thing you’re buying them to do), and none are recommended by our experts.Ìý 

“Most portable air conditioners tend to be fairly noisy, regardless of their efficiency and performance,” says ÌÇÐÄVlog air conditioning expert Chris Barnes.Ìý

“Unfortunately the comparatively quiet models named here happen to be fairly mediocre performers.Ìý

“Quietness is clearly no guarantee of good performance or efficiency for portable air conditioners.”

The current models we’ve tested range from 54.9dBa (quieter) up to 69dBa (very noisy) on high speed.Ìý

For comparison, a typical conversation reaches about 60dB, a very noisy dishwasher might sit at around 50dB, and a running shower might clock in at about 70dB.

Keep in mind that an air con’s noisiness can vary notably depending on the room it’s in. Carpets and soft furnishings will absorb some noise; hard floors and tiles can amplify it.Ìý

Still, if noise is a key factor for your choice (you might have a sleeping baby, do lots of video conferences, or you’re sensitive to sound, for instance), here are the quieter models to look out for.Ìý

Aldi Stirling PA09W1

• Fan noise on high: 54.0dBa (Much quieter)
• Cooling score: 51%
• RRP: $229
• Running costs: $49*

Aldi Special Buys products only pop up from time to time, so if you’re looking for a portable air con that’s quiet, affordable and cheap to run, then you might consider grabbing this one when you see it.

But before you start scouring the middle aisle, we suggest you cool your heels.

At just $229, it’s the cheapest portable air con in our review. However, it also sits towards the bottom of the leaderboard, with a ÌÇÐÄVlog Expert Rating of 56%. (This overall score is based on each unit’s cooling performance and energy efficiency.)

So it’ll have minimal impact on your wallet (at least for upfront cost) and your ears – but also on the room temperature.

We’ve also tested a $249 Aldi Stirling portable air conditioner, but despite its slightly higher price, it actually delivers performance that’s lower than the $229 model. And it definitely doesn’t deliver lower noise: at 63.1dBa, it’s rated as ‘Noisy’.

If you’re trying to beat the heat on a tight budget, you might be better off looking at a pedestal fan: a number of the models recommended by our experts come in at well under $100. Check our pedestal and tower fan reviews to see which ones will lower the mercury but not your bank balance.

Read the full Aldi Stirling PA09W1 review.

*Summer running costs are the approximate cost of operating the unit at maximum capacity for four hours per day for three months in hot weather, based on an energy cost of 40c/kWh.

Polocool PQ10C

• Fan noise on high: 57dBa (Quieter)
• Cooling score: 54%
• Price: $829
• Summer running costs: $144

This 2.7kW unit was one of the quietest we reviewed in our laboratory tests.

Unfortunately, it also seriously under-delivers on actually cooling, managing a lowly mark of just 54%. So you’ll hear it less, but probably be sweating more.

Having said that, it did receive the highest cooling score of the models rated as ‘quieter’, so if you absolutely must have the quietest unit possible, this one is the way to go – but just bear in mind that you’ll be sacrificing performance.

If you have this kind of money to spend on a portable air conditioner, you can definitely do better: the top-rated unit from our tests costs only a little more.

Read our full review of the Polocool PQ10C.

Click CPAC1907-C

• Fan noise on high: 59dBa (Quieter)
• Cooling score: 47%
• RRP: $279
• Running costs: $114

If you’re about to click ‘add to cart’ on this Click unit, we suggest you don’t.

Despite its slightly higher price, it’ll actually leave you worse off than the cheapo Aldi unit – both at the checkout and later on when you pay your power bill.

Plus, it only has a one-year warranty while the Aldi air con has a generous three-year warranty.

Our experts say that such a short warranty period suggests that the manufacturer doesn’t have much confidence in the product – and neither should you.

Read the full Click CPAC1907-C review.

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Portable air conditioners are useful if you don’t have air conditioning installed in your home and you need fast relief from a heatwave.

While they may not do the job as well as in-built systems, they’re comparatively cheap to buy, easy to install and simple to use, which makes them popular alternatives for people on a budget, in rented accommodation, or anyone who just wants to cool a small area. 

ÌÇÐÄVlog experts have reviewed around 60 portable air conditioners so we can give you the lowdown on how the size of the unit affects its cooling performance, as well as some other things to note before you buy a portable air conditioner on size alone.

How portable are they?

If you’ve started researching which portable air conditioner to buy, you may have noticed that they’re often described as ‘compact’. However, these units can actually take up quite a bit of space in a bedroom or office.

They often come on castor wheels to make them easy to move around, but most also come with a ‘window kit’, which includes a flexible ducted tube to vent air outside that must be affixed to a suitable window.

They also need to be plugged into a power point, with space around the unit for airflow – so you’ll need to allow about double the space of the unit’s footprint. 

In addition, some units weigh over 40kg (more than a third of the models we tested weigh 30kg or more), and stand at a height of up to about a metre, which all starts to make the ‘portable’ label seem a bit misleading.Ìý

They’re not the most discreet appliances and are hardly going to be on your list of ‘most desired features’ when you’re styling the interiors of your home. 

So, what is the smallest and most effective portable air conditioner you can buy? To understand that, you need to understand a thing or two about cooling capacity.

Physical size vs cooling capacity

When manufacturers, retailers or review websites refer to the size of a portable air conditioner, they’re most likely referring to the cooling capacity of the appliance, which is measured in kW (kilowatts). 

For every extra kW, you have more cooling power, but it’s also going to cost you more in energy. 

The bigger the room you want to cool, the more kilowatts you’ll need. (To find out the recommended kilowattage for the size of room you want to cool, see our portable air conditioner buying guide.)

Even if your priority is finding an air conditioner that isn’t too bulky or heavy, it’s also important to consider how well it’s going to perform.

Our reviews of portable air conditioners over the past couple of years have found that the physically smaller and lighter models tend to have a lower cooling capacity of around 2–3kW, which means they’re really only suitable for small- to medium-sized rooms, such as small bedrooms or home office spaces. 

Keep in mind that while some units may be lighter than others, and therefore easier to move around, they may be bulkier in size.

How do smaller and lighter portable air conditioners generally perform?

On the whole, portable air conditioners are not very efficient appliances, so even the top scoring models in our review only manage an overall score of up to 73%.

As smaller and lighter models usually have lower cooling capacities, they generally perform worse in our testing than larger models with a greater cooling capacity.Ìý

The lightest portable air conditioners

Below are some of the lightest and physically smallest portable air conditioners in our review.

They all weigh 20kg and under, so if you plan to move your unit from room to room often, they’ll be less work to push around.

While they might tick the box in terms of weight, they’re not necessarily the best in class for performance.

To find which portable air conditioners were ranked as the best performers in our expert independent testing, read our portable air conditioner reviews (available to ÌÇÐÄVlog members).ÌýJoin ÌÇÐÄVlog to find the best lightweight portable air conditioners for your home.

For more information on how to buy the best portable air conditioner, view our portable air conditioner buying guide.

Aldi Stirling PA09W1

• Weight: 14.5kg
• Price: $229

EWT EWTP9

• Weight: 18kg
• Price: $599

Ausclimate ACPAC205CB

• Weight: 20kg
• Price: $600

Ausclimate ACPAC205SG

• Weight: 20kg
• Price: $599

The highest scoring small portable air conditioners

They may not be the lightest of the bunch, but these models are no lightweights when it comes to performance – they hit the sweet spot between the highest scores and the smallest footprints. And in good news for your budget, two of them are priced under $250.Ìý

However, we use the term ‘best’ lightly: these models still really only achieve borderline cooling performance and could only be used in small rooms.Ìý

Keep in mind that one of these is an Aldi Special Buy so isn’t available all the time. You’ll need to keep an eye out for when it pops up. They tend to sell out quickly too, so you’ll have to move fast if you want to snag one.

Bonaire PRC7000026

• ÌÇÐÄVlog Expert Rating: 60%
• Weight: 21kg
• Dimensions: 69 x 28 x 33cm
• Price: $519 

Freshin FDP26-2021WR5

• ÌÇÐÄVlog Expert Rating: 60%
• Weight: 21kg
• Dimensions: 69 x 33 x 28cm
• Price: $399 

Bonaire PRC6000026

• ÌÇÐÄVlog Expert Rating: 60%
• Weight: 21kg
• Dimensions: 69 x 33 x 28cm
• Price: $419

Anko FDP20-2022R5

• ÌÇÐÄVlog Expert Rating: 58%
• Weight: 23kg
• Dimensions: 69 x 33 x 28cm
• Price: $249

Aldi Stirling PA09W1

• ÌÇÐÄVlog Expert Rating: 57%
• Weight: 14.5kg
• Dimensions: 58 x 27 x 27cm
• Price: $229

Want a portable air con that does a better job than these? You may have to go bigger. Exclusively for ÌÇÐÄVlog members, our portable air conditioner reviews reveal the top performers that are recommended by our experts.

The post Best small portable air conditioners appeared first on ÌÇÐÄVlog.

On this page:

• Our expert testers
• How we choose what we test
• How we score portable air conditioners
• Test criteria explained
• Our test lab

That’s why we review portable air conditioners to help you choose the best one for your needs. Here’s how we go about it.

Our expert testers

We’ve been reviewing air conditioners of various sorts for decades now. ÌÇÐÄVlog participates in relevant Australian Standards committees and regulatory forums so we can keep an eye on trends in the industry and air conditioner regulations.

Portable air conditioners are subject to Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS). Now that they’re regulated this way, much like split-system air conditioners, we’ve decided to use these results for our review. We sift through the MEPS data to discover the best models for cooling efficiency and energy efficiency.

How we choose what we test

MEPS data has hundreds of models, but not all of them are on the market – this can be due to a number of reasons such as manufacturers or distributors introducing families of models, but only deciding to release certain models for a variety of reasons. It could also be that supply chain issues have stopped certain models from getting released.

To decide what we publish, we survey manufacturers to find out about their range of models, check market sales information and also check for any member requests to test specific models. From this information we sift through the MEPS data to find the products that are able to be bought at the time of research.

How we score portable air conditioners

Cooling performance

Our cooling score is based on a comparative analysis of the rated annualised energy efficiency ratio (AEER).

Energy-efficiency

We look at the amount of power used and the amount of cooling energy produced as a measure of how well the product uses energy to produce cooling.

Running costs

We look at the power input in kW and use it on a basis of four hours on over the three months of summer to give an indication of how much these products are likely to cost you to run.

Test criteria explained

The ÌÇÐÄVlog Expert Rating is made up of:

• cooling performance (50%)
• energy efficiency (50%).

We display the fan noise as well, as these products tend to be noisy. With the fan on high, all portable air conditioners are loud enough to interfere with normal conversation, but naturally they’re quieter on a low fan speed.

We also calculate the running costs. This is the approximate cost of operating the unit at maximum capacity for four hours per day for three months in hot weather, based on 40c/kWh. These are comparative only as your actual use may be different.

Our test lab

While ÌÇÐÄVlog does have high quality thermal laboratories, we don’t have a lab suited to air conditioner testing – it would be very expensive to construct and maintain. So instead, when we review portable air conditioners, we use the regulated MEPS data.

Related content

• Portable air conditioners to avoid buying
• The quietest portable air conditioners we tested
• How to install a portable air conditioner
• Portable evaporative coolers vs portable heat pump air conditioners

The post How we review portable air conditioners appeared first on ÌÇÐÄVlog.

First, you’ll need a window kit (and a window)

Portable air conditioners suck in warm, humid air, then cool and dehumidify it and blow it back into the room. The heat that’s been extracted from the air is blown back outside via an exhaust vent. You need to install this vent in an open window.Ìý

Most portable air conditioners are supplied with a window kit which seals off the rest of the window to stop the cold air getting out and the hot air getting in.

How to install a portable air conditioner

As long as you have all the right parts and your window is the right size, installing a portable air conditioner is pretty straightforward, and you won’t need particularly high-level DIY skills to set it up. You may need a screwdriver, but that’s about it.

Sliding or sash window

Each model will differ slightly, but this is a general overview of how to install a portable air conditioner exhaust vent in a sliding or sash window.

What if my window is bigger than the window kit?

“If the window kit isn’t long enough for your window, you’ll need a DIY solution. Or have someone construct something to block the remainder of the gap,” says Kim Gilmour, ÌÇÐÄVlog’s portable air conditioning expert.

“It’s better to do your research and buy one that fits properly the first time, rather than getting the unit home and discovering that your window is too big.”

If you do need something to fill the gap, you could cut a piece of plexiglass or plywood to size.

The portable air conditioners in our test had window kits ranging from 93cm to 197cm (although one didn’t include a window kit). Check our reviews before you buy to find out whether a portable air conditioner is supplied with a window kit long enough for your window.

Hinged window

Only one model we tested included a window kit for hinged windows, but you can buy after-market kits online.

Installation tips

• If you can, make sure the exhaust pipe is as straight as possible, with no kinks or bends. Otherwise air won’t flow through freely and the unit will be less efficient.
• The shorter you can make the exhaust pipe, the more efficient the unit will be.
• Some manufacturers recommend only using alkaline batteries, not rechargeable ones, with the air conditioner’s remote control.

Before you buy

There are big differences between brands. To find one that is quieter and more efficient, see our portable air conditioner reviews.

First things first: check that the spot you have in mind for your portable air conditioner is actually going to work.

Things to check:

• Power: Make sure the cord is long enough to reach the power point nearest to where you want to set up the air conditioner. Using an extension cord with a portable air conditioner poses a potential overheating or fire risk.
• Vent: Check that the exhaust vent is long enough to reach from the unit to the window or door you plan to vent it through.
• Circulation: Portable air conditioners need enough space around them to allow for good air circulation. Allow at least 50cm between the unit and the wall.
• Floor: Portable air conditioners need to be placed on a flat, even floor.
• Window kit: Some portable air conditioners are supplied with filler panels to close the gap in an open window and direct hot air outside. You can buy after-market kits, but many of the models we tested are supplied with a window kit. Just make sure it’s long enough to fit your window.
• Mobility: If you’re planning to move it around the home make sure it’s not too heavy and that it’s easy to manoeuvre, or you might need to pick one spot for it.
• Noise: Many of the portable air conditioners we tested are quite noisy, especially when they’re cranked up too high. If you’re planning to put the unit in a bedroom, think about whether it will affect your ability to sleep. No point being cool if you’re wide awake at 2am!

How to make a portable air conditioner more efficient

• Make sure there’s enough air circulation around the portable air conditioner – at least 50cm between the unit and the wall.
• Put the air conditioner on flat, even ground. A portable air conditioner on an uneven surface can be more noisy than usual.
• Don’t put anything on top of or near the unit.
• Clean the filter regularly – once every two weeks.

If your portable air con isn’t cooling as well as it should…

• Clean any filters, intake and output vents to and from the portable air conditioner – blocked vents will hinder the cooling capacity.
• Is the unit suitable for the size of the room? These portable devices aren’t great for larger rooms, so you might have to use it in smaller rooms instead.
• Are you losing all the cold air through draughts and gaps in the room you’re trying to cool? Make sure you close any doors, seal the vent well so no hot air is sneaking in, and also make sure curtains are drawn to block the sun.
• If you’re using the portable air conditioner on a very hot day, you might need to sit closer to the unit to get the effect of cooling – like a spot cooler.
• Use a ceiling fan to move the cooler air from the portable air con around the room.

Related content

• Portable air conditioners to avoid buying
• The quietest portable air conditioners we tested
• How we test portable air conditioners
• Portable evaporative coolers vs portable heat pump air conditioners

The post How to install a portable air conditioner appeared first on ÌÇÐÄVlog.

On this page:

• What are portable evaporative coolers and how do they work?
• Are portable evaporative coolers any good?
• What are portable heat pump air conditioners?
• Are portable heap pump air conditioners any good? 
• Pros and cons of portable air conditioners and portable evaporative coolers

Portable air conditioners may not do the job as well as in-built systems, but they’re comparatively cheap, easy to install and simple to use. That’s why they’re popular alternatives for people who are on a budget, in rented accommodation, or who just want to cool a single room or small workspace.

There are two basic types of portable air con: evaporative coolers and heat pump air conditioners. We take you through how they work, what they cost, and the pros and cons of each – so you can keep a cool head and decide which is right for you.

What are portable evaporative coolers and how do they work?

Portable evaporative coolers are compact units on wheels that can be moved from room to room, or even outside onto a deck, as long as there’s a power supply. Unlike built-in systems, portable units are designed to cool a room or a person rather than a whole house.

They work the same way as built-in units. An internal fan draws warm, outside air into the unit. Inside the unit are wet filter pads and, as the warm air passes over them, their water evaporates. This creates cooled, humidified air that’s then blown into your room.

As with built-in systems, you need to keep a window open when you’re using a portable evaporative cooler indoors so that condensation doesn’t build up.

How much do they cost to buy and run?

Portable evaporative coolers are relatively inexpensive, ranging from less than $100 up to $600.

They are very cheap to run, costing about three to seven cents an hour for electricity, plus less than one cent an hour for the water used by the device. Portable units have to be topped up with water at a rate of about one to four litres an hour, so make sure you have an adequate water supply.

How much energy do they use?

Energy usage will depend on the size of the unit and the area you’re trying to cool.Ìý

To get a rough idea of what size unit you need, take the volume (floor width x floor length x ceiling height) of the room to be cooled, and divide it by two – this gives you a final cubic metre output. Choose an evaporative cooler to suit a room of that cubic metre output.

Are portable evaporative coolers any good?

Yes and no. Their low purchase price, ease of installation and low running costs make them an appealing option, particularly to renters, people on a budget, or people looking to cool a small room.

But they’re not particularly efficient, especially if they’re undersized. They also need to be placed in front of an open window to exhaust air, and keeping a window open might not be ideal on a hot and windy day.

They don’t command a huge part of the market in Australia, which is why we don’t test them. Our portable air conditioner reviews compare only portable heat pump air conditioners.

Maintenance

Portable evaporative coolers benefit from yearly checks and maintenance, most of which you can do yourself.

Disconnect the unit from the power and remove the cover and filter pads. Clean the filters with soap and water. (Depending on water quality and local weather conditions, you should replace these pads every one to seven years.)

Empty the exhaust pipe and water tank, and clear out any sludge. Clean the tank with water and vinegar, then rinse with fresh water. Let internal parts such as the pipe and filter pads dry out completely before putting them back into the unit. Check the exhaust pipe doesn’t have holes and replace it if it does.Ìý

Finally, fill the unit up with water, and it’s ready to use again.

What are portable heat pump air conditioners?

Portable heat pump air conditioners (more commonly referred to as ‘portable air conditioners’) are compact units whose parts are housed in a single indoors system – unlike split system air conditioners, where the compressor is located outside the house.Ìý

The unit is on casters for mobility and most models come with a large-diameter (about 150mm) flexible duct to exhaust air outside, usually through a window. An adjustable window adaptor, often included with the unit, lets you seal the outdoor end into most windows with minimal air leakage.  

There are contemporary units that don’t need a pipe or window kit – you just plug them in and go. But these are not room coolers, only spot coolers (i.e. for a single person).

Despite their compact size, the venting duct and weight (up to 40kg) of commonly available models can make them less portable than their name suggests! But they don’t require any wiring, plumbing or structural changes to the building – just a power point. This makes them a suitable option for rental accommodation or temporary use.Ìý

As long as you have all the right parts and your window is the right size, installing a portable air conditioner is straightforward – you won’t need much more than a screwdriver.

How do portable heat pump air conditioners work?

They work the same way as built-in air con: they suck warm air from outside, cooling and dehumidifying it with refrigerant, before blowing it into the room.Ìý

Models that come with a window kit need to have the flexible duct placed into a window to vent heat from the room. The downside is that when hot air is exhausted through the duct, the change in air pressure can cause warm air to be drawn in from other rooms to replace it. As a result, this style of portable air con is always struggling to maintain a low temperature.Ìý

How much do they cost to buy and run?

Portable air conditioners can cost anything between $349 and $1395. They draw less than one kW and running costs are between 35 cents and 65 cents an hour.

Are portable heap pump air conditioners any good? 

For those on a budget or in rental accommodation, a portable heat pump air con is a good option because of their relatively low purchase price and installation costs, and their portability. That said, many older models aren’t an energy-efficient choice.

How much energy do they use?

Portable air conditioners have historically been inefficient and weren’t required to carry an Energy Rating Label.Ìý

But since April 2020, new portable units must meet minimum energy performance standards (MEPS) and display an energy star rating label. Look for information on energy efficiency according to your location (the labels cater to hot, average and cold zones) as well as how noisy the system is and its kWh usage.Ìý

Don’t be surprised if you find the unit has no energy stars: by their very nature, many portable heat pump air cons aren’t all that energy-efficient at cooling down a large space, and are best for cooling a person rather than a whole room.Ìý

How much maintenance do they need?

Air filters should be cleaned regularly, ideally every two weeks.

Make sure any ducting is free of air leaks and replace if there are holes. Service all air conditioners and replace parts according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Pros and cons of portable air conditioners and portable evaporative coolers

Related content

• Portable air conditioners to avoid buying
• The quietest portable air conditioners we tested
• How we test portable air conditioners
• How to install a portable air conditioner

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