How to Select a Portable Air Conditioner
When you're looking for a way to cool your home or office and a ceiling fan just isn't enough to do the trick, consider buying a portable air conditioner. Portable air conditioners are simple to use and inexpensive compared to a central-air cooling systems. To select the right portable air conditioner, you need to know about factors such as the installation, operation, size and power of available units. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Note the square footage of the room you want to cool to help you choose an appropriately sized unit. Choose a more-powerful unit for a larger space.
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Research the energy efficiency of the unit you are considering, and see whether any rebates are available for purchasing an energy-efficient unit. All units should be given an EER, which stands for Energy Efficiency Rating. The EER is figured using the BTUs, or British Thermal Units, and the watts consumed by the air-conditioning unit.
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Research the method that the unit uses to vent itself. Like a clothes dryer, portable air conditioners emit hot air and should be vented through a window or wall.
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Consider whether the unit is within the range of power that your home can handle. Too many volts can be a hazard if your residence is not wired for them. At a minimum, you will be constantly annoyed by frequently tripped circuit breakers.
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Select a unit with an auto shut-off that kicks in when the condensation pan is full. This feature will keep the liquid generated by the air conditioner from overflowing and making a mess.
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Tips & Warnings
The more BTUs, or British Thermal Units, the more powerful the air-conditioner is. Portable air conditioners generally range from 7,000 to 24,000 BTUs.
Some units come with remote controls so that you can adjust the temperature from the comfort of your chair, sofa or bed.
Ask a professional for help if you're unsure of how to install or operate the unit in order to reduce the risk of electric shock.
