When summer strikes with a vengeance, a portable air conditioner can be just the thing you need to make it through the hottest days. A portable ac unit can cool a single room without the expense of adding ductwork for a new central air system in older homes, apartments, or office spaces that don’t have an A/C unit. 

Portable air conditioners need to be plugged into a power source and should be vented through an open source in whatever room it is in. Learn more in the section below about how work, install, and shop for your portable air conditioning unit.  
 

How do portable air conditioners work?
A portable ac unit is your ideal companion for quick heat relief on a hot day. A portable air conditioner takes the hot air inside, vents it outside, and replaces it with crisper, cooler air generated by its internal cooling system. A portable A/C gives you immediate cool comfort by using a chemical called a refrigerant, which chills the air before it is fan release into your home.
 

What is the best portable air conditioner? 

A portable air conditioning unit comes with many pros: it’s lightweight to make it easy to move and it’s designed to integrate seamlessly with casement windows or sliding doors. However, there are additional features you must consider in order to figure out what is the best portable air conditioner for your home or apartment.

• Cooling Capacity: Before you buy a portable A/C, know the size of your room so you can figure out what size ac unit you need to cool it completely. The BTU (British thermal unit) of a free standing air conditioner will tell you how powerful it is. To give you an idea, a 1800 BTU portable air conditioner cools 700-1,000 square feet of space. 
• Fan Speed Settings: When things heat up, you will mostly likely need cool comfort during the day and the night. This is why you will want an ac unit that has multiply fan speeds. A faster fan speed will keep your room at its coolest during the day, while a slower fan speed will keep you cool at night without the noise to keep you up. 
• Energy Saving Settings: Many ac units come with settings that help you cut down your electricity usage throughout the hottest seasons. If energy-efficiency is important to you, buy portable air conditioning that comes with energy saving settings. 

How to install portable air conditioners

The convenient thing about a stand alone portable air conditioner is that it can be easily installed into any room with one of the following home or office features:
•    Casement windows
•    Chimney
•    Drop ceiling 
•    Walls (permanent installation)

Portable acs usually come with an exhaust hose to channel the hot air outside. The NewAir portable air conditioners come with a venting kit to make installation a breeze. Make sure your portable ac unit comes with a venting kit feature or make your own before you try to install it. Follow this simple 3-step process to install your portable A/C in your home or office:

1.    Choose the location
2.    Measure the venting area
3.    Attach the exhaust hose to the ac unit

Portable air conditioning units are must easier to install in comparison to central air, especially if you live in a short-term rental or apartment. A free standing air conditioner cools and maintains your ideal temperature all while being cost-effective. Plus, a portable air conditioner fan works wonders in large rooms and indoor areas.

How powerful of an A/C Unit do you need?

Depending on the size of the room, you might need a unit that can produce more cooling to accommodate. That is measured in British Thermal Units (BTUs). A general rule of thumb:

Keep in mind, all portable air conditioners need to be ventilated to remove the warm out of the room. Placing them close to a window is ideal or you can always create a vent hole for a more permanent home improvement.

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