How does a portable air conditioner work? A practical guide

Holidays, sea, pool, sun! While summer brings freedom and tan, it can also make us regret a heavy snowfall in just a few days, establishing a love-hate relationship within us. But equipping oneself with an air-conditioning system is not always accessible, either financially or structurally.

A portable air conditioner, therefore, could be the solution. At the same time, however, you wonder whether it is as effective as a fixed one, what the differences are and whether, in general, it can be translated into a reasonable investment. The answer is: yes! And now we explain why.

Portable air conditioner and fixed air conditioner: the differences

The names speak for themselves: a portable air conditioner offers the great advantage of mobility. It can be moved from one room to another, thanks to wheels, and does not require a classic external unit. They are in fact monobloc air conditioners consisting of a chiller, fan, compressor and exhaust pipe. Even if they do not have an external split, they still require a hose to be passed through a window or balcony, with a special installation kit (no technician required).

You should pay special attention to this detail and read the technical data sheets carefully. Although, at first glance, it may seem that the air conditioner does not need a hose, especially those with an integrated evaporator, you could refer to the dehumidification function only. The story instead changes for the heating and cooling functions.

ON/OFF portable air conditioner or Inverter portable air conditioner?

Depending on the technology adopted, we can distinguish between two main categories of portable air conditioners:

• On/off air conditioner. Simple: when it reaches the set temperature, it switches itself off and on again at the appropriate time to restore the family's perspiration. These are the cheapest models.
• Inverter air conditioner. Although an air conditioner with Inverter is more expensive, it guarantees energy savings afterwards: it does not switch off when it reaches the set temperature and instead strives to keep it constant.

Portable air conditioner: how does it works?

A portable air conditioner draws in the warm air in the room through an intake grille. This air then passes through an evaporator, where the first cooling process takes place. Inside the evaporator, a refrigerant absorbs heat from the air, cooling it and transforming it from a liquid to a gas.

The cooled air is then fed back into the room through a fan. At the same time, the heated refrigerant passes through a compressor, which pressurises it and sends it to a condenser. In the condenser, the absorbed heat is released and the hot air is expelled to the outside through a flexible exhaust pipe, usually placed in a window or terrace/garden door.

During this process, moisture from the indoor air can condense on the evaporator, forming water that is collected in an internal reservoir or drained outside via a hose. This not only cools the air, but also dehumidifies it, improving overall comfort.

How a portable air conditioner whitout hose works

A hoseless portable air conditioner uses the principle of water evaporation to cool the air. Generally, the device is equipped with a water tank and a fan. When in operation, water from the tank is pumped and run over a filter, or evaporative panel. Hot air from the room is sucked through the wet filter by the fan. As the warm air passes through the wet filter, the water on the filter evaporates, absorbing heat from the air. This evaporation process cools the air, which is then fed back into the room through the fan. This method not only cools the air, but can also slightly increase the humidity of the room, making it more comfortable in dry climates.

Advantages

• Ease of installation. Does not require an exhaust pipe, so can be placed anywhere without the need for an open window or door.
• Lower energy consumption. Generally consumes less energy than conventional air conditioners because it does not use a compressor.
• Portability. Lighter and easier to move than portable air conditioners with an exhaust hose.
• Lower cost. Usually cheaper in terms of purchase price and maintenance.

Disadvantages

• Limited efficiency. Works best in dry and arid climates. In humid environments, cooling efficiency is reduced.
• Increased humidity. Can increase ambient humidity, which may be undesirable in already humid climates.
• Lower cooling capacity. Not as effective as a conventional air conditioner in significantly lowering the temperature in very hot environments.
• Need for water. Requires periodic filling of the water tank.

These solutions are more commonly referred to as evaporative coolers.

Advantages and disadvantages of a portable air conditioner with dehumidifier

Advantages

• Humidity control. In addition to cooling the air, it reduces humidity, improving comfort and preventing the growth of mould and bacteria.
• Healthier environment. Dehumidified air is healthier, reducing respiratory problems and allergies.
• Versatility. Can be used in dehumidifier-only mode during non-heat periods, keeping the environment dry.
• Improved energy efficiency. Less humid air is easier to cool, improving the overall efficiency of the device.

Disadvantages

• Higher cost. Models with a dehumidification function are generally more expensive.
• Maintenance. Requires regular maintenance of the condensate collection tank or the provision of a drainage pipe.
• Size and weight. They are often larger and heavier than models without dehumidification.
• Noise. They can be noisier due to the dual function of cooling and dehumidification.

In short, you too can enjoy the summer in peace, thanks to affordable solutions suitable for those who have structural or regulatory limitations and cannot rely on masonry work, but also for those looking for a temporary solution that is at the same time mobile.

Alternatively, in our catalogue you can browse through a series of interesting dehumidifiers, especially from the point of view of space.

BTUs: what they are and how to choose

In technical terms, this parameter indicates the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of a pound of water by 1 degree Fahrenheit; in practical terms, it indicates the amount of heat a portable air conditioner can remove from a room in 1 hour. If you choose correctly, you ensure your new ally gets the right amount of work done, thereby also saving energy. On the contrary, too many BTUs will force your air conditioner (if on/off) to switch on and off all the time, thus defeating energy optimisation - the art of saving.

The higher the figure, the more powerful the appliance. There are various formulas for calculating the right power for your needs, but, of all of them, the simplest is the one that involves multiplying the square metres by the fixed coefficient of 340 (or K coefficient).

Here is a useful guide to help you find your way around:

• 5,000-8,000 BTU, for cooling small rooms up to 20 square metres.
• 8,000-12,000 BTU, for medium-sized rooms between 20 and 35 square metres.
• Over 12,000 BTU, for large rooms over 35 square metres.

In any case, don't forget that BTUs are still an ideal figure, so there are other factors that influence the success of your air-conditioning work.

• Insulation. Well-insulated rooms need fewer BTUs than those with poor insulation.
• Exposure to the sun. Rooms exposed to direct sunlight require more BTUs to maintain a comfortable temperature.
• Ceiling height. Rooms with higher ceilings require more BTUs than rooms with standard ceilings.
• Number of people. More people increase the heat generated, requiring an air conditioner with a higher BTU capacity - I swear!
• Electrical appliances. Electrical appliances and electronic devices generate heat and can affect cooling capacity.

Silent portable air conditioner and other comforts

We have already mentioned that an air conditioner without a dehumidifier can be quieter. In any case, you can find a range from 52 to 64 dB in our catalogue.

All that remains is for you to evaluate all the other comforts!

• Timer. For the more organised.
• Wi-fi. For the most demanding - or lazy.
• Oscillation. Always for the most demanding.

We invite you to browse through our catalogue and the pictures in this article; each one is accompanied by a link that will take you directly to all the information about the article in question.

We leave you to your granita, with a recommendation: do not hesitate to contact us for any information!