When the summer months approach and the outdoor temperatures rise, a properly functioning air conditioner is essential to ensure your space stays cool and comfortable. Whether your space is equipped with central air, a window unit or box fans to keep air circulating, a portable air conditioner can provide an extra layer of comfort.
When thinking about portable air conditioners, first consider the overall size of your space to determine the size and power needed to properly cool the area. You’ll also want to think about your overall cooling needs. Do you want a portable AC for every room in your space, or are you looking for a solution to cool a single area?
To help you get started, the team at Herc Rentals has put together this informative blog. Keep reading to learn what you need to know about choosing the right portable air conditioner for your home.
Benefits of Portable Air Conditioners
While specific features vary depending on the brand, make and model, most portable air conditioners offer quiet operation and consistent climate control. Portable units can help supplement an older existing AC system, that may not be working as well as it used to. If your central air breaks down during a sizzling heat wave, a portable AC unit can help keep cool air circulating through your space until your system can be repaired.
Determine Portable Air Conditioner Size Based on Cooling Capacity and Your Home Cooling Needs
When deciding on the best portable air conditioner to meet your temporary cooling needs, consider the size of your overall space or the size of the room that needs cooling.
While specific calculations can vary, both central air conditioning systems and portable units tend to consume similar amounts of energy when run consistently during the warmer seasons. However, a portable unit may be more efficient in the long run if you use it to cool one room at a time.
Also, if you have a forced air AC system but only use a few rooms in your home, a portable air conditioner lets you turn off your central air while cooling your designated rooms. This can allow for improved energy efficiency when compared to traditional central air systems that run consistently and cool every room in your home.
Cooling Capacity
Cooling capacity is also important when choosing a portable air conditioner. An air conditioner’s cooling capacity is measured in British Thermal Units (BTUs). A higher BTU machine can generally cool more square footage. For example, 8,000 BTUs can effectively cool up to 350 square feet, while 14,000 BTUs can cool up to 700 square feet.
Typical portable AC units are designed to cool spaces up to 775 square feet. If your room is larger than this or you’re looking for something to cool your entire home, you may need to utilize more than one unit. Another option is to look into purchasing or renting an industrial-sized unit to cover more space.
Alternatively, purchasing or renting a portable air conditioner designed for a larger space in a small space can lead to unnecessarily high energy consumption and electric bills.
If you’re not certain of the square footage of a room in your space, it’s important to take accurate measurements before purchasing your new air conditioner. Having precise measurements is also helpful when evaluating the physical size of the unit and how it will fit into your space. Many portable air conditioners offer space-saving designs to allow for easy placement in corners and out-of-the-way spots.
Portable Air Conditioners at Herc Rentals
A portable air conditioner is an ideal solution for on-demand, efficient cooling when summer temperatures reach their peak. If you’re interested in renting a portable unit as an emergency back-up during the summer months or you need an additional cooling source on a busy worksite, Herc Rentals has you covered.
We offer a wide range of portable cooling systems, spot coolers and evaporative coolers for residential and commercial use, and our rental agents are happy to advise on the best systems to meet your needs and budget. Contact us today to get started.
