How to choose an air conditioner between a window type and a portable unit, as well as the differences between the two air conditioners.
Overview
Purchasing an air conditioner for your home is a big but often very rewarding investment. This is why it is crucial to ensure that you purchase the right type of air conditioner that is guaranteed to offer you everything you need in an efficient air conditioning system.
There are different types of air conditioners you can choose from for your home, but if you have narrowed down your choice to either a window air conditioner or a portable air conditioner, you will need to carefully compare the two to determine which is the ideal option for your space.
Window and portable air conditioners
All air conditioners are intended to deliver a cooling system to satisfy your needs in the hot and often unbearable warmer seasons. When looking for the best air conditioning system for your home, choosing between a window air conditioner and a portable one will require you to compare both options according to your needs for your space. You will have to choose the unit that best fits in your home and offers you better quality cooling.
Portable air conditioner versus window air conditioner
In considering whether a portable or window unit will be best for you, you need to weigh up the differences between the two.
One of the most obvious differences is that a portable unit is just that, portable, meaning you can move it between different rooms as long as you can vent it out of a window.
A window unit is more permanent, as it needs to be installed into a window and, therefore, cannot be moved. A portable unit can be placed on the floor in the room you are cooling and can take up space, whereas a window unit is mostly out of the way.
Another difference between these two units is that portable units tend to be noisier than window air conditioners. Window units are also considered more energy-efficient.
Our portable air conditioner pick
If you decide to choose a portable air conditioning unit for your home, you can shop for one on Amazon, where a range of them are available to suit your budget.
The SereneLife SLPAC12.5 Portable air conditioner is available from $289.99 for an 8 000 BTU unit, with the biggest 12 000 BTU going for $419.99. This unit comes with a window mount kit for venting outside, has a built-in dehumidifier, and comes with a remote control. The 12 000 BTU model can cool rooms of up to 450+ square feet and has a noise level of 56 decibels.
Our window air conditioner pick
If a window air conditioner seems like the better option for your home or space, then the LG LW6019ER window air conditioner is available on Amazon for $280.00.
This unit has a 6 000 BTU cooling capacity, meaning that it is capable of cooling smaller rooms of up to 260 square feet in size. It is an energy star rated unit, so it performs well in terms of energy consumption. It has a dehumidification feature of up to 1.8 pints per hour, and customers have rated it 4.5 out of 5 for noise levels.
Determining which is best between a window and portable unit
When determining which unit will be the better option for you, one important consideration to make is your living arrangement. If you are a homeowner, then a window air conditioner may be better suited for you as a more permanent option. I
n the case where you are renting an apartment or space, a portable unit could be preferable, as it is not permanent and you can take it with you when you move out. Most landlords will not approve of permanent alterations to their apartments for window units.
Final thoughts
Choosing an air conditioner for your home or space is a big decision to make, given the considerations one needs to make on which air conditioner is best for your cooling needs and space. Some air conditioners work better for others according to their circumstances and their needs.
In choosing between a window or portable air conditioner, you need to determine which is better suited for your home or space and its permanency, based on whether you own your space or not. The unit you choose should offer you efficient cooling and peace of mind.