Top Three Portable Air Conditioner Mistakes

When you live in New York or Manhattan, portable air conditioning units can make for a perfect purchase. Small, mobile and requiring no installation, portable AC units can make great alternatives to traditional systems. But many people in New York purchase the wrong kind of portable AC unit for their requirements; so to prevent you from doing the same we give you the low-down on the top three mistakes that are commonly made:
1: Not considering your environment
Despite what many New York residents think, portable air conditioners and air coolers are not the same. In fact, they are actually two very different appliances. Although both their main functions are to cool, they use different methods to achieve ambient temperatures. More importantly, they have each have certain climate requirements.
Portable air conditioners, for example, expel heat by means of an exhaust hose. As they conduct their cooling process, condensed moisture from the air is collected in a drain bucket or exhausted via a drain hose. Air coolers, on the other hand, simply rely on the process of evaporation to give out cooled air. Because the process of these two units is so different, they each have climate restrictions. Portable air conditioners, which essentially act as dehumidifiers, are best suited to areas with moderate levels of humidity. Air coolers, on the other hand, are most suited to arid climates due to the fact that they add moisture to the air.
2: Paying no attention to venting requirements
Even though portable air conditioners in New York do not need to be permanently installed, they still need to be adequately vented through ether a wall, drop ceiling or window. This is because portable air conditioners essentially work as humidifiers by exhausting heated air from indoors. It goes without saying therefore, that this moisture should be properly vented out with the use of a venting kit (usually provided with your unit). It is crucial to the performance of your AC unit that you keep your ventilation requirements in mind when you make a purchase.
3: Not being mindful of power considerations
Insufficient power to your portable AC unit can cause a broken fuse; so make sure you think about your power considerations before you make a purchase. Small portable air conditioners usually require 115 volt outlets whereas larger units can require a 230/ 280 volt circuit. It’s important therefore, that you check your wall’s plug type before you part with any cash!