Learn More About Air Conditioners
- What is the difference between a portable air conditioner and window/wall units?
- What are the advantages of using a portable air conditioner?
- Can a portable A/C clean your air?
- What is a BTU?
- How to choose an air conditioner?
Go back to:
- Portable Air Conditioners
- Humidity Information Page
See also:
- Dehumidifiers Information Page
- Air Cleaners Information Page
If you have a question about portable air conditioners that is not covered here, please e-mail us at info@allergybegone.com and we will do our best to answer it.
What is the difference between a portable air conditioner and the window/wall units?
Unlike common through-the-wall, window or central air conditioners, a portable air conditioner fits right where you need it - and you can move it to a different spot whenever you like. No installation or ducting is required (although DeLonghi portable air conditioners do use a hose to exhaust water vapors from a built-in dehumidifier). You can use portable A/C's virtually anywhere - bedrooms, family rooms, computer rooms, office, wine cellar, garage, attic, etc.What are the advantages of using a portable air conditioner?
Because a portable air conditioner can be operated independently of central systems, it is easier to target cooling specifically where you want it. Cooling with a central air system usually creates wide fluctuations in temperature and causes a cool / warm effect as the thermostat cycles "on" and "off". Also, portable air conditioners use less energy than other air conditioner types.Can a portable A/C clean your air?
All DeLonghi portable A/C's include an air filter. They also feature a built-in dehumidifier that can be run together with or independent of air conditioning.What is a BTU?
BTU stands for the British Thermal Unit, defined as the amount of heat necessary to raise the temperature of one pound of water, one degree. The BTU rating on an air conditioner shows its cooling power - the higher its BTU, the easier and faster it is able to cool a room.The typical heat gain added to a room by a person at rest is about 230 BTUs per hour. So, a 10,000 BTU air conditioner is capable of removing 10,000 BTUs of heat per hour.
Choosing the correct BTU rating for your air conditioner is very important. If it is too low, the A/C will not be able to properly cool the room. If it is too high, the air conditioner can freeze over, and it would take some time for it to thaw off in order to continue working.
How to choose an air conditioner?
To find the appropriate number of BTUs for your room, measure the length an the width of the area to be cooled. Multiply the length by the width to determine the square footage. Then apply this formula:
- Multiply by:
- 30 if the room fits none of the criteria below
- 35 if the room has windows that face the sun OR if the room is on the top floor of the house
- 40 if the room has windows that face the sun AND is on the top floor of the house
- Add:
- 600 BTUs per person over 1 who regularly use the room
- 1000 BTUs for every foot over 8 of ceiling height
If you have a bedroom that is 10' by 20' with windows that face the sun on the top floor of a house, regularly used by only one person, you would use the following formula.
10 x 20 x 40 = 8000
You have a wiggle room of about 15% above or below this result. If your room requires 8000 BTUs, an A/C with 6800 or 9200 BTUs will cool it adequately.
Go back to:
