With summer now in full swing, getting the right air conditioner for your home should be a priority. Portable air conditioners are a good choice for cooling individual rooms or small flats.
There is no shortage of portable air conditioners on the market and they come in all shapes, sizes and styles, to suit any home. The easiest way to choose an air conditioner is to think about what its main purpose will be. Will it primarily be used to cool down a single room or will it be used for an entire apartment or flat? Once you have decided on its primary use, it will then determine how much power you require and ultimately the size and cost of the unit you will need to beat the heat this summer.
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If you are planning on buying a portable air conditioner this summer, take a look at the following units:
Climachill PAC18H
18,000 BTU
£660
This powerful portable air conditioner features a premium quality compressor as well as self-evaporating technology. The turbo cooling fan features three-speed control and is low on running noise. It also conveniently features heat pump technology, meaning you can use it as a heater.
Honeywell Industrial MN12CHES
12,000 BTU
£639.99
This unit from Honeywell is one of the most stylish on the market and is powerful enough to easily cool a room up to 450 square feet. It features an auto-evaporation system that recycles any built up moisture, three-in-one technology (cooling, heating fan, dehumidifier) and is environmentally friendly.
EcoAir ECO12P
12,000 BTU
£419.95
Super lightweight with an excellent energy efficiency rating, the EcoAir ECO12P is another great portable option. This model also acts as a dehumidifier, has a self-evaporating system, and a three-speed fan.
Amcor SF10000E
8,000 BTU
£239.97
The Amcor SF10000E Slimline is ideal for cooling small to medium-sized rooms. Highly compact and portable, it can operate as a dehumidifier and fan, and features electronic touch controls and a remote control.
What is BTU?
BTU (British Thermal Units) is the international measure of energy and is used to indicate the cooling capacity of an air conditioner. It measures the quantity of heat a unit can remove from a room per hour.
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Cool features
Before making any purchase, be sure to look out for these handy features:
Dehumidifier: Look out for portable air conditioners that come with a built-in dehumidifier as this will help to eliminate any excess moisture from the air.
Sleep mode: Many of us use air conditioners to keep our bedrooms cool at night. If this will be its primary use, look for a model that has a sleep mode. This feature will keep you more comfortable by slowly adjusting the temperature while you sleep. It also means you will be saving energy.
Energy Efficiency: Not only will an energy efficient air conditioner save you money, it is also better for the environment. Energy ratings range from A to G, with A being the most efficient, and G being the least efficient.
See also: Is your Skin Summer Ready?
