Portable Air Conditioners vs Window Air Conditioners

Which is more suitable for your home, a portable air conditioner or a window air conditioner? 

Before we get into the debate, you must understand that all air conditioners work in the same way. Hot air is pulled in which then runs over the cooling coils, the heat turns refrigerant running through into gas and finally, a fan cools the gas back into a liquid while blowing the air outside.

The most basic difference between a portable and window air conditioner is that a portable unit has a box that sits on the floor with an exhaust vent, connecting through a window, ceiling, wall or door. Meanwhile, a window air conditioner is essentially a single box that sits in your window.

Pros and Cons of Portable Air Conditioners

The biggest pro of a portable air conditioner is that it’s easy to install. You can just take the unit out of the box and plug them in without adjusting your window frame. This means you can easily move your portable air conditioning unit from room to room depending on where you are.

However, a noticeable negative of portable air conditioners is they require floor space. This is especially the case with medium-sized appliances. Therefore you may need to rearrange the furniture in your home so you can fit it in.

Pros and Cons of Window Air Conditioners

In contrast, one of the most significant positives of window air conditioners is the lack of space they take up in your home. These units can be placed next to your window and a separate vent is not required for it to work effectively.

On the other hand, a negative of window air conditioning units is they are difficult to install and can block your window. If you’re based on an upper floor the AC unit must be secure at all times. Otherwise, it can fall, break and hurt someone in the process.

If you would like more information about the difference between portable air conditioners and window air conditioners, please do not hesitate to call us on 020 7078 3930.