Do Portable Air Conditioners Work? Home Cooling Experts Explain

Find out if these cooling devices are the right choice for you.

A portable air conditioner can help to supplement existing equipment, such as central air or a window AC. It may even help to cool areas without other air conditioning options. But do portable air conditioners really work? And, how do you know if a portable air conditioner is the right option for you? We asked an HVAC expert and an indoor air expert to weigh in.

Meet the Experts

• Brad Roberson is the president of Aire Serv in Waco, Texas.

• Allen Rathey is the director of the Indoor Health Council.

What Is a Portable Air Conditioner?

Unlike an HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system, mini-split system, or a window air conditioner, a portable air conditioner can be easily moved to other areas of the home. Also, it doesn’t have to be installed permanently, and won’t completely cover the window. Some can be heavy, but are mounted on wheels for portability. Portable air conditioners are available with a single hose or dual hoses (dual hose models cost more and cool faster). Some also include other features, like a dehumidifier and a timer.

Portable Air Conditioners Ease of Installation

A portable air conditioner undoubtedly has the easiest installation process, but be advised that there is indeed an installation process. Unlike a fan, you can’t just bring it home and turn it on—but unlike a window air conditioner, you won’t need mounting brackets to secure it in place (or an extra pair of hands to lift it up to the window).

“While the unit is portable, a small exhaust will need to be set up through a window with some models, so there are limitations on where it can be placed,” says Brad Roberson, president of Aire Serv in Waco, Texas. After setting up the exhaust in the window and plugging the unit into an electrical outlet, your work is done.

“Some units require a drainage line to remove condensation, and others have a drain pan that must be emptied regularly—but this is one of the easiest options for self-installation, as it tends to come with an installation kit,” Roberson explains.

How Well Do Portable Air Conditioners Work?

Allen Rathey, director of the Indoor Health Council, tells us that they have a portable air conditioner with dual hoses placed in the window of the office—and there are a number of reasons why Rathey chose it. Window AC units are generally thought to be more effective and more efficient at cooling rooms than portable air conditioners, but there are several factors to consider when selecting one or the other.

Higher BTUs Work Better but Are Noisy

For starters, you'll want to look at the BTUs—British Thermal Units—to get an idea of the performance ability of either device. When looking for portable air conditioners to remove heat, you may want at least 7,500 BTUs to cool a small space or 14,000 BTUs for a really large area. Rathey says that portable air conditioners are notably noisier than central AC or Mini-Splits, but comparable in noise to window AC units. “The 14,000 BTU portable air conditioner I use in my office operates at a sound level of 56 dBA," Rathey explains.

Two-Hose Options Cool More Efficiently

It's also worth considering if you want a one- or two-hose option when looking at portable air conditioners. Rathey's two-hose unit both exhausts hot air and brings in outside air for ventilation—and Rathey considers ventilation to be a major feature. “Ventilation is an important factor since window units and even most central AC/HVAC and mini-split systems do not ventilate,” Rathey says. Admittedly, not all portable air conditioners offer ventilation, either, but this was a feature Rathey prioritized when choosing a unit.

Tip

Portable air conditioners are available with a single hose or dual hoses. Consider a two-hose model. While they tend to cost more, these air conditioners cool air faster with separate intake and exhaust hoses. Some units also include other features, like dehumidifiers and timers.

May Cost More to Run but Are More Versatile

Portable AC units that provide ventilation through dual hoses are ideal but may be more expensive. “There is an energy penalty for bringing outside air indoors, but as health is the main reason for my choice, I went with this model,” Rathey says. There is one caveat, though. If your outdoor air is polluted or very hot, you can disconnect the outside air intake and just cool and recirculate the indoor air.

So, while the performance of a dual-hose portable air conditioner may be the same—or even more costly to your energy bills—as a window AC unit, some other qualities, like versatility and ventilation, may influence your choice.

Average Cost of a Portable Air Conditioner

Portable air conditioners tend to be more expensive than window AC units—and they tend to use more energy compared to whole-home HVAC systems. They also tend to cover the smallest range for cooling a home, Roberson says. “Those looking only to cool a few square feet may consider this a budget-friendly option from as low as $100 to $200,” Roberson explains.

Keep in mind that the larger the space, the more BTUs you’ll need. “More BTUs mean more energy use and a higher purchase price,” Roberson adds. Fortunately, the square footage coverage is usually listed on the packaging. So, measuring your space can help you decide how many BTUs you’ll need.

Warning

Several much cheaper models are advertised online as portable air conditioners, but they are actually evaporative coolers or swamp coolers that use water to cool the air.

Places to Consider Portable ACs

Because you can move portable air conditioners, they are convenient for places where you can't necessarily put a window unit or a sophisticated system. For example, any rooms (bedrooms, living rooms, or other spaces in the house) that don't have windows where you can put a unit would make ideal places to put a portable air conditioner. Garages and RVs are also good candidates.

Other rooms where you may spend a lot of time can also benefit from a portable air conditioner. For example, home offices and workshops are places to consider. Because these appliances are portable, you can move them around the room to make yourself the most comfortable (which is especially important if you're working in that space).

Portable air conditioners are also ideal for renters (particularly short-term renters) who don't want to hire professional installation services for a temporary living space. A portable air conditioner may be a wiser purchase, since it can come with you to your next place.

In small apartments or houses, in particular, a more permanent cooling system may not be the most efficient of cost-effective option. In this case, a portable air conditioner can work just fine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do portable air conditioners always have to be vented?

Yes, portable air conditioners should always be vented to expel hot air throughout the cooling process. Failure to vent the unit can cause inefficiencies when it comes to cooling air. It may also lead to overheating and damage the air conditioning unit.

How do you clean portable AC units?

To clean a portable AC unit, the first step is to make sure that it is off and unplugged. Remove and wash the air filter with warm, soapy water and allow it to completely dry. Use a vacuum to clean the intake and exhaust vents, and use a damp cloth to wipe down any dust and debris on the exterior shell, including the condenser coils and evaporator fins.

How long do portable air conditioners last?

A portable air conditioner should last about five to 10 years, depending on how much you use it and how well you take care of it. Regular maintenance (including cleaning filters and coils) can help to extend its lifespan. However, as with all appliances, a portable air conditioner will eventually need to be replaced due to expected wear and tear.

Related: What Are BTUs—and How Many Do You Need?

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