So that you can start shopping and beat the heat, we pit two different types of air conditioners against one another: portable air conditioners and split system air conditioners.
Comparison of Split System Aircon to Portable Air Conditioners:
· Portable Aircon:
Wheels on the bottom of portable air conditioners make it easy to roll them from one room to another. They function by sucking air from the room and releasing it via a vent. These air conditioners are safe for tenants since they do not need electrical wiring.
Some of these portable air conditioners include heating capabilities, making them useful all year round. Some portable versions also offer a dehumidifying function, in case you don’t already have one.
· Split System Aircon:
A condenser is located outside of a split system air conditioner while the evaporator is located within. The indoor unit, known as the evaporator, is responsible for delivering the desired temperature of air to the living space, while the outside unit, known as the condenser, is responsible for expelling the stale air. For the cooler months, you may acquire a reverse cycle split system air conditioner that also heats the air.
These air conditioners may be mounted on the wall and installed by a professional electrician in a single day. If you are a tenant, this may not be a good alternative unless you can negotiate with your landlord.
Portable Air Conditioner Benefits:
1. Mobility:
The fact that portable air conditioners may be easily transported from one location to another is one of its primary benefits. It can be folded up and stashed away when it’s not in use. This also means you may take the portable AC unit with you if you decide to move the business.
2. Budget-friendly:
The cost of these portable units is far lower than that of installing a conventional split-system air conditioner. However, you should not only choose the cheapest option, but rather the one that would work best in the area.
3. No Cost for Set Up:
It is not necessary to hire a specialist to set up these portable machines. You can rapidly get the system up and running after installing it and connecting the duct to a window. As a bonus, this reduces the price of maintenance, however, some upkeep is still advised.
Cons of Portable Air Conditioners:
- Optimal for tight quarters –The average room size that a portable air conditioner can effectively chill is 20 square meters, but if you simply need to cool a smaller area, this may not be a problem at all.
- Using more energy than necessary –It might cost up to twice as much to operate a portable air conditioner as it would a split system air conditioner of the same size.
- Not as effective as those with a zoned system – They aren’t as powerful as other AC units, producing just around 2 kilowatts of cooling power.
- They may be rather loud – While there are quieter varieties available, some types may reach 70 decibels (equivalent to a running shower) while operating at high speed, which is rather loud, particularly if you use it at night.
- It’s a space eater – Even while portable air conditioners are typically less than a meter in height, they nevertheless take up space and may be unattractive.
- Can be a lot of weight –It’s not uncommon for certain models to weigh over 20 kg, which is quite a bit considering their little dimensions.
Split Air Conditioners Benefits:
1. Low-energy Consumption:
Compared to portable systems, this one uses a lot less power. It’s more expensive to get started, but the long-term savings on energy costs more than makeup for that if you use it often.
2. Enhanced Strength:
The increased power of these systems allows them to cover a larger area with only a single wall installation. To cover even more ground, you may connect numerous inside units to a single outdoor base unit.
3. Very Quiet and Little Need for Floor Space:
These units don’t take up any valuable floor space since they are partially located outside and partially mounted on walls. They are also a lot less noisy than portable models, so they won’t disrupt work.
Cons of Split System Air Conditioner:
- Quite pricey to buy – The price of a split system air conditioner might easily exceed $2000 for certain models.
- You should hire a professional technician to do the job –It’s likely that you’ll also have to pay for installation on top of the item’s retail price.
- It’s possible that it won’t work in every home –If you rent, you’ll need your landlord’s approval before you can install the air conditioner on a wall.
- More extensive maintenance – A split-system air conditioner requires more attention than a portable one. Maintenance once a year is suggested, and you should clean the condenser in the outdoor unit regularly.
- The condenser is simply ugly – The condenser of a split-system air conditioner must be installed outside, and although it is normally hidden from view, it is still an unattractive component of the home’s façade.
What Kind of Air Conditioner Would be Best for Me?
Choosing an AC is not a stroll in the park. There are a lot of things to think about, but the most important thing is probably to figure out what you really want and need before going out and picking one at random. You’ll need to think about something like:
- Expenditure plan (include power use, approximate maintenance, and installation costs into this)
- The room’s size and how much cooling you require
- Whether you’re a renter, a homeowner, or somewhere in between, there are a variety of cooling options available to you. Your query is answered by the fact that installing a split system is likely not permitted if you are renting.
After you’ve figured out the answers to these questions, you may be ready to take the next step towards enlightenment. Keep your cool and give this some thought before the summer heats up.