Cheap Portable Air Conditioners

Portable air conditioners can offer much-needed cooling to a home, and if you happen to find yourself in a sweltering climate, yearning for escape, a portable AC units can be a wonderful solution to the constant fatigue, dehydration, and discomfort of a boiling hot day, and can even be a health concern in the case of the elderly, who are far more susceptible to problems regarding heatstroke, dehydration and other climate-related concerns.

As with any appliance, there are a number of options available among small portable air conditioner units, from window models to wheeled towers to freestanding monoliths. While any type of air conditioner will provide a cooling effect to a room, far better than a fan that simply moves hot air around the room, some types work better in certain climates, and the greater efficiency will mean a better AC unit.

The main difference between the types of air conditioners available is between air conditioners and evaporative coolers, also known as swamp coolers.

• Air conditioners can use a number of methods to cool the air, rather like a refrigerator. They need a window to vent hot air outward, and they will dehumidify a room (to some degree) in the process. This makes them more suitable for humid climates, where they will reduce the humidity which will make the room feel even cooler. AC units are more expensive than evaporative coolers, and also cost more to operate.
• Evaporative coolers (also known as swamp coolers) use the heat-absorbing quality of ordinary water, running hot air over cold water, evaporating it in the process, which draws heat out of the room. Because water is vaporized, it will make the room more humid, which is preferable in dry climates, where a little bit of humidity will make things more comfortable. Evaporative coolers are cheaper than real AC units, both in terms of upfront cost and electricity use. However, they need to be supplied with water, though that is generally a negligible cost.

Both represent good choices for their particular use, and will work better in their intended environment. Both can be portable, easy to set up and remove, and can provide a wonderful cooling sensation.

A good portable air conditioner will go for around $400, with occasional models available for around $200, and some going up all the way to $700 or $800, with commercial models going for tens of thousands of dollars.

You'll want to find one best suited to your needs, so you'll want to find one strong enough to cool the room you plan to use it in, but you probably won't need to go much higher; a 5,000 BTU unit is usually enough to cool a bedroom, with 10,000 BTU units intended for larger rooms like living rooms, or interconnected living and dining rooms, and so on.

Remember that air conditioners need exhaust hoses to be routed out a window to expel hot air, so you'll be placing the unit near a window. Keep this in mind when looking at dimensions, for example.

Below you'll find some of the best reviewed portable air conditioners for sale online, so you can pick up the best, and enjoy some fresh air in your home.

Evaporative coolers, as stated, will be better for drier climates, as they will humidify the room in the process of cooling the air by vaporizing water. Often they can be used as a humidifier only, which can be nice during those times of year when air conditioning isn't altogether necessary, and the unit is still useful.

They also offer lower costs than conventional air conditioners, so those living in dry climates will save a bit on air conditioning costs while getting a bit of comforting moisture in the process. An evaporative cooler can be found for under $200, and won't draw as much electricity as an air conditioner, since it merely draws warm air over cold water, which is a lot cheaper than refrigeration processes.

This is important to remember, since the cooling process will be far less effective in humid climates, and might even contribute to the heat. High humidity can also do some damage to homes, as it encourages mold and other problems. Just remember that evaporative coolers are for dry climates, and you'll be fine.

Check out some of the choices available below; remember to check dimensions and user reviews while shopping.

For those who only need a minimum of cool air, perhaps in an office or a small dorm room, a few very small, very compact options might be what you're looking for.

These handheld or otherwise tiny air conditioning units are generally of the evaporative cooling type, or might just be a personal mister, which can be quite cooling on a hot day, especially if no other respite from the heat is available.

Check out some of the smallest portable air conditioner units you can find:

After picking out an air condition unit, there are a few extra things to keep in mind, on top of whatever instructions the manufacturer would like you to peruse.

Since you're paying for the electricity to run the unit, you'll want to run it as efficiently as possible. Small rooms with closed doors will cool down a whole lot faster than larger rooms, so if you want to save on bills, close the blinds and windows, and maybe use the unit in the smallest room of the house to maximize efficiency. An open window can warm things right back up again (evaporative coolers, however, benefit from free-flowing air).

Remember that cool air sinks, so using the unit on a bottom floor will keep the cool air all together. If you want to use the unit upstairs, remember to close the door to the room, or the cool air will travel throughout the whole house, and you might not be able to feel it.

That's about it, so pick up a cheap portable air conditioner today, and stay cool!