Portable Air Conditioners vs. Central Air

Portable Air Conditioning

Everyone wants a cool house during the summer, but think it is too costly. Contrary to popular thought, an air conditioning system might be a better choice than a portable ac unit. Portable air conditioning units are simply mini condensers that don't need to be mounted to the wall or a window. They can be moved from room to room, cooling one room at a time. This might seem more economical, but what are the pros and cons of this system?

Portable Air Conditioning

Pros

Cooling only one room at a time with a portable unit is a good solution for small or unevenly shaded houses. A good portable air conditioner costs $300-$500, while a central air system can cost ten times as much.

Cons

Larger houses will not be fully cooled, and constant use of a portable ac unit is extremely inefficient. Portable units are expensive to run, about $1.25/hr. This will add up if you are running more than one unit at a time. Portable air conditioners can also be noisy.

Central Air Conditioning Systems

Pros

You want to cool more than one room at a time, central air conditioning is the only reasonable choice. Central ac systems are more energy-efficient, costing about $0.75/hr to run. They are far quieter than portable air conditioners. Central air systems will also dehumidify the air, which can be an important factor in certain areas.

Cons

Installing a central air conditioning system will cost $3,000-$5,000. This may be an unnecessary expense for smaller homes, or houses with adequate shading.

Portable vs. Central: The Bottom Line

The biggest factor in choosing a central air conditioner or a portable unit is how large an area you want to cool. If you want to cool the whole house or live in a very warm area central air is your best choice.

Smaller homes, or those that have "natural" cooling like shade cover or a constant breeze can take advantage of portable air conditioners. These units are meant more to supplement cooling systems, rather than act as a whole-house unit.
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Disclaimer: This article offers general guidelines and is not intended as professional advice. If you have comments, suggestions, or questions about this article or QualitySmith services, please contact QualitySmith at 1-800-525-5567.