Portable vs. Window Air Conditioners

The United States and Canada have been through an already hot summer….but it’s not over yet. Specific spaces in our homes are often missed by inefficient or ancient central air conditioning systems and therefore don’t offer proper cooling distribution in our homes. As a result, areas like bedrooms, offices, garages, and server rooms are usually warmer than the desired temperature due to improper ventilation or air circulation.  

If you do not have central air, installing a window or portable air conditioner will help you beat the heat this summer.

How ACs Work 

An air conditioner uses a sealed system to remove heat and humidity from interior living space. This secure system is made up of 5 components, a compressor, an evaporator, an expansion valve, a condenser, and a refrigerant. 

So, how do these 5 components work together to cool the living space?

1. The compressor constricts the refrigerant vapor, raising its pressure, and pushes it into the air conditioner’s coils.
2. When the hot gas in the coils meets the cooler air temperature, it becomes a liquid.
3. In liquid form at high pressure, the refrigerant cools down as it flows into the coils inside the air conditioner.
4. The refrigerant absorbs the heat inside the room, cooling down the air.
5. Finally, the refrigerant evaporates to a gas, then flows back to the compressor, where the cycle starts over.

Match Room Size to BTUs/hr

Picking the right home air conditioner is very easy with the right information. Before buying an air conditioner, find out how many BTUs you need

*Based on U.S. DOE Standard, 10CFR PT. revised testing guidelines. Indicated maximum BTUs will be lower than models that use the ASHRAE standard.

Why Choose a Portable AC?

“Perhaps you live in a rental property that prohibits window air conditioners, or maybe a window installation would be too tricky for your space.

A portable air conditioner is an excellent solution if this is the case. These are designed to cool the space by situating the unit in your room. Plug it in and run the included hose(s) to the window attachment, and you are good to go. Choose the size you need based on the square footage of your room and match it to the recommended BTU rating indicated in the chart above. You may notice a SACC (Seasonally Adjusted Cooling Capacity) BTU Rating on portable air conditioners; this is calculated to offset the infiltration air that can mix with the cooled room air via the unit’s hose (s) that vent to the outdoors. A 2-hose model will further improve the efficiency of the portable air conditioner,” says Danby Product Trainer Kimberly Mann. 

Danby 12,500 BTU (8,000 SACC) 3-in-1 Portable Air Conditioner

Say goodbye to the heat with the help of Danby’s 12,500 BTU (8,000 SACC) 3-in-1 Portable Air Conditioner. To help maximize your comfort, the 3-in-1 design: air conditioner, fan, and dehumidifier helps ensure you feel comfortable no matter the weather out! This model cools spaces up to 400 sqaure feet. 

Why Choose a Window AC  

“If a window install is possible, you will want to choose a window air conditioner. They operate more efficiently because the Condenser coils that remove the heat are situated outside the window, which reduces infiltration air mixing with the cooled air in the room, which would cause the unit to work harder,” says Mann.  

Danby 5,000 BTU Window Air Conditioner 

Cool down with Danby’s 5,000 BTU Window Air Conditioner, perfect for spaces up to 150 square feet. Use this unit anywhere in your home with the proper window, such as your bedroom, home office, kitchen, or basement – or use it at the cottage to help make those hot summer days more comfortable. 

Danby 12,000 BTU Window Air Conditioner 

If your room is larger, Danby’s ENERGY STAR® rated 12,000 BTU Window Air Conditioner is suited for spaces up to 550 sqaure feet. Three powerful fan speeds and 4-way air direction will enable you to personalize your cooling experience. 

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