by Morgan on May 18, 2010
I present to you your silent soothing helper for a restful sleep in the hottest night of the year! Sharp CV-P12LX receives the best reviews as the quietest portable air-conditioner for larger rooms. This unit is especially good for rooms with many computers and electrical appliances that heats up the room. Rated at 11,500 BTU, Sharp CV-P12LX is energy efficient, designed elegantly, relatively quiet, easy to install, has quality cooling, even air distribution, an all-in-one remote and requires less drainage rounds.
Sharp CV-P12LX Portable Air-Conditioner
Best Uses
1) Energy Efficient
- With a high EER (Energy Efficiency Ratio), it will cost less to run in the long term.
2) Quality Cooling
- Choose your pick from four modes of operations (Cool, Dehumidify, Fan, and Ventilate mode)
- Tried and tested: this unit took can reduce the temperature from 87F to 77F at the hottest point of the day in around 2 hours using the Mega Cool setting.
- 77F should be more than enough to keep your entire apartment cool with no need for directed air flow.
- If you want cool filtered ionized fresh air, this will do the trick!
3) Even Air Distribution
- The swiveling vents (which go up and down) cool the entire room instead of just one area.
- You can have the option of using it as a frigid air-conditioner to dehumidify or pump in fresh air if your surrounding area has fresh air.
4) Elegantly Designed
- Stylish, seek and attractive.
5) Relatively Quiet
- It won’t ruin your beauty sleep!
- As low as 36 dBL at low cool mode.
6) Easy to Install
- Even though it is large and heavy, it is not cumbersome to install.
- The exhaust hose snaps into place, offering easy set-up.
- Some take about 25 minutes from taking it out of the box to the running of the air-conditioner.
7) Less Drainage Rounds
- There is very little water to be emptied or filled.
- As such, drainage is only done occasionally (when needed) even in FL where the humidity is high.
- All you have to do is switch it on and walk away.
All-in-one Remote
- There is an LCD display on the remote with the majority of functions on it.
- You can custom set the temperature, settings and fan speed from anywhere in the room.
- This remote is trim and light.
- Don’t worry about losing the remote. Just keep it on the holster.
Disadvantages
1) Short Cord & Exhaust Hose
- The cord and exhaust hose can only be used when an electrical outlet is within a foot or so from a window.
2) Flimsy Window Kit
- Extra care would be needed to handle it.
3) Remote Needed Constantly
- The remote control is needed to control and access all the functions.
- It would be an issue if you lost the remote control.
- However, there is a power button on the unit.
4) Extra parts required
- You may need to get additional foam to seal your window properly.
- Additionally, you might need an electrician to upgrade a circuit breaker wherever you plug this in.
- It requires 15 amp circuit breaker (a regular 120v 15 amp plug)
If you have a large room and need it to be cooled constantly, Sharp CV-P12LX receives the best reviews as the quietest portable air-conditioner within that size range. Truly, the disadvantages are really trivial since what you want from an air conditioner such as Sharp CV-P12LX is it being energy efficient, designed elegantly, relatively quiet, easy to install, has quality cooling, even air distribution, an all-in-one remote and requires less drainage rounds. The cheapest that I can find is from e-bay at a low of $549.99 although the price range is between $549.99 and $679.
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by Morgan on May 17, 2010
The best portable air conditioner units are easy to maintain and are not much of a fuss. Some of the common things that you should take importance of are the initial venting, water drainage, air filters, body housing and storage.
Initial Venting
The exhaust hose of your portable ac unit must be vented out with a venting kit. This kit should come with the unit that you purchase and it should slide easily into your window. The initial venting route should be set up right after purchase. Do remember that your exhaust hose must be fitted into the correct space in the window kit before you can start using your unit. Opt for a drop ceiling or wall if you can’t set up the initial venting into a window.
Water Drainage
Moisture is removed when air is cooled. This water is usually used by the system to cool itself down. However, if you live in a high humidity area like I do, you will find that there will be some water collected. There are various ways for the best portable ac units to drain the water, depending on its make.
The simplest units have buckets that you need to empty regularly while more sophisticated models evaporates the water through the hot air exhaust. Regardless of its complexity, every portable air conditioner units are able to drain water continuously through a gravity drain hose.
Air Filters
To ensure that you have clean and allergy free air in your room, make sure that your air filters are regularly cleaned and/ or replaced. For someone that uses a portable ac unit on a daily basis, I make sure that the air filters are cleaned every two weeks. You can do this weekly or monthly depending on how often you use your unit.
For washable filters, slide them off, immerse them in a warm mild detergent solution, rinse and dry them out before replacing them back in. However, if your unit use carbon filters, replace them accordingly based on the manufacturer’s instructions.
Body Housing
To keep your best portable ac unit clean, wipe the housing surface down with a soft, damp cloth every few weeks or so. Avoid harsh detergents and keep your portable air conditioner unit away from direct sunlight to avoid any damages or discoloring of the unit’s body. Remember to switch it off before you start cleaning.
Storage
The place you store your best portable ac units is important too. When summer ends or when you find that you no longer frequently need your portable ac unit, it is important that you store them correctly. Drain all the water out and put your unit to fan mode to dry the interior. Once it’s dry, clean the filter, wrap the cord on the cord hooks, pack it up in its carton and store it in a dry location.
There you go – easy steps to maintain your best portable air conditioners so that they will maintain their usability life. Taking proper care of your portable ac unit will ensure that you are able to use it for a longer time.
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by Morgan on May 16, 2010
The Haier HPAC9M Portable Air Conditioner is certainly worth its money; it’s affordable, easily installed and not as loud as most portable ac units. I would certainly recommend this model if you are looking for a portable air conditioner for your bedroom or study.
Haier HPAC9M Portable Air Conditioner with 9,000 BTU Cooling Capacity
When I first moved into a small studio apartment after graduation in 2007, this was the first thing I bought with my first pay. The air in the apartment was hot and heavy and this Haier was a lifesaver. I could breath and sleep comfortably since then.
What I love about the Haier HPAC9M Portable Air Conditioner is that it’s ability to exhaust the moisture out with the hot air through one of its exhaust hose. It saved me a lot of time when it comes to maintaining the water drainaige part.
I had expected the utilities bill to spike high when I decided to have this portable air conditioning unit in the apartment. It did came more than what I had paid for before but to my surprise, the increment wasn’t as high as I had expected. So based on that, I decided that it does its work efficiently as promised.
If I had anything to complain it is the sound it makes when it starts running. It wasn’t distinctly loud but it wasn’t discreet either. But as most things, you get used to it after a while.
Now that I have moved to a larger apartment, this unit has become a permanent fixture in my bedroom and it still works like a dream. I had bought the Haier HPAC9M Portable Air Conditioner at around $500 but if you buy this now, you can steal it at the price of $306 at Amazon.com. I’m not sure how long this offer will last so click on the link NOW to benefit from this.
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by Morgan on May 15, 2010
My Aunt Sophie’s 2-½ story house was Baltimore hot, and I was not looking forward for that even though I was looking forward to see my aunt after an event management expo in her city. To my surprise, the house now has central air conditioning installed. But for some reason, the central air conditioning did not cool the guestroom; that was why she bought the Haier CPRB07XC7 Portable Air Conditioner for back-up.
Haier CPRB07XC7 7,000-BTU Portable Air Conditioner with Remote Control
While I settled down, took a shower and got dressed, she managed to roll the portable ac out of the closet, installed it and turned it on. She then ushered me to the kitchen for dinner. When I came back, ready for bed an hour later, the room was cooled at a comfortable temperature.
It turns out that there’s a remote control that comes with the Haier CPRB07XC7 Portable Air Conditioner. While it’s a plus that you don’t need to move from where you are to change the unit’s settings (I turned off the cooling mode and turn on the fan to medium, which kept the room cool till morning), it will be a problem once you loose the remote control. This is because there’s no manual controls on the unit itself.
I inquired more about the portable ac from Aunt Sophie over breakfast the next morning. According to her, she had never had to drain any condensed moisture from the unit. I found from the internet that the unit has an auto-evaporation function that allows continuous use without the need to remove collected water. I guess that’s working fine.
Aunt Sophie said the unit had startled Hugo and Tinkle from their naps the first few times. Now that they had gotten used to it, they actually love to curl near the unit when Aunt Sophie leaves it turned on if she has to go out the whole day.
Haier CPRB07XC7 Portable Air Conditioner comes with Aunt Sophie’s recommendation. It’s reliable, easy to install, does its job well and it’s cat friendly. If you buy it now, you can get it at 10% discount on Amazon.com and it ships for free as well!
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by Morgan on May 14, 2010
I was shopping for a new portable air conditioner for my office because the last one wasn’t doing an adequate job of cooling a room filled with four snappy divas and party supplies, when I saw this sleek baby. If you’re environmentally conscious and looking for a unit that would cool a large room, the De’Longhi PAC W130E Eco-Friendly Portable Air Conditioner is for you.
DeLonghi PAC W130E 13,000-BTU Eco-Friendly Portable Air Conditioner
I will not lie to the fact that this portable ac unit is heavy. REALLY heavy. A whole 130lbs. to be exact. Thank goodness for the casters and side handles that assisted us in transporting it to its current place near the window. A plus side to it is that it was easy to install despite the weight.
It took us a while to adjust ourselves with the De’Longhi PAC W130E because, although it could operate on both water and air, it performs best when there is water in it. We decided it was best to refill the unit with water at the end of the day and set it to start in the morning. By the time we come in, the room is cool and any morning heat tantrums are avoided.
Although it promises a 13,000-BTU performance, it operates best at a 11,000-BTU capacity when running on water, which by the way can last up to the end of the work day without the need to refill in between. It has a 14-litre Pinguino style internal water filling tank and a turbo function to quickly cool a room.
All and all, we’re happy with the De’Longhi PAC W130E Eco-Friendly Portable Air Conditioner. Other notable features includes the no drip technology, energy-efficient thermostat, electronic controls and remote control technology, just to name a few.
You can get the De’Longhi PAC W130E Eco-Friendly Portable Air Conditioner for $1299.95 at Amazon.com and this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping if you buy this NOW.
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by Morgan on May 13, 2010
My father can be a light sleeper at time – he gets up easily when he hears distinctive thumps. So after reading all the reviews online, I decided to buy the Sharp CV-P10MX Portable Air Conditioner to ease my parents’ discomfort whenever they come visit me.
Sharp CV-P10MX Portable Air Conditioner 9,500 BTU
I do have to say however, that even though it advertised that it produce 38dB in the low cool mode, it can get noisier than that once it is set on high. Then again, as compared to other portable ac unit’s that I’ve encountered, this is definitely a quieter option.
On really hot days, my most favorite feature would be the Sharp CV-P10MX’s multi directional airflow ability. It’s perfect when all you want to do is slump on the daybed and watch the latest celebrity gossip with the cooling air blasted in your direction. The louvers works like a car’s where it can be adjusted horizontally and vertically. Most unit only have horizontal adjustments.
This portable ac unit doesn’t have any controls on it; you can only use the remote control with temperature display. This is actually a bad thing. You can’t loose or break the remote control if you want to avoid replacing them, which will cost approximately $50.
The condensate moisture doesn’t need to be emptied, but it is sent out via the exhaust hose. This is a plus for me. It therefore removes the need for a drainage hose or collection cup in the design.
For a portable air conditioner of its capacity, the Sharp CV-P10MX is somewhat expensive retailing at $491.57 on Amazon.com. But for its reliability, capability and built, I wouldn’t mind forking out extra. To convinced you further, I would suggest that you read the owners reviews of the 4-star (out of 5) Sharp CV-P1MX.
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by Morgan on May 12, 2010
Within the recent years, more and more people are keen on getting the best portable air conditioners for either their home and/ or offices. As a party planner, I’ve used mine not only in my home but sometimes I bring it along to work. I can’t tell you how much portable ac units have saved me from hot messes.
Before you commit yourself to any particular model, I suggest you read the pros and cons of portable air conditioners to see if they really suit you.
PRO: It’s a space saving device
Almost all portable ac units are small; that’s what makes them portable in the first place. This means that you don’t need to buy or mount extra units for other rooms.
During my college days, my small dorm room was cramped and can get hot stuffy when there is a hot spell in Toronto. That is, until during my sophomore year that my mother bought me my first portable ac. God bless her. Now that I’m working, I know that summer parties can leave guests hot and cranky. That’s where my own or rented portable ac units come to play. The best portable air conditioners are small enough to discreetly hide in a corner of a room while keeping party guests cool and happy.
CON: It has a slightly expensive price tag than window units
Yes, it’s small but it definitely doesn’t come with a smallish price tag. Starting from around $300 for a standard unit, prices increases as its cooling capability increases.
However, paying a slightly higher purchase cost compromises the big save a portable air conditioner can make. Let’s go to the next point.
PRO: It saves a lot on utility bills
Instead of cooling the whole house, portable air conditioners allows you to cool only the room that you are in. It eats up lesser kilowatt usage of electricity so your bills won’t be as high.
Look for the best portable ac units by looking at their EER – the higher the better. Or, when in doubt, get a unit with an Energy Star, which means that it meets energy efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy.
CON: It’s noisy
The fact that unlike a window unit, portable ac units’ compressors are with you in the room instead of somewhere outside. The compressors on some units can be very loud so select one that makes the least noise. You can achieve that by reading reviews like this one.
PRO: Straight-Out-Of-Box use
The good thing about the best portable ac units are that as soon as you arrive home from the store, you can use your newly purchased merchandise right away after you unpack. There’s no need for you to punch a hole in your wall of call an electrician to set it up.
To wrap things up, if you plan to get a cooling system, try to find the best portable air conditioner FOR YOU. It’s affordable, doesn’t cost much to operate and easy to install. All you need to do is search for one that will serve you well.
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by Morgan on May 11, 2010
As I mentioned in another post, choosing the right portable ac unit size is the most important when you want to purchase the best portable air conditioner for your own use. However, there are many other features of the portable air conditioner that are available in the market.
Here are some other things that you may want to look out for when you’re scoping for a unit:
a) Mobility
The best portable ac units are the ones that have caster wheels on them so that it is easy for you to cart them around if needed. This will make it easier for you to roll them around the house/ office when needed or in/ out of storage. I do however, do not recommend that you move your unit much once you set them up as they are rather heavy for a relatively small appliance.
b) Oscillating Louvers/ Multi directional Airflow
After my morning/ afternoon jog, I would be all sweaty and heated up. Having to come home to a cooled house wouldn’t be enough that only a direct blast of cool air on me would do the trick; all I have to do is direct the cooling air on me.
This shows that having oscillating louvers is an added advantage to have. So, I do think that having the option to have multi-directional airflow is a plus to not only for a quick cool off but also to allow better air circulation and faster cooling.
c) Remote Controls
I’m the classic couch potato especially when I’m at home. That is why I always go for appliances that comes with a remote control; I get the benefit of not getting up from the daybed change/ set the temperature, speed of the fan or mode of operation. I’m too lazy, aren’t I?
Sadly, these remote controls tend to malfunction more, which will then make even the best portable air conditioner useless as most that comes with remote controls don’t have manual ones on the body. Thankfully, most manufacturers provide warranties.
d) Efficiency
As with any other appliances, you would want your portable air conditioner to perform at its best with the most efficient usage of energy. Not only is it kinder to your pocket (the more energy efficient an appliance is, the less energy cost you will need to pay), it is also kinder to the Earth. So, get a model that has high energy efficiency ratio (EER), preferably something that is higher than a 10.
These are general guidelines that I’ve put together based on my experience using among the best portable air conditioners. I would recommend that you look what is available to you, then read reviews before buying anything so that you can make a more informed decision.
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As a unit that have good reviews from Epinions.com, this 10,000-BTU portable air conditioner is worth considering about. The Whynter SNO ARC-10D is adequate to cool a room that has an area of up to 250 sq. ft.
Whynter SNO 10,000-BTU Portable Air Conditioner
What owners love about the Whynter SNO ARC-10D is its ability to bring down the temperature of the room. Kris Neal wrote that it took 30 minutes for the portable ac to cool down “the overall area of the study is about 120 sq. ft., but I left the door to my server room open which added about 100 sq. ft. of open area.”
It is easy to assemble even for a “technically incompetent” person, like Sherry Lynette who reviewed the portable ac unit on Amazon.com, can take less than 15 minutes to have it functioning. Owners are also happy with the self-evaporating technology and a water tray to allow continuous drainage. Other than that, it has digital controls, a remote control, a 24-hour programmable timer and carbon filters to reduce odors.
But not all owners are happy. They are some owners who complained that the unit is too noisy and that it’s heavy. There are also some who complained that the self-evaporating technology doesn’t work on their unit.
However, L. Feldman from New York City provided some tips for unsatisfied owners:
a) for better circulation of the cold air, point the louvers upwards and place a small fan in front of the unit, also pointing upwards.
b) if you find that your self-evaporating function doesn’t work, raise your unit on a platform so that you can take advantage of the hose outlet at the bottom of the unit.
c)style a new window kit out of the Styrofoam packaging if you window kit melted off like his. Be creative and make a friend with duct tape.
d)put Mylar/ fiberglass insulating sleeve over your exhaust hose if your room is getting hotter instead of cooler.
The price of the Whynter SNO ARC-10D is low for a portable ac unit of this size. If you order one now from Amazon.com, you can get an 8% discount for a unit.
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My brother moved into a basement apartment last year to commemorate his third year status in college. Knowing how hot it can be there in Arizona, what more with him living in the basement of the building, I arranged for a Alen C425 Portable Air Conditioner to be sent to him the week he moved in.
Alen Portable Air Conditioner - C425
After using it for a few weeks, he called me up to thank for it (finally!). With a vaulted ceiling, the room could easily reach the 90F range on the thermostat, especially when the computer and dual monitors running at the same time. The portable ac unit was able to cool down the room at until 75F at best.
The downside to it is that, if you leave the room to heat up again and you have to re-cool it from scratch, it would take forever to bring down the temperature again. So whenever he’s out, he’ll readjust the thermostat so that the portable ac keeps the room cool through out the day.
With the Alen C425 Portable Air Conditioner, you have the choice of using a removable water tank or continuous drainage through a hose. According to my brother, he needn’t empty the condensate tank often, maybe once a day, but that’s maybe it’s dry where he’s at.
The only thing that bothers him is that when it is set on HIGH, the unit is rather loud to be ignored. But still, you can always opt to use the High mode only during the hottest part of the day when you want to cool the room quickly, while keeping it on low or medium when you want to continuously keep the room cool.
Based on his feedback, I’d say that the Alen Portable Air Conditioner – C425 have the best value, good cooling capacity and have an easy-to drain the water reservoir. You can get this unit for $466 at Amazon.com plus with free shipping while stock lasts.
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