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If you are a newbie in the world of indoor cooling, you may wonder how to size a portable air conditioner. The best air conditioners, after all, are often portable and arrive in a wide variety of power options. When you are sizing a portable air conditioner, or when you are sizing a ductless mini-split air conditioner, you are really assessing the unit’s cooling power and comparing it to the size of the room it is placed in. This process starts with British Thermal Units, otherwise known as BTUs.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
None of this sizing has to do with the actual weight or girth of the unit. In fact, for this sort of sizing, you’ll want to know other info, like how to move an air conditioning unit, how to store a portable A/C, and how to use a portable air conditioner. All of these can be found in other articles.
Insider Tip
The BTU rating of any given air conditioning model should be clearly advertised on the packaging and in the instructions.
A British Thermal Unit measures the amount of energy needed to increase the temperature of a single pound of water by one degree. An air conditioner’s advertised BTU output refers to how many BTUs per hour the unit can remove from the air surrounding it. Generally speaking, a higher BTU rate leads to a more efficient and powerful cooling ability. Though BTU units measure increases in water temperature, they do not refer to water-related AC incidents, such as when you are learning how to stop an AC from leaking water.
The first thing to understand here is that an AC unit that handles too many BTUs or too few BTUs for your specific space results in inefficient cooling and a decreased lifespan of the air conditioning system. That doesn’t bode well, especially if you’re not experienced in using an AC. In other words, balance is key, but how do you suss out that perfect ratio? It’s time to get into some math.
But first, if you’re still stuck on AC types, read our resource on what is reverse cycle air conditioning.
It’s difficult to estimate your BTU requirement exactly, as it requires precise measurements of your space with proper 3D depth. However, it is much easier to select a product with the right range of BTUs to match your individual cooling needs.
STAT: Keep in mind that as the BTU rating increases, the size and weight of the air conditioner does as well. (source)
Generally speaking, a portable AC unit needs about 20 BTU for every square foot of floor space in your room. Measure your room by multiplying the length of the space by the width. That’s your square footage.
In other words, a room of 300 square feet requires a portable AC with 10,000 BTU, and a room of 500 square feet requires a unit with 14,000 BTU.
F.A.Q.S
How much maintenance do portable air conditioners need?
Modern portable AC units require some maintenance, such as cleaning or replacing air filters to reduce the noise level and increase longevity.
How loud are portable ACs?
Portable ACs are not known to be that loud, though it depends on what setting you have enabled via remote control, the exhaust hose, and what size air conditioner you are using.
Are portable air conditioners energy efficient?
A portable air conditioner should be energy efficient but depends on the specific make and model and how often you use it. Portable units, however, are known to be more efficient than a central air conditioning system.
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