How do Portable Air Conditioners Work

Air conditioners come as a huge relief on dry, hot summer days as they provide cool and pleasant air. Most of us have become so acclimatized to the air conditioning in our homes and offices that we can hardly think of a life without them. However, a major problem arises at places where air conditioning systems cannot be installed or places where air conditioning is required only for a small area. Portable air conditioners come in handy at such places.

Uses of Portable Air Conditioners
Portable air conditioners are used in places where central air conditioning is either not required or not feasible. They can be used indoors in areas such as an office or an apartment, as well as outdoor places like a warehouse or a garage. They can efficiently cool areas of about 200-500 square feet. Their biggest advantage is that they are portable and they can be easily transported to other places. Moreover, they also function as heaters and humidifiers when required.

How do Portable Air Conditioners Work?
To know the working of a portable air conditioner, you need to know how an air conditioning system works in the first place. Air conditioners simply pump out the warm air, process it, and pump it back as cool air. This is in contrast to the common myth that air conditioners suck the warm air and bring in cool air. Warm air is only recycled and brought in as cool air.

The working principle of portable air conditioners is identical to that of a refrigerator. It makes use of evaporation of coolants like freon, to provide cooling. The assembly consists of a compressor, a thermostat, cooling coils, insulation etc. The compressor compresses the freon gas which is initially a cold gas, to form the hot freon gas which flows through the insulation coils. It dissipates its heat while flowing and condenses into liquid freon. This liquid freon passes through an expansion valve where the evaporation takes place. The liquid freon again becomes cool freon gas and the cycle keeps on repeating. This cold gas is then made to pass through a set of several coils. The coils take away all the heat from the gas, thereby reducing the temperature of the room.

Portable air conditioners also work as dehumidifiers by taking excess water from the air. This water is then used to cool the cooling coils and then discharged through a hose. Recycling of water makes them perform at a very high efficiency level. They also have a filter, that keeps away dirt, pollen etc.

Venting Standards
Though portable air conditioners can be installed anywhere, venting is necessary to carry the warm air out. Most of the air conditioners come with a window venting technology which can be further modified as per your needs. Standard measurements recommended for an exhaust hose is about 5 to 7 feet in length and about 5 inches in diameter. It should also provide maximum flexibility.

Portable air conditioners are most popular among people who have to spend long time working outdoors. They are a great way of carrying a whiff of cool, fresh air wherever you go.