Portable air conditioning or spot cooling has portability as its main feature. These cooling devices can be installed just about anywhere. One of its key selling features, of course, is being energy efficient. This basically means it keeps energy consumption costs down. However, there are several things anyone should know about spot cooling systems and how they can become beneficial.
The Fundamentals of Spot Cooling Systems
Spot cooling systems are built with a modular design, which basically means they will never require a permanent form of installation. Many of these air conditioners are refrigeration based. Like other refrigeration systems, these air conditioners will use hoses for exhausts. There are different models and types of portable air conditioners that you can check out.
Single Hose Air Conditioner
This type of spot cooling has only one hose from its back all the way to the vent where all the hot air is released. This kind of air conditioner has the capacity to cool a room that is as large as 45 square meters.
Dual Hose Air Conditioner
You will definitely need this kind of air conditioner for larger rooms, basically around 500 square feet. One hose is used as a vent while the other is utilized as an intake hose. As expected, these cooling units have a stronger cooling power drawing up to 14,000 BTUs.
Split Type Air Conditioners
Spot cooling units also come in split type configurations. As you might expect, the evaporator and compressor are located on separate areas. These two separate units are connected via refrigerant pipes, pretty much like your fixed split unit. One significant advantage of this type of air conditioner is in interior noise reduction. The only drawback is that you will have to provide some space for the unit that will be located on the exterior of the building.
Models by Design
Another way to classify portable air conditioning units is through its design. You can classify units by how they take heat off the condenser, which basically means they are either air cooled or water cooled units. On the other hand, chiller system units use liquids driven over coils. A rooftop system is one that is located on the roof and connects to the building’s central ducting.
Advantages
Since you’ll only be cooling specific areas that require it, you can definitely save on your costs to keep the work place cool and comfortable. As stated earlier, since these systems are highly portable, finding a spot to position them won’t be that hard. Using spot coolers, you can cool equipment and rooms that really require it.
What to Look for in Portable Air Conditioning Units
One of the first things you should consider is the energy efficiency of your spot cooler. You should review how much you will save from using this device compared to fixed units. Another thing you ought to consider is to match the size of the air conditioner to the size of the room you intend to use it for.
Room Size vs. Cooling Power
You should also match the size of the room with the specified capacity of the portable air conditioning you will get. A 150 square foot room will require a capacity of 7,500 BTU while a 250 square foot room will need 10,000 BTUs. A 350 square foot room will require 12,000 BTUs.
Portability
You should check how portable a unit is designed. This will be an important feature especially if you intend to move the unit around. Some units will have wheels on them while others will have casters. Pick the one most suited for your office specifications.
Air Circulation
Check if the portable air conditioning unit has multidirectional airflow. This will be very helpful if you want to cool very large rooms a lot faster. A unit that has oscillating louvers can provide better circulation than others.Spot cooling means portable air conditioning. The benefits of using this device is you can put it anywhere. This also makes it more energy efficient and keeps electricity costs down.
Advantages of Portable Air Conditioners
In many offices or factories, there are rooms that need consistent temperatures. The same is true for laboratories and medical facilities where special equipment are often stored.
With the rising costs, air conditioning the whole building becomes costly. With a portable air conditioner, cooling becomes more efficient and less expensive.
How Portable Air Conditioning Works
The system works by cooling hot spots confined to a larger area. The control mechanisms will vary per product, but the end result is the spot cooling / spot cooler directs cool air to the area where it is required. This method cools down both people working in the area and other equipment.
What to Look for in a Portable Air Conditioning System
The first is its energy saving capability. The savings can be affected by the amount of cooling it can provide. Also look at their quality. You can check out review sites to get an idea of what customers think of the product. You should also check the prices. Discounts are available in both online and real stores.
Cost of Portable Air Conditioning Installation
Spot cooling installation costs vary. Some charge a small amount but others are free. You’ll need to consider this part carefully. Even if the installation is free, what about the customer support afterwards? If there is a charge, compare it with those of others. It won’t hurt to email the manufacturer to ask about these costs.
Cost of Portable Air Conditioning Maintenance
If the system breaks down often, the maintenance cost will go up, so a trouble free unit is necessary. Try comparing product specs and reviews. In online stores, look at the most popular or most purchased spot cooling systems. Usually, one manufacturer or two will stand out from the rest. You should try the one other customers are apt to buy.
Note: for safety issues, make sure the air conditioning system is UL listed.
Water and Air Cooled Conditioning Systems
The difference is the way heat is taken off the condenser. For water based systems, the liquid flows over the condenser coils and the heat is taken out via the refrigerant side. In air-cooling systems, air is blown along the condenser.
Chiller Systems
These units work by driving liquid over the coils. These cooling systems are generally used for buildings. It is also used to cool down certain types of machinery.
Ductless Air Systems
In this system, the condenser is set on the outside and linked to one or more evaporators within the unit. The link between the units and the condenser are hoses. Generally they are utilized for residential homes.
Rooftop System
This is connected to the roof and to the central ducting. This is often employed in small to medium size office buildings.
With the power rates always increasing, spot cooling systems can become a viable alternative. As long as you understand how the system works and what to look for when buying, these air conditioners can save you money.