The temperature is quickly brought down to 22c when required and then maintained evenly throughout the hot days. With a power source of electric and a power of 110W, this unit is made of plastic and has a black colour. With the ability to extract up to 20 litres a day, the powerful dehumidifier setting can help prevent health problems that result from condensation, mould and damp. Recommended room sizes are roughly based on the length and width of your room in square metres – this is very rough because it generally ignores height, which we average out at about 2. BTU is the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of liquid water by one degree from 60° to 61° Fahrenheit at a constant pressure of one atmosphere.

Once hooked up, it mirrors the controls on the remote but also adds a useful scheduling function, where you can set exactly when you want the PAC to turn on and off, along with the mode and fan speed. Any issues it has are mostly practical – the hose is short and AEG doesn’t supply a window kit – making this a cool, compact PAC with a smidgeon of style and a luxury feel. Key specs – BTU rating: 7,000; Functions: AC, dehumidifier, fan; Energy rating: A; Max noise: 65dB; Extra features: Remote control, timer, two-speed fan; Hose length: 1. Obviously, we would not expect it to perform as well as more expensive portable air conditioners, or built-in air con. Once set up, it’s a highly effective unit that’s able to effortlessly keep your average UK living or bedroom cool down to temperatures of 16˚C.Some models allow this with the use of a narrowed duct (a flange) that you can place through an open door to the outside, but it'll have terrible efficiency unless the rest of the door opening is sealed. This 7,000BTU portable air conditioner has casters for easy manoeuvring, and can effortlessly chill a room up to 18m². He studied psychology at University of Westminster, London, and then spent 15 years in various roles in publishing industry. Unlike reverse-cycle split-system air conditioners, which give you more cooling for your kilowatt, single duct systems (portable air conditioners) are quite inefficient. There's a 3-speed fan, 24-hour programme timer and the all-important remote control, as well as controls on the body of the beast itself.

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Sleep timers can be good at night as they switch the unit off after a set period rather than running all night, and usually have automatic temperature adjustment. These features may be useful if you need to turn the unit on or off when you aren't home, but the standard remote control that comes with most models will usually do the job.

As for running costs, a higher BTU rating generally means the PAC will be doing more work and consuming more energy, but not all units are created equal. However, by speeding up the rate at which moisture evaporates from your skin, fans can make you more dehydrated, so it’s best not to use them when the mercury tips over 35ºC because it can actually exacerbate conditions like heat exhaustion. Some units can evaporate this internally and exhaust it through the hose or the back of the unit; in other models, it’s kept in an internal reservoir that needs to be emptied manually. PACs are rated in British thermal units (BTU): one BTU is the amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree.

Cheap portable air conditioning units tend to be noisier and weaker than their more expensive counterparts, but they can pay dividends in small rooms, where you don’t need as much power or reach. So while they're convenient and often comparatively cheaper than split-systems, single-duct portable air conditioners are not as effective or efficient. He also has about 400 vacuum cleaners, and is possibly the UK's leading expert on cordless vacuum cleaners, despite being decidedly messy. During that period we test their ability to cool the room from a temperature of at least 24 degrees, measuring the temperature when testing starts, after half an hour, and again after a full hour. These are handy in much the same way that a TV remote is handy but with the added benefit of information on room temperature.