Portable air conditioners are an alternative or complementary method of cooling your home with central air conditioning units. Because these units are much smaller and are designed to be easily transportable, they possess a number of distinct benefits. Understanding what portable air conditioners have to offer your home can help you decide whether or not a portable air conditioner is the right fit for your needs.

Ease of Installation

Unlike window air conditioners or central air conditioning units, portable air conditioners are simply plugged in and ready to go. This means that you won't have to pay for or deal with a painful installation process. Additionally, some apartment buildings do not allow window air conditioners to be installed because they look unsightly, which portable air conditioners completely circumvent. This also means that you can take your air conditioner with you when you move, which you can't do with a central air conditioning unit – making portable units ideal for renters or young homeowners who are likely to move in the future.

Small Size

Because they are meant to be portable, portable air conditioners are very small, which means that you can tuck them out of the way while they do their work. Additionally, they don't take up all of your window space as window air conditioners would, maintaining the flow of fresh air and natural light into the room they are installed in.

Cost Saving

Portable air conditioners can help save you a great deal of money when used in conjunction with a central air conditioning system. If you are the only one home, it is much more efficient to turn off your central air conditioner and use the portable air conditioner in the room that you are spending the most amount of time in. This will cut down on your energy bills without sacrificing your comfort levels, and also reduces your overall environmental impact as a direct result.

Dehumidifiers

Many portable air conditioners come with a built in dehumidifier. While this varies, it is definitely a huge plus to purchase a model with such a feature, as a dehumidifier will greatly increase the comfort levels within the room the air conditioner is running in. This is especially important for homeowners who suffer from allergies, which high levels of humidity can aggravate. Some models of portable air conditioners can be switched into a 'dehumidify only' mode for use in conjunction with a central air conditioning system.