Portable Air Conditioners - Why you shouldn't like them

Thermometers are just speedometers for molecules.

Anyone who can talk about over 15 minutes about conditioning without being boring ... deserves respect. Congratulations

Problem is, in my country (The Netherlands) window units literally don't exist. Split airco systems are available, but if you live in a rental home / social housing, you are prohibited from making any "permanent" changes to the house (i.e. making a hole in the wall to connect a split unit from inside to outside) so portable AC's are pretty much the only option.

These are actually an extremely important emergency item for certain areas (especially rurally). It often gets over 120 F. in the summer where I live and the nearest store is more than a 2 1/2 hour drive away (“next door” neighbors are almost as far away). Every farm here has at least one of these. Because in the event of an emergency in the summertime, they are a literal lifesaver for the children/adults/pets/etc. that might be stuck at home awaiting a repairman, parent to get home, or someone returning from town with the necessary parts to fix the main unit. Children/seniors/disabled people/etc. can’t be trying to lift and setup a window unit in an emergency—but the majority of them can definitely shove a hose into a window slat.

I worked at an auto shop, the boss lady loved an office as cold as her heart, so she used a portable unit pointed right at her, where did the heat pump out? That's right! right into the shop, right in front of the work computers! What a wonderful woman.

Every person renting a home instead of owning one, knows that portable airconditioners are a blessing.

Had one of these a few years ago, not long after this video was released. My solution to its issues was to have the unit right next to the window, minimizing hose length and hose heat transfer, and to have a strong fan sitting right next to its air output port, blowing the cooled air across one of the walls and creating a slow vortex in the room that circled the hottest air back to the unit.

One of these was a lifesaver when our central AC died. We kept it in the bedroom so we could sleep. Opening the door to walk into the hallway was like opening the door to a blast furnace.

This clears up a lot of gripes I've had with my portable. Sadly because of regulations in my building I was forced to buy one of them. You're dead right when you say this should be the last resort.

As an old HVAC guy, you made this totally understandable for the consumer. I deal with trying to explain the operation all the time. Thanks for a fresh perspective.

I've used portable units a few times, and I've had window units as well. The portable unit is great for a temporary solution, and can also be great for use on a rental property where landlord wouldn't approve of window unit installation or in an area where neighborhood rules don't allow traditional window units. It's also nice to be able to aim it around the room, something you cannot do nearly as effectively with a window unit. I find the portable units also sound a lot nicer than window units. Portable units can actually sound comforting (I had no trouble sleeping next to one), while window units are often more like nails on a chalkboard. Downsides of course are the lower efficiency, and you also have to deal with condensation, so there is either a drain hose you have to figure out what to do with or there will be a reservoir that you have to regularly empty out. I would say window units are better, but there's nothing quite like coming home to a hot house and positioning a portable unit right next to your face or chair; it's like giving life the middle finger for a short while when life is giving you a hard time (which if you life in a hot climate and don't have regular A/C in your place, life is probably giving you a hard time).

As a small hvac business owner with a degree in this field i found this video, information, and understandable explanation of operation fantastic!

7:22 "You can't just expel air from a room without it being replaced somehow, otherwise you are in a vacuum chamber and I advise you leave as soon as possible" I thought this was kinda funny

I'm a 20 plus year HVAC tech, and you my friend, did an incredible job explaining the way air conditioners work. Doing so in layman's terms so people not in the know can understand it is really great. I agree with the premise of the video 100%. 👍👍

Great explanation. Why a dual hose portable is better is a difficult concept for many to understand. I'm looking at options now, and I see that dual host portables are getting more expensive while mini splits are getting better and cheaper.

Fantastic explanation. I hope more people will understand how the things work and create more customer pressure on manufacturers. We need to see more double hose units on the market.

16 years in HVAC. You did a wonderful job on this video. ! Well done!

Me: It's 3 in the morning, I need to get to sleep Also me: Ah, yes... Tell me about these inefficient air conditioners!

You remind me of my late friend. Smart and articulate and passionate about things that are important, but rarely investigated. I can't help but smile watching you. Thank you!

As an apartment renter whose central AC went out and isn't allowed a window unit, thank you for this video. I was lucky enough to find a 2 hose unit with 1 day delivery instead of getting a single hose unit from local stores. It cost me a bit more but I'm beyond positive that it's comparative efficiency will save me money.