Energy-Efficient Portable Air Conditioners & Dehumidifiers

Portable Air Conditioners

• Portable air conditioners are independent units that can be rolled or moved from one room to another. Unlike mounted air conditioners, they do not require permanent installation. Some portable air conditioners can be vented through a window or into another room. Currently, the EPA has no federal standard in place that regulates the energy of portable air conditioners. However, the agency does recommend portable AC units as useful short-term solutions for both cooling and dehumidifying rooms during the summer season.

Air Conditioner Features

• Similar to central AC units, portable air conditioners produce condensation when cooling rooms. However, some portable air conditioners automatically shut off when its internal water reservoir is full. This minimizes water usage, prevents overflowing and conserves energy. Portable air conditioners also cool one room at a time instead of using more energy to cool multiple rooms simultaneously. As a result, portable air conditioners operating on 115 voltage/60 Hertz use less energy and reduce monthly electric bills according to appliance retailer Air & Water.

Portable Dehumidifers

• A dehumidifier's primary job is to condense and remove water from the air. They generally run until the air moisture reaches a certain level, or when their water tank reaches full capacity. Because portable dehumidifiers operate in single rooms, they tend to use less energy than central dehumidifiers. Portable dehumidifiers are generally available in large-capacity, medium-capacity and small-capacity units. The extent of moisture and the room's square footage will determine what size dehumidifier is appropriate for your home according to the EPA.

Dehumidifier Features

• Unlike portable air conditioners, portable dehumidifiers are sold with Energy Star ratings. The fan, refrigeration coil and compressor in Energy Star rated dehumidifiers are typically more energy efficient than standard models. In addition to the dehumidifier’s components and SEER, portable dehumidifiers are ranked based on the volume of water removed per kilowatt hour (kWh) of electricity consumed. The higher the kWh value, the more energy efficient the dehumidifier according to Green Energy Efficient Homes. Additionally, portable dehumidifiers with both a higher capacity and Energy Star rating are generally more efficient than Energy Star-rated dehumidifiers with a lower capacity.