Portable Air Conditioners or Permanently fixed AC Units?

Which air conditioner – portable air conditioners or permanently fixed air conditioning units?

Following the heatwave of 2022, which saw temperatures exceed 40°C, leading meteorologists have warned that wetter, hotter and sunnier weather, with temperatures of 40°C, will become the norm for British summers, requiring the need for homes and businesses to invest in either portable air conditioners or a more permanent solution – fixed air conditioning units.

We love the sun of course, but when you’re working inside, the accompanying sweltering temperatures can make for uncomfortable, distracted days and oppressive, sleepless nights.

No surprise then that interest in air conditioning, because of its many benefits, is rising along with the temperatures.

The question most people ask first, is ‘what is the best air conditioner?’ and the answer, of course, depends on individual needs.

Basically, air conditioners can be portable or fixed (split units) and each has its own benefits, so here is a quick guide to help you choose if portable air conditioners or permanently fixed air conditioning units is the best option for you!:

Portable Air Conditioner for Home or Permanently Fixed Air Conditioning Units Installation

Mobile or portable home air conditioning units are not permanently fixed and can offer a cheaper option. Portable air conditioners can be moved from room to room, or even between floors and buildings. However, portable home air conditioning units are bulky and usually require an exhaust pipe hanging out of a window to push hot air outside, and they are not as efficient as permanently fixed air conditioning units, known as split units. Check out one of our other articles to find out exactly how air conditioning works.

Split-unit air conditioners are quieter and more efficient. They are known as split units because they comprise two parts: an evaporator (mounted inside the room) and a condensing unit (mounted outside). The two parts work together, circulating refrigerant and turning it from a gas to a liquid and then to a vapour. Essentially, heat is continually extracted from the air, which is cooled and then blown back into your home, keeping temperatures in your home constant.

As split unit air conditioners need to be installed professionally, this is the more expensive option, but they provide greater control and can also be reversed to heat your home in winter. What’s more, there is no dangling pipe or requirement for an open window, so your home is more secure too.

Whichever you choose, portable home air conditioning units or permanently fixed you can be sure that you will enjoy a cooler, more comfortable home and, as air conditioners of all types remove moisture from the air, you will be less prone to coughs, colds and allergies.

Here at MAC, we specialise in all things air conditioning, from installation to repairs and maintenance. Get in touch with one of our friendly team who will be more than happy to discuss your air conditioning queries.