Is Portable or Ventless AC Better for Your Beaverton Home?

With summer right around the corner, many Pacific Northwest residents are starting to think about how best to stay cool as our days begin to warm up. If you are considering purchasing a portable unit for your home or apartment it’s important to know the options available to you. 

What AC units are better for your needs? Need to learn the difference between portable AC and ventless air conditioning units? Our Beaverton HVAC contractors provide details and answers below.

Types of Residential Air Conditioning Systems

You may not be aware that there are two types of portable air conditioning options for your home: portable AC and ventless AC. Both have unique cooling options with their own set of pros and cons. To help you make an informed decision on which one is right for you, check out the facts below:

The Difference Between Portable and Ventless Air Conditioners 

To ensure you purchase the right air conditioner for your home, it’s first necessary to understand the difference between portable and ventless AC units.

Portable AC units are outfitted with a hose that allows the system to transfer hot air from inside a room to outside. Due to their design, they must be installed next to a window in order for the hose to vent warm air outdoors. Once the exhaust is set up, all you have to do is plug in your portable air conditioning unit and turn it on. 

Ventless air conditioners, also known as evaporative air coolers,  do not use a hose or vent warm air outside. Instead, these units rely on a tank of water, the process of evaporation, and a fan to circulate the cool air throughout the room.  

Choosing Your Air Conditioning Unit

Now that you know the differences between each unit, which is the best solution for you? Let’s examine some pro and cons of each:

1. Portability: While the name, “portable air conditioner,” implies maximum portability, they are actually less moveable than ventless AC systems. Because ventless units don’t come with a hose that requires venting, they can easily be moved from room to room and plugged in. If you are looking to cool down multiple rooms with the ease of one unit, an evaporative air cooler might be right for you.

2. Efficiency: One factor to consider in choosing a portable cooling unit is its energy efficiency. Ventless AC units are more cost-effective upfront, yet they might cost you more in energy costs down the line.

Portable air conditioners are able to remove warm air from your room and dispel it outdoors, via their venting hose. Ventless units cool the surrounding air, but don’t have the ability to transfer any remaining hot air outside. This can result in you having to run your unit longer to achieve ideal cooling temperatures. 

3. Cooling Ability: When selecting an air conditioning unit, you want one that cools effectively, while being energy efficient. How effectively an AC unit cools your room can ultimately depend on the humidity levels in your area.

Portable air conditioning units are best for humid climates because they remove moisture from the air and vent it out. Ventless units are ideal for drier climates because they introduce moisture into the air as part of the cooling process. 

Here in the Pacific Northwest, we can experience a range of temperatures and humidity levels. That’s why it’s important to work with your HVAC contractor to determine the best air conditioning unit for your home.

Contact Our Beaverton Air Conditioning Installation & Maintenance Professionals

Looking for more guidance on the best air conditioning solution for your needs? AAA Heating and Cooling offers expert advice, installation, and repair for all your HVAC needs. Contact us today to schedule an inspection, or to discuss an upgrade, of your residential AC unit.