I'm thinking about buying a portable air conditioner for my one-bedroom apartment because I can't install a fixed one. I saw several models at Electrolux and Consul, but I don't know which one is worth it. Does anyone here use one and can tell me if it actually works well or if it's just a waste of money?
The secret is choosing by BTU capacity - grab a model with at least 12,000 BTU minimum for a bedroom, otherwise you're gonna have it running 24/7 and your electric bill will hurt. The brands you looked at are reliable, that's true, but don't buy just for the brand: check the energy efficiency rating (the higher it is, the better), whether it has a decent remote control, and mainly whether the hot air tube can go out the window without any issues. People say portable units are less efficient than fixed ones and it's true, but they do work - you just need to seal the room's gaps properly or you'll waste all the air you're using energy to make.
Portable air conditioning does work, but it's way less efficient than a fixed unit - you'll end up using more energy and your apartment won't get nearly as cold as it should. Electrolux and Consul are reliable brands, but what really matters is making sure the BTU capacity matches your room size; if you get one that's too weak, it'll run constantly without a break. The thing is, these units have a hose that goes outside through a window or wall, so if your apartment has limitations even for that, it might not even be worth it.
Portable units do work, yeah, but there's a detail people usually don't mention: that exhaust hose sticking out the window? Well, it pushes hot air outside but at the same time it creates negative pressure in your apartment, which lets hot air seep in through every crack - that really kills your efficiency. If your bedroom is small and well-sealed, it's worth it. Otherwise you just get that feeling you're wasting energy for nothing.
For a normal-sized bedroom, 12,000 BTU is the bare minimum, but I think people also don't talk enough about the brand. Electrolux and Consul are reliable, but try checking out Midea's recent models too - they've got good value for money. What really matters is the noise, because a portable running all night making a racket can drive you up the wall. Read the reviews carefully about that before you decide.
One thing: if you have the option to install a fixed unit even just in your bedroom, it's always better. A simple split system goes for similar prices or just a bit more and uses way less energy. But if you really can't, Electrolux won't let you down - it'll just cost you more on your electricity bill than an equivalent fixed unit would.
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