Last updated on August 14th, 2022 at 01:28 pm
Portable Air Conditioners are the best. Nonetheless, if your home doesn’t have the energy requirements to function properly, you might be in for a bad surprise.
So, before heading on to get a portable air conditioner, it’s best to consider how many amps it uses.
A portable air conditioner uses approximately 24.20 to 29.20 amps per hour. Amp usage, however, depends on the season consideration. Portable air conditioner usage is higher in Summer seasons than in cold seasons.
How Many Amps Does A Portable Air Conditioner Use?
A portable air conditioner sure does use lots of amps hourly — a minimum of 24 amps/hour.
I mean, power usage is an important factor for a device that is built to condition the temperature of an enclosed space using electric current. Amp usage varies for a portable air conditioner.
Built for enclosed spaces, a portable air conditioner is effective in smaller spaces compared to larger spaces. Amp usage in the former is lesser than that of the latter.
This does not mean that more portable conditioners are needed in larger spaces.
The capacity of a portable air conditioner does not depend on the space, but the amp usage is only more in larger spaces than in smaller spaces.
What is a Good BTU for a Portable Air Conditioner?
A good BTU for a portable air conditioner should be around 14000 BTU.
This, however, varies according to the room size. The smaller the room size, the lesser the BTU needed.
Room sizes of 300 square feet, for example, may require approximately 6000BTU. On the other hand, a room size of 500 square feet may require about 10000 BTU.
The effectiveness of a portable air conditioner has a lot to do with its BTU. The BTU of a portable air conditioner unit helps the user predict its capacity to function in a certain space.
Certain factors such as room size, direction, or impact of the sun in the room, and coverage areas are considered good BTU.
The impact of a portable air conditioner will not be felt if these factors are neglected.
Going further in the aspect of room sizes, the BTU of a portable air conditioner is as good as favorable room size.
To put it differently, BTU is as good as the size of the room in which it is meant to function.
If you must get maximum utility from using a portable air conditioner, you should check whether it is a small or large room. Generally, rooms of different sizes will require BTU of different capacities.
A large room, for example, requires a BTU suitable enough to cover the area, as it should have the capacity for the space. A small room will not require much BTU power.
The BTU power has a lot of effect on a portable air conditioner; it determines the cooling capacity per unit of the device.
What is of utmost importance here should not be a standard BTU but a consideration of its capacity to function effectively.
Furthermore, a portable air conditioner with a good BTU may still be ineffective. This is a result of the impact of the sun’s heat on particular room space.
Sun produces heat, and if faced directly in a room where its impact is greatly felt, a good BTU may be redundant.
That being said, I can say it won’t be easy to feel the impact of a portable air conditioner despite a good BTU. To achieve maximum effectiveness, channels of direct sunlight should be closed.
The size of a room and the direction of sunlight are two important factors to consider for a good BTU for a portable air conditioner. Approximately 20BTU is suitable per square foot size.
So estimating the BTU for a portable air conditioner to an extent can be more precise.
Having established this, a 20sq ft room size will need about 400BTU. As a result, there is less stress in getting a good BTU for a portable air conditioner.
What Size Air Conditioner Do I Need?
What size air conditioner you need varies from room size to room size. You can get this by measuring the length and width of your room, then multiplying the values. For example, a room of 12m X 12m will give you a total of 144m.
Although the exact size air conditioner is not gotten this way, it helps you get the range of the air conditioner you will need.
As much as luxury and comfort may seem very paramount, you must be rational at this point.
It would be best if you did not choose the size air conditioner you need in such a rush. You should consider certain factors. These factors include cost and insulation.
These important elements play a great role in helping you make a good decision regarding the choice of the air conditioner size.
1. Cost
The cost of a portable air is vital in the choice of a size air conditioner. Looking at the size without counting the cost may be of little or no benefit to you.
It would be economical and wise not to jump into selecting a sizeable air conditioner without considering how much you will spend.
The consequence of such an action may result in too many unprepared costs. Some of which may include maintenance and consumption rate.
Also, the size air conditioner, no matter how costly or cheap it may be, will matter less if it has no good place to fit in.
An air conditioner so powerful but does not fit in a particular space will be of no benefit, no matter the cost.
2. Insulation
The size air conditioner perfectly fit may still not function well if the ceilings and walls are not insulated.
It is pertinent to ensure that the walls and ceilings are properly insulated for better airflow and conditioning.
Materials that help reduce or possibly prevent you should put heat transmission in place for proper insulation.
Conclusion
A portable air conditioner sure does use lots of amps at different times of the year.
Having considered the room size, the capacity of the portable air conditioner, and other facts, you can make a good decision on purchasing a good portable air conditioner.
This should involve proper due diligence, as you would not want to spend on what you would not derive utility from.