Supplementing Your Central AC with a Portable Air Conditioner
Let’s face it: with energy costs as high as they are, it’s important for us to think of ways we can lower our bills, particularly in the summer when our ACs are on full blast. One easy way to make the most out of your air conditioner is to supplement your existing central system with a smaller, more portable cooler.
One of our friends has been doing this for the past 3 summers and has seen a good decrease on his electricity usage year over year.
When he first moved into his Southern California home 2 years ago, he found that he couldn’t keep his 1,800 square foot house cool enough with his ancient central system. In his upstairs home office alone, he had 2 computers running at all times, overhead lighting and a giant window located near the ceiling, leaving the second story of his house scorching in the middle of summer. During the hottest months of the year, if he tried to cool his house using only his central system, one side of his house would always be several degrees than the other. So to eliminate hot and cold spots in his house, he decided to purchase a 14,000 BTU portable air conditioner to supplement his existing system.
The portable unit he purchased cost approximately $500, and to him it was a great purchase because he was able to even out temperatures and save money on his electricity bill at the same time. The portable air conditioner didn’t require permanent installation, and he’s able to move it from room to room when it gets really hot. Having the portable air conditioner moved to his bedroom at night keeps him cool while the occupied portion of his house is set to 80 on his thermostat.
Since his initially investment, he claims he’s seen a drop in his bills by at least 15% year over year and the portable air conditioner is paid for.
Most portable air conditioners will range anywhere from $250 to $600, and more cooling power also equals a higher price tag, so choose a model based on what your specific needs are. As a general rule, match up the square footage of your room with the right BTU rating:
10,000 BTUs = 250 square feet
12,000 BTUs = 350 square feet
14,000 BTUs = 450 square feet
Keep in mind that if your room or area is near a large window or kitchen, you’ll have to size up, so your mileage may vary.