Purchasing an air conditioning unit for your home or business can seem like a complex task - after all, once you’ve made a decision there are many factors to consider before you buy a unit. Perhaps the most important decision is what kind of air conditioning unit you are going to buy.
Would a wall split air conditioner or a portable air conditioner be better? What is the difference between the two? Is one really any better than the other?
Wall split or wall mounted air conditioners are the kind we probably tend to think of when someone mentions an air con unit. These tend to be large, and can be mounted on the wall at any level of your choice, be it nearer the floor or almost touching the ceiling. They are typically seen in offices and restaurants, but are often seen in larger residential homes in countries with warmer climates, and are great for cooling large spaces.
However, if you want AC in multiple rooms, you will have to buy multiple units. Also, these units are complex in their internal design, and most require installation and regular maintenance upkeep by a professional, who is trained to deal with both the plumbing and electrical elements of the design. As you might expect, such units are also expensive, and regular maintenance will come with a regular fee for the technician.
Depending on placement, they can also be cumbersome to reach and for maintenance to be performed on.
The requirement for many water-cooled air conditioners to have connection to both electricity and mains water supply also limits where they can be placed, causing further issues and limitations.
Alternatively, you may favour a portable air conditioning unit. The obvious benefit to a good portable air conditioning unit is that it can be moved at will from one room to another, and the angle of the unit can be adjusted so that the airflow keeps you cool wherever you might be sitting. Portable air conditioners are also a good choice if you are on a budget, as brands such as AllAir provide units at affordable prices that can easily be maintained by you at home, without a professional needing to get involved.
The downside to portable AC units is that they are small, and are not ideal for large rooms or larger groups of people without buying multiple units. They also take up floor space, which can be an issue for those wishing to cool smaller rooms without much space.
So, while there are clearly benefits and downsides to both wall mounted and portable air conditioning units, is one better than the other? While the strength of the air conditioning and the coverage provided is great for wall mounted air cons, portable air conditioning units are not only moveable, but are affordable and can usually be maintained at home without a technician. As a result, we would recommend purchasing a portable AC unit in most cases, especially if for personal, at home use.