How to choose a portable air conditioner (penguin) for summer in 2021
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If you would like to buy a penguin and you are not very clear on what characteristics to look for or which are the most recommended models, pay attention because we are going to explain how to choose a portable air conditioner so that you forget about being hot this summer.
Buying a portable air conditioner is a good idea as long as it is the most recommended option for you. There is no doubt that fixed systems are more efficient, but they have some associated drawbacks that many people cannot assume.
One of them is that putting a fixed air conditioning is not an easy task that you can do yourself. Its installation has to be carried out by a professional technician, and also in many cases it is necessary to make small modifications to the home (chases, perforations and others).
Therefore, if for example you live in a rented house, your landlord may not allow you to make these changes. In addition, if the home is not owned and the landlord does not bear the cost of the installation, you are not interested in leaving a fixed device at home, since when you leave you will not be able to take it easily.
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Another drawback of fixed air conditioning systems is that they cannot be moved. If you have a complete installation at home there is no problem, since each room has its own ventilation outlet, but if you are going to install split type appliances you will have to choose where you are going to put them. What happens is that there are rooms that do not cool down at all, so it is possible that you may experience heat in rooms where there is no appliance.
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You do not have this problem with a portable air conditioner, since you can take it with you and connect it in the room where you are going to be so that it is perfectly heated.
Third, if your budget is limited or you don’t want to spend a lot of money on a device to cool the environment, in your case you are interested in buying a portable air conditioner, since fixed systems are more expensive.
Olympia
If you are clear that the most recommended alternative for your needs is a portable device, you have come to the right place because we are going to explain how to choose a penguin for this summer.
How to choose a portable air conditioner for this summer
- What types are there and which one is the best for me?
- Features that you have to take into account
- What functions can you ask a penguin
- Recommended models by price range
What types are there and which one is the best for me?: How to choose a portable air conditioner (penguin) for summer in 2021
The first thing we are going to stop at is to define and differentiate the different types of portable air conditioning that you can find right now on the market.
Specifically, there are two types: monoblock, which can be a single tube or double tube, and portable air conditioner with an outdoor unit. Below we explain what the characteristics of each of them are.
Monoblock portable air conditioner: How to choose a portable air conditioner (penguin) for summer in 2021
Cecotec
This type of penguin is a single device that gathers all the necessary components to cool the house and is equipped with wheels to be able to transport it easily.
We find two types of monoblock portable air conditioners :
- Single tube : the appliance has a tube to evacuate the hot air to the outside. Its diameter is usually between 100 and 150 mm and it is usually taken out of the room through a window. Take the air to be processed directly from the room through a grill. It is the most common type.
- Double tube : in addition to the tube to take the hot air outside, this type has a second tube that allows you to obtain cooler air from outside and renew the air in the room. Thanks to this, it is a more efficient system than a single tube and consumes less energy.
Monoblock portable air conditioners are the most popular and widespread. The most common is the single tube, which is the one with the cheapest price, while the double tube is usually more expensive, since they are more efficient.
The power of this type of appliance usually ranges between 2,000 and 3,500 W, enough power to cool a room of about 30 square meters. Of course, you have to watch the noise level because it is one of its weak points.
The purifiers provide cleaner and more breathable air, in addition to reducing exposure to the elderly, babies or people suffering from asthma or allergies.These air purifiers of different prices and sizes are prepared to make your home a cleaner and healthier environment .
Portable air conditioner with outdoor unit: How to choose a portable air conditioner (penguin) for summer in 2021
The second type is the portable air conditioner with an outdoor unit . In this case we find a system that has a similar operation to that offered by the fixed models: the compression and condensation unit is installed outside, while the ventilation unit is inside the house.
Unlike fixed equipment, the advantage of this type of appliance is that the indoor unit is equipped with wheels to place it wherever we want. Of course, it must be taken into account that the indoor unit must be connected to the outdoor unit by means of a tube, so it is not as versatile as monoblock devices.
However, compared to the previous type, the split portable air conditioner is more efficient, quieter and less bulky. Currently there are very few models of this type for sale and they are more expensive than monoblocks.
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Features that you have to take into account: How to choose a portable air conditioner (penguin) for summer in 2021
Cecotec
Now that we know the different types of penguins that you can find in the market, below we go on to review the characteristics that you have to take into account when choosing a portable air conditioner .
Calculate the frigories you need: How to choose a portable air conditioner (penguin) for summer in 2021
One of the concepts that first comes to mind when we talk about air conditioning, whether fixed or portable, is that of refrigerators. If you are not very clear about what exactly they are, it is one of the units of measurement used to calculate the capacity of a device to absorb heat from the environment, which is expressed in frigories per hour.
The more frigories an air conditioning system has, the faster it can cool a room and the better its ability to maintain temperature . The problem is that the higher the number of refrigerators, the higher the price, so it is interesting to calculate how many are the most suitable for the space you want to air-condition.
Making an exact calculation of the frigories that a room needs is complicated, since various factors influence, including the layout of the room, the construction materials, the environmental characteristics of the area, etc. Therefore, the average value taken is 100 frigories per square meter.
If you are thinking of buying an air conditioner to lower the high temperatures, it is important to know what refrigerators are and how many you need.
Therefore, to calculate the number of frigories appropriate to your needs, multiply the square meters of the largest room in which you are going to use the appliance by 100.
Refrigeration is the only measure that manufacturers use to express the cooling capacity of air conditioning systems. They can express it in watts, in which case you will have to multiply between 100 and 130 watts per square meter.
If the brand expresses power in BTUs , Samsung recommends that you use this formula to calculate the most suitable number: (room length x width x height) / 2 x 1,000. For example, if the room is 6 meters long by 3 wide by 3 high, the calculation would be as follows: (6x3x2) / 2 x 1,000 = 18,000.
Don’t lose sight of the noise level: How to choose a portable air conditioner (penguin) for summer in 2021
Penguins are usually quite noisy devices, so observing the decibels (dB) indicated by the manufacturer is very important when buying a portable air conditioner . A difference of 10 or 20 dB is very significant, so try to choose a model with as little data as possible: you will appreciate it from the moment you start it up.
Make sure that the noise level is always below 65 dB, since above this figure the noise is truly annoying and will make you quite uncomfortable. If you can buy a model that goes below 50 dB, all the better.
Look at the energy classification: avoid surprises in the electricity bill
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Another key feature that you should pay attention to when buying a penguin is the energy rating. In itself, this type of device consumes a lot of energy, so getting the most efficient one will make a substantial difference in the electricity bill.
All electrical appliances have a label on which we can buy their energy efficiency rating. If you want to avoid unpleasant surprises on your electricity bill, we recommend that you buy a model with an A or A + rating, which guarantees moderate electricity consumption.
What functions can you ask a penguin
Portable air conditioning systems offer you various functions. As with any device, the cheapest models have more basic features in exchange for cutting the price, while the more advanced ones are more expensive.
Operating modes and speeds
All penguins offer you different operating modes so that you can select the most suitable one depending on the environmental conditions. You will generally find three modes: cooling, ventilation, and dehumidification.
The more advanced models are equipped with an ionizer mode, which is capable of balancing the ions in the home to provide well-being, and some are also equipped with a hot air or heating function.
Adjustable operating speeds allow you to regulate the flow rate of the airflow, and you will find at least two.
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Remote control and programming
Cecotec
Today, most of the penguins on the market are equipped with a remote control to control the device remotely.
Programming is another of the functions that can be found in a good part of portable air conditioners. The simplest ones allow you to set a timer so that the system turns off whenever you want, while the most advanced ones you can configure them to your liking so that they start up and disconnect at the times that you determine.
Air filters
Apart from cooling the environment, air conditioning systems can also purify the air if they are equipped with suitable filters. Before making your purchase, check if the device includes them.
There are different types of filters. Those made of activated carbon are capable of eradicating bad odors, while electrostatic filters help fight pathogens, bacteria and dust.
Recommended models by price range
Now that we have reviewed all the details you have to look at when choosing a portable air conditioner, here are some recommended penguins by price range . In this way, you can choose the one that best suits your needs and your budget.
Less than 250 euros: Cecotec ForceClima 7050
Cecotec
If your budget is limited and you don’t want to spend a lot of money on your portable air conditioner, the Cecotec ForceClima 7050 is a good option.
It is a compact penguin with three operating modes (cooling, ventilation and dehumidification) and two speeds. It has 1,800 frigories (7,000 BTUs) and is intuitive and easy to use. It has a remote control to adjust the temperature or the timer.
The main drawback is noise: although the manufacturer points out that it is below 65 dB, users say that it is very noisy. Its price is only 219 euros .
Less than 300 euros: Olimpia Splendid Dolceclima Compact 9P
Olympia
Another cheap portable air conditioner you can buy is the Olimpia Splendid Dolceclima Compact 9P. It stands out for its compact size: it is only 70 cm high and 35 cm wide.
It offers a cooling power of 2.34 kW or 9,000 BTU / h. It has different modes: cooling, fan, dehumidifier, automatic, turbo and night to adapt to the needs of each moment. In addition, the device equips a removable and washable dust filter to purify the air.
The appliance can be controlled using its remote control or with the touch panel, and has programmable on and off with a built-in timer. Its price is 269 euros .
Less than 400 euros: Daitsu APD 12X
Daitsu
Below 400 euros we have the Daitsu APD 12, a portable air conditioner that also has a heat pump , so you can also use it to heat the house in winter. It has a cooling capacity of 2,923 frigories / hour and a heating capacity of 2,321 calories / hour.
It offers you various operating modes: auto fan, cooling, dehumidification, ventilation and heating. It can be programmed 24 hours a day and has a sleep function to regulate temperature and noise. Its energy classification is A for cooling and A + for heating.
This Daitsu portable air conditioner costs 349 euros and the window kit must be purchased separately.
Less than 500 euros: Orbegozo ADR 126
Orbegozo
Like the previous one, this Orbegozo portable air conditioner model also has a heat pump, so you can do it in summer and winter. Its cooling capacity is 3,000 frigories / hour and its heating capacity is 2,750 calories / hour.
It has three operating modes: hot / cold air conditioning, fan and dehumidifier. It allows you to configure the timer 24 hours a day to turn it off whenever you want, and you can control it either through the buttons on the device itself or with the remote control.
The energy class of air conditioning is A, while that of heating is A +, so it is an efficient device that will help you save on your electricity bill. The sound level is 65 dB, so it is quite noisy. The price of the Orbegozo ADR 126 is 419 euros .
Less than 600 euros: DeLonghi Pinguino Air-to-Air AN98
De’Longhi
If your budget is a bit higher, a recommended model is the DeLonghi Pinguino Air-to-Air AN98 . Its maximum cooling capacity is 10,800 BTU / h, which allows it to air-condition rooms with a size of up to 100 cubic meters.
It is equipped with the brand’s Real Feel technology, which seeks the ideal combination between temperature and humidity to offer an optimal level of well-being. It has cooling, dehumidification and ventilation mode, has three speeds and has a 24-hour timer. Its energy classification is A. How to choose a portable air conditioner (penguin) for summer in 2021
