Portable vs Central AC units: Which one is right for your home?

In this scorching heat, you might have already decided that an air conditioner is the best way to cool your home. However, it is no longer as simple as going to a shop, choosing the air conditioner, installing it and relaxing at home. There are many types of air conditioners and you might even be inclined towards choosing between a portable conditioner or a central AC.

Choosing an air conditioner alone is not enough. You need to choose the right type of AC to get the most effective cooling solution. And if you are in the market and struggling to make up your mind in the battle of portable vs central AC units then we are here to help you. From the obvious choice to a cost-effective choice, we help you choose between portable and central AC.

Portable air conditioners: What you need to know

A portable air conditioner, as the name implies, is a type of AC that is easy to set up and works like a plug-and-play device. It is designed with an exhaust hose to vent heat to the outdoors while a built-in fan blows cool air into the room. They are unique and stand as a contrast to split or window AC in terms of design.

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Advantages of portable air conditioners

1. Space requirements: The biggest pro of a portable air conditioner is that it requires much less space, which also makes it truly portable. They are small and compact and only require a window to install. In many ways, they take up as much space as an air cooler, which is usually the floor space. They are quiet and discreet and don’t require the breaking of any installation when you move places.

2. Energy efficiency: A portable air conditioner, compared to a central AC unit, is much more energy efficient. A 1.5-ton portable AC has a rated power consumption of 2300W while a larger central AC will have power consumption in multiples of that number. They are able to achieve the dual benefits of adequate cooling without impacting your electricity bill.

3. Budget: It is needless to say the upfront cost for a portable air conditioner is lower than that for a central AC. With a 1-ton portable AC starting at around Rs 34,000, a portable AC is not only cost-effective to begin with but also cheaper to maintain.

4. Maintenance: It is relatively easy to clean a portable air conditioner since the main unit is on the floor level, you don’t have to struggle to reach its filters for cleaning. Their air filters are easy to access and can be washed or vacuumed. Similarly, you can also clean the exhaust unit but professional repairs will require a trained technician.

Disadvantages of portable air conditioners

The only major disadvantage or con of a portable air conditioner is also what limits its appeal. They generally have lower cooling capacity than that of a window AC and that’s often because of the difference in capacity. A 1-ton portable AC is much more expensive than a 1.5-ton window AC and the latter will deliver higher cooling capacity. When compared to a central air conditioning unit, a portable air conditioner falls short since the former will have a higher cooling capacity.

Central air conditioners: What you need to know

A central air conditioner is a type of air conditioning system that channels the cool air through the ducts of the home and out through the vents. It is often found in hotels and uses a thermostat to control it. It can cool an entire home and is ideally installed in large homes, private properties, and buildings.

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They are suitable when the primary need for an air conditioning system is to handle multiple zones at once. Their design allows for consistent cooling throughout the space and eliminates the hassle of finding a cooler spot within the home.

Advantages of central air conditioners

1. Cooling power: A central air conditioner can even be dubbed as the most powerful air conditioning system available. With a BTU range between 20,000 to 50,000 BTU, they offer an all-round cooling performance. They achieve this with the help of state-of-the-art compressors that can do both heating as well as cooling the spaces. The clever duct and vent design can further channel the cool air to deliver the best cooling regardless of where you are.

2. Energy consumption: While the design may make central AC look like an energy guzzler, they have proven to be more energy efficient. Since they use smart systems and energy-efficient inverter design, they have become energy efficient and don’t put a big dent in your energy bills. However, the real benefit of a central AC is felt in the long run as it pulls the double duty of cooling as well as warming a room or a space.

Disadvantages of central air conditioners

1. Maintenance: It is needless to say that such a complex mechanism means that central AC is not easy to maintain. They require a professional to clean, check, maintain, and repair the unit. They are also costly to maintain and the shortage of trained technicians could hamper the service.

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2. Space requirements: Since they require existing ductwork to work, a central air conditioner is a space hog. If you don’t have an existing ductwork then getting them installed is both a space and technical challenge.

3. Budget: Such an intricate design means that a central air conditioner is expensive. It is much more expensive than a portable air conditioner and the price usually depends on ductwork and the model. The installation cost alone will drive up their prices significantly higher.

Portable vs Central AC units

A central air conditioner is the most efficient way to cool your entire home. Their ability to cool rooms in different zones is unmatched and they are also very much capable of cooling a large space with multiple zones. However, they are expensive to install and maintain and the space requirements could be a challenge as well.

If your requirement is only to cool one room or if you are constrained by budget and space then a portable AC will do a really good job. They are slowly finding their place in small apartments but are limited by choice and cooling capacity.