We are in the midst of another scorching summer in Pakistan and to add insult to injury, electricity costs are going up. This leaves many Pakistanis, especially the middle class with fewer options to keep themselves cool.
Lately, portable ACs have become an attractive option for many due to their relatively cheaper price and mobility. But are portable AC units worth buying?
Well, there might be many advantages to these ACs. But the disadvantages of portable air conditioners cannot be ignored either. In this blog, we have laid down their pros and cons, which will help you understand why you should or shouldn’t buy a portable AC in Pakistan.
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Let us start with their advantages.
Advantages of Portable ACs
Here are some notable benefits of portable air conditioners that attract many people.
Budget-friendly price
It is the biggest benefit of portable ACs. Their price is way lower than the inverter air conditioners. For example, the average price of a 1-ton inverter in Pakistan is around Rs.90K. However, you can buy a portable AC (0.7-1 ton) at an average price of Rs.50K – 60K.
There is something more to it. You can buy used Japanese portable air conditioners at an average price of Rs.12K – 16K.
Easy to move
As their name suggests, they are portable and can be placed anywhere. Most of them have small tires that provide convenience in their mobility. So, you can move them from one room to another quite comfortably.
No installation charges and damages
Unlike conventional ACs, portable air conditioners don’t require any installation on the walls. It means you don’t have to pay any installation charges.
Disadvantages of Portable Air Conditioners
Most of us are attracted by the advantages of portable air conditioners. However, they are not meant for everyone. Here are some of the most important disadvantages everyone must consider. These drawbacks will help you understand if these air conditioners are suitable for you or not.
Need to empty drain tank regularly
Many people place these ACs in their rooms. Due to this, they have to change the drain tray regularly as they can’t take the drain pipe out of their room. It is a big issue at night as you can’t wake up after regular intervals just to empty the water from the drain tray.
A solution to this problem is placing it near a window or toilet. You can throw the drainpipe (if the unit has it) out of the window or in the toilet.
Less cooling
As compared to traditional ACs, the chill effect is just not there when it comes to portable ACs. This is noticeable if a portable AC is placed in a large room. However, this may not be noticeable in a small room as these ACs are meant for smaller rooms.
Here are the room sizes and the requirements in terms of AC capacity. Consider these details before you buy a portable or even traditional AC.
AC capacity
| AC capacity | Room Size |
| 1 Ton / 12000 BTU | Up to 1000 cubic ft or 150 sq ft |
| 1.5 Ton / 18000 BTU | Up to 2250 cubic ft 250 sq ft |
| 2 Ton / 24000 BTU | Up to 3350 cubic ft 400 sq ft |
Low energy efficiency
Low energy efficiency is among the most common disadvantages of portable air conditioners. It is because they require more energy to cool a room. If you get a 12000 BTU portable AC, it is going to consume more power than the 12000 BTU Inverter AC.
Keep in mind that an inverter portable AC has better energy efficiency but that still doesn’t match the efficiency of a split inverter AC. Moreover, portable inverter ACs are not readily available yet.
Noisier
A portable AC, as mentioned earlier, does not require installation. This is because it has no “outer” or an outer unit. This means it is an all in one unit which carries the compressor. And compressors are noisy.
If you are someone who cannot sleep in a noisy place, this AC is not for you.
Takes more room space
If you have a small room, think twice before buying a portable AC. It is going to take up space, making your room smaller.
Who Should Buy a Portable AC?
There are many pros and cons of buying a portable AC. However, you should consider buying it,
- If you don’t have the budget to buy traditional AC
- If you live in a rented house and move frequently
- If you want to frequently shift AC in multiple rooms
- If your room is small (i.e. around 150 sq. ft.)
- If you don’t have any problem with noise
- If you are ready to compromise some room space
- If you are going to place it near a window or toilet
After reading the above-mentioned points, do you think portable AC is suitable for you? Tell us in the comment section below.
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