Good Lifestyle

Summer is getting closer, and the Heating weather In the United States, in fact, certain parts of the country already know Record temperatures . But as you pack your winter clothes and Pull the essentials For the new season, there is one thing you may want to leave behind: your portable air conditioner. When it comes to cooling your space, experts recommend against this popular choice. Read more to find out why they warn that portable air conditioners should be your "last resort".

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When the weather starts to warm up, most of us are ready to fight against higher temperatures. Almost 90% From all American households use air conditioning (AC), according to the latest data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).

Most of this is central cooling, as two -thirds of households Have a central AC unit. But 26% manage to cool their spaces without an entire household system using individual units - and this percentage is even higher in certain regions. AE0FCC31AE342FD3A1346EBB1F342FCB

"Although AC central units are the type of main equipment used in most of the United States, 50% of northeast households mainly use individual turnover units," said EIA in its report. "Individual AC units include window and wall units, mini-splits and portable units."

However, if you are one of those households that use portable air conditioners, you may want to rethink this.

Portable air conditioners are a popular choice for people who do not have central AC units, but they should not be, according to the Experts at Consumer Reports . According to their advice, people should consider "portable air conditioners as the choice of cooling of the last appeal" with regard to their spaces.

Thanks to units tests, consumer -based organization reports that most can barely reduce hot rooms to a minimum level of comfort by 78 degrees Fahrenheit.

"A portable air conditioner is an alternative, but not ideal", " Chris reban , which oversees the air conditioner's air conditioner tests, said in a statement.

Many of these units end up being returned to retailers each season by "unsatisfied customers", according to the organization.

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By opposing the individual AC units commonly used against each other, experts say that a window unit is the winner each time.

"Window air conditioners must generally be considered a better option than laptops", " Keith Sant , A real estate professional And the chief of property acquisitions to the buyer of Texas Cash House to Fort Worth Texas, tells Better life .

According to Sant, this type of cooling equipment beats portable units in two of the most important categories to consider: affordability and efficiency.

"Window units are relatively affordable and can often be found at a lower price than comparable portable models," he explains. "They can also be used in the same space for many years, so it is less necessary to buy additional equipment over time, making it a more profitable long -term cooling solution."

At the same time, window units "also tend to be more effective than portable air conditioners", according to Sant.

Thanks to its air conditioner tests, Consumer Reports said that he had found that a portable unit was needed at least 20 minutes or more to lower the temperature of 90 degrees Fahrenheit to 85 degrees.

"In comparison, the best window air conditioners can cool the 10 degrees Fahrenheit part in about 15 minutes or less," they reported.

A portable AC can however be your only option if you want to go from an ordinary fan. As Kyle Leman , A home expert And the owner of Crossroads Foundation Repair, explains, the window units are not a "viable option" for everyone. This could be due to construction restrictions on window changes or the absence of a usable window opening.

"Portable air conditioners offer another cooling solution because they do not require a permanent window installation," he said. "They can be placed anywhere with an appropriate exhaust ventilation option, such as a sliding glass door or a specially designed ventilation kit."

If you need to use a portable unit, Consumer Reports recommends following their advice to get the most out of your equipment. First of all? You must make sure you install it correctly.

"All portable air conditioners are delivered with a kit that you install in a window. It consists of a plastic panel with connections for the exhaust pipe, and can be installed horizontally in a double howl or vertically in window in A sliding window, "they explain. "Make sure all your connections are tight and seal the air gaps."

You should also get a ceiling fan, which can help make the room colder by creating a breeze. And be sure to block the sun whenever possible by closing your curtains and nuances, as it can help your room overheat under its rays.