Portable Air Conditioner
A practical portable air conditioner (7000 BTU, 4-in-1) for proper, portable cooling around the home.
Portable Air Conditioner Running Costs: Are They Expensive?
Portable air conditioners cool properly, but that comes at a cost: they use far more electricity than a fan. Here's an honest look at running costs and how to keep them down.
Why they cost more to run
A portable air conditioner has a compressor - the same energy-hungry component as a fridge or freezer - so it draws a lot more power than a fan, which just spins a blade. The bigger the BTU and the harder it works, the more it uses. Exactly what it costs depends on the unit's wattage, how long you run it and your electricity tariff, but expect it to be one of the thirstier appliances in the home while it's running.
How to keep costs down
Size the unit correctly so it isn't always running flat out, then cool the room and switch to a lower fan setting or eco mode to hold the temperature rather than running full power constantly. Use the timer so it isn't on all night, close curtains and doors to keep the cool in, and choose an inverter model with a good energy class if running cost is a big concern. Used sensibly, the cost for a few weeks of UK summer is manageable.
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Dreo Smart 3-in-1 Portable Air Conditioner
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Frequently asked questions
Are portable air conditioners expensive to run?
They use much more electricity than a fan because of the compressor, so they're one of the costlier appliances while running. The exact cost depends on the wattage, hours used and your tariff - size it right and use eco/timer modes to keep bills down.
How can I reduce the running cost?
Cool the room then drop to a lower setting, use the timer, close curtains and doors, and pick an inverter model with a good energy class. Sizing the BTU correctly to the room also stops it running flat out.
Bottom line
Our top pick is the Portable Air Conditioner (our score 9.6/10) - A practical portable air conditioner (7000 BTU, 4-in-1) for proper, portable cooling around the home..