During the middle of summer, rising temperatures can be extremely stifling and can even contribute to a host of severe and potentially life-threatening health problems such as heatstroke. As such, finding an efficient method of cooling is an absolute necessity. One of the most cost-efficient ways to stay cool is obviously through the use of electric or ceiling fans, but these often do little when it comes to significant temperature reductions. Swamp coolers are also gaining popularity as a "green" way to cool, but these appliances are only suitable for dry, arid climates such as the American Southwest. Therefore, how is one to stay cool and comfortable without having to deal with sky-high energy bills?
Thankfully, the answer lies in a relatively new invention: the portable air conditioner. Compact, lightweight, and requiring no permanent installation, portable air conditioners can be a lifesaver during the sizzling summer months because they offer efficient spot cooling for a fraction of the cost of a central air conditioning system. Moreover, because they do not require permanent installation and are fully mobile, they are excellent for areas that cannot accommodate traditional air conditioning units such as apartments or condominiums.
However, keep in mind that most portable air conditioners are priced slightly higher than window units with similar cooling capacities, but the convenient installation and mobility of portable ACs is worth the price premium. Some no-frills models can be had for around 0, but we found these to often be lacking in power and features. Therefore, on average, a quality portable air conditioner will cost around 0 and upwards. Nonetheless, in our product team's quest to find the best portable air conditioner on the market, we've actually come across one of the best values in portable air conditioners out there with the NewAir ACP-1000E. Priced just under 0, the NewAir ACP-1000E not offered excellent cooling, it also functioned as an air circulator, dehumidifier, and air purifier. After testing this unit in a 200 square foot bedroom of a 1000 square foot apartment on a hot Southern California afternoon, here were our findings:
Initial Impression:
The NewAir ACP-1000E weighed approximately 70 pounds but came equipped with large, rolling casters for easy mobility. The unit sported a clean, white finish that was modern, yet discreet, and when placed in the corner of our bedroom, we found it to be non-obtrusive. The NewAir ACP-1000E also had an easy-to-read LCD screen with push-button controls. The fan output speed, air oscillation function, and thermostat were easily adjustable, and the inclusion of a remote control allowed us to operate the NewAir ACP-1000E from across the room.
Cooling Power:
Many room air conditioners only feature 6,000 to 8,000 BTUs of cooling power which makes them only suitable for the smallest of spaces. However, NewAir claimed the ACP-1000E portable AC had a verified 10,000 BTUs of cooling and could sufficiently cool areas up to 200 square feet. We found this to be true, and while the square footage of our testing room would have been considered the maximum area that this unit could handle, we felt that the ACP-1000E provided enough cooling power that would make it even suitable for larger bedrooms or even living rooms under the right climate conditions.
Moisture Removal:
Because portable air conditioners use the refrigeration cycle to cool and remove moisture from the air, they also function as dehumidifiers. The NewAir ACP-1000E portable AC was especially suited for this purpose, as it had the ability to remove up to 95 pints of water per day. In addition, because this united utilized auto-evaporative technology, this negated the need to empty water buckets (especially humid climates which will still need to deal with some condensation, though significantly less than with older-style portable ACs).
Air Purification:
One of the greatest features of the NewAir ACP-1000E was the fact that it came with a built-in ionizer for particle abatement. Moreover, the washable air filter helped remove larger particulates like dust and hair.
Overall, we found the NewAir ACP-1000E portable AC to be one of the most affordable, yet feature-rich models around, and we were definitely impressed with its cooling ability. For a value-priced portable AC that will deliver many of the functions found in pricier models, the NewAir ACP-1000E is definitely a great buy.
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