Portable Air Conditioners - Why you shouldn't like them

Summary

This video explores the pros and cons of portable air conditioners compared to traditional window units. It explains the basic principles of air conditioning, highlighting the inefficiency of single-hose portable units due to their design, which pulls in cool air to cool the condenser and then expels it outside, reducing overall cooling efficiency. The script also discusses the noise levels and space requirements of portable units, suggesting that window units are generally more energy-efficient and quieter. However, it acknowledges the convenience and flexibility of portable units, especially for non-traditional window spaces, and calls for more double-hose models to improve efficiency.

Takeaways

• 🌀 Portable air conditioners are becoming popular but are less efficient compared to traditional window units.
• 🔧 Air conditioners work by moving heat energy from one place to another, typically from inside to outside.
• 🔵 The core components of an air conditioner include a compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator.
• 🏠 Window units are more efficient because they keep the heat-generating components outside, minimizing energy loss.
• 🔥 Portable units have the hot side (condenser) inside, which reduces their efficiency as they expel cool air and draw in warm air.
• 💤 Traditional window units are quieter because the noisy components are outside, while portable units can be noisy indoors.
• 🔌 Portable air conditioners consume more power for less cooling capacity compared to window units.
• 🔄 Single-hose portable units are less efficient due to the continuous expulsion of cool air and intake of warm air.
• 🏡 Portable air conditioners are convenient for rooms with unconventional window types or for temporary cooling needs.
• ♨️ The hose of a portable air conditioner can become hot, reintroducing some of the expelled heat back into the room.
• 🔄 Dual-hose portable units are more efficient as they intake outside air to cool the condenser, reducing energy loss.

Q & A

What is the main issue with portable air conditioners according to the script?

The main issue with portable air conditioners is their efficiency. They have a single-hose design that not only pulls heat energy out of the room but also air, making them significantly less efficient than window units.

How do traditional window air conditioners differ from portable ones in terms of efficiency?

Traditional window air conditioners are more efficient because the compressor and condenser, which are the hot side of the system, are located outside. This setup maximizes efficiency by only moving the refrigerant and the absorbed heat energy out of the room.

What are the three essential parts of an air conditioning system mentioned in the script?

The three essential parts of an air conditioning system are the compressor, the condenser, and the evaporator. The compressor squeezes the refrigerant gas, the condenser cools the hot gas, and the evaporator absorbs heat energy from the room.

Why are portable air conditioners considered less efficient compared to window units?

Portable air conditioners are less efficient because they have to expel hot air back into the room after cooling it, which creates a low-pressure environment and draws in more hot air from outside, reducing the overall cooling effect.

What is the role of the metering device in an air conditioning system?

The metering device, such as a thermal expansion valve or a capillary tube, regulates the flow of liquid refrigerant from the condenser to the evaporator, maintaining high pressure in the condenser and controlling the phase change of the refrigerant.

How does the refrigerant change its phase in the evaporator?

In the evaporator, the refrigerant changes its phase from liquid to gas by absorbing heat energy from the room. This happens because the pressure inside the evaporator is much lower, causing the refrigerant's boiling point to drop significantly.

What are the advantages of a split air conditioning system over a portable one?

A split system has the compressor and condenser outside, away from the living space, which makes it highly efficient and quiet. It also only requires a small hole in the home's thermal barrier for the refrigerant lines.

Why does the script suggest that portable air conditioners are noisy?

Portable air conditioners are noisy because both the compressor and the condenser fan are located inside the room, causing a significant increase in noise when they are active, especially during the cooling cycle.

What is the significance of the hose in a portable air conditioner?

The hose in a portable air conditioner is significant because it is used to expel the hot air outside after it has been cooled by the condenser. However, it can also draw some of the concentrated heat energy back into the room if not properly managed.

What are the benefits of using propane (R290) as a refrigerant in small air conditioning units?

Propane (R290) is becoming a common refrigerant for small units due to its abundance and relative environmental harmlessness. It is a more sustainable option compared to some complex chemicals, although it is flammable and requires careful handling.

Outlines

00:00

🌀 Introduction to Air Conditioners

The paragraph introduces the topic of air conditioners, highlighting the popularity of portable air conditioners and questioning their effectiveness compared to traditional window units. It explains the basic principle of air conditioning, which involves collecting and moving heat energy from one place to another. The narrator discusses the three essential components of an air conditioner: the compressor, the condenser, and the evaporator, which work together to create cold air by removing heat energy from the air inside a room.

05:01

🔧 Efficiency and Design of Air Conditioners

This section compares the efficiency and design of window units and portable air conditioners. It explains that window units are more efficient because they have the hot side (compressor and condenser) outside, minimizing the loss of cool air. In contrast, portable air conditioners have both the hot and cold sides inside, leading to inefficiency as they expel cool air and draw in warm air. The paragraph also discusses the noise levels and the energy consumption of different types of air conditioners, emphasizing that window units are quieter and consume less power.

10:03

🔥 The Drawbacks of Portable Air Conditioners

The paragraph focuses on the disadvantages of portable air conditioners, particularly the single-hose design that leads to lower efficiency. It describes how these units pull in cool indoor air to cool the condenser and then expel hot air, creating a low-pressure environment that draws in more warm air from outside. The narrator also touches on the noise and space issues associated with portable units, and the potential heat loss through the uninsulated hose. Despite these drawbacks, the paragraph acknowledges the convenience and portability of these units for certain situations.

15:05

🎵 Conclusion and Call for Better Options

In the concluding paragraph, the narrator reiterates the preference for window units over portable air conditioners due to their superior efficiency and lower noise levels. They express a desire for more double-hose portable units to be available, which would improve efficiency. The narrator also shares their experience with a portable mini-split system and discusses the potential of using propane as a refrigerant in smaller units. The paragraph ends with a call for support for the channel and a humorous note on the challenges of recording voiceovers.

Keywords

💡Air conditioners

Air conditioners are mechanical devices designed to regulate the temperature and humidity within an enclosed space, providing comfort and maintaining optimal conditions for various activities. In the video, the discussion revolves around the efficiency and practicality of different types of air conditioners, particularly comparing traditional window units with portable air conditioners.

💡Portable air conditioners

Portable air conditioners are a type of air conditioner designed for temporary or movable cooling solutions. They are compact, often on wheels, and do not require permanent installation. The video script critiques their efficiency compared to window units, highlighting that they are generally less effective due to their single-hose design.

💡Refrigerant

A refrigerant is a substance used in air conditioning and refrigeration systems to absorb and transport heat. In the script, the refrigerant's role in the cooling process is explained, where it is compressed, condensed, and then evaporated to move heat from inside to outside the cooled space.

💡Compressor

The compressor is a key component in an air conditioning system that compresses the refrigerant gas, increasing its pressure and temperature. In the video, it's mentioned as part of the explanation of how air conditioners work, with the compressor being responsible for the initial step in the refrigeration cycle.

💡Condenser

The condenser is a heat exchanger in an air conditioning system where the hot, high-pressure refrigerant gas is cooled and condensed into a liquid. The script describes how the condenser works in both window and portable air conditioners, noting the inefficiency of the latter due to its internal placement.

💡Evaporator

The evaporator is another heat exchanger in the air conditioning system where the refrigerant absorbs heat from the indoor air, causing it to evaporate and thus cooling the space. The video script explains how the evaporator works in the context of the overall cooling process.

💡Heat exchange

Heat exchange is the process by which heat is transferred from one medium to another. In the context of the video, heat exchange occurs in the condenser and evaporator of the air conditioner, facilitating the cooling of the indoor air.

💡Efficiency

Efficiency in the context of the video refers to how well an air conditioner uses energy to perform its cooling function. The script argues that portable air conditioners are less efficient than window units due to their design, which causes them to lose some of the cooled air and create a low-pressure environment.

💡Hose

In the context of portable air conditioners, the hose is a conduit through which air is expelled outside after being used to cool the condenser. The video script points out that the single-hose design of most portable units contributes to their inefficiency, as it forces the unit to expel both cooled and heated air.

💡Noise

Noise in the video refers to the sound produced by the operation of air conditioners. The script contrasts the noise levels of window units, where the compressor and one fan are outside, with portable units, where both the compressor and condenser fan are inside, leading to increased noise levels.

💡Refrigerant leak

A refrigerant leak is a problem where the refrigerant escapes from the air conditioning system, leading to reduced efficiency or failure. The script briefly mentions a personal experience with a portable mini-split system that suffered from a refrigerant leak, emphasizing the importance of proper refrigerant management in these systems.

Highlights

Portable air conditioners are becoming popular but are less efficient than traditional window units.

Air conditioners work by moving heat energy from one place to another.

The three essential parts of an air conditioner are the compressor, condenser, and evaporator.

The compressor increases the pressure of the refrigerant, heating it up.

The condenser cools the hot, pressurized refrigerant gas.

The evaporator absorbs heat from the room, causing the refrigerant to evaporate and cool the air.

Window units are more efficient because the hot side of the system is outside the room.

Portable air conditioners have the hot side inside, reducing their efficiency.

Single-hose portable units re-circulate warm air, reducing their cooling efficiency.

Newer portable units list two cooling capacities due to the losses caused by the hose.

Portable air conditioners use more power and produce less cooling than window units.

Window units are quieter because the compressor and one fan are outside.

Portable units are noisier as both the compressor and condenser fan are inside the room.

Portable units take up floor space and require rearrangement of furniture.

The hose of a portable unit can get hot and reintroduce heat into the room.

Portable air conditioners are convenient for rooms with unconventional window types.

The video suggests a preference for double-hose portable units for increased efficiency.

The presenter tried a portable mini-split system with separate indoor and outdoor units.

Propane (R290) is an environmentally friendly refrigerant used in small air conditioners.

The video concludes that window units are more efficient and quieter than portable units.

Transcripts

Air conditioners are pretty cool.

*awkward pause*

But there’s an increasingly popular variety of them that figuratively

and literally sucks.

That would be...

these bundles of joy.

Portable air conditioners seem to be taking the world by storm, or at least have taken

the air conditioner isle of the hardware store by storm.

But are they any good?

Do these cold-making machines have what it takes to usurp the traditional window unit?

No.

Portable air conditioners are actually kinda…

bad.

Now it’s not like they don’t work!

And some of them aren’t quite as bad as most.

Plus, they can really come in handy.

This one here is serving duty precisely because the window it’s venting through isn’t

really suited to holding a window unit in place with any sense of confidence.

And I know because I tried.

Yes, this here is the symbol of my shame.

The air conditioner that was never meant to be.

But luckily for you I didn’t return it because it’s gonna be a great visual aid!

Now, in this video I’m going to argue that if you need an air conditioner you should

gravitate towards these simple window units and away from those trendy portable units

*if you can*.

And to find out why, we need to learn a little bit about air conditioning.

Air conditioners are mechanical devices which collect and concentrate heat energy in order

to move it from one place to another.

The cold air they create is in fact ordinary air that’s had its heat energy sucked right

out of it.

And of course, we can’t just bottle that energy up

(though that would be super cool if we could figure that out)

so instead we move it somewhere else--usually to outside air.

And inside every air conditioner you’ll find three essential parts that make that happen.

This is the basis of nearly every air conditioning and refrigeration system in service today.

The black cylinder contains a compressor which squeezes a gas called a refrigerant into a

small space, decreasing its volume and increasing the pressure it’s under.

The high pressure gas, which has now gotten quite hot thanks to the fact that it just

got compressed, travels through these pipes into the second key component; the condenser.

The condenser is a heat exchanger designed to cool that hot gas down as quickly as possible.

The densely spaced fins increase its surface area to speed up the heat transfer, and a

fan helps to speed it along even more by blowing air across the fins.

Since the refrigerant is now pressurized, its boiling point has increased.

And in fact, its boiling point has increased so much that once we get it down to something

like 130 or 150 degrees, it will condense into a liquid.

So, as the hot gas winds its way through all these pipes and its heat energy gets transferred

to the air, it slowly turns into a liquid, releasing a ton of heat energy as it does so.

Now here’s where the magic happens.

That liquid is being held back by a metering device such as a thermal expansion valve,

to keep the pressure high in the condenser and limit the amount of liquid refrigerant

that can pass through.

This basic air conditioner uses a capillary tube, a long copper tube with a very small

internal diameter, to restrict the refrigerant and thus limit its flow.

But once it makes it through to the other side, it finds itself in a second heat exchanger,

called the evaporator.

This one is functionally identical to the condenser, except the pressure inside here

is much, much lower thanks to the suction created by the intake side of the compressor.

Once inside here, the refrigerant can relax, and its boiling point suddenly shoots way

way down, like into the well-below-zero territory.

And that means it’s gonna spontaneously boil --or evaporate-- because, well, it’s

too hot for it to remain a liquid.

But to change phases back into a gas, it needs to get energy from somewhere.

And luckily, the fins of the evaporator help it absorb the energy in the room, and the

effect is that the room gets colder.

In effect the heat energy inside the room is being used to warm up the refrigerant as

it evaporates.

Thinking about this can be kinda weird because we like to think of the evaporator as getting cold,

which it is, but it’s getting cold because it’s pulling heat energy out of

the air and into the refrigerant inside of it.

Coldness is really just less concentrated heat energy, and since heat likes to go towards

cold places to spread out, it naturally finds its way (with the help of a fan).

After the refrigerant has absorbed as much energy as it can, it reenters the compressor

where the cycle starts all over again.

Once it’s under high pressure, it will be able to condense into a liquid again, releasing

the energy it just absorbed to the outside air through the condenser.

Now, I don’t want to get too far into the physics of how this works, nor talk about

what makes refrigerants special and why they have been and continue to be a notoriously

tricky set of chemicals to manage, so all I really need you to know for this video is

there’s a compressor, a hot side, and a cold side.

If we’re cooling a room, we want the hot side outside and the cold side inside.

Then we can move the heat energy from inside the room to the outside air, cooling the room.

So, let’s take a look at where these components are when the window unit is in operation.

When resting in a window, the bulk of the machine is actually outside of the space it’s cooling.

The compressor and condenser are both outside, and thanks to the generous amount of styrofoam

insulation, we get a pretty good thermal barrier.

When cooling, none of the actual air in the room is moved outside--only the refrigerant,

and thus the heat energy it’s absorbed, makes it out.

This maximises efficiency.

If you have a central air conditioning system, you probably have what’s called a split system.

Here, the compressor and condenser (along with a cooling fan) are contained in a single

unit which sits outside, and copper refrigerant lines are run into the building to a separate

evaporator located in an air handler or incorporated in a furnace.

See?

It’s a split system, as the evaporator and condenser are split apart.

These systems are highly efficient, with the entire hot side located outside and away from

the living space, and only a tiny hole is required in the home’s thermal barrier to

move the refrigerant in and out.

Alright, and now let’s take a look at a portable air conditioner.

You may notice that the entire machine is inside.

That means not only is the cold side inside, the hot side is inside, too.

Well.

That’s not great.

We want the energy being absorbed by the evaporator and released into the condenser to make its

way outside somehow.

So, what to portable air conditioners do?

They suck in indoor air through these vents, blow it across the condenser to cool it off,

and then push it outside through that hose.

That last sentence is very important.

They pull in air through these vents,

air that they just cooled, mind you,

and blow it outside.

That sounds pretty friggin stupid, just on its face.

Now, it’s not like it doesn’t work.

If these didn’t work they wouldn’t be nearly as popular as they are.

Also!

Two-hose portable air conditioners, which suck in *outside* air to cool the condenser

and then blow it back out in two separate hoses, are available, but they are an increasingly

rare part of the portable air conditioner universe and the vast majority on sale are

single-hose units just like this one.

So, if this machine relies on drawing air in through these vent slots to cool the condenser,

and then has to barf the now hot air outside, that means not only is it sacrificing some

of the cool air it just generated, it’s also creating a low pressure environment in

whatever space it’s in.

Now the air pressure outside room is greater than the inside.

And that means that outside air is going to make its way in through the walls to replenish

the air that just left.

You can’t just expel air from a room without it getting replaced somehow

(otherwise you’re in a vacuum chamber and I advise you leave as soon as possible).

And what replaces it is ultimately the hot outside air that you’re fighting against.

Genius!

And thus we’re at the core of this issue.

Single-hose portable air conditioners will always be significantly less efficient than

a window unit because they’re not just pulling the heat energy out of your room.

They’re also pulling the air out, too.

In fact, if you go to a hardware store and take a look at a fresh assortment of portable units,

you’ll often find that they have two cooling capacities listed these days.

Why?

Well, because newer testing methods are accounting for the losses brought about by this hose,

so while the unit may technically be able to move 8,000 BTUs per hour, thanks to the

warm air it’s drawing back in (as well as its own cold air it’s blowing back out)

it’s effectively only moving 6,000 BTUs per hour.

So, basically it’s 25% less efficient.

But it’s actually much worse than that!

This little 5,000 BTU window unit consumes 455 watts.

If we take a look at this 5,500 BTU portable unit from LG, you’ll see that it uses over

a kilowatt!

That’s more than double the input power required to generate only 10% more cooling.

A window unit that consumes that much power can produce roughly double the cooling capacity.

So yeah.

Eek.

Now I’m not here to say that these are terrible devices and you’re a fool if you own one.

‘Cause I’d be calling myself a fool twice if that were the case.

But I will say that in general, these should be your last resort.

If you have the option to use a traditional window unit, take it.

It’s much more energy efficient and it will cost less to run.

And yeah, I get it.

They’re ugly.

They block your view from the window.

They’re not exactly attractive from the outside either.

But it’s not just energy efficiency that they’re better at.

Air conditioners are noisy.

They’re noisy because they’re mechanical devices, with a buzzy compressor and two droning

fans moving air around.

With a traditional window unit, the compressor and one of the two fans are outside.

Thanks to that thermal insulation, you get a lot of sound insulation, too.

You’ll certainly notice a difference when the compressor is on versus when it’s not,

but it’s often pretty subtle.

Especially because, as is the case for many windows units, the same motor drives the indoor

blower fan and the condenser fan, so the only part that cycles on and off is the compressor.

[sound of fan running]

[sound level increases slightly as compressor kicks in]

And of course, split systems are even quieter

because the loud parts are nowhere near the living space.

[compressor and fan switch on]

Compare that to this thing.

Not only is the compressor now inside the room you’re trying to work or sleep in,

but so is the condenser fan.

The result is that it’s not that noisy when it’s only running the circulator fan.

But when its thermostat calls for cooling, it gets way, way louder!

Suddenly, the compressor kicks in (which again, is inside the room) and a second fan turns

on to expel the heat from the condenser.

It’s a good thing the condenser fan shuts off when it’s not actively cooling, as otherwise

it would suck even more air out the room.

But it means there’s a stark difference in noise levels between not cooling.

[a moderately quiet fan noise]

And cooling.

[compressor kicks in, and a second, much louder fan spins up at the same time]

[it's really quite dreadful]

And if you’re trying to sleep in the same room as one of these, you’ll have to put

up with it going from pretty quiet to loud as hell and back over and over again.

This is a cheap in-house brand unit from that place where you save big money so I wasn’t

expecting it to be whisper quiet, but I’ve also got a more proper unit from LG that,

while a little more elegant in the way it handles the transition from cooling to not

cooling and vice versa, is still much much louder when it’s cooling.

[fan noise]

[a second fan spins up]

[compressor kicks in]

I’m a pretty heavy sleeper, and even for

me it can be a challenge to ignore the thing and fall asleep.

And another thing to consider is that while window units steal a bigger chunk of your

windows, they don’t steal your floor space.

Portable units aren’t small and they can’t sit flush against the wall thanks to the hose,

so be prepared to re-arrange a little furniture.

And by the way.

That hose?

It gets hot!

That heat energy it just concentrated isn’t gonna go away without a fight, and since this

hose isn’t insulated at all, some if it is coming right back into the room.

Fantastic.

But, I’ll admit.

Portable A/C units are handy.

Really handy.

They don’t need proper installation like a window unit does

(which is quite a pain, I might add).

They can easily be moved from room to room thanks to the wheels they’re on

(that’s why the call them portable).

And they fit window types that might otherwise be unable to accommodate an air conditioner,

such as vertical windows or even patio doors.

You could even run them through a small dedicated vent, if you choose.

But sadly, their single-hose design makes them, honestly, a terrible device when it

comes to efficiency.

I’d like to see more double-hose units available for sale.

They’re still gonna have the noise and floorspace disadvantages, but they at least regain much

of their efficiency back.

Last year I tried a portable mini-split system, with a separate outdoor compressor and condenser

unit, and an indoor evaporator unit connected via a flexible refrigerant hose.

Sadly, my unit had a refrigerant leak and stopped working after a few weeks.

It looks like that’s a common problem, but let me tell you it was blissful while it worked.

Quiet, efficient, and effective.

I’d like to see this product get more development, but I also understand that it’s got way

more limitations than even a window unit.

Unless you want to get creative with some sort of exterior wall bracketing, this is

limited to a ground-floor room or a room with a balcony or something similar.

But anyway.

If we’re gonna keep using these things, can we please get more dual-hose units?

I get that they’re less flexible, particularly with vertical or narrow windows, and so are

probably less desirable, but hopefully with more people aware of the energy losses caused

by continuously pushing the air out of your home, we’ll see increased demand.

Still, if you’re looking for an air conditioner in a situation where a window unit could work--you’re

seriously better off going with the window unit.

Contrary to what you might think, portable units are certainly not an upgrade.

Other than their portableness.

That’s, that’s pretty cool.

Thanks for watching, and I hope you found this video to be as cool as a correctly charged

air conditioning system.

I do want to explore air conditioning a little more because I find it fascinating.

The way that we exploit the physical properties of certain gasses to make heat energy move

where we want it to go is kinda mind-blowing.

Oh, and by the way, not all refrigerants are crazy complex chemicals.

Some small refrigerators and air conditioners are starting to be charged with propane.

Propane, also known as R290, is becoming an increasingly common refrigerant thanks to

its abundance and relative environmental harmlessness.

Unfortunately it’s also flammable which makes servicing these a little tricky, and

makes it unsuitable for larger units which need a lot of refrigerant.

But especially for small, cheap units like these things that are likely to simply be

disposed of when they die rather than actually serviced,

it’s a great opportunity to use it.

This machine, though, while it is charged with a flammable refrigerant, uses difluoromethane,

or R32.

Of course, thanks to everyone who supports the channel on Patreon, with a special thanks

to the fine folks you see scrolling up your screen.

If you’d like to join these people in supporting the channel, there’s now a new perk!

All patrons have access to the patreon-only Technology Connections Discord server.

So, if Discord’s your jam, you can join these other folks by linking your Discord

account to your Patreon account.

And as always, early video access, occasional (very occasional) behind-the-scenes videos,

and other patreon-only stuff is available to you as well.

Thanks for your consideration, and I’ll see you next time!

♫ icy smooth jazz ♫

...the cold air they create is in fact ordinary air, eh.

Eugh, eugh blaugh ugh.

I’m--this tone is all wrong.

OK…

maybe move at like a pace that makes sense.

Yeah, that’s written wrong.

Well, that’s fine.

And now I will record that line as written!

Or at least have taken the hardware isle of the air condition… the hardware!

Arghh… nope.

Air conditioners are nois…

I should move this again.

Coldness is really just less concentrated heat energy, and sint he…

Augh!

Sint.

Since heat!

SINCE heat!

It’s a wo...the Since!

Since is the word.

Since.