Knowledge base / FAQs / What is a portable air conditioner and how do you size them?

What is a portable air conditioner and how do you size them?

Submitted 11/18/2010 by Austin McCourt

 

Question:  What is a portable air conditioner and how do you size them?

Answer: A portable air conditioner (often referred to as Portable Air Conditioners or Spot Coolers) is a commercial grade portable unit, system, or mechanical system designed to cool, dehumidify and extract heat from an area. The cooling is done using a simple refrigeration cycle. The air-cooling power of an air conditioning system refers to the amount of thermal energy removed from an area. The higher the BTU output, the more powerful the cooling system. In commercial construction, a complete “HVAC” system is a combination of heating,ventilation and air conditioning equipment. The purpose of an HVAC system, in a building, is to provide comfort during either hot or cold weather. The purpose of a portable air conditioner, in a building or temporary location, is to provide cooling during hot weather or to remove heat from equipment or people.

Answer: Portable air conditioners such as units manufactured by Airrex are sized according to BTUs, which stands for British Thermal Units. A BTU is a unit of energy that is commonly used in the power, steam generation, and heating and air conditioning industries. A portable air conditioner’s BTU rating describes its power and cooling capacity. The higher the BTUs, the more cooling capacity  a portable air conditioner can provide. Portable air conditioners have cooling capacities that typically range from 10,000 BTUs to as high as 84,000 BTUs, and the size needed to cool a room will depend on the square footage and heat load of the area being cooled.  Correctly sized portable AC with sufficient BTUs will result in efficient and economical cooling solution.

The following information is need to determine your area’s BTU requirements, which will help select the correct portable air conditioner:

  • What voltage is available – 115, 208/230 or 460 / Single or Three Phase.

  • Square footage of area needing to be cooled ( Length x Width = Square Footage)

  • Type of ceiling or location to discharge for exhaust heat.

  • Where can we drain condensate? Will you need tanks or a pump?

  • Additional heat producing equipment in the room, such as server racks, telephone switching equipment, power supply backups, any types of heat generating equipment and people.

  • Are there any windows in the room?


Square Footage / BTU requirements Chart below:
Room Square Footage BTU’s Required
100 – 500 12,000
500 – 800 18,000
800 – 1200 29,000
1200 – 1600 36,000
1600 – 2000 60,000 – 84,000
2000 and above Large Mobile Cooling Units


Example:  Room measures 15’ ft  x 25’ ft with drop down ceilngs and additional heat load:

Room Size: 15′ x 25′
Calculation: 15’ x 25’ = 375 Square Feet
Recomendation: 12,000 BTUs of Cooling Capacity

Based upon the calculation the room measures 375 square feet with no additional heat load, the recommendation is a  portable air conditioner that offers 12,000 BTUs of cooling.

Portable air conditioners are availlable for both rentals and sales by such companies as Portable Rental Solutions and Airrex USA

Note: that the figures in the chart above are estimates based on average room conditions in a moderate climate.

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