What to look for when shopping?

• When shopping, look for a unit that you can easily cart from room to room. Wheels and an easily accessible handle are going to make this job easier.
  
  
• You will also want digital controls that will allow you to actually set the room's Fahrenheit or Centigrade, how fast the fan will operate, timed on and off operation and the mode of operation, i.e., AC, heat, dehumidifier. There are also some units with hand held remote controls for easy setting adjustments without even moving from your recliner.
  
  
• Portable air conditioners can come with the ability to throw the air in a number of directions so you can get better air circulation and a faster and more efficient cooling experience. Louvers are a nice option for this with the added plus that you can turn them and the comfortable air will blow right on you for a quick cool off.
  
  
• You will want a unit with a built in air cleaner with a charcoal filter you can change yourself to experience cleaner air.
  
  
• As in all appliances in your home, you want the most efficient unit you can find. In portable air conditioners a high energy efficient ratio is desirable in keeping your energy bills down. Although the EER can be in the eight to ten range, or with a newer model you may see a fifteen, it is still a better EER than a central AC system and you are not cooling rooms unnecessarily.