When the warm weather arrives, air conditioners start to invade the market. Among the many models on offer from different manufacturers, packaged air conditioners make up a significant proportion.
Mobile air conditioners, also known as “packaged air conditioners”, like fixed split air conditioners, cool the air in the home. In summer, these units are becoming increasingly indispensable, especially during heatwaves.
Choosing a mobile air conditioner isn’t easy, especially as the features of the different products vary enormously. What’s more, the choice must be tailored to the specific needs of each future owner. That’s why you should never rush into buying a mobile air conditioner, but rather take the time to check every detail before finalizing your purchase.
To this end, this article reviews everything you need to know to choose the right mobile air conditioner.
Monobloc air conditioners: the ideal, smart choice!
There are two main types of air conditioner on the market:
- Packaged air conditioners, which are mobile air conditioners that can be moved at will.
- Split air conditioners, which are fixed air conditioners installed in a specific room.
Mobile air conditioners therefore have the great advantage of being able to be moved as required, so they can navigate between different rooms in the house, wherever they’re needed.
Monobloc air conditioners are also easy to install. They don’t require any special installation, unlike their split counterparts, which do require professional intervention. Some models require, at most, the installation of a duct to extract the warm air, but here again, nothing complicated.
What are the different types of mobile air conditioner?
Knowing more about the different options available to you will help you make an informed choice when making your purchase. There are several types to choose from:
- Ventless mobile air conditioners
- Packaged mobile air conditioners
- Mobile split air conditioners
1 – Ventless mobile air conditioners
Ventless mobile air conditioners are air-cooling units that operate on the condensation principle. To operate, these air conditioners need to be recharged with water fairly frequently.
Compared to other air-conditioning solutions, these units are highly economical. They are a back-up solution for cooling small spaces, generally around 15 m² maximum, sometimes more, depending on the model.
When opting for this type of product, you need to be fully aware of the fact that the regulation of ambient air freshness will in no way be comparable to the performance provided by other air-conditioning models.
2 – Monobloc air conditioners
There are two sub-categories for this type of model: single-pipe packaged air conditioners and double-pipe packaged air conditioners.
3 – Single-pipe packaged air conditioners
This type of air conditioner has a single discharge pipe to the outside. It’s the most widely used mobile air conditioner, and the most popular with homeowners.
This type of air conditioner is ideal as a back-up solution, and requires no work whatsoever. It is vented to the outside via a flexible duct that is usually installed in a window pane, or preferably in a pre-existing hole in the wall of the house.
The ducted packaged air conditioner is more efficient than the simple air conditioner, and can cool rooms of up to 35 m² without difficulty.
Several options are also available on this type of model, including the possibility of opting for a model with an integrated dehumidifier, different programming modes, for example, and much more, depending on the manufacturer.
4 – Double-pipe monobloc air conditioners
This model features two hoses. The first draws in outside air, while the second discharges warm air. More efficient than its namesake, it renews air automatically, without the need for hot air. As a result, it performs better and consumes less energy.
The main constraint with this type of air conditioner is the double evacuation required for installation.
5 – Mobile split air conditioners
The split mobile air conditioner works like a monobloc mobile air conditioner. However, it consists of two separate components. On the one hand, there’s the mobile ventilation unit, located indoors, and on the other, the compression and condensation unit, located outdoors. The two are then connected by a flexible duct.
Although this model is not as easy to move around as other models, it is nonetheless mobile. This type of system also has a number of advantages, as it is particularly quiet. The fan unit is also lighter and less imposing than other monobloc air conditioners.
What’s more, this type of model also comes with a range of options and features, depending on the manufacturer.
Good to know:
In the mobile air conditioner section, there are also reversible air conditioners. This technology enables air conditioners to be converted into heaters in winter. This 2-in-1 system makes for a doubly attractive investment.
You get a unit that cools in summer and heats in winter. This solution also has the advantage of being particularly economical in winter, thanks to its low energy consumption in heating mode.
What are the best brands on the air-conditioning market?
Choosing an air conditioner also depends on the brand and manufacturer, for a number of reasons.
First and foremost, a reliable manufacturer with a solid reputation in the market often guarantees you a high-performance mobile air conditioner, but that’s not all.
Choosing the right brand of air conditioner also means you’ll benefit from high-quality after-sales service, as well as easy access to spare parts in the event of a repair.
In the world of air conditioning, there are several brands with excellent reputations. These include : Whirlpool, Tristar, Electrolux, Daitsu, Delonghi, etc.
What features should I bear in mind when buying a mobile air conditioner?
When buying an air conditioner, it’s important to consider several features that will give you a clear idea of the performance of the model you’re interested in.
Here are the most important features for packaged air conditioners:
1 – Cooling capacity
Cooling capacity is expressed in BTUs, and allows you to choose an air conditioner powerful enough to efficiently cool your various spaces. Here are a few rules to follow:
7000 BTU for a 15 m² room.
9000 BTU for a 25 m² room.
12,000 BTU for a 35 m² room.
14,000 BTU for a 55 m² room.
2 – Electrical power
Air conditioners are generally energy-hungry appliances. Electrical power is therefore a particularly important parameter. To make sure you’re making the right choice, it’s best to opt for class A to A+++ units only.
3 – Noise level
To get the most out of your future air conditioner, it’s important to check that the decibel level doesn’t exceed a certain threshold. No mobile air conditioner will be totally silent, but a sound level of 50 dB is ideal.
4 – Comfort features
A number of features optimize the comfort of use of a mobile air conditioner. Among these, the most appreciated are :
- Programmer or timer
- Simple ventilation mode
- Dehumidifier
- Ionizer mode
- Remote control
- Activated carbon filter (for air purification and odor elimination)
- Electrostatic filter (to retain fine particles)
- Volume control
- Heating mode (reversible air conditioning)
A few tips for installing and using your mobile air conditioner
You don’t need a professional to install a mobile air conditioner. However, it is important to know a few tips to help you install your mobile air conditioner in the best possible conditions. To do this, you need to :
- Install the air conditioner in an unobstructed area, close to a window or the drain hole provided.
- Attach the flexible ducting, making sure that it is held perfectly straight outwards, using a half-open window, for example.
- Never bend the hose.
- Avoid lengthening the hose as much as possible.
- To avoid thermal shock, set the temperature at 5° to a maximum of 8° above the ambient temperature.
In addition, it’s important to carry out a few simple maintenance tasks during use, to ensure years of trouble-free operation:
- Filter maintenance.
- Emptying the water collection tray.
- Descaling the system about once a year.
