Mobile Air Conditioning – Useful or Not?

The wrong temperature in the home has many different effects. Reduced productivity, excessive sweating or respiratory problems are just some of the possible consequences. In winter, the lack of regular ventilation also increases the risk of mold. Mobile air conditioning units are said to provide relief and regulate the room temperature and humidity.

We have looked at what the small devices can do and why in most cases it is the better choice to use a system with an outdoor unit.

The most important things in brief

• A temperature that is too high or humidity that is too high/too low inevitably affects our well-being. We get tired more quickly, have difficulty concentrating or get headaches. In many homes, this is due to insufficient air exchange in relation to the size of the room.
• Mobile air conditioning systems primarily have the task of providing cooling in the summer – but without a permanently installed outdoor unit. They either work with an exhaust hose that is laid outside through a window / through the wall, or they do not have one at all (monoblock air conditioning system).
• Many manufacturers promise that despite the compact dimensions, a high cooling performance is achieved and that it is a fully-fledged air conditioning unit. In practice, however, it has been shown that the devices often only stir up “hot air” and do not offer any real added value. 
• It is usually more sensible to use a split air conditioning system. This not only offers a much higher efficiency, but also air purification, humidity control and very quiet operation. The only “drawback”: a core hole has to be drilled into the building wall.

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What is a portable air conditioner? 

Around 20 percent of households across Europe now have air conditioning – a significant increase has been recorded in recent years. This is not only due to lower prices and greater availability, but also to the significantly rising temperatures of recent times. Many people simply can no longer stand being in their own four walls when the temperature climbs above 40 degrees. 

Mobile air conditioning systems are more flexible than split systems because their location can be changed relatively easily. In most cases, the systems have a hose that directs the air outside through a tilted window or a hole in the wall. The latter, however, involves a similar amount of effort as with split air conditioning systems.

Second option: Some manufacturers also use monoblock air conditioning systems without an exhaust hose. This means that only the air that is already in the room is used. Mobile air conditioning systems either use a refrigerant circuit to cool the air or have a tank with cold water (in cheaper models). 

Advantages of mobile air conditioning 

For people who live in rented accommodation, a mobile air conditioning system is often the only option. This is because structural changes such as drilling always require the landlord’s permission. Many mobile air conditioning systems allow the exhaust hose to be laid outside through an open/tilted window.

The compact devices also have these advantages:

• Portability: The location of a portable air conditioner can be changed very easily if the exhaust hose is not tied to a hole. This means that you can also cool other rooms in the apartment if necessary.
• Simplicity: With a mobile air conditioning system, no structural changes usually have to be made and it can be put into operation immediately. This makes it a quick solution, especially in the event of sudden heat waves. 
• Installation costs: Depending on the design, no structural changes are required for a mobile air conditioning unit. This saves installation costs by a specialist company. 
• Cost-effective: Compared to a split air conditioning system or a system for the entire house, the mobile air conditioning system is significantly cheaper to purchase. In this case, you often only have to expect low three-digit costs.

If you plan to change the location of the air conditioner frequently or you cannot make any structural changes, then a mobile air conditioner is the right choice. However, this also has significant disadvantages – more on this in the next paragraph. 

Disadvantages of mobile air conditioning

Mobile air conditioners are about 30 to 50 percent less efficient than split air conditioners for the same room size. The reason for this is that a mobile air conditioner uses an air hose, which often draws warm air into the building and thus reduces the effective performance. Split air conditioners separate the cooling process into two units, so all of the warm air is released outside. 

In addition, mobile devices have the following disadvantages: 

• Since there is no outdoor unit in which the compressor and fan can be stored, mobile air conditioners are very loud. This becomes a problem, especially in sensitive rooms such as the bedroom. 
• Mobile devices cool about 30 to 50 percent less efficiently because there are no two separate units to separate warm and cold air. At temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius, mobile devices therefore quickly reach their limits. 
• The devices cannot be hung on the wall, so they take up a lot of space in mostly small rooms. The better choice is a split air conditioning system above head height on the wall. 
• If the exhaust hose is placed through a window, the security of the house is compromised or at least reduced. Criminals have an easier time getting into the building.

You will also have to forego some important functions if you opt for a mobile air conditioner. Dehumidifying the air is often not possible due to the limited air exchange, and mobile air conditioners usually have no air filters or only poor quality ones. 

When is a mobile air conditioning system worthwhile? 

Mobile air conditioning should always be viewed with great caution. It can be a sensible solution when flexible and temporary cooling is required. For example, if you are caught by a heatwave in your new house. It can also be sensible if you are renting and the landlord cannot be persuaded to install a split air conditioning system. Since you are not allowed to make any structural changes, the only solution is to use a mobile device.

However, you have to make a lot of compromises. The fan makes loud noises and the exhaust hose makes the cooling significantly less efficient. In addition, the cooling capacity is far from sufficient for large rooms with an area of ​​over 20 square meters.

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Our tip: In any case, you should try to convince your landlord to install a split air conditioning system . It is quiet, efficient, can be controlled with a remote control and, thanks to its wall mounting, takes up hardly any space in small rooms such as the bedroom. Find out more about modern split air conditioning systems for your home here!

Your frequently asked questions

Q. Can mobile air conditioners also heat?

A. Some mobile air conditioners also have an electric heater, but this consumes a lot of electricity. Heat pumps , which are installed in modern split air conditioners, are more efficient. 

Q. How good are portable air conditioners without an exhaust hose?

A. They are less efficient because they only circulate the air in a room and do not exchange it. These air coolers are only useful in very small and well-ventilated rooms.

Q. How long does it take a portable air conditioner to cool a room?

A. In a small room (< 10 square meters), you should expect it to take around 20 to 30 minutes for the mobile air conditioner to provide noticeable cooling.