Latest news with #portableAC
Bloomberg
26-07-2025
- Climate
- Bloomberg
Germans Are Finally Embracing Air Conditioning, Even Renters
A stroll down German streets usually reveals plenty of postwar architecture, stucco walls and increasingly, air conditioners sitting on balconies or hanging out of windows. Most homes in Germany – and in northwest Europe — don't have AC and haven't really needed it until heat waves became more frequent in recent years. Now that summer temperatures are scorching, many are finding the most manageable way to cool down is with a portable unit.
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Travel + Leisure
22-07-2025
- Travel + Leisure
Campers Say This $33 Powerful Portable Mini Air Conditioner Is a 'Must-have for Summer'
Listening to the TikTok horror stories of Coachella campers waking up in near triple-digit temperatures reminded me how miserable it is to be stuck inside the stuffy nylon walls of a tent during the summer. I've camped in some seriously sweltering places—including Death Valley and the Australian Outback, both of which are subject to oven-like conditions, even in the spring—so I know this discomfort all too well. Unfortunately, I was ill-prepared for hot weather during those camping trips, but if I were to do it over again, a portable air conditioner would be the first thing I'd pack. Specifically, I'd bring along this Vorago Portable Air Conditioner from Amazon; it uses ice and water to generate cool air and circulate it throughout your tent or RV. This cordless, compact AC unit is small, easy to use, and requires no hookups. If you'd think a gadget like this must cost a fortune, you're wrong—it's on sale for just $33 at Amazon. The Vorago Portable Air Conditioner unit uses a system called evaporative cooling—a natural process where cold or icy water evaporates in the air, cooling the surrounding area it's in. It's a little different than your average home AC unit, which circulates a substance called refrigerant that actually removes heat from a space, thus lowering the temperature. In this case, the Vorago portable air conditioner does not remove hot air, but rather acts more as a fan blowing chilled air. It has a 15-ounce tank where you pour in ice water, and it can run continuously on that amount of liquid for six to eight hours, the brand says. You can set a timer for two or four hours to conserve energy and make the battery last longer. This portable air conditioner has three speeds and a large-capacity 2,200mAh battery that recharges to full in just a few hours. Simply plug the USB cable into your car, portable generator, or power bank back at your campsite in order to juice it back up. In addition to the air conditioning function, this multipurpose device also functions as a regular portable fan, humidifier, and night light. The light rotates through seven colors, creating an immersive kaleidoscopic display in the cool and comfy confines of your tent or RV. Needless to say, this portable air conditioner works best in small spaces; some shoppers report using it on their desks and by their beds while at home. A truck driver said they use it to cool down their cab when they're pulled over at rest stops. Reviewers have added that the sound is quiet and actually pleasant, like white noise—'not obnoxious or grating.' It's also so portable that you can even carry it around with you by the strap and use it like your own personal fan. 'As a menopausal momma who oddly enough does outdoor events, this was perfect for staving off the sweats,' one wrote, adding that it's 'super easy to use and surprisingly powerful for its size.' With temperatures soaring into the triple digits and camping season fully underway, more than 1,000 of these portable AC units have been purchased just within the past month. I certainly will not be camping in 100-degree heat without packing my own portable air conditioner from now on. If you're also keen to try this thing out, do so while it's still on sale for $33. Or, keep scrolling to check out more of Amazon's best-selling portable air conditioners, all under $100. More Portable Air Conditioners for Camping Under $100: At the time of publishing, the price started at $33. Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we'll send you our favorite travel products each week.
CNET
14-07-2025
- Climate
- CNET
Want a Cooler Home Without Cranking the AC? Try These 10 Hacks
Heat waves are hitting harder and more often across the US, and they're more dangerous than most people think. Extreme heat is responsible for more deaths annually than floods, hurricanes or wildfires. While drinking plenty of water and avoiding peak sun hours gets a lot of attention, making sure your home stays cool is just as critical, especially if you have kids, pets or older relatives at home. After years of testing smart thermostats, air purifiers, and home cooling tech, I've picked up some practical tricks that actually make a difference. You don't need to blast the AC around the clock to stay safe during a heat wave. From adjusting blinds to using energy-efficient tools the right way, here are my go-to tips for keeping cool at home without blowing your electric bill. And if you have elderly family or neighbors nearby, now is a great time to share these tips with them, too. 10 Home Cooling Hacks to Get You Through Heat Waves 1. Use a portable air conditioner and monitor room temperature carefully Arlo sensors can do nearly anything and are easy to move whenever you want. Arlo Whole-house air conditioners remain very important in heat waves, especially when combined with other cooling methods. But not all homes have whole-house AC, and in severe heat waves, they may not be enough. Another option is a smart portable air conditioner that you can plug in and move from room to room, depending on where you're spending time. Take a look at our list of the top portable air conditioners. You'll find models with remotes, voice assistant support, timers, dehumidifier functions and much more. Expect to spend around $400 for a good model that you can use for summers to come. Important note: Once temperatures start rising well above 90 degrees Fahrenheit, basic ceiling fans don't really make a difference, especially when addressing health issues. It's important to focus more on home insulation and air conditioning. In many homes, some rooms can get much hotter than others, which doesn't help central thermostats do their job. Consider home monitoring devices that can sense temperature, like these all-in-one Arlo security sensors we tested. That way, you can constantly monitor the temperature in a particular spot (sitting room, bedroom, baby's room, etc.) and take action if it gets too high. 2. Set a strict curtain schedule for your windows Sunlight streaming through your windows can heat up objects and air inside your home, making a heat wave worse. Close your blinds completely during the hottest temperatures for better protection. You can also search for smart blinds and curtain retrofits to let you set automatic schedules to make this process easier. Once the outside temperature drops significantly below indoor temps, your insulation starts working against you. So, if your region experiences cooler nights, wait for the temperature difference and open windows around your home to create cool air flow. 3. Replace your HVAC filter and order an inspection Kangaroo includes a climate sensor, aka leak detector, in its expanded eight-piece home monitoring kit. Kangaroo To prepare for a heat wave, you'll want to replace your home HVAC filter, which is typically located right at the fan system that pushes air around your house. It's a good idea to keep several properly sized filters nearby so you can switch them out a couple of times a year, or when you really need efficient airflow. If you have time, you should also schedule a maintenance visit from a professional HVAC contractor. Among other things, they can test the refrigerant levels in your AC system. Refrigerant can leak out over time and make your air conditioning less efficient. Making sure you have the proper levels is important ahead of a hot period. Read more: HVAC Maintenance Guide: What to DIY and When to Call a Pro 4. Install leak detectors and monitor for leaks Home leaks are often associated with freezing temperatures when pipes crack in the dead of winter. But heat waves can cause an opposite, yet similar, problem: Pipes can expand and damage their valves and other components, which also leads to leaks. Also, AC units can go into overdrive and may leak more than usual in your basement or garage. Most home security systems, like Abode, offer leak detector add-ons that you can place in susceptible areas to get alerts or alarms when water on the floor is detected. You can also find standalone units from Eufy and other brands. 5. Keep your outdoor home devices out of direct sunlight Cutting down on drafts helps keep the cool air inside. BanksPhotos via Getty Shade is your friend when placing outdoor electrics like home security cameras or outside sensors -- even robot lawnmowers. High temps can wreak havoc on batteries, make sensitive electronics overheat and may even cause plastics to melt. So when the temperature starts shooting up, bring your electronics inside or into the shade until the hot spell is over. And please watch where you install your home cameras. 6. Check and replace your weather stripping Weather stripping refers to those small strips of felt and rubber at the edges of windows and doors. They play a vital role in home insulation: When they wear down or get ripped off, the gaps notoriously cause drafts. That's unpleasant in wintertime, but during a heat wave it can sap all the cool air that your AC has created, keeping your home from cooling down fully and increasing the risk of heat-related health problems. Prep for heat waves by checking weatherstripping and blocking any drafts from worn materials. You can find weather stripping yourself for a DIY project, but it's important to get the right kind to match your doors and windows. 7. Find cooler alternatives for cooking Keep kitchens calm and cool during a heat wave. Brothers91 via Getty Cooking and baking produce a lot of heat in the kitchen, so you may want to reduce those activities during a heat wave. That's why we have an entire guide on how to keep your kitchen cool when temperatures rise, including prepping meals beforehand or cooking late in the evening. Also, this may be a great time to check out meal delivery services. Read more: Don't Turn Your Oven on During a Heat Wave. Do This Instead 8. Search for electronics to unplug and stop using Large electronics can produce a lot of background heat even when they're in standby mode. When the heat gets really bad, try unplugging larger electronics entirely. That can include A/V receivers, game consoles, desktop computers and televisions -- depending on what you plan to use that day. On that note, refrain from running heat-producing appliances like dishwashers and dryers, or at least wait until nighttime when the temperature drops. Read more: Heat Wave: Keep Your Phone From Overheating in Record Temps 9. Replace your lighting with smart lights There's one other surprising part of the home that produces a lot of heat -- your incandescent lights, which are terribly inefficient at using energy (touch one to find out). Newer LEDs (light-emitting diodes) found in smart lights create almost no heat and tend to last much longer. The key is finding high-quality, affordable smart lights, which is why you should head over to our list of the best smart lights available. Switch out those sweaty lights with LEDs and your house will start feeling cooler. 10. Create easy access to emergency medical services An Echo can help during a heat wave emergency. Amazon If it looks like someone is suffering from heatstroke or a similar condition, it's important to get medical attention immediately to help them out. Signs include lots of sweating accompanied by headache, nausea and disorientation. If someone shows problems like these, get them in a cool spot and contact emergency services. You can also bathe their feet in cool water to help them get relief. Some home security plans can make this easier. The Alexa Emergency Assist plan ($6 per month) is a good option, since it works with existing Alexa speakers and lets you immediately call for help and notify family emergency contacts with a command. That can be especially important for elderly relatives who may live alone and are more susceptible to heat-related conditions. For more temperature management choices, visit our guide to the best smart thermostats and look at the top DIY security monitoring systems. It's also a good idea to brush up on heatstroke safety and how to stay safe when air quality is really bad.
Android Authority
08-07-2025
- Business
- Android Authority
EcoFlow WAVE 3 Portable AC drops to new all-time low (no Prime subscription needed!)
Summer is here, and I am definitely starting to feel it. Especially during my weekend adventures, when I am out there in the sun pretty much all day. If you're looking for a portable AC, the EcoFlow WAVE 3 is among the best ones out there, but it is also really pricey. If you've been wanting one, today is your chance to get it at a $450 discount, bringing the price down to a new record low. Buy the EcoFlow WAVE 3 Portable AC for $849 ($450 off) This offer is available from Amazon. The great thing about this deal is that it is technically not a Prime Day deal. This means that everyone has access to the discount, not just Amazon Prime subscribers! Air conditioners aren't often things you can take around. In fact, they are usually completely static, but it no longer has to be that way. The EcoFlow WAVE 3 can be used anywhere, including vehicles, RVs, camping tents, and more. Of course, you can also use them at home, to cool off rooms or smaller areas. It's not exactly small or light at 20.4 x 13.2 x 11.7 inches and 32 lbs. That said, it is portable enough to throw on a trunk or carry around your home. People usually love them for camping trips. According to EcoFlow, this guy can drop temperatures by 15 degrees in 15 minutes. And the great thing is that it won't only be convenient to have during hot summer days. This is also a heater, so you can also use it during cold winter nights. It can increase temperatures by 17 degrees in just 15 minutes! Of course, these numbers will vary depending on room size, insulation, initial temperature, and more. To better understand its power, it has a 6,100 BTU air conditioning capacity and a 6,800 BTU heating capacity. The unit does need to be plugged in to work. You can obviously use a capable-enough power station, but Anker also sells a battery separately. It attaches to the bottom and can give you an 8-hour battery life. It is pretty power-hungry, so make sure you have the right energy source. It can pull 1,800W when cooling, or up to 2,000W when heating. If you get the battery, it can charge using a standard AC outlet, an alternator charger, a car socket, or even a 40W solar panel. This is a smart AC, so you can control it using the official app on your smartphone. It has an automatic mode that will switch between cooling and heating, depending on the current temperature. You can also use it in sleep mode, which reduces the fan noise to 44db. Additionally, it can double as a dehumidifier. The more I write about the EcoFlow WAVE 3, the more I want to pull the trigger and buy one. I live in a small cabin, and it snows in the winter up here. This means I can take advantage of this year-round, using it as an AC and a heater. Not only that, but it will be a great addition to my camping trips. It's not cheap, but it could be a great investment long-term. Again, with this deal, you don't need a Prime subscription, so just add it to your cart and check out! This is a new record-low price, and it's a pretty new device, launched this May. You might want to take advantage of this deal. Remember, the retail price is a whopping $1,299.
CTV News
27-06-2025
- General
- CTV News
How To Choose A Portable Air Conditioner
Learn how to choose the best portable air conditioner : key features, cooling power, and expert tips to stay cool all summer. Portable air conditioners are extremely popular products for getting rid of hot air in small rooms or houses/apartments without central air conditioning. Their cost, maintenance demands, and energy efficiency are often superior to that of standard whole-house air conditioning units, too, so they are great options for people who need cooling power on a budget. Whether you are getting advice from an associate in a store or doing your own shopping on Amazon, there are some questions you need to consider and a long list of features to prioritize. Overall, there's a lot that goes into choosing a portable air conditioner; let's investigate. Questions To Ask Yourself How Many Square Feet Do I Need It To Cover? Most portable AC units are window air conditioners, and they will require a fixed position for an exhaust hose to expel all of the heat and moisture they collect. As a result, you won't be able to move the machine easily daily. Considering the coverage area you need taken care of is therefore an important step before you start browsing, as you'll need to have an idea of the window unit's ideal size and cooling capacity. What Do I Need A Portable AC Unit For? Portable air conditioners actually have two functions: the main one is to create cool air, and the other is to dehumidify the air. Deciding the importance of each of these functions is a step you should take before committing to a purchase. Some models will have dehumidification as a minor secondary function that happens as a byproduct of cooling the air. If you need a machine that relieves the humidity in your home in addition to cooling the air, you'll want to look for a model that can actively dehumidify without changing the air temperature simultaneously. Will It Be Working With An HVAC System Or As A Standalone? Some people purchase a portable air conditioner as their sole relief from summer heat, but others choose to use it in conjunction with their central air system to target certain rooms that aren't cooling as effectively, have an excess level of warm air production from machines or appliances, or that require a cooler temperature than the rest of the home. Making this distinction before shopping for a portable window AC unit will help you narrow down the market to models that suit your airflow and square footage needs. How Portable Does It Really Need To Be? The best portable air conditioners are not always as portable as you'd expect, so it is a good idea to understand your needs before you start shopping. If the machine needs to be movable regularly, you'll want to avoid a model that comes with a window kit because it will be more difficult to get it mobile. Instead, a simple exhaust hose draped out an open window or sliding door will be best. If a more permanent solution is needed, a venting kit unit is ideal. Will A Professional Install It Or Is This A DIY Project? Most portable air conditioners can be installed with minimal hassle by the average individual. However, some machines will require a slightly more complex or permanent installation that you may be more comfortable handing off to a professional handyman. Being aware of your capabilities is important in order to ensure that you experience a successful and painless installation process. Features To Consider There is a wide range of portable air conditioners on the market, and they all have their own collection of features. Since it would be almost impossible to find a single unit that fits your budget, room size, and comes with all of the features you want, you'll have to prioritize. BTU Rating The BTU (British thermal units) rating of a portable air conditioner is a representation of its power and cooling capacity. For small rooms, a minimum of 7500 BTU is ideal. Medium rooms should be managed by a 10,000 BTU machine, and large rooms will require a machine with a rating of 15,000 BTU or more. Single-Hose Vs Dual-Hose The two main model types for portable air conditioners are single-hose and dual-hose. Single-hose units will be less expensive and simpler to install, but they will also be less effective due to their simpler design. Dual-hose models are often chosen for larger spaces due to their superiority in efficiency. They will be more expensive and more difficult to maintain, however. Programmable Timer and/or Thermostat Most modern portable air conditioners will have a built-in thermostat and/or timer that offers you the convenience of a 'set it and forget it' machine. Most timers will have a range of less than an hour to multiple hours that can allow you to effectively cool down a room when you need to leave without wasting any energy. Thermostat control allows you to set your ideal temperature and have the machine maintain it for you; this system will use more energy as the machine is always on to some degree, but it is more convenient. Self-Evaporative Vs. Gravity Drain Vs. Tank System Air conditioners work by using a compressor to generate refrigerant, and then cycling that refrigerant through condenser coils to draw moisture out of the air and cool down the temperature. There are three ways that a portable AC unit can get rid of this moisture. The most common option is a self-evaporative method; the moisture will be sent by evaporator coils to turn it back into water vapour so it can be expelled with the hot air. A gravity drain system uses a hose to constantly drain the water from the machine; this will require a bit more setup, but is also quite convenient. Tank systems aren't all that popular anymore, but there is still the chance that you'll come across a model that uses a water reservoir to contain the water until you dump it out. This will require vigilance on your part to ensure that it doesn't overflow. Remote Control or Wifi Connectivity It is not uncommon for portable air conditioners to come with a remote control. This enables you to control various settings without needing to physically touch the machine; the convenience of this speaks for itself. If you're looking for machine control that goes a step further, you may want to investigate units that offer WiFi connectivity. You'll be able to use an app on your smartphone to adjust settings rather than relying on a physical remote that you may end up losing. Dehumidifying Capacity The dehumidifying function of portable ACs is not a static feature. It varies depending on the size and purpose of a unit. Some models will function as passive dehumidifiers, meaning they only remove as much moisture as is naturally removed as the air is cooled down. Other machines can take a more active role and are actually capable of dehumidifying the air without adjusting the temperature. Noise Level/Decibel Rating If you plan on leaving your portable AC unit running constantly, especially overnight, the noise rating of the machine is an important consideration you need to make. Many Frigidaire, Whynter, and Black+Decker models use thoughtful designs to limit the noise of the machine and reduce the disruption to your life. The noise level of the fan is usually balanced in order to cover the noise of the compressor, but not affect your daily living. Fan Speeds Most portable air conditioners are outfitted with multiple fan speeds in order to adjust to the air quality and temperature. If the room air is very hot and humid, the machine should run at full capacity. If the air is just a bit warm and not overly humid, the lower settings will be more than capable of handling the job effectively and with limited waste of power. Energy Efficiency Energy efficiency is an important factor to consider when looking at a machine that is going to be running for long periods of time. You should always look for a unit that is Energy Star certified to ensure it is efficient with its energy usage and won't be too damaging to the environment or your wallet. Our Top Picks for a Portable Air Conditioner:
