FAQ (frequently asked questions) will help you pick out the right commercial portable air conditioners for your various purposes.
What Are Commercial Portable Air Conditioners?
Unlike window or central air conditioners utilizing an HVAC system, portable commercial air conditioners do not require permanent installation. They can be set up with relative ease and moving them to another location is no problem.
What Is the Difference Between Commercial Portable Commercial Air Conditioners and “Spot” Portable Air Conditioners?
While there is no precise cutoff, portable air conditioners classified “commercial” are usually 14000 BTU/h and above. However, the exact cutoff will vary a bit by the brand of the unit. It’s best not to worry about these somewhat arbitrary cutoffs. Just focus on the size unit you need for spaces and purpose you need to cool.
How Much BTU Do I Really Need?
Many people buy or rent a commercial portable air compressor that is too small for the space they are cooling. This is often because they are trying to save money. However, it is very important that you get a powerful enough unit for your needs. Otherwise, you may end up spending even more money to correct the problem. Here are some rough guidelines:
- 500 square feet: a 14,000 BTU unit will usually suffice. However, if you live in a really humid area, maintaining a certain temperature is really critical. Additionally, you may need a 16,000 BTU unit to get the job done properly.
- 1000 square feet: a 19,500 – 21,000 BTU unit will do unless addressing high ceilings, that would demand more BTU.
- 2000 square feet: a 27,000 to 28,500 or greater BTU unit will be required for most purposes.
- To determine square feet, simply multiply the width of the space by the length of the room. Extra high ceilings will necessitate a commercial portable air compressor with BTU’s on the upper end of the range. This will ensure it is adequate for your room size since this would entail more cubic feet to cool.
- Buying a portable air conditioner with enough BTU that it will dehumidify while it cools the air is important. Otherwise, you could end up with a cold damp environment.
What Are Commercial Portable Air Conditioners Used For?
There are many reasons to use commercial portable air conditioners for climate control. Here are some examples:
- If you rent commercial space that does keep the HVAC on 24/7, such as the weekends or evenings, you can extend your work hours by using a portable unit. Furthermore, technical equipment such as data servers, routers, and other network components often need to be kept much cooler than the ambient temperature for workers.
- The same is true for laboratory equipment, specimens, lab samples, and certain manufactured goods.
- If you run a hot warehouse, you may be dealing with OSHA requirements for workers to be given frequent breaks if they work in an environment above a certain temperature. In this case, bringing in a commercial portable air conditioner can greatly increase your work productivity.
- Portable commercial air conditioners are also used on location in temporary offices or workspaces, such as construction sites or filming sites.
What Else Should I Be Considering When Shopping For Commercial Portable Air Conditioners?
- If you plan to use a commercial portable air conditioner in an office setting, or in any other space where clients or customers enter, you may want to consider the aesthetics of the air compressor you choose. An air compressor that looks perfectly fine for an industrial warehouse may not be appropriate for a more professional venue or where discriminating customers shop.
- If space is an issue, you’ll want to look for an air compressor that has a small footprint but still pumps out the capacity you need. Be sure to keep in mind that the unit you buy will need room to draw in air and vent. Some units need more space for this than others. Therefore, it’s not just the physical space of the unit you need to consider but the entire space that will need to be cleared for the unit to function properly.
- If you’ll need to move the unit around at any point, you may want to look for commercial portable air compressors that are on casters. These can also make installation much easier. Even some of the larger units can have casters.
- If noise is an issue, be sure to determine the maximum decibel (dB) level for the temperature you need to maintain. This is especially important if you plan to use your portable air conditioner in an area where people work for long periods of time.
