What Is a Compact Air Conditioner?

Appearance

• A window unit air conditioner is small enough to be installed in a window and is a single rectangular unit that is about as deep as it is wide. The front panel contains the user interface, the vents and the intake grille, while the back features the exhaust vents. A portable air conditioner is even more compact, sits upright on the floor and features an exhaust hose that installs in the window. The front side of the portable AC features the control panel, the intake grille and the vents, while the back features a drainpipe opening and the exhaust hose connection.

Installation

• Both a portable unit and a window unit are compact but heavy. A window unit requires special attention during installation to ensure that the unit doesn't fall out of the window. V-support brackets should be installed onto the bottom of the unit and to the outside wall to prevent the unit from tipping out. The unit can further be secured by attaching L brackets to the inside of the window and the unit. A portable unit requires minimal installation using a supplied window slider component, which connects to the unit's exhaust pipe and allows the exhaust from the unit to blow from the room to the outside air. The portable AC's smaller size makes it a perfect candidate for the most transportable compact unit.

Functions

• Compact air conditioners share similar functions, such as the cooling, fan-only and thermostat modes. Set each compact model to the cooling mode to initiate the unit's internal cooling elements. If you wish to simply circulate the air in the room without cooling the air, enable the fan-only mode. A portable air conditioner also features a dry or dehumidifying mode, which removes moisture from the air.

Maintenance

• All compact air conditioners include filters, like central air conditioner models, which need to be cleaned or replaced approximately every two weeks. While a window unit air conditioner allows collected liquid from the air to drain from the back of the unit, a portable AC features an internal drain tank, which needs to be emptied periodically.