Using portable air conditioners can be a great way to maintain a cool, comfortable home during the sweltering summer months. However, it’s crucial to make sure it’s secure before you purchase one.
Portable air conditioners are secure, yes. There are no health risks as long as you maintain them correctly and use moderate operating settings.
The safety of portable air conditioners will be covered in greater detail as you read on, along with some safer alternatives and a thorough list of precautions you should take when using one. Discover all there is to know about the security of mobile AC by reading on!
Are Portable Air Conditioners Safe?
When looking for an air conditioner, a lot of people ask themselves this question. Although portable air conditioners are becoming more and more common, some people still question their safety and whether they should choose a window unit or not. The primary danger is the possibility of electrical shock, and there are some safety precautions to take if you want to avoid this kind of risk, but it is not as terrifying as some people may believe.
The majority of portable air conditioners can only be connected to a standard household outlet, which has the same voltage as your toaster or coffee maker. However, you should always avoid touching any wires (including the AC unit itself) when plugging in and unplugging cords from an outlet. Using this type of outlet doesn’t really pose any risks. Since each cable should be able to handle up to 13 amps or 1800 watts on its own, but not together, using extension cords should be avoided whenever possible to avoid multiple plugs going through one socket. This can cause a fire hazard.
Do Portable Air Conditioners Make You Sick?
Although they cannot directly make you sick, portable AC units can undoubtedly be a source of illness. When the air in your room is circulated by air conditioning, the toxins are easily spread, which can have negative health effects.
Portable ACs have these components:
- Evaporator coil
- Refrigerant
- Condenser coil
- Compressor
- Fan
These elements might act as a breeding ground for bacteria, which they might then release into the air and make you sick with.
Among the illnesses you might contract are those that cause nausea, vertigo, headaches, earaches, coughs, allergies, asthma, etc.
However, if you take good care of your portable air conditioner, it shouldn’t make you ill. Later on in this blog post, I’ll go over how to use portable air conditioners safely.
How Portable Air Conditioners Work
A portable air conditioner’s entire mechanical system is housed inside the space you’re trying to cool, as opposed to a window air conditioner. They can make noise because of this.
Insufficient cooling is a result of it as well. While the coils on the outside of a window air conditioner are cooled by outside air, the mechanical components of a portable air conditioner are cooled by the conditioned air in the room where it is placed. By creating negative pressure, this forces warm, uncooled air from adjacent rooms or the outside to enter the room you’re trying to cool.
Furthermore, their portability is in question. You won’t want to move the unit after attaching the hose to the kit in the window (to vent it outside). They typically weigh 50 to 80 pounds, but they can weigh more.
Portable air conditioners can be challenging to move over carpets and raised thresholds between rooms, despite the fact that they have wheels.
Also, they require their own room. The hose is between five and seven feet long, and the air conditioner needs to be placed far from any walls or pieces of furniture that might obstruct airflow.
Do Portable Air Conditioners Emit Gasses?
Gases are not released by portable air conditioners until they topple over and break. You won’t even be harmed by the released gases even then. The hydrofluorocarbons that make up the carbon chemicals in portable air conditioners are completely safe.
A common misconception is that portable air conditioners emit dangerous carbon monoxide. I’ll set the record straight: the air conditioners do not release carbon monoxide.
Because carbon monoxide is produced when fuel is burned, having a portable unit powered by electricity shouldn’t be a concern.
However, there is no assurance of safety if you have a gas-powered air conditioner because the device might break down and release carbon monoxide in specific circumstances.
An air conditioner’s cooling effect might also be able to absorb carbon monoxide if there is a nearby source of the gas.
Are Portable Air Conditioners Safe for Kids?
Yes, children can safely use a portable air conditioner. There are no exposed hot parts or sharp edges on it. Even though some parts may get warm when the compressor is running, these parts are well-protected.
One potential risk to safety is if it tips over, but given how heavy it is, it would be very difficult for a child to do so. Children are physically capable of knocking it over, but they are also smart enough to resist doing so.
Are Portable Air Conditioners Safe for Pets?
Portable air conditioners are generally safe to use around pets because they don’t contain any harmful components. Your pets can benefit from the air conditioner, but if the temperature isn’t just right, it could make them ill.
You might even worry that your cat might get hurt if it climbs on top of the portable air conditioner. But don’t worry; a portable air conditioner is completely secure in this circumstance.
A cooling system is useful for pet owners because high humidity can make your pets ill. But be careful not to lower the temperature of the air conditioner. To be ready to go, the temperature must be just right.
Safety Precautions on Air Conditioners
If not used or handled properly, air conditioning units can be dangerous. Not using their air conditioner properly is a common issue among many homeowners. As a result, there may be a fire hazard and the device overheats and malfunctions. Set your air conditioner at least five feet away from any furnishings, cabinets, or other combustible materials when you install it.
Checking for any leaks in the vents and ducts is a crucial additional consideration when using an air conditioner. Leaks in a house or a garage where cars are being worked on will waste energy and possibly release hazardous gases.
Final Thoughts
It should not be questioned whether portable air conditioners are safe. The majority of issues with these kinds of devices are brought on by user error.
In light of this, you can be sure that these malfunctions won’t affect you if you heed our safety advice, and you’ll be free to take pleasure in a nice, cool, and comfortable environment as often as you like.
FAQs
What Are the Risks of Portable AC?
Even if you use a portable electric air conditioner, the power source you use might still produce carbon monoxide. A carbon monoxide detector is useful to have close by if you use a gas-powered generator for appliances in an RV or temporary building at a construction site to stay safe.
Is It Safe to Sleep With a Portable Air Conditioner On?
It can cause dehydration: Keeping the air conditioner on while you sleep can cause dryness in your mouth, throat, skin, and other areas of your body because it not only cools but also dehumidifies the air.
Is It Safe to Leave Portable Air Conditioner on All Day?
Without reducing its typical lifespan, a window air conditioner or portable air conditioner can run continuously, seven days a week. Continuous use won’t result in overheating, excessive wear and tear, or any other damage that will shorten the life of the device.