Portable air conditioner: how many BTU do I need for which room?

Portable air conditioners are monobloc units: one unit in the room, one exhaust hose to the outside, no installation. The key question when buying is cooling capacity, given in BTU (British Thermal Units) or watts.

Rule of thumb

You need around 60 watts of cooling capacity per square metre, at normal ceiling height and average insulation. 7,000 BTU is about 2,050 W and covers rooms up to 20 to 22 m². 9,000 BTU (about 2,640 W) cools up to 30 m². Attic floor, large south-facing windows, lots of equipment or several people in the room: go one size up.

Connecting the exhaust hose properly

The warm air has to get out. A window kit with a fabric seal stops warm outside air flowing back in. Run the hose as short and straight as possible, every extension costs capacity. All Freeze. air conditioners come with an exhaust hose and window kit.

Cooling, dehumidifying, heating

Freeze. seven (7,000 BTU) and nine (9,000 BTU) cool and dehumidify, with timer, sleep mode, remote control and child lock. The nineH model also has a heat pump and heats in spring and autumn.

Power consumption

A 9,000 BTU unit draws around 1,000 W. At eight hours a day and 30 cents per kWh, that is about €2.40 a day. Tip: shutters down during the day, switch the unit on early, then the compressor runs less often.

Portable air conditioners at KRONHERR Gastro: parcel shipping, 2-year warranty, 30-day returns.