Is It More Costly To Run Your House AC Or Your Portable AC Unit?

The question of which is better for you economically: a portable or central air conditioner has long been debated.

Let’s say it’s hot every day of the month and you run it for 30 days. So:

We will use a standard 3-ton AC as an example. 3 Ton AC = 18 amps

3 Ton AC – 4.32 kilowatts used per hour x 13.19 cents = 56,98 cents per hour.

Your central AC will cost you 56,98 cents per hour.

$5.50 per day x 30 days = $165 per month to run your air conditioner for 10 hours per day.

15,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner Costs $0.20 per hour = $60 per month for 10 hours per day.

This example is with $13.19 cents per kWh.

It’s more costly to run your central air conditioner than a portable air conditioner.

This is just an example, but it does show that where you live and how long you use your AC each day will make the difference in which machine is more economical for your household.

But you have to remember that with a portable AC it will be difficult to cool your whole house. You will have to consider the price of electricity in your area to determine if it is more beneficial for you to run a central AC or a portable one.

You also have to take into count the purchase price for several portable ACs before you make your final decision.

What uses more electricity AC or portable AC?

Some people say that it all depends on where you live and how much money you want to spend.

Others are adamant that your house AC will always be more expensive to run than a portable unit, no matter where you live or what type of house AC system you have.

But the answer may not be as simple as either one being better than the other – in truth, there’s some merit behind both positions.

For example, if you’re living in an area with high electricity rates like California then your house AC would almost certainly cost less to operate over time( if you compare it with several portable ACs) and should therefore be considered first when determining how best to cool your home.

But, if you live in an area with low electricity rates like Arkansas, then your portable ACs may be cheaper over time – and may even be cheaper to buy upfront than a central house system.

There are many other factors that can affect how much using an air conditioner costs you which is why it’s important to compare both a portable and house AC before you make your decision.

When you are deciding which type of air conditioner to buy, your first consideration should be where you live.

One of the first things you should think about before buying an air conditioner is where you live.

If you live in a place like California where electricity rates are among the highest in the US, then your house AC will cost less to run and should be considered first.

On the other hand, if you’re living in a place like Arkansas which has some of the lowest electricity rates in the US, then it may be cheaper to use multiple portable AC units instead.

But, there are many other factors that could affect which air conditioner system is better for you including your budget and how long each day you plan on running your central air or portable unit.

If you live in an area with high electricity rates like California then your house AC would almost certainly cost less to operate over time and should therefore be considered first when determining how best to cool your home.

Here are some quick facts about electricity:  In general, higher electricity rates translate into higher AC costs.

With a portable air conditioner, you can only cool one room at a time as opposed to your entire home if you have a central air conditioning system. Therefore, if you live in an area with high electricity rates then your portable unit will cost more to use over time than a house AC.

If you live in a place with high electricity prices like California then your house AC would almost certainly cost less to operate over time even if it is used for fewer hours each day than a portable.

But if you live in an area with low electricity rates like Arkansas, then your portable AC may be cheaper over time – and may even be cheaper to buy upfront than a central house system.

If you live in an area with low electricity rates like Arkansas, then it may be cheaper to use a portable AC unit than a house AC. 

You will need several portable units to cool your home if you do not have a central air conditioning system in place.

You will need to sum up the cost for the number of portable units you will need to cool your house. Most people find that they need at least two or three if not more portable AC units to cool their whole home adequately, especially if the rooms are large and have high ceilings.

There are many other factors that can affect how much using an air conditioner costs you so it’s important to compare both a portable and house AC before making the decision on what is better for you.

For example, if you have a high-tech house with radiant floor heating or other alternative heating methods like convection heaters that depend on your central AC then it may be more cost-effective to keep the house AC running year-round and only run a portable for short periods of time when you need extra cooling.

And you should also consider the upfront cost of each type of air conditioner before making your final decision.

Not everyone needs air conditioning.

In fact, in many areas of the US, there are only a few days per year when it is necessary to use an air conditioner at all, and often you can get by with fans or other cooling options instead.

If you live in one of these places then it probably won’t be worth the cost to run a portable AC or the hassle of running your house AC for short periods.

If you live in a place like Las Vegas, on the other hand, then it’s possible that using an air conditioner can make financial sense even over long periods of time.

Do not make your decision based only on the monthly cost of electricity as you will need to factor in other costs such as installation, maintenance, and repair into your comparison.

For example, if you have radiant heating or a convection heater that relies on your central AC then it may be more cost-effective to go with a central house system instead of a portable unit.

If a portable air conditioner is your best option then make sure to consider how you will be using it.

If you are going to use the AC unit for long periods of time each day in a sweltering environment, then choose a model that has an Energy Star rating since they are more efficient than standard units.

Furthermore, decide on an energy-saving setting that will let you set your desired temperature range, and then the unit will adjust its cooling level accordingly.

If you have children or pets, make sure to purchase a portable air conditioner with safety features such as a tip-over switch. This feature is designed to turn off the AC if it gets knocked over accidentally.

In addition, be sure to compare a portable to house AC by looking at how many BTUs each unit offers, the size of your home, and the energy efficiency of both models.

For example, a portable air conditioner with more BTUs is able to cool a larger room than a smaller model. Furthermore, if you live in an older home or if your central AC unit has been running for many years then replacing it with a new unit may be the best option if the old one is not as efficient as a new model.

Lastly, be sure to purchase an extended warranty when you buy your portable air conditioner since the cost of repairing it can quickly add up if something goes wrong.

For example, water damage is more common with portable AC units than with house systems, so look for one that offers water-leak protection or a self-evaporating portable air conditioner.

Even the best portable AC units can wear out over time, but a self-evaporating model will only emit water vapor rather than liquid droplets when it is operating. This means that your home won’t end up with a puddle of water on the floor if there’s a hose leakage or other issue with the unit.

Another important aspect of choosing between portable and central air conditioning is to be sure that your new unit will fit into the area you want it to cool, such as one of your bedrooms or living room.

Ask a neighbor or friend with a central ac vs portable ac

If you know someone who lives in a home with central AC then ask them how much they pay for electricity each month and if they would recommend their central system over a portable model.

Also, consider how energy-star rated your air conditioner is when looking at BTUs and efficiency because the more energy efficient a unit is, the less electricity it will use to cool your home – making it cheaper for you over time.

Lastly, remember to take into consideration what your electricity costs will be per kilowatt-hour (kWh) rate in your area and then compare that amount with the cost of using a portable AC unit.

For example, if you live in Houston, Texas (an extremely hot area), then it may be cheaper for you to run a portable air conditioner than to pay the electricity costs of running your central unit for several months, so if you don’t need to cool every room in your home, then a portable AC unit may be the best option for you.

Conclusion

Running a central AC unit is more expensive than using a portable air conditioner in some climates, but it all depends on what you need to cool. If you have radiant heating or convection heat that relies on your central Air Conditioning then it may be more cost-effective to go with a Central House System instead of a Portable Unit.

If the best option for you is a Portable AC and not running your house system because of other features like radiant heating or an older home (think about how much electricity costs), then make sure to consider which one will work better for you by comparing BTUs, efficiency, size of your home and price per kilowatt-hour in the area where you live when deciding whether to purchase either type of unit.