Portable air conditioners come in two types: single-hose units, and dual-hose air conditioner units. Both models create a negative air pressure in the room by expelling warm air through the exhaust hose. In this article, we take a look at the differences of these units, and whether one model offers a better cooling performance than the other.

What is a Single-hose Portable Air Conditioner?

Single-hose portable air conditioners work with one exhaust hose. The hose is mainly responsible for expelling the warmed air out of the room, which creates negative air pressure indoors. The unit will then replace the expelled air with cool air, lowering the temperature in the room. Single-hose units are simple and efficient in cooling small spaces at a time.

Pros

Budget

Compared to dual-hose units, single-hose units are more affordable. A good-quality single-hose air conditioner can cost around $100 to $300 - or approximately $100 below the price of a dual-hose portable air conditioner.

Energy Efficiency

Portable ACs are typically energy efficient, and the single-hose portable air conditioners are no exception. These units operate at less than $1 per day, making them suitable for daily and regular use.

Space Requirements

Portable AC units don't require much space, and with single-hose units, all you'll need is a window opening to install the unit. Because the unit only has one hose, installation is straightforward: just install the window adapter, and run the unit!

Maintenance

Maintenance for a portable AC unit is relatively easy compared to other types of air conditioners. Single-hose systems sometimes have air filters that can be accessed from the exterior of the unit, so you won't need to open up the air conditioner to clean it. Professional cleaning services also help maintain the durability of the unit.

Cons

Cooling Performance

While single-hose units are effective in removing hot air from the room and cooling the space, they cannot cool spaces bigger than 300-400 square feet. Their cooling power averages 5,000 BTU, which is the standard, base BTU rating for any portable air conditioner.

What is a Dual-hose Portable Air Conditioner?

Like single-hose units, dual-hose portable air conditioners use the exhaust hose to expel warmed air out of the room. Unlike single-hose portable air conditioners, the dual-hose system uses two exhaust hoses: one to expel hot air outside, and one to take in outside air to cool the coils and compressor. The result is an efficient cooling system capable of cooling large areas.

Pros

Space Requirements

A dual-hose portable air conditioner doesn't take up any more space than a single-hose model, but dual-hose units have an extra exhaust hose to loop out of a window opening. Space requirements ultimately depend on the model of the unit.

Cooling Performance

Dual-hose units can cool large spaces over 500 square feet with a 8600 BTU standard rating. The higher the BTU rating, the bigger the space a dual-hose unit can cool down. The intake hose makes it possible for the portable air conditioner to cool bigger spaces as the intake hose helps keep the unit from overheating.

Maintenance

Maintenance for the dual-hose system is simple. Most units have accessible filters and coils that can be washed with water, and the dual-hose model can be professionally serviced at various air conditioner repair companies.

Cons

Budget

Compared to a single-hose unit, a dual-hose one would cost around $100 more. Dual-hose systems retail for $450 and up, with the price increasing as the BTU rating increases. These units are not as affordable as a single-hose system, and operating costs may go above $1 per day as well, making the unit costly in comparison.

Energy Efficiency

The dual-hose portable air conditioning unit operates two functions at the same time: one that cools the air in the room, and another that keeps the internal temperature of the unit cool through the intake hose. To operate both functions, the unit will need to consume more energy, making these units less energy efficient compared to single-hose air conditioners.

Single-hose vs. Dual-hose Portable AC: What's the Difference?

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The Verdict

Between the single-hose unit and the dual-hose system, the main decision factor lies in the cost and cooling power of the two types of air conditioners. A single-hose unit may be more affordable, but won't adequately cool large spaces. Dual-hose units may have higher cooling power, but are relatively expensive to purchase and operate.

In deciding the right air conditioner for you, you must check the space you're planning to cool. Single-hose air conditioning units can only cool up to a certain area, which is perfect for small spaces, but won't affect the room air in larger spaces. Decide depending on your space to find the most suitable model for your cooling comfort!