Maximizing Your Portable A/C Energy Efficiency Using A Smart Thermostat

The summer heat can push anyone to their limits. When temperatures rise, a portable air conditioner becomes more than just a convenience, it’s a necessity. But as you enjoy that cool breeze, you might feel a twinge of worry about your next electricity bill.

Cooling typically accounts for about 12% of home energy costs, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. By understanding Portable A/C efficiency ratings, sizing, and using smart thermostat technology like Klima, you can stay comfortable while keeping your energy costs in check.

Understanding Energy Efficiency Ratings

Here is a breakdown of portable A/C energy efficiency ratings to help you choose the right one:

1. EER - Energy Efficiency Ratio 

Think of EER as the miles-per-gallon rating for your air conditioner. It measures how much cooling (in BTU) you get per watt of electricity used.

Formula: EER = Cooling capacity (BTU/hour) ÷ Power input of your portable A/C (Watts)

Efficiency Benchmark: An EER of 9.5 or higher is considered efficient. Upgrading from an EER of 9 to 12 could reduce cooling costs by nearly 30%.

2. CEER - Combined Energy Efficiency Ratio 

Unlike EER, CEER also considers standby power consumption. If you leave your portable A/C plugged in all summer, CEER is the better efficiency metric to consider.

3. SACC - Seasonally Adjusted Cooling Capacity

Introduced by the Department of Energy, SACC ratings reflect real portable A/C performance by accounting for factors like heat loss through the exhaust hose and performance at different temperatures.

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Choosing the Right Portable A/C Size for Your Space

Bigger isn’t always better when it comes to portable air conditioners. Oversized units waste energy by frequently cycling on and off, while undersized ones struggle to keep up.

Recommended BTU Sizing (for 8-foot ceilings):

1. 150-250 sq ft (bedroom): 8,000 BTU

2. 250-350 sq ft (living room): 10,000 BTU

3. 350-450 sq ft (kitchen/dining area): 12,000 BTU

4. 450-550 sq ft (studio apartment): 14,000 BTU

What is Klima? 

While choosing the right portable air conditioner is crucial, smart thermostats can further enhance efficiency and convenience. 

Klima is a smart thermostat designed specifically for ductless air conditioning systems, including portable ACs, window units, and mini-splits. With its energy saving smart features and smart home compatibility, Klima can save you up to 30% on your portable A/C bills.

How Klima Makes Your Portable AC Smarter

Klima offers a range of smart energy saving features, that conserves energy of up to 30% on your portable A/C bills. Klima’s smart features can be accessed through the Boldr energy app: 

1. Remote Access

Instead of relying on a traditional remote, Klima allows you to control your portable AC from anywhere with the Boldr Energy app.

2. Smart Scheduling

With Klima’s smart scheduling feature, you can customize your portable A/C cooling schedules for different rooms, helping you  avoid wasting energy in unoccupied spaces.

3. Smart Zoning 

Using Klima’s smart zoning feature, you will have room-by-room climate control, ensuring energy is only used where needed.

4. Cost Monitoring 

With Klima you can track real-time energy consumption of your portable A/C and receive accurate bill predictions.

5. Location Sensing

Using geofencing technology, Klima detects when the last person leaves the house and turns off your portable AC to prevent unnecessary energy use.

Klima also pre-cools your space before you return.

6. Guardian Mode

Set temperature limits with Klima’s Guardian Mode feature to prevent excessive energy use while allowing other household members to adjust your portable A/C settings within the limits you've set.

7. Health Monitoring

Klima helps extend your air conditioner’s lifespan by monitoring its performance and alerting you to potential issues through the Boldr Energy app. 

Klima’s Smart Home Compatibility

Klima works with all major ductless A/C brands like Fujitsu, Mitsubishi, Daikin, and Toshiba.

Klima also integrates with smart home systems like Google Home and Amazon Alexa for voice control.

Conclusion

A portable air conditioner doesn’t have to be an energy hog. 

By choosing an efficient unit, ensuring proper installation, and integrating smart technology like Klima, you can stay cool while cutting energy costs by up to 30%.