How does Air Conditioning Work?
Advantages of Air Conditioning?
Energy Efficiency Ratings
Frequently Asked Question
Operating Tips

 How does Air Conditioning Work?

Although the process is complex, the use is very simple. It is basically like a refrigerator.

A compressor pumps refrigerant through two coils. One gets hot and the other becomes cold.

The warm indoor air is blown over the cold coil to dry and cool it. This air is blown back into the room to give a cool, refreshing feel to the room.

Meanwhile some warm room air is drawn across the hot coil, to remove the heat from the coil and this now hotter air is expelled via the hose through the window or a hole in the wall.

It is essential that the hose is in place leading this hot air from the room, otherwise the unit will not cool the room.

This concertina flexible hose must also not be extended beyond its original length as this may cause the compressor to overheat.

Type of Portable Air Conditioners
Two types of portable air conditioners are available, single units and split system portable air conditioners.

Portable Air Conditioners - Single Units
These are instantly recognised by their exhaust hose which is used to expel the hot and damp air to the outside. Single units can cope with a wide range of room requirement

Portable Air Conditioners - Split Systems
For larger rooms or rooms that have bigger heat loads split portable air conditioners are normally required. They are easily recognised by the separate condenser box that needs to be placed outside the room.

 Advantages of Air Conditioning?

The temperature in the room can be reduced substantially and to a set comfortable temperature. The speed with which the heat is removed will depend upon the BTU/Hr of the unit and the heat gain into the room.

Air conditioners work best with doors and windows (and curtains/blinds) closed to avoid external heat gain.

All air conditioners dehumidify as they cool. Those with internal water tanks can be used as dehumidifiers during the winter.

Easy to install with all necessary fittings included for through window or wall use.

Run off a standard 13amp socket.

Some models feature adjustable thermostats, temperature read-outs adjustable timers for off (and in some cases on) and remote control handsets.

Energy Efficiency Ratings

The Energy Efficiency Ratings for portable air conditioners becomes a legal requirement for all units sold in the UK after 31 March 2005. This now makes it possible to compare the efficiency and running costs of differing units that should all now be measured to one internationally agreed standard EN14511 for Europe. will feature the following:



The above EER label should be displayed at point of sale or on the product packaging and should have all the relevant information attached. For models with heating capability the heat output and heating efficiency rating will also be given.

The cooling output in kW on the EER label may differ from the figure that has been given previously for cooling capacity due to the change in how the cooling is now measured in the new standard. This does not mean that the unit itself is any different merely it is tested differently. The best analogy is with a car - at a constant 56mph on a motorway it will return higher fuel consumption than stop/start driving around town - yet it is still intrinsically the same car. So under the new test EN 14511 the cooling capacity in kW will fall short of that previously declared when measured by an enthalpy method at differing conditions. This can be seen when comparing the enthalpy figures previously obtained for the Amcor AMC range, with the figures measured by the new standard in the table above under "size matters".

During the changeover period we have to recognise a transitional phase that may mean manufacturers will show more than one cooling capacity figure for the same model i.e. The box or manual may show one figure, whilst the EER label will show the figure measured under the exacting standards of EN 14511. Manufacturers will be obliged to provide labels for older or un-labelled stock.

The only true comparison between units is to compare the information on the EER label - ensuring the test is to the standard EN14511.

Although this sounds complicated consumers have become more used to this over the last few years as it is now standard on many white goods including fridges.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What do I do when I get it home?
A. Unpack the unit and leave it standing upright for at least two hours before switching the unit on, to allow all refrigerant to settle. THIS IS IMPORTANT AND SHOULD ALWAYS BE FOLLOWED IF THE UNIT IS TRANSPORTED OR TURNED FROM AN UPRIGHT POSITION. Read the instruction manual carefully and then decide how best you can vent the hose from the room.

Q. When do I use it for best results?
A. Ideally start the unit 1-2 hours before the sun shines into the room, e.g. if the room faces south and the sun reaches the room at 10am, start the unit at 9am. This will remove the latent heat from the fabric of the building so that the unit does not struggle to remove the heat from the sun + the heat from the brickwork.

Q. I want to use the unit in more than one room - how? How do I install the through the wall kit?
A. Additional through the wall kits with cap can be purchased direct from Amcor for a nominal charge. To install you need a 5" diameter hole drilled with a core drill, install the through the wall unit and connect the hose - a local building maintenance man will do this in under 30 minutes. You may wish to use a decorative grille outdoors (available from DIY/hardware stores) to eliminate the possibility of rodent entry through the hole. If the unit is stored for the winter, remove the hose and place the cap on the inside of the through the wall unit. This can be secured with a small screw. Through the wall is the most efficient method of installation and avoids unsecured windows.

Q. How do I use it for best results?
A. Minimise the ingress of heat into the space by closing external doors and windows. Direct exhaust air away from the open window using the foam spacer provided or ideally the through the wall kit. If you use the window kit, fill the gaps in the open window as much as possible to keep the warm air out of the space you are cooling. Keep the exhaust hose as short as possible to minimise the amount of heat it can radiate.

Q. Can I extend the hose?
A. NO. The unit has a balance to its operation, linking the exhaust to the cooling power. Any attempt to extend the hose will impede the cooling capacity. It will cause the hot air outflow to be reduced, causing the unit to draw more power, radiate unwanted heat back into the room and it may lead to a shortening of the life of the product.

Q. What happens to the collected water?
A. In some units water is collected in a tank which must be emptied regularly - often daily. This type of unit can also be used as a dehumidifier in the winter simply by operating the cooling mode but not venting the hose. Point the hose at clothes being dried indoors - the hot air from the hose will dry clothes and water is collected in the tank. The room will not be cooled as the warm air is circulating back into the room. Other units use collected water to improve cooling efficiency. In these units water is sprayed over the internal hot coil; surplus water is then removed via the hose with the hot air. These units have a small internal tank that may need to be emptied only occasionally. These units can be used as independent dehumidifiers in the winter only with continuous drainage. All units should be drained at the end of the season.

Q. How do I care for my air conditioner?
A. Maintain it regularly. Help it to work under low stress conditions by keeping the filters clean and the exhaust hose as short and straight as possible. The less restricted the airflow through the unit the better the unit will work. Blocking the airflow will cause the unit to consume more electricity and it may fail prematurely. At the end of the season ensure that all water is removed from the unit before storage. Full instructions to do this are given in the instruction manual supplied with every unit.