When deciding how to cool a house, 2 main options are usually considered: a centralized cooling system that affects all rooms, and small units that serve individual rooms. The latter include floor-to-ceiling air conditioners, which are split systems with external and internal parts. But there is also a third option. These are floor standing air conditioners. Their design has flaws that limit their actual performance, but more modest ventilation requirements make installation easier, especially in rooms where window units and split systems are either undesirable or impossible. According to the number of air ducts used, they can be divided into two types.
Single duct floor standing air conditioners
Models of this type remove hot air to the outside, and the intake is made in the room itself. However, this, as experts note, creates a negative pressure, due to which the room through the door and window cracksheat enters, which reduces the efficiency of the device. On the other hand, these air conditioners are the cheapest and least bulky.
Double duct models
Used to eliminate low pressure effect and improve cooling efficiency. As the name suggests, they are equipped with two hoses. One of them is exhaust, as in the models of the previous type, and the other is suction, through which outside air enters. Expert feedback suggests that while floor standing air conditioners with inlet and outlet hoses are more efficient, they are bulkier and often more expensive.
Which option to choose?
Based on the above, we can conclude that the second option should be the best choice. This is in line with the opinion of experts who have received strong evidence that models with two hoses in hot weather are much more efficient than floor-standing air conditioners without duct.
But in reality, not everything is so simple. Owners of models of the first type often rate them even higher than other floor-standing air conditioners for the home. While dual duct systems cool better, the difference isn't big enough to ignore smaller, cheaper, more advanced units.
Why do floor models work worse?
Like window and center air conditioners, the cooling capacity of floor air conditioners is measured in thermal units Btu. However, according to experts, studies have shown that, regardless of power, their real effectivenesslimited. Even in moderately hot weather at 28°C, most models cool at 7,000 BTUs (2.1 kW), even when their specifications state 13,000 BTUs (3.8 kW).
This lack of performance is not the result of poor manufacturing or a design defect, but the fact that the air conditioner that is supposed to expel hot air to the outside is located in the room it is trying to cool, instead of having one half of it inside, and the second - outside the room. In addition, there are many other sources of device inefficiency.
Thus, based on the feedback of experts and users, we can only recommend large floor-standing air conditioners for an apartment with a capacity of at least 10,000 BTU. Smaller models are also available, but due to their inefficient operation, unless the cooling space is very large, there is a good chance that their performance will be disappointing.
Is it possible to have a mobile floor air conditioner without a duct?
Poor cooling is not the only reason why many consumers are disappointed with this type of model. One of the main problems is that they don't understand the underlying principles of how these devices work, including the fact that they need to vent hot air outside in order to function properly. Floor standing air conditioners without ducts leading outside the room only increase the temperature.
Distinctive qualities of the best models
Energy efficiency. It is the ratio of the cooling capacity of the air conditioner to the power it consumes. A higher value indicates a more efficient model that will reduce electricity bills. However, floor standing units are not efficient enough to meet the Energy Star standard.
Low noise. The loud operation of the compressor is the cause of negative reviews about air conditioners. Owners want to stay cool and comfortable while watching TV or sleeping. Floorstanding portable air conditioners are generally louder than window units of equal power, but the best ones keep the noise level below the level of a typical conversation - from 60 to 65 dB.
Convenient controls. Air conditioners with digital displays are easier to set up, although the screen should not be so bright as to be distracting in the dark. Remote controls vary in their functionality, but even basic models will be indispensable in bedrooms and large living rooms.
Drainage. While all floor standing air conditioners remove some moisture from the air, their best feature is dehumidification. This allows you to reduce the humidity in the room without cooling it on days that are not hot enough.
Mobility. Floor conditioners are "portable" only in relation to stationary window or wall. Most of them are heavy, weighing up to 45 kg, and require the dismantling and installation of window modules. However, the presence of rollers and comfortable handlesmake it much easier to move these devices. However, you should be aware of the weight when buying this type of air conditioner if you plan to use it on multiple floors, as carrying it up and down stairs can be quite a challenge.
Guarantee. Air conditioners of this type are usually covered by a one-year warranty, although the best models can be protected by the manufacturer for up to five years. Some extend the length of the warranty, but it usually only covers parts and not shipping to an authorized service center.
Popular models
No single duct floor standing air conditioner is rated higher by owners and experts than the LG LP1215GXR. This is the best choice among all devices of this type, and hundreds of positive reviews in online stores confirm this.
According to the manual of the floor air conditioner, it is rated at 12000 BTU and cools the room up to 40m2, but it will perform better in smaller rooms. According to users, LG has done everything possible to ensure that in an office area of 25 m2 its devices perform as well as the 2-air Whynter APC-14S with 14,000 BTU. Owners confirm that the LG LP1215GXR not only cools the room, but also maintains it in a way that is not often achieved with this type of air conditioner.
However, in a room with an area of 40 m2 the model begins to noticeably lag behind and outstrips, albeit slightly, only the same type of devices, yielding to Whynter. This level of performance means thatin extremely high temperatures, you can only cool down in a stream of air blowing directly from the air conditioner, but even then it will not be comfortable - the difference will be almost imperceptible.
Another area where LG is ahead of the competition, reviews cite noise levels both at start-up and during operation. Library silence is not to be expected, but the compressor is quiet enough not to wake the owner.
The LG LP1215GXR portable air conditioner is quite well equipped. There is a remote control, 24-hour timer, 3-speed fan and 4-way ventilation direction. The unit can also be set to distribute chilled air throughout the room. There is a function to automatically remove moisture from the heat exchanger, which allows you to get rid of mold. Automatic restart will restart the device after a power failure. A dehumidification mode is provided with the ability to remove up to 0.57 liters of moisture per hour from the air. A special hole is provided for continuous draining of condensate.
Reviewed, the LG LP1215GXR is not small but more compact than many other floor standing home air conditioners without fresh air duct. It measures 36 cm wide, 83 cm high and 39 cm deep, and weighs 28 kg. Most users find the gray body attractive enough. To install it, you need to find a place so that you can lead out 1.5 m of the duct and connect 1.8 m of the power cable to the outlet.
No floor air conditioner can escape the criticism of its owners. Common complaints are insufficient cooling, unacceptable noise levels and installation complexity. LG is certainly no exception either. However, his rating is pretty good for this category.
LG LP1414GXR is covered by a 1-year warranty that appears to be quite comprehensive and includes full replacement and home service if needed.
Honeywell HL12CESWB
According to reviews, this is the best and most popular portable floor standing air conditioner for home (without fresh air duct). Like all devices of this type, it gets an adequate rating for comfort, but it is the best model in terms of noise level, at least at low speed. While not everyone agrees, most agree that the Honeywell HL12CESWB is surprisingly quiet, so it could be a good choice for a bedroom.
Compared to LG, this 12,000 BTU air conditioner has both advantages and disadvantages. It has the same BTU and many similar features, including a 24-hour timer, remote control, auto evaporation, dry mode, and a 3-speed fan. However, oscillation and automatic cleaning are missing, although they are not essential.
Honeywell HL12CESWB is slightly bigger and heavier than LG. It measures 48 cm wide, 80 cm high and 40 cm deep, and weighs about 33 kg. However, the price of a floor air conditioner is its biggest disadvantage. It's higher than LG's and even bigger than the best dual duct model. But if relatively quiet operationis among the priorities, then you should think about purchasing this air conditioner.
Honeywell HL12CESWB is finished in white with a blue panel that gives it a slightly nautical look. Also available are versions with gray or black accents, as well as all-white. The model is protected by a 5-year warranty.
Products of Ballu and Bork
Floor-standing air conditioners Ballu series Platinum, Smart Electronic, Smart Mechanic and Smart Pro can also be attributed to the type in question. They are quiet, have a dust filter, a 24-hour timer, an even airflow distribution system and a night mode. Their maximum cooling capacity ranges from 2.6 kW to 5.5 kW. The warranty period depends on the model and is 2-3 years.
Floor air conditioner "Bork Y502" with a cooling capacity of 2.6 kW is equipped with an automatic water evaporation system, has a timer, and a control panel. Weighs 26 kg. Complete with 1.5 m air duct with adapters and drain hose. Warranty - 1 year.
Top 2 hose models
Although floor-mounted home air conditioners without fresh air ducting are often cheaper and less bulky, experts say it's best to have a full-featured model for maximum performance. There are a number of reasons for this, but the main one, as already mentioned, is that devices of this type are less likely to heat the room they are trying to cool.
Whynter double duct floor standing air conditioners are praised asexperts and users alike, and are often less expensive than single outlet models. We are talking about Whynter ARC-14S with a capacity of 14,000 BTU (4.1 kW). It is slightly less efficient than the Whynter Elite ARC-122DS, but the latter has less support from experts and users.
Whynter ARC-14SH also tops the popularity charts. However, while providing both cooling and space heating, the air conditioner does not handle either of these functions properly. If you want to get rid of the heat, then it is better to stay on the ARC-14S model.
According to reviews, the presence of 2 air ducts is the main reason for choosing this air conditioner, but it has other advantages. Its design allows for natural evaporation, so if the air is not very humid, condensation does not need to be drained. The device can operate in 3 speeds as an air conditioner, a dehumidifier that condenses up to 48 liters of water per day, or just a fan. For convenience, there is a 24-hour timer and a remote control.
On the other hand, some users claim that the ARC-14S can be loud, so this should be taken into account when choosing a model for the bedroom. In addition, according to some owners, the inlet and outlet duct openings in the window set are too close, which impairs the efficiency of the device. The air conditioner is designed to cool rooms up to 46 square meters. m, but these claims are too optimistic. Even in a room of 37 sq. m performance of the model does not shine, but it is better than other devices of this type.
WhatIn terms of size, the black with silver trim Whynter ARC-14S is not very small. Its dimensions are 48 x 40 x 90 cm. The air conditioner weighs 36 kg, so moving from room to room, although facilitated by the presence of casters, can be a challenge, not to mention carrying up the stairs. Placement options are limited to 1.5m from a window (or other outdoor opening) and 1.8m from the nearest outlet. The ARC-14 is covered by a one-year warranty for the entire unit and a 3-year warranty for the compressor, but the owner pays for shipping to the manufacturer after the first two months.
Friedrich ZoneAir P12B
In 2016, the Friedrich ZoneAir P12B 11,600 BTU was voted the best ducted floor air conditioner by reviews. It still deserves attention if the Whynter option is not suitable. The model works better than most other devices of this type. In addition to cooling, the ZoneAir P12B has a fan and dehumidifier mode that can condense up to 34 liters of moisture per day. The liquid is removed thanks to a natural evaporation system with a tank to store excess water and an automatic shut-off to prevent overflow. There is a remote control, a 24-hour timer, a washable air filter and casters to make it easy to move the unit. At 33kg, the P12B is lighter than the ARC-14, but still difficult to carry up stairs. The model comes with a 1-year warranty and a 5-year free cooling system repair.
