Deciding to supplement your building’s cooling system with portable air conditioning is a great way to save energy and money. However if you have a large cooling requirement you may be unsure what unit to buy. If you have a need for 60,000 BTUs of cooling, should you get one big unit or six smaller 10,000 BTU units?

We Don’t Always Want More Power

It’s not surprising that large spot coolers use more energy than smaller ones when compared on a one-to-one basis. However the total power requirements of six small portable air conditioners is going to be greater than one large one because of the efficiency of scale so the large unit will have lower operating cost.

However another consideration is the voltage requirements. Small spot coolers run on standard 110/120v electric power so can be plugged in anywhere. The large units require 220v high voltage lines and your building isn’t likely to have those except in limited locations. That means either installing new high voltage lines or limiting the placement of the large unit. This leads to the other difference between the two units

Positioning Options

One reason many people consider spot coolers is their building’s cooling system isn’t able to cool all areas equally. Adding a single large unit may create the same problem.

In a traditional office setting with many closed rooms and restricted air flow, purchasing many small units allows them to be placed all over the building. This creates multiple sources of cool air to cool hot spots in distant locations. This versatility is one of the strongest features of small units.

On the other hand, if the space to be cooled is one large space the larger unit may be preferable. If spot coolers are needed to control the temperature in a large open warehouse or even a massive server farm, there is no need for multiple units. More machinery introduces more chances of failure and a single unit is often more reliable.

Larger Units Have Other Features

In addition to the basic cooling function of spot cooler, the larger and more expensive models often have additional functions that give them an edge over a smaller unit. The large spot coolers use scroll compressors that run more efficiently than the rotary compressors small coolers use. They may include smoke detectors or other monitors.

Large units pack more function into a smaller space. A unit with six times the capacity doesn’t take up six times the space so if limited room is available a single large cooler might be the more efficient choice.

Both types of spot coolers have their uses and which is best for you will depend on your cooling needs, building setup and other factors. Consult with your local dealer and they will be able to guide you in choosing the proper portable air conditioning solution for your situation.