Time to Invest in Portable Air Conditioning?

Published: 25 Jun 2025 ・ Read time: 6 mins

As the UK continues to experience increasingly warmer seasons, many homeowners are left wondering if it's time to invest in portable air conditioning for their homes.

If you find yourself struggling to stay cool during the warmer months or if certain areas of your home are consistently warmer than others, it may be time to consider investing in a portable air conditioner. These units offer a practical and affordable solution for keeping your home comfortable without breaking the bank.

At City Plumbing, we understand the importance of keeping your home as comfortable as possible all year round. So, here, we explore the benefits of portable air conditioners, how they work, and why they may just be one of the wisest investments for your home.

Why Portable Air Conditioning?

Portable air conditioners work by drawing warm air from the room into the unit, where it passes over coils filled with refrigerant. The refrigerant absorbs the heat from the air, cooling it down before sending it back into the room.

The heat absorbed by the refrigerant is then expelled through the exhaust hose, which is typically vented out a window. This continuous cycle of cooling and dehumidifying the air helps maintain a comfortable temperature in your home.

How Do Portable Air Conditioners Work?

Portable air conditioners offer a convenient and cost-effective solution for cooling specific areas of your home. Unlike traditional central air conditioning systems, portable units can be easily moved from room to room, providing targeted cooling where you need it most.

Such flexibility allows you to save on energy costs by only cooling the spaces you are using, rather than wasting energy on empty rooms.

Why Portable AC Units Are So Popular Right Now

Increasingly Warmer Seasons: With UK summer temperatures increasing each year, and likely continuing into September, there has never been more of a need for cooling solutions in the home. Added to this, the unseasonably warm spring and autumn months also look set to continue, meaning a/c units are becoming more in demand all year round.
Market Trends: The portable AC market is growing not only due to rising temperatures, but also urbanisation (especially for apartment dwellers without built-in AC), and increasing disposable income. There's also a trend towards smarter, multi-functional, and quieter units.

Benefits of Portable Air Conditioning for UK Homes

Mobility and Flexibility: As the name suggests, portable air conditioners are easy to move from room to room, allowing you to stay cool in the home wherever you are and cool only the spaces you're using. This is highly efficient if you primarily need to cool a bedroom at night or a home office during the day.
Cost-Effective/ Upfront Affordability: Portable A/C units are generally much cheaper to purchase than wall-mounted or central AC systems, making them a budget-friendly option for homeowners.
Energy Efficiency/Targeted Cooling: These units efficiently cool smaller, specific areas without the high energy consumption of cooling an entire house. By using them in specific areas of your home, portable air conditioners help you conserve energy and reduce your utility bills.
Easy Installation: Unlike fixed units that require permanent installation, portable air conditioners can be set up in minutes without the need for any special tools or expertise. Typically, portable units are plug-and-play, so you just need to vent the exhaust hose out of a window. This is ideal for renters or those who don't want permanent alterations to their homes.
Versatility / Dehumidification and Fan Functions: Some portable air conditioners can also function as dehumidifiers, helping to create a more comfortable indoor environment by removing excess moisture from the air. Many portable units offer these additional modes, which can be useful even when full cooling isn't needed.

Buy Portable A/C Units at City Plumbing

City Plumbing has everything you need to stay cool this summer! With a fantastic selection of air conditioning units to choose from, we have a cooling solution for every room in the home.

From portable a/c units to evaporative coolers and air purifiers, it’s never been easier to create a chilled calming environment in the home throughout summer and indeed those warmer-than-average UK months during spring and autumn!

Key Buying Considerations for AC Units Portable:

BTU Rating: This indicates the cooling power. Match the BTU to your room size for effective cooling. A rough guide is to multiply the room's dimensions (in feet) by five to get an idea of the BTU needed.
Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER): A higher EER means lower running costs. Look for A-rated models if possible.
Noise Level: Check the decibel (dB) rating if noise is a concern, especially for bedrooms.
Features: Consider multi-functionality (fan, dehumidifier, heat) remote control, smart features (Wi-Fi, app control) and sleep modes.
Hose System: Dual-hose systems are generally more efficient than single-hose systems as they draw in fresh air.

Stay Cool and Comfortable with Portable Air Conditioning

If you're experiencing uncomfortable heat in your home now and need immediate relief without a permanent installation, then it’s a great time to invest in a portable air conditioner. What’s more, with the UK experiencing increasingly warmer seasons each year, buying air conditioning will take you through summer and beyond.

A portable AC unit will help everyone in the home stay cool and comfortable as well as help you save money on your energy bills and enjoy the flexibility of cooling specific areas of your home. So, don't wait until it's too late, make the smart choice and invest in a portable air conditioner from City Plumbing today.

If you’re looking for helpful advice and suggestions on choosing the best products for your home, take a further look at our City Plumbing website for more information.