Mobile air conditioner – Buying guide

Why choose a monoblock mobile air conditioner?

Monobloc mobile air conditioners are sufficient for occasional air conditioning. Their main advantage is their simplicity: they can be installed in a few minutes, they can be moved from one room to another (living room, bedroom at night, etc.), they can be stored in a closet in winter and are sold from €300. Above all, they have good results: the best references in our test manage to reduce the room temperature from 35 to 30°C in just a few minutes.

Mobile air conditioners produce cold using a heat pump located in the device. The calories drawn by the latter are rejected outside thanks to a flexible casing passed through a window or a hole in the wall, which makes them more efficient than ordinary fans. Indeed, unlike air conditioners, cooling fan only circulates air, without cooling. Therefore, it creates a feeling of freshness when it is switched on, but it disappears immediately after the device is switched off.

Which brands to trust?

When it comes to fixed air conditioners, the Japanese Daikin, Toshiba, Panasonic, Mitsubishi-Electric and Hitachi dominate the market and have proven their knowledge and experience, as evidenced by our air-to-air heat pump test. The answer is less obvious for mobile air conditioners, whose manufacturers often use the same subcontractors. Some identical products are actually sold under different names: therefore it is difficult to recommend this or that brand. Furthermore, our air conditioner tests show that even among the most famous manufacturers, such as Beko, Electrolux, Equation, De’Longhi, Taurus or Whirlpool, quality can vary depending on the model.

Which power to choose?

Called “cooling power”, the capacity of an air conditioner to produce cold is expressed in watts (W). To estimate the required power, start by calculating the size of the room to be covered by estimating its volume (calculated in cubic meters). A cooling power of at least 40 watts per cubic meter is generally expected. To simplify the calculation, we will base it only on the floor area of ​​the room, assuming that the ceiling height is 2.5 meters. In other words, devices less than 3000 watts are suitable for rooms less than 30 square meters. In addition, or in the absence of good insulation, it will be necessary to switch to devices greater than 3000 watts, which are more powerful and expensive.

How to compare the energy efficiency of products?

But when it comes to choosing an air conditioner based on its overall efficiency, power alone is not enough. It is also desirable to look at its energy efficiency coefficient. Abbreviated as EER (Energy Efficiency Ratio), this figure is a measurement standard that enables mutual comparison of devices. It is calculated by dividing the cooling power of the air conditioner (the cooling energy obtained or the heat absorbed) by the electrical energy consumed. In particular, the higher the EER, the less energy the device will consume. This information is translated into a class (A, A+, A++, etc.) on the energy label. Please note that although the energy label for many household appliances has been revised in recent years, this is not the case for air conditioners. Clearly, the worst air conditioners have energy class A.

Different options available

Dehumidifier and air filtration While all air conditioners dehumidify the air, some are equipped with a special button that allows them to use this function independently of cooling or even control the humidity level. The same goes for filtration: while all devices purify the air, some claim to be able to retain the smallest particles and, sometimes, remove odors. The activated carbon filter is effective against unpleasant odors, while the electrostatic filter is recommended against dust, pollen and bacteria. To be effective, filters must be cleaned regularly.

Countdown time Some air conditioners have a timer that allows you to run the air conditioner for a selected period of time, for example while you fall asleep. Others have a timer, so your room is fresh when you get home from work, for example.

Remote Plus for controlling the device without getting up.

Connected air conditioner Air conditioners are no exception as they are fully connected and some can now be programmed and controlled from a smartphone. This option, which increases the purchase bill, leaves us skeptical: mobile air conditioners generally work with the door or window open and are very energy intensive, so it is highly recommended not to leave them on when no one is in the room. The advantage of remote control is therefore very limited.

Choosing a reversible air conditioner

To kill two birds with one stone, some consumers choose to equip themselves with reversible mobile air conditioners that can heat a room at a lower cost by recovering the calories present outside. A two-in-one system that saves space and can be useful as additional heating in insufficiently insulated homes.

Unlike air conditioning, which is very energy-demanding, the heating option of reversible air conditioners is economically interesting, because it returns more energy than it consumes. Its efficiency coefficient is more interesting than that of classic electric heating. However, reversible air conditioners can only be used as auxiliary heating and may prove insufficient when the outside temperature is too low. In order to fix this, some models are equipped with a resistor that significantly heats the cooling gas, at the cost of higher consumption.

Let me note THE reversible air conditioners from our comparative test not tested in heating mode.

Choosing a silent air conditioner

Monobloc mobile air conditioners are always noisier than split units whose motor is located outside the house. This is also one of the main disadvantages of monoblocs: imagine a refrigerator whose engine is constantly running, with an additional fan… Monobloc air conditioners generally record noise between 60 and 70 dB, which corresponds to the noise of a moving car (while split can drop to 40 or even 30 dB). Some, however, have a night function (also called “sleep” or “silence”) for more discreet operation. It consists of gradually reducing the power of the air conditioner: this certainly increases the temperature, but allows you to fall asleep peacefully.

Our installation advice

Installation of a mobile monobloc can be done without the help of a specialist. Place it in a clean, dry place, attach the hot air exhaust duct to the unit, and run it out through a half-open window (caulking solutions sold separately) or a hole made in the wall. Avoid bending the wrapper too much and follow the directions in the instructions carefully. Remember that air conditioners contain refrigerant: in case of problems, do not disassemble the cooling system yourself.

Burn moderately

Large consumers of electricity and thus generators of pollution, air conditioners should be used sparingly. When you are away, turn off the device. There is no point in doing it for nothing. Properly insulating your home, keeping shutters closed during the day and ventilating at night also helps reduce energy use. Finally, set your air conditioner to limit the temperature difference between inside and outside to, for example, 5°C. No need to start. A few degrees less may be enough. Follow the maintenance instructions carefully.

Fortunately, manufacturers are trying… to stand out from their competitors, but also under regulatory pressure, with devices that consume less energy. In addition to the energy label that encourages them to reduce the electricity consumption of their devices, the European regulation (842/2006) related to fluorinated greenhouse gases (refrigerant gases) requires them to reduce the impact of their products on this criterion. R410A gas, which has a very strong impact on the climate, has been replaced with R290, which has a smaller footprint. According to the Agency for Ecological Transition, emissions caused by liquids are more than twice as high as those associated with electricity consumption. When equipping, choose models that use R290 gas.