There’s nothing worse than feeling too hot or too cold in your home, garage, or office. Sometimes, fans, central air conditioning, or heating just doesn’t cut it and can send your electricity bill skyrocketing. If you’re looking to solve your heating and cooling needs without having to worry about space, then portable air conditioner heater combos are the best solutions on the market.
Air conditioner heater combos provide the perfect answer to creating a comfortable home environment during both extremely cold and hot days. It helps to have a unit that can keep you cool and provide warmth whenever you need it.
The good news is that you don’t even need to be a certified HVAC expert to set up a portable unit because installation is fast and easy. All you’ll have to do is attach the exhaust hose through your window. It’s that simple! In order to prevent air leaks, a window kit is usually included with portable units, and it allows you to adjust to the measurements of your window or be cut to size to fit.
Worried about running up your electricity bill? These units are literally a breeze when it comes to their energy efficiency. You can also find units with a programmable thermostat help you to reduce the amount of energy you use. Some come with built-in timer functions that only allow the unit to operate for a specified length of time. The options are endless. You can even use your voice to command some units to turn on or off and adjust them to whatever setting you wish.
To help you to make the best decision, we’ve selected the 12 Best Portable Air Conditioner Heater Combos followed by some handy and useful information, such as the various sizes, BTUs, and their special features.
BLACK+DECKER BPACT12HWT 12,000 BTU Cooling, 10,000 BTU Heating Portable Air Conditioner with Remote
As the top choice on our list, this portable air conditioner features easy-to-use electronic controls. It cools, dehumidifies, circulates air in the summer, and provides heat during those cold winter months. An added advantage is that it is so quiet, you will be able to enjoy a peaceful night’s sleep without the loud noise.
During the summer, it cools any room approximately 150-250 square feet or a 10 x 20-foot room and keeps a 200-325 square feet (15 x 22-foot) room warm and toasty in the winter. This portable unit works in double-hung or sliding windows only, without crank windows.
It has a slide-out filter that you can easily rinse under a faucet.
Also included: a remote control, an exhaust hose measuring 4 feet and 11 inches, a manual guide, a window kit, and 4 caster wheels for easy mobility and portability.
RolliBot RolliCool COOL310 12,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner / Heater
“Alexa, turn on the heat” will be your next command during those chilly winter months with this voice-controlled RolliCool COOL310 Portable Air Conditioner enabled with Amazon Alexa. Cooling and heating your space just got cooler! With just the sound of your voice, you have the power to control your portable AC from virtually anywhere via the RolliCool app! It allows you to set a schedule, switch modes, and do so much more.
This powerful 12,000 BTU air conditioner heats, cools, dehumidifies, or circulates air in any room. Put it on sleep mode when going to bed. Plus, there are three fan levels to choose from. An added bonus is that it’s lightweight and sturdy, making it easy for you to move it anywhere.
It boasts an eco-friendly R410A refrigerant and reusable filters. All you’ll have to do it wash the filters and use them again and again.
Take a look at these durable wall AC units from our list and pick the right one for your home.
Shinco SPS5-14H 14,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner with 11,000 BTU Heater
The Shinco SPS5-14H is easy for anyone to operate. It has an LED display and a simple selections control panel, giving you the control you need to make your space comfortable all year round.
It is capable of dehumidifying 105 mints on a daily basis. The dehumidifier function prevents the growth of mold and bacteria in an environment that is hot and humid. This helps to keep your room cool and dry!
It is built with self-evaporative cooling technology that increases its cooling efficiency. This also minimizes the amount of water collected in the tank, so you’ll spend a lot less time emptying it! Less work for you is always a good thing.
As for installation, it is quick and easy. An exhaust hose and window kit are included, and that’s all you’ll need. Just about anyone can get it set up and running.
For more portable options to keep you cool in summer, be sure to check out our guide to the top floor fans.
Honeywell MM14CHCS 14,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner with Heat Pump
Ranked as the safest portable air conditioner/heater combo on our list, this powerful, safe, and dependable unit can provide cooling for rooms of up to 550-700 square feet. Its washable filter protects from dust and hair to lengthen product life and enhance performance. It has a 24-hour energy-saving timer and a simple digital control with 3 fan speeds to choose from.
This 3-in-1 appliance is powerful, so say goodbye to uncomfortable indoor heat and humidity. It removes up to 66 pints every 24 hours with the continuous drain option so that you can keep it running without having to check on it frequently. Use the fan option to circulate air in the room you choose for everyday comfort. The window bracket can be installed either vertically or horizontally and is adjustable from 19. 9 inches to 47. 25 inches.
Also included: a remote control, full set window kit, 4-foot hose, and thermal overload protection for added safety and peace of mind.
Our comprehensive guide to best-selling tower cooling fans features more amazing options that will help you survive hot summer days.
Whynter ARC-14SH 14,000 BTU Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner with Heater
If taking care of the environment is an important consideration for you, the Whynter ARC-14SH is a safe bet. This portable A/C is lead-free, CFC free, and very energy-efficient, helping you to keep cool and reduce energy consumption at the same time.
With its advanced auto drain technology, you’ll get the benefit of fast cooling from its dual hose design. How does it work? Moisture collected during the cooling process is recycled, giving you crisp, cool air.
Space-wise, you can use it to cool a space measuring up to 500 square feet, such as your bedroom, garage, or office.
Also included: a protective cover with pocket for keeping your unit free of dust and dirt, along with storage for your exhaust hose; a window kit; remote control, and a user manual.
Keep your indoor living space warm with some of the best electric space heaters from our list.
Whynter ARC-14S 14,000 BTU Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner, Dehumidifier, and Fan with Activated Carbon Air Filter
Looking for something that boasts a lot of power? We’ve found just the thing. Another member of the Whynter family, and with auto drain technology, the remote-controlled Whynter ARC-14S portable air conditioner is specifically designed to be mobile and powerful. This award-winning appliance has a dual hose for more rapid cooling.
There are 3 operational modes: air conditioner, fan, and dehumidifier. It has full thermostatic control (61°F – 89°F) with digital readout and a 24-hour programmable timer. It’s also eco-friendly with a CFC free Green R-410A refrigerant and can cool spaces of up to 500 square feet.
It also has an activated carbon air filter to ensure that the air you’re breathing is as clean as possible.
Also included: a washable pre-filter, a product manual packaged inside exhaust hose, an extendable exhaust and intake hose (up to 60 inches), and a window kit.
EdgeStar 12,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner and Heater
The EdgeStar 12,000 BTU (ASHRAE-128 Standard) / 5,500 BTU (DOE 2017 Standard) portable air conditioner and heater, with remote control and caster wheels. There are 3 fan speeds, and it can easily cool spaces measuring up to 425 square feet. This auto-drain appliance has a built-in adjustable digital thermostat with 61-89⁰ F temperature range and a dehumidifier-only mode that removes 90 pints of moisture from the air on a daily basis.
Also included: a window kit, vent hose, one carbon filter for reuse, and a washable pre-filter.
SereneLife 12,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner, 3-in-1 Floor AC Unit with Built-In Dehumidifier
The Serene Life Portable air conditioner’s design features a lightweight, sleek body that can be used in the living room, bedroom, or garage. It’s also idea for small offices.
With 3 operating modes, it has a remote control a digital touch button control panel for the power, mode, timer, fan speed settings, and temperature. For those of you who suffer from allergies, you’ll be happy to know that its built-in dehumidifier helps reduce humidity levels and acts as a purifier of allergens, such as mildew and dust mites. Plus, it has rolling wheels, making it ver easy to move around, and it can cool a room of up to 450 square feet. While not ideal for large rooms, it is very energy-efficient for small spaces.
You may also be interested in some of the most popular natural gas wall heaters from our list. Don’t miss them.
EdgeStar AP14001HS Extreme Cool 14,000 BTU Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner and Heater
The powerful and energy-efficient EdgeStar Extreme Cool A/C and heater is quick to cool large rooms of up to 525 square feet, using its powerful dual hose design that cools 40% quicker than single hosed models. This chemical-free unit is designed to be an environmentally friendly product, which boasts the use of non-ozone-depleting R410A refrigerant.
You’ll be able to cut costs by setting the unit to run only when you need it and have it efficiently cool your space before you even get there using the 24-hour programmable timer. Made of stainless steel, it has a 3-speed fan and also features an intelligent auto-restart, allowing it to automatically restart if there is a disruption in your electrical power supply.
It is also equipped with an auto-drain system that exhausts all condensation, so there is no need to manually drain water from the unit. Finally, it comes with an easy-to-use window kit.
To warm up your space efficiently, check out our guide to the top-rated electric baseboard heaters, and pick your favorite.
Honeywell MO08CESWK MO Series Portable Air Conditioner with Dehumidifier and Fan
If you’re looking for a portable air conditioning/heater combo that’s quiet, powerful, and cost-effective, the Honeywell MO08CESWK MO might be the right selection for you. This quiet air conditioner cools rooms of up to 350 square feet, and you’ll be able to enjoy great features, such as auto-evaporation and a smart digital humidistat.
Its built-in dehumidifier removes up to 44 pints every 24 hours. Simple and practical, there are 2 speeds and a 24-hour energy-saving timer; its continuous drain option allows for longer unsupervised operation.
Also included: a remote control, a washable filter and filter change alert, and an exhaust hose with a 5-inch diameter.
Frigidaire Portable Air Conditioner with Remote Control
This remote-controlled, portable air conditioner from Frigidaire provides 3.8 pints/hour dehumidification. It’s best suited for rooms of up to 700 square feet, and you can program its 24-hour on/off timer. It also has three fan speeds, so you can adjust the temperatures to give you the comfort you need. It also wheels for on-the-go action from room to room.
For energy-efficiency, you’re getting 14,000 ASHRAE BTUs: 14,000 / 7,800 DOE BTUs.
Also included: an antibacterial filter to reduce airborne particles, bacteria, and odors.
To refresh the air in your home, be sure to check out our guide to the best air purifiers and find the right one for your home,
LG LP1217GSR 115V Portable Air Conditioner with Remote Control
Last on our list is the LG LP1217GSR 115V portable air conditioner. It comes with a remote control and uses a standard 115-volt/15-amp electrical outlet with a 6-foot-long power cord. It has an auto evaporation system and provides cooling for rooms of up to 300 square feet. It’s perfect for small spaces! Just be to sure to close doors so that you get the most comfort and energy-efficiency out of this small unit
This LG model also provides dehumidifies the air, drawing out up to 2.6 pints of moisture per hour and has a washable air filter and easy-roll casters for portability.
How to Select the Best Portable A/C Heater for You
Before you decide on one of the models above, here are some things you might want to think about.
Size Of The Unit
Yes, size matters. You’ll want something that is neither too big nor too small. Some people buy these portable units solely for one room. Others like the convenience of being able to carry it from one room to the next. Whatever the case, you will need to ask yourself whether you’d be able to carry it around without straining yourself or if you need one with wheels. Also, consider if it would be able to fit in your car.
You might even decide that getting a unit for each room you want to cool is a better idea. It all depends on your needs and your individual situation.
Size Of The Room
When it comes to your coverage area, you’ll need to factor in the unit’s BTU or British Thermal Unit. This tells you how much heat your appliance can remove, or a heater can put out.
Remember, a portable air conditioner and heater combo does not have the capability of cooling and heating an entire house. Most combo units are effective in rooms from 55 to 550 square feet. Avoid premature failure by choosing a unit that has enough BTUs. Before purchasing, measure the space so that you’ll be able to make an informed decision.
Also, bear in mind that the air’s ability to travel heavily depends on the flow of the walls and doors. If, for example, you decide to buy an 18,000 BTU portable air conditioner for a 1,000 square foot apartment with several rooms, you might get a case of buyer’s remorse very quickly. In this instance, it is recommended that you chose a weaker AC for each room or move your portable AC around to the different rooms wherever needed.
Although a portable air conditioner has the capability of cooling/heating multiple rooms (depending on the sizes), it has the most efficiency in cooling its immediate area. Take into consideration the fact that the cold air is not likely to travel through narrow doorways or down the hallway. Spaces with very large openings from one room to another might achieve a slight cooling effect.
Electrical Requirements
Most portable AC units use typical household 115/120 Volt power and require no special wiring or outlets. Because these units can draw a significant amount of energy, you must be careful not to overload a circuit with multiple high-energy-consumption devices. Some of the higher BTU units (14,000 BTU or higher) or the commercial-grade portable air conditioners may or may not require special outlets and wiring. For further and more in-depth information, please read product descriptions. The amount of energy consumed will vary depending on the model and your environmental conditions.
Dual-Hose vs. Single Hose
Single-hose AC Units utilize the same hose for both intake and exhaust of air. While it will still cool, these units must work harder to keep the room that way.
On the other hand, dual-hose AC Units have two separate hoses: one for the intake hose and one for the exhaust hose. Thanks to two separate hoses, this type of portable air conditioner is not only more energy-efficient, but it will can cool nearly any room 40% faster than traditional models with single hoses. They are also very energy efficient. The trade-off is that in order to cool its compressors, dual-hose units use warmer, unconditioned air, and this results in slightly lower efficiency. They also employ two internal fans, which can mean slightly higher energy usage.
Both designs will cool the space you’re using it in. However, if you’re looking to cool a large room, a dual-hose portable AC unit is highly recommended because they are more energy-efficient, can cool your space more quickly and has stable air pressure.
Cleaning And Maintenance
Portable units still require cleaning and maintenance. You will have to look at the options and see which is best for you. Models that fully self-evaporative are more advanced and automatically evaporate moisture and warm air out from the exhaust hose. The advantage here is that you’ll never need to empty out any water.
Models with the condensate pump and gravity drain allow you to remove collected moisture by attaching a drain hose, which may come included with your purchase. Just attach the hose to the drain port and lead the water into a drain or bucket.
In general, standard portable air conditioners have buckets that you will need to empty on a regular basis. The bucket will collect the water, and depending on the humidity, you might have to do this more often than you’d think. When the unit is full of water, it’s time to turn off the power and empty the bucket.
Overall Cost
Of course, we must take into consideration whether we can afford the cost of the purchase, energy, and upkeep of a unit. Costs and prices can vary, but the difference in cost can be determined by several different factors, mainly how powerful the air conditioner heater combo is. It’s obvious and wise to consider that you would not use the same unit for a small bedroom for cooling or heating a large living room space, as well. The general rule of thumb is that you’ll have to spend more to cool larger spaces.
Air conditioning and heating can be expensive, and according to Energy Star, on average, about 13% of a home’s energy bill is allocated to cooling costs. Make sure you take energy efficiency into consideration when searching for options that are the most affordable.
Don’t forget to include other costs, such as replacement air filters. You’ll need to look at how much the replacement filter will cost and the frequency of how often you’ll need to buy new ones. Luckily, some units come with a washable filter that you can simply rinse under running water.