Looking for a solution to cool your office, garage or room that’s beyond the reach of your current AC system? You are probably investigating your options, trying to find the best solution. The very first choice you may encounter is the one between single hose vs dual hose AC systems. Let’s find out about the differences.
Dual vs single hose portable air conditioner
Both single and dual hose portable cooling units have to draw air in from one source (portable AC hose) and inject it into the room from another (the main cooling unit). If you decide on installing one unit in any given space, the exhaust has to be led outside. This is mainly because air-conditioning devices generate more heat than the cooling air when operating. Another hose is typically used to insert the air into the unit, enabling AC to run.
Single-hose portable AC units
Single hose portable air conditioner is the more basic of the two designs. A compressor is used to charge the cooling system, removing hot temperature from the space in which it operates. With single-hose units, the air is drawn in from the room. Warm air and humidity are expelled outside, which is why you need to think of the window or wall that can serve this purpose.
Because the air is pulled within the space in which it operates, a single hose unit can create ‘’negative air pressure’’. As the air is continually extracted from the room there has to be something going in. Any crack or opening, around doors and windows especially, allows the flow of hot air from the outside that rushes in place of the air that is blown outside.
This working cycle in which the air-co is constantly under pressure and has to process the hot air to maintain the temperature is not extremely efficient.
Dual-hose portable AC units
Dual-hose portable air conditioner is often slightly pricier than the single hose solution, yet it justifies the cost. Firstly because of the cooling efficiency that stems from the design itself:
- One hose serves as an air exhaust.
- Another hose draws the air from the outside into the system.
Much like the single-hose design the air extracted from the room is chilled within the device and let back in. The cooling process generates heat, so this is where the second hose serves its purpose by sucking the outside air in the AC, cooling the compressor and condenser coils.
What you ultimately get as a result is more efficient cooling with less stress on the unit. Even if you could achieve the lower temperature in your room or garage with the single hose type, consider the amount of air being processed and the possibility of overworking the compressor and the unit.
Another great benefit of a dual hose system is the amount of air filtration. More filtered air is being let in the unit which extends the lifespan of the unit’s filter – pivotal in cleaning the air from allergens.
Which one should I get?
It all depends on the space you’re cooling and many other factors. In certain scenarios single hose is just perfect and chills the room just nicely, in other cases dual hose is unbeaten. The slightly higher unit price of dual hose systems is quite justified given the benefits described. Whatever questions you may have, consult our professionals at Chills Air Conditioning to find the best single or best dual hose portable air conditioner for you!
