Spot Cooler

Spot cooler is also known as a portable air conditioner where it has wheels mounted that makes it movable. It is a self-contained unit where all the components that are needed for cooling the space are located.

They can be air-cooled or water-cooled but in general the air-cooled type is more popular due to its ease of installation. The cooling capacity can range from 9,000 Btu/hr to 50,000 Btu/hr.

Spot Cooler Components and Control Panel

An example of a portable unit is from MIDEA, one of the top air conditioner manufacturers in China. Here are the main components that make up this self-contained unit.

Compressor
Condenser Coil
Capillary Tube
Evaporator Coil
Fan

MPF-12CRN1 Portable Air Conditioner from MIDEA

Midea Portable Air Conditioner

The Electronic Control Panel

The control panel has many of the functions that are available in a typical window air conditioner.

AIR SWING controls the direction of the air that is discharge from the unit.

SLEEP mode helps to increase the set temperature automatically over time so that the temperature will not be too cold as you sleep. Also saves energy.

TIMER feature will ON or OFF the unit at the desired time.

FAN SPEED can be set from Auto, High, Med or Low. The AUTO mode will automatically change the fan speed according to the difference in the set temperature and actual room temperature.

MODE feature will enable you to set the portable unit to AUTO, COOL, DRY or FAN.

Temperature Up and Down is set by using the left/right button and the digital display will display the set temperature.

Many of the features that are available in split unit such as auto-restart feature and ionizer may also be available on the spot cooler that you intend to purchase.

The auto-restart feature is a good feature to look out for as it will retain the last settings in case of interruption of power supply to the unit.

The ionizer is a good feature that helps to clean up the air in the room. Depending on the technology used, air borne contaminants and microbes can be removed from the space hence providing a cleaner air.

Exhaust Hose Installation

When the unit is in operation in AUTO, COOL or DRY mode, hot air from the condensing coil needs to be channeled out from the room. The DIY kit usually comes with an exhaust hose and accessories where the installation of the hose is required to discharge the hot air from the room. The hose can be installed through the window or the ceiling where the air can be discharged outside of the room.