Summary
In the summertime, having a portable air conditioner in your home is a blessing. Being able to move your air conditioner to the room of your choice is a luxury – and keeps your energy bill under control.
The Cool Living Evaporative Portable Air Conditioner is one of the highest-quality portable air conditioners we’ve reviewed.
It efficiently cools and dehumidifies larger rooms up to 400 square feet in size and comes with several advanced and useful features including a three-speed digital thermostat, an evaporative dehumidifier, and an auto mode.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- The unit weighs less than 60 pounds, so it is easy to move between rooms using the caster wheels and attached handle.
- Compact size of 17 by 27 inches makes it easy to place out of view.
- Remote control makes it easy to control from a distance.
- User-friendly control panel.
- 3 fan speeds.
- 24-hour timer.
- Auto evaporation feature pushes collected moisture outside - so you don't have to empty water trays or bins.
- The auto-swing option distributes cool air evenly throughout the room.
Cons:
- A bit of a hassle to set up. No ductwork or wiring is required, but it can take an hour to set it up for the first time using the included installation kit. .
- In smaller rooms, the noise can be a bit loud (when set on high).
Unique Features
The Cool Living 8000 BTU portable AC combines several useful features to deliver a truly hands-off portable cooling appliance.
These include:
Cooling Capacity
This Cool Living AC has an impressive 8,000 BTU cooling capacity, which is favourably suitable for mid-size bedrooms or offices. It also can get rid of excess moisture in the room by holding about 86 pints of water.
You do not have to manually empty an external water bucket either, which is convenient, especially in offices.
Smart mode
You can switch the air conditioner to auto mode. However, the unit itself chooses the most efficient mode depending on the existing interior temperature.
Sleep mode
If you turn on the sleep mode, the unit automatically increases the set temperature by 2 degrees to help save energy while you are asleep.
Auto-restart
In case of a power outage, the unit will automatically restart with all the previously programmed settings.
Digital Thermostat and Timer
You can adjust the air temperature using the digital thermostat and direct the cool airflow through the swing mode for the louvers. Apart from this, you can also set a timer for 24 hours, after which the AC turns off automatically.
Portable
It consists of side handles and caster wheels so you can easily transport it from one space to another if needed.
Issues & Concerns
Some of the issues we found during our review include:
- The noise level of the compressor might be too loud for some, especially in a smaller room. This can be mitigated by lowering the fan speed. But if you run it on high, you'll notice it.
- The smart mode does not automatically switch between fan and compressor, which can lead to overcooling the room unless you manually intervene.
Care and Maintenance
To ensure that the Cool Living 8000 BTU portable air conditioner serves you for as long as possible, you need to stay on top of maintenance every once in a while.
Mostly, this means regularly cleaning and replacing the air filters.
To do this you will need to remove the filters from the unit, immerse them in warm water, and clean them using a soft bristle brush and mild detergent. Make sure the air filters are completely dry before you place them back into the unit.
Other than that, just keep the unit out of sunlight and clean the surfaces with a damp cloth.
When you need to put it away, turn it off and unplug it. Then drain the water from the water tank and turn on the fan mode. Once the interior is completely dry, wrap up the cord and pack it in its original carton to put it away in a cool, dry place.
Warranty
Cool Living provides a 1-year warranty for all of its air conditioners. The warranty covers faults due to normal usage. It does not cover malfunctions resulting from shipping, misuse, or modification.
Specifications
- BTU: 8,000 BTU
- Coverage: 350 square feet
- Refrigerant: R12
- Volts: 36
- Energy-Efficiency Rate: 11.2
- Cooling Power Input (Watts): 740
- Eco-friendly R410A refrigerant
- Energy Star compliant
- Full Warranty
Where to Buy
If the Cool Living 8000 BTU portable air conditioner sounds like a good fit for you, you can purchase it at leading retail appliance stores or online here.
I’m a degreed ME (mechanical engineer) who is passionate about machines of all kinds. I created MachineWonders.com as a way to connect with others who love machines like me – or need help choosing one for their needs, application, or situation.
