Sometimes a Central AC System is Not Enough
You would think that in a two-year-old fully air-conditioned house, we would not have a need to purchase a portable air conditioner, but we did.
The HVAC vents do not pump the cool air consistently throughout the house. For example, the front two bedrooms are freezing. Yet, the master bedroom in the back of the house is too warm for our liking.
When we moved into the home, while the builder’s warranty still covered the HVAC system, the heating and cooling company checked all vents, made some adjustments, and we thought solved the air flow issue. However, the reality is that we still need to keep the central air conditioning system pumping overnight to sleep comfortably. My solution … a portable air conditioner.
High Electric Bill is a Win For the Electric Company, a Loss For Us
We only have one HVAC zone in our house meaning that cranking the AC overnight to cool off the master bedroom wastes air in every other room in the house. Our electric bill was huge! A neighbor suggested that we purchase a portable air conditioner to place in the master bedroom. That way, we can set the HVAC system to a minimum overnight and save on our electric bill.
I know what you’re thinking. We purchased a portable air conditioner to save electricity, but the unit runs on electric power. Well, research claimed that the portable unit would use less power than running the HVAC system all night long. We had no other choice than to try it.
For 40 years, the TCL brand has been a leader of consumer technology, so we confidently selected the TCL 10,000 BTU Smart Portable Air Conditioner. (Model H10P36W)
More Than Just A Portable Air Conditioner
Even though I purchased a portable air conditioner to cool off the master bedroom for sleeping, the TCL 10,000 BTU Smart Portable Air Conditioner offered us additional uses. It’s a versatile, 3-in-1 appliance, offering an air conditioner, a fan, and a dehumidifier all in one unit.
Features of the TCL 10,000 BTU Smart Portable Air Conditioner
:: Powerful 10,000 BTU cooling capacity with multiple fan speeds
:: Ideal for cooling rooms up to 350 square feet
:: Sets up in minutes – installation kit included
:: Transports easily with handle and wheels
:: Helps maintain lower energy bill with sleep mode and timer
:: Pick the perfect level of comfort with the LED display and included remote
:: Smart features control unit via app or voice commands through Alexa and Google Assistant
:: Designed to restart automatically after a power outage with auto restart
:: A washable and reusable filter
Set Up in Minutes
TCL brand cooling products are designed and engineered to be user-friendly with a quick and easy setup. Never in my wildest dreams did I think setting up the TCL 10,000 BTU Smart Portable Air Conditioner could be easy, but it was. The unit includes everything you need to install it.
Here’s what you get:
:: AC unit
:: Window installation kit with window adaptor (vertical/horizontal) and foam insulation strip
:: Exhaust hose connection
:: Remote control
:: User’s manual
We set up our portable AC unit in minutes using the included hose and window kit. Using the unit requires a window to vent with air flow from the outside. Just follow the easy instructions carefully.
<1> Roll your unit to a window
<2> Attach the hose and window kit
<3> Plug in the AC unit to an electric outlet
<4> Turn the AC on
<5> Set up the app or use the remote
The included window mount kit is adaptable for horizontal or vertical windows, from 20.5″ up to a 59″ opening. The kit offers three parts that slide together. Foam strips are provided to help seal out any air leakage. The unit will need to be placed in a ventilated area near a window and an electrical outlet. As for the provided drain hose that connects the unit to the window, it’s a bit short. Consider purchasing a longer hose.
There is an easy-to-read LED control panel on the top of the unit. To set it up for the first time, you can either use the AC control panel, the app, or the remote.
Select a Mode whether AC, Fan or Dehumidifier
Display buttons on the top control panel allow you to select from the modes: cool, fan, or dry. You can set the temperature in addition to the fan speeds: high, low, or auto. You can select WIFI, or set it to sleep, eco mode, or timer mode.
:: The cool mode is for the air conditioner feature. The 10,000 BTU is powerful.
:: The fan mode keeps a consistent air flow in the room with multiple fan speeds to meet your comfort level.
:: The dry mode pulls moisture out of the air to keep the room dry without having to empty a bucket as in a standard dehumidifier.
Although the TCL 10,000 BTU Smart Portable Air Conditioner is rated to cool a 350 square foot space, we were shocked how the coolness spread to other areas just outside the master bedroom. We continually change the positioning of air flow by adjusting the vent slats or turning the AC unit slightly.
Modern Design and Fully Portable
Its modern, streamlined design in shiny white makes it ideal for any room that offers a vertical or horizontal sliding window for venting. The unit stands a little more than 2 feet high.
When I say that the TCL air conditioner is portable, I want to advise you that you cannot lift and carry it around. By portability, I mean the unit features sturdy wheels so you can roll it from one room or area to another. Please note: This air conditioner unit weighs 74.5 pounds. If you’re planning to use it in an upstairs or downstairs room, once you drag it to the room, you may want to just leave it there.
“Smart” AC: Convenient App and Voice Control Plus a Remote
This is a “Smart” appliance, so it works in conjunction with the TCL Home app. From our mobile devices, we can control the unit and turn it on, off, or make temperature or speed adjustments, set schedules, switch modes, and more.
The unit comes with a convenient remote control as well, so we can control the AC unit without getting out of bed.
As if this device wasn’t “Smart” enough, it also works through voice commands with Alexa and Google Assistant devices.
Technical Specifications
:: Model #: H10P26W
:: A/C Cooling Rate (BTU/hr.): 10,000
:: A/C Coverage Area: 350 sq. ft.
:: Product Size: 17.72″ W x 29.33″ H x 15.59″ D
:: Product Weight: 74.58 lbs.
:: Warranty: 1-year limited warranty
TCL Smart Portable Air Conditioner IS REALLY “COOL!”
The TCL 3-in-1 Smart Portable Air Conditioner has exceeded our expectations. So, what did it cost? We paid $569.99 at Best Buy, $20.00 off the retail price. And while you may have just gasped at the price, this AC absolutely solved the problem and continues to cool off our master bedroom with ease.
It was simple to set up and start using. Although I bought it to cool off the master bedroom, occasionally, we roll it around our single-story house to cool off the exercise room or the garage. And I must admit that the running unit can sound a little on the loud side, but it blends in with our white noise machine.
Our energy bill is definitely lower, but I will monitor it for a few more months to evaluate the annual savings potential.
