Simple, mobile, and incredibly energy efficient portable heat pumps continue to grow in popularity each day. Rather than large, expensive furnaces that are difficult to install and maintain, homeowners are choosing to invest in plug-and-play portable units, some of which don’t even require installation.
The best part is that portable air conditioner and heater combos can be moved from one spot to another with ease. In this review, we discuss everything you need to know about the best portable heat pump systems to help you decide whether they would be the solution to your heating needs. Let’s begin with a review of some of the best portable heat pumps.
Excellent portable heat pumps with a comparison of the main characteristics:
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Whynter Elite ARC-122DHP
The portable air conditioner with remote provides 12,000 BTU cooling and 11,000 BTU heating output. It is one of those most midrange portable air conditioners that provide power, and value for money, using CFC free green R-410A refrigerant.
You can use this window air conditioner and dehumidifier combo unit in the bedroom, maybe your living room, or a home office. Using the dehumidifier mode in this portable air conditioning heating unit permits for extraction of 76 pints of excess moisture in 24 hours.
Advantages of the model:
- Digital and remote control
- 4 operational modes
- Hassle-free operation
- Improves air quality
The Whynter ARC-122DHP industrial portable air conditioning unit has no spill-over problem. Its compressor shuts down when its water tank is full and does not start back up until you empty the tank.
Weighing around 60 pounds, this 4 in 1 portable air conditioner is not very light but is still very portable. It can be easily rolled from one room to another using the wheels attached, and to move it upstairs, it needs help lifting. With an activated carbon filter and washable-filter, this air conditioner dehumidifier keeps the cooled air fresher and cleaner.
Frigidaire 8,000 BTU
It can dehumidify up to 1.9 pints in one hour. With easy-to-use electronic controls and a quick cool/warm mode to increase fan speed, this portable air conditioner with a heat pump adjusts your room temperature perfectly.
This industrial portable air conditioning unit also comes with the Space-Wise Adjustable Design Optional Side Panels that will extend to best fit into your window. It also has an easy-to-clean, washable, antibacterial filter.
It can efficiently capture dust from the air and reduces bacteria, room odors, and other airborne particles for a healthier, more comfortable environment.
Advantages of the model:
- Multi-speed electronic controls
- 8-way comfort control design
- Extra-long power cord
- Power to capture dust from the air
When the filter needs cleaning, you get an alert, so you have to keep track of it yourself. The sleep mode on this air conditioner heater combo ensures your comfort throughout the usage hours, along with the additional benefit of saving energy.
With Sleep Mode, the temperature gradually increases/decreases a few degrees as desired, over the usage time. With Effortless Restart technology, it also resumes operating at its previous settings automatically when you turn it on again.
The provided remote control allows precise control of temperature and fan speed from long ranges across the room.
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Black + Decker BPACT14WT
The installation kit of this portable heating and cooling unit consists of an air exhaust hose, hose inlet/outlet adapters, water drain hose, user guide manual, and window casement. Imagine if you could get a fully functional remote control for an air conditioner pump? This one here has easy-to-use LED electronic controls.
It is quiet when you are asleep. It can keep a room, home, bedroom, small apartment, or college dorm room cool throughout the summer.
Advantages of the model:
- Quiet and powerful
- Easy to use and clean
- 3-in-1 functionality
- Hassle-free cooling system
This heater fan combo comes with three modes- air conditioner, dehumidifier, and fan. This dehumidifier heater comes with an installation kit and an extensive warranty. It has casters to provide easy mobility.
This portable air conditioner with a remote has a rating of 14,000 BTU as per ASHRAE 128. It has a top-mounted control panel with an LED display for easy readability of temperature and status. A 14000 BTU portable air conditioner and heater that is also an environment-friendly R410a refrigerant.
When you go looking for a portable heat pump, you must make sure it comes with a washable filter and a large four-directional vented airflow outlet.
MIDEA MAP08R1CWT
The best part about this portable air conditioner with a heater is that you get to choose a temperature between 62* and 90* Fahrenheit. You do not have to worry about installing this air conditioner dehumidifier. You do not need extra tools to assemble it.
Just choose the area you need for cooling/heating in your house, and fit it into the bracket, then turn on the unit, and let the cooling/heating begin!
Very few portable air conditioner heater units come with effortless operation. There is an easy-to-read LED display, and it includes a compact remote control where you can set the temperature, time, and mode from across the room.
Advantages of the model:
- Effortless operation
- Easy to install
- Comes with a washable air filter
- Midea is a worldwide famous brand
This portable air conditioner with a heat pump has three fan speeds and five modes for your choice. A dehumidifier heater like this one here has a rating of 8,000 BTUs. It can cover a room with an area of up to 150 sq. ft. You can place it wherever you like, be it your home, bedroom, office, cabin, or any relaxing and comfortable environment of your choice.
Such portable air conditioners with a heat pump make up an excellent option for budget shoppers. It has a 24-hour timer that can cool your relaxing space or workspace. When you go looking for a portable heat pump, you must look for a solid design like this one here has. Go for it if it has fan and dehumidification properties. Not just that, it also comes with a washable air filter.
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Black + Decker 7,500 BTU
This ac heater combo unit features easy-to-use LED electronic controls with a fully functional remote control. It is quiet even when running on a high setting (with a noise level -75 dB). With added rolling caster wheels and side carrying handles, it also provides maneuverable mobile comfort. The installation is effortless.
Added to that, the precision and simplicity of programmable digital controls and a 24-hour timer for on/off functionality and sleep mode make it a must-buy.
Advantages of the model:
- Heats and cools most of the rooms
- Simple and quick to assemble
- 4-in-1 functionality- cool, fan, heat, and dehumidify
- Quite easy to clean and use
The portable air conditioner with remote boasts a rating of 115 volts, 950 watts, and 60hz. Its filter is washable and can slide out, and you can rinse below a tap. Its large, four-directional vented airflow outlet ensures that all of your home’s ventilation, cooling, and heating needs.
It has an environment-friendly R410a refrigerant and auto water evaporation. The caster wheels included allowing for compact portability and easily maneuverable straightforward motion. A 4 in 1 portable air conditioner like this one allows you to control airflow functions like sleep, max, and air swing.
You save space, expenditure on different kinds of units to acquire heating and cooling separately. Here, you get hassle-free cooling and heating all in one unit.
FAQ for portable heat pumps buyers:
Does a portable heat pump need to be vented?
A portable unit needs to be vented outdoors whether it is operating in heating or cooling mode. Instructions for installing the exhaust hose and window kit come with every unit. Even in heating mode a portable unit will still “condition” the air – that is, remove excess humidity.
Do heat pumps use a lot of electricity?
Like your refrigerator, heat pumps use electricity to move heat from a cool space to a warm space, making the cool space cooler and the warm space warmer. Today’s heat pump can reduce your electricity use for heating by approximately 50% compared to electric resistance heating such as furnaces and baseboard heaters.
At what temperature do heat pumps become ineffective?
The optimal temperature range for conventional air source heat pump operation is above 25 to 30 degrees Fahrenheit. The heat pump begins to lose efficiency once temperatures dip to 40 degrees and are no longer the most efficient heating option once temperatures fall to 25 to 30 degrees.
Why does my heat pump use so much electricity?
To make sure that you have a comfortable temperature, installers often tend to set the water heating temperature to one that is too high compared to your actual needs. However, the more your heating water has to reach a high temperature, the more electricity your heat pump consumes and the lower its efficiency.
Can a heat pump heat a whole house?
As a proven commodity, not only are heat pumps providing Mainers with an efficient way to deliver warmth to specific areas of their homes, increasingly, they are now installing heat pumps as their primary source of heating and cooling throughout the entire home.
How much electricity does a heat pump use per hour?
A heat pump is considered one of the most energy-efficient forms of electric heating available. It only costs around 28c an hour* to run so having it on for 4 hours a day during the cold months is just $1.12 per day.