Garvee 14,000 BTU 3-in-1 Portable Air Conditioner: specs and who it suits

The Garvee 14,000 BTU portable air conditioner is a freestanding unit that cools, dehumidifies or simply circulates air, and it rolls from room to room on casters. It is meant for renters and for rooms where a window unit or central air isn't an option. The figures on portable units can be confusing, so here is what they mean.

Two BTU numbers

The headline figure is 14,000 BTU, which is the ASHRAE figure. The listing also gives 10,200 BTU SACC. SACC stands for seasonally adjusted cooling capacity, the US Department of Energy's more conservative measure that accounts for heat the unit itself adds to the room. The two numbers describe the same machine under different test methods, so use the SACC figure when comparing it with other units that quote it.

Garvee says the unit suits rooms up to 750 sq. ft. (about 70 square metres). Real coverage depends on ceiling height, sun exposure, insulation and how many people and appliances are in the room.

Cooling, dehumidifying and fan modes

Besides cooling, the unit has a dehumidifier mode that Garvee rates at up to 100.32 pints per day, and a fan mode with two speeds. Auto-swing louvers spread airflow across the room. The thermostat range is 64 to 90°F (about 18 to 32°C). The brand says it uses R32 refrigerant, which is a common modern refrigerant in new air conditioners.

Controls and comfort features

An LED panel and a remote handle the controls. There is a 24-hour timer and a Sleep Mode, which Garvee says gives quieter running and gradual temperature adjustment overnight. Follow Me is a feature where the remote senses the temperature near you, and the unit adjusts to that reading rather than to a sensor in the unit itself.

Efficiency and noise

Garvee quotes a CEER of 7.83. CEER, the combined energy efficiency ratio, is the US measure of cooling output per unit of electricity, and a higher number means more cooling for each unit of electricity used. Noise is listed at 50 dB on low and 52 dB on high, which is roughly the level of quiet conversation, though compressors and fans often sound different from a decibel figure.

Setting it up

The unit comes with a window installation kit: adjustable panels and an extendable exhaust hose. Garvee says it needs no drilling and fits most sliding or double-hung windows. The hose carries hot air outside, so a short, straight run with the panel sealed well works best. The unit measures about 18 x 16 x 34 in (46 x 40 x 87 cm) and weighs 71.2 lb (about 32 kg). It rolls, but lifting it up steps or stairs takes two people.

Who it suits

It suits bedrooms, living rooms and home offices where a fixed unit isn't allowed or practical, and people who want one machine to cool in summer and dry the air in damp weather. Because it is large and heavy, it suits spaces where the window kit can sit comfortably.

What to check before you buy

• Window type: confirm your window is a sliding or double-hung style the kit fits, and measure the opening.
• Room size: compare the SACC figure as well as the headline BTU with your room and its sun exposure.
• Power: check the plug type and circuit, and use the outlet the manual recommends.
• Drainage: read the manual on condensate, and what to do in humid conditions.
• Noise: 50 to 52 dB is audible in a quiet bedroom, so think about where it will stand.
• Storage: you will need floor space in use and somewhere to keep it in winter.

The short version

• A portable air conditioner rated at 14,000 BTU (ASHRAE) and 10,200 BTU SACC.
• Cooling, dehumidifier and 2-speed fan modes, 64 to 90°F range.
• CEER 7.83; 50 dB on low and 52 dB on high.
• Timer, Sleep Mode, Follow Me remote and a no-drill window kit.
• Weighs 71.2 lb and rolls on casters.

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