Garvee 8,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner PHK_337D-WB: specs and fit

The Garvee 8,000 BTU portable air conditioner (model PHK_337D-WB) is a compact freestanding unit for small rooms. It cools, dehumidifies and circulates air, and it rolls on casters to wherever you need it. Here is how to read its figures.

Two capacity figures

Garvee quotes 8,000 BTU on the ASHRAE method and 5,000 BTU on the US Department of Energy (DOE) method. The two numbers describe the same machine under different tests. The DOE figure is more conservative because it accounts for heat the unit itself adds to the room, and it is the better one for comparing with other units. The brand says the unit covers spaces up to 350 sq. ft. (about 33 square metres), and it is listed as DOE certified.

Efficiency and energy use

The CEER figure is 6.2. CEER, the combined energy efficiency ratio, measures cooling output per unit of electricity, and a higher number means more cooling for the same energy. Garvee gives an annual consumption of approximately 585 kWh, and says it uses a high-efficiency compressor. Actual use depends on climate, running hours and the room, and the brand notes that performance may vary with region and latitude.

Modes and controls

The unit has cooling, a fan and a dehumidifier mode rated at up to 50 pints per day. The adjustable thermostat runs from 62 to 86°F (about 17 to 30°C), and the fan has two speeds. Sleep mode turns off the display lights for quieter running. A 24-hour programmable timer is included, and everything is controlled from an LED panel or a remote. Garvee lists built-in overheat protection and noise as low as 48 dB.

Setting it up

The package includes an exhaust hose and a window sealing kit that Garvee says suits double-hung and sliding windows and needs no extra tools. You plug it in, connect the hose and seal the window. Keeping the hose short and straight usually gives the best results.

At 11.8 x 13.4 x 27.3 in (30 x 34 x 69 cm) and 40.1 lb (about 18 kg), it is one of the smaller portable units, and easier to move and put away.

Where it fits

Garvee points to dorm rooms, rentals, kitchens, home offices, balconies and small converted spaces such as garages. Spot cooling works best when the door is closed and the room is small enough for the unit's capacity.

Who it suits

It suits renters, students and anyone cooling one small room where a window unit isn't allowed. People with larger or very sunny rooms usually need more capacity.

What to check before you buy

• Room size: compare 350 sq. ft. with your room and its sun exposure, and look at the DOE figure.
• Window: check that the opening suits the window kit, and measure it.
• Noise: 48 dB is the brand's lowest figure, so check the manual for the level on high.
• Drainage: read the manual on condensate and when it needs emptying.
• Power: check the plug and circuit.
• Storage: you will need floor space in use and a place to keep it off-season.

The short version

• A compact portable air conditioner rated at 8,000 BTU ASHRAE and 5,000 BTU DOE.
• CEER 6.2, about 585 kWh a year by the brand's figure.
• Cooling, fan and dehumidifier modes, 62 to 86°F thermostat.
• 24-hour timer, sleep mode, remote and as low as 48 dB.
• Exhaust hose and window kit included; 40.1 lb.

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