Poor Portable Air Conditioning Applications -- What NOT to Do
Much as I hate to admit it, portable air conditioners can get a bad rap. You can't use a "one size fits all" mentality and spot coolers are not the solution for EVERY air conditioning problem.
My goal with this series -- yes, there will be more to come -- is to expose the most common mistakes when using portable cooling for temporary, supplemental or primary air conditioning. I'm on a one-woman crusade to erradicate ineffective, unsafe and ugly portable air conditioning applications.... one application at a time!
Here's the inaugural PPACA (that's Poor Portable Air Conditioning Application) Post.
This summer, I took my 17 year old daughter to the airport (which shall remain nameless) to put her on a flight to Europe. She's quite independent and very resourceful so I wasn't nervous about her flight or being in Europe with our family friends. I was anxious about her spending hours in the airport alone. We live 90 minutes away from the airport so I wasn't going to leave until her plane took off.
I must have looked pathetic. The helpful United ticketing agent took pity on me and gave me a pass to accompany my daughter past security. As we were walking through the terminal I was complaining about how warm it was. Then I saw it. I honestly couldn't believe this portable air conditioner was in the middle of a crowded international terminal!
Where do I begin? Here's the WNTD (What Not to Do) list:
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The electrical cord should be taped to the floor or at least placed next to the pillar to prevent a tripping hazard.
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The condensate storage door is missing allowing any curious child access to several gallons of water.
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The yellow caution cones -- guess those are to warn folks of the wet carpet. Likely from the condensate tank that overflowed.
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Which brings me to the automatic tank full safety that must not be working otherwise the unit would have shut off to prevent condensate overflow -- check out the "water mark" on the carpet in the photo below.
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Not a safety hazard but a pet peeve -- this unit is filthy!
I'm guessing the airport aurhority rented the portable air conditioner since there was a rental company name and serial number on the side -- not shown since they aren't able to defend themselves. Looks as if the rental company needs better quality control. Surely they didn't put a dirty unit in the field with missing parts!
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Insist that the equipment delivered is complete with no missing parts or pieces.
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If the air conditioner condensate tank overflows, request for the unit to be fixed or replaced.
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If your job site is not a construction site, the equipment you rent should not look like it belongs on one!
Not sure about a portable air conditioning application? Post your question or comment here and I'll see if I can help. Let's rid the world of Poor Portable Air Conditioning Applications!
