Yes, you can use a small portable air conditioner to cool a single window in your home. Portable air conditioners are designed to provide localized cooling and can be moved from room to room as needed.
The cost of operating a portable air conditioner depends on several factors, including the energy efficiency of the unit, the size of the room, the local climate, and the duration of use. Portable air conditioners typically have a rated cooling capacity in British Thermal Units (BTUs), which indicates how much heat they can remove from a room per hour. The higher the BTU rating, the more cooling power the unit has, and consequently, it may consume more energy.
To estimate the cost per month, you need to consider the energy consumption of the portable air conditioner and your local electricity rate. The energy consumption is usually measured in watts and can be found in the unit's specifications. Multiply the wattage by the number of hours you expect to use the air conditioner each day, and then multiply that by the number of days in a month. Finally, multiply the result by your electricity rate per kilowatt-hour (kWh) to calculate the cost.
As for whether it's worth using a portable air conditioner instead of buying central air conditioning for the whole house, it depends on your specific circumstances. Here are a few points to consider:
Cost: Portable air conditioners are generally more affordable upfront compared to installing central air conditioning throughout the entire house.
Flexibility: Portable units allow you to cool specific rooms or areas where you spend the most time. This can be beneficial if you don't need to cool the entire house all the time or if you're in a rental property.
Energy efficiency: Central air conditioning systems are often more energy-efficient than portable units. Cooling the entire house with a central system may be more cost-effective in the long run if you frequently need to cool multiple rooms simultaneously.
Installation: Central air conditioning requires professional installation, which can be more complex and costly. Portable air conditioners, on the other hand, are relatively easy to set up and don't require any permanent modifications to your home.
Ultimately, the decision depends on your budget, cooling needs, and priorities. If you primarily need cooling in a specific room or if you're on a limited budget, a portable air conditioner may be a practical option. However, if you require consistent and efficient cooling throughout the entire house, central air conditioning may be a better long-term solution despite the higher upfront costs.