How Many Amps Does a Portable AC Use

A portable air conditioner uses around 5.8 to 12.5 amps of current when operating at standard conditions. Different portable AC BTUs (British Thermal Units) vary in power consumption and amperage. For instance, a 6000 BTU portable AC would draw around 7.4 to 8.3 amps. Similarly, a portable AC of 8000 BTU draws 7.8 to 8.8 amps, a 10000 BTU portable AC would draw 9.4 to 12.6 amps, and a 12000 BTU portable AC draws around 12.5 to 16.6 amps of current. There are many factors such as cooling power, Energy Star rating, voltage, etc., and these help to understand how many amps a portable AC uses in a detailed manner.

A portable AC comes in various dimensions and units and is sufficient to cool a small and medium-sized room. Depending on the weather, you may need to change the cooling temperature of the AC, which might consume extra electricity and cost. Hence, solar power generators such as Jackery Solar Generator emerged as an effective alternative to traditional grid power supply. These solar generators are eco-friendly, cost-effective, and can significantly reduce electricity costs.

Key Takeaways

• A portable air conditioner uses around 5.8 to 12.5 amps of current when operating at standard conditions.
• For instance, a 6000 BTU portable AC would draw around 7.4 to 8.3 amps.
• A portable AC of 8000 BTU draws 7.8 to 8.8 amps, and a 10,000 BTU portable AC would draw 9.4 to 12.6 amps.
• A 12,000 BTU portable AC draws around 12.5 to 16.6 amps of current.

How Many Amps Does a Portable AC Use

A portable AC of 6000 BTU consumes around 890 to 1000 watts of power and draws 7.4 to 8.3 amps current at 120 volts. An 8000 BTU portable AC of 935 to 1050 watts draws around 7.8 to 8.8 amps current at 120 volts.

A portable AC of 10000 BTU would draw 9.4 to 12.6 amps current of 1130 to 1515 watts at 120V. A 12000 BTU portable AC of 1500 to 2000 watts running at 120V would draw 12.5 to 16.6 amps current at 120V.

Definition of Amps, Volts, Watts, Running Watts

To understand how many amps a portable AC uses, it is important to know the basic units such as watts, volts, and amps in detail. It not only helps to choose an energy-efficient appliance but ensures safety while connecting the device to the correct circuit.

Amps (Amperes): If you see inside your home’s breaker box, you might come across amps. Amps/ampere measure the amount of electricity running through a circuit and is defined as the rate through which current flows through the circuit. Different circuit breakers are rated as different amps values, and more electricity will flow through the circuit of larger amperage. To calculate amps, you can use the formula:

Amps = Watts ÷ Volts.

Volts: The speed of individual electrons moving through a circuit describes the voltage and is measured in volts. In short, voltage measures the electric potential at which electricity flows. In an American household, power is delivered mainly at 120 volts. However, heavy-duty appliances operate at 240 volts.

Volts = Watts ÷ Amps.

Watts: The amount of power the portable AC consumes is known as its wattage. It can also be represented as electricity at work or the power the device takes to do some work. Wattage is expressed as V x A = W. The faster the electron moves through the circuit, the higher the wattage.

Watts = Volts × Amps.

Running Watts: Running/rated watts is the wattage an appliance draws while operating. Running wattage is important to determine the AC output of the power supply you need. It can be calculated by using the formula:

Running Watts = Volts × Running Amps.

How Many Amps Do a Single-Hose, Dual-Hose, Window Portable, And Evaporative Portable AC Use?

A single-hose portable AC of 1040 to 1200 watts running at 120V draws around 8.6 to 10 amps of current. A dual-hose portable AC of 1250 to 1341 watts draws around 10.4 to 11.2 at 120V. Similarly, a window portable AC of 300 to 695 watts would draw an amperage of 2.5 to 8 amps at 120V, and an evaporative portable AC of 45 to 150 watts running at 120V would draw an amperage of 0.37 to 1.25 watts.

Here's a detailed comparison of the different types of portable ACs, the appliance  wattage chart, and amp usage:

How Many Amps Does a Portable AC Draw on a Startup?

On startup, a portable AC operating at a running wattage of 1000 watts would have a starting wattage of around 2000 watts and would draw 16.6 amps of current. Once the portable AC is on, it draws a surge power to start the compressor, which is higher than the running power.

Starting Watts vs Running Watts

As mentioned, the startup wattage in portable AC is usually two times higher than the running wattage. Startup wattage is the power required to start the compressor of the portable AC before it runs at the rated wattage. The running wattage of a portable AC may vary between 800 to 3000 watts depending upon the BTU, type, and operating hours.

For example, if a portable AC runs at 120V and draws 10 amps, you can calculate the running watts by using the formula:

Running Watts = Voltage x Running Amps = 120V x 10 = 1200W.

Startup Watts = Running Watts x 2 = 1200W x 2 = 2400W.

Note: Multiplied the running watts by 2 because the startup watts are typically 2 to 3 times higher than the running watts.

Startup Amps vs Running Amps

Regarding signifying a higher value, just like the startup wattage, the startup amps in portable AC are higher than the running amps. While the startup amp is the amperage the portable AC draws just for 2-3 seconds after it is turned on, the running amp is the current it draws while operating.

Startup Amps = Running Amps x 2 = 8 x 2 = 16A.

How to Calculate Your Portable AC Amps

Knowing how many amps a portable AC uses is important for evaluating and understanding energy consumption. It is also important to know the amperage drawn by the portable AC so that you can check its compatibility with power sources like solar generators.

Method 1: Manufacturer Details: Energy Star Rating

Whenever you purchase an electrical appliance, it comes with a user manual with the manufacturer's details. These details mention information regarding the Energy Star rating (if the product is Energy Star certified), power consumption, voltage required, and amperage drawn. Thus, looking at the manufacturer's details or the user manual is one of the easiest methods of determining how many amps a portable AC uses.

Method 2: Determine the Amps From the Wattage

Determining the amps from wattage is another method to calculate portable AC unit amps. If the manufacturer details are not available, you can check the daily power consumption in watt-hours along with the voltage of the power source. For example, if a 500W portable AC runs for four hours daily, it will consume 2000Wh/day. Then, you can calculate the amps by using the formula:

Amps = Daily Watt Hours ÷ Volts = 2000Wh ÷ 120V = 16.6 amps daily.

Method 3: Power Meter

Another method that can give nearly accurate readings of amperage, voltage, and power consumption is a digital power meter. This easy-to-use meter plugs into the wall outlet from one side and has a standard outlet for your portable AC. The readings are then displayed on the meter's LCD screen.

Tips to Save Your Electricity Bill

If you monitor your energy consumption and try to reduce it, it will not only save you money but also increase energy security and reduce pollution from non-renewable power supply. According to the US Department of Energy, reducing the electricity load is the first step, as it allows you to purchase a more efficient system. Here are some tips you should apply to save your electricity bill:

• Invest in energy-efficient portable ACs and use advanced strips to reduce vampire loads.
• You can implement solar design concepts in your home and insulate and seal your home properly.
• According to energy.gov, air conditioners use 6% of electricity produced in the US and release roughly 117 million metric tons of carbon dioxide. Switching to high-efficiency air conditioners can reduce energy consumption by 20-30%.
• Routinely cleaning air filters can also help reduce your air conditioner's energy consumption by 5-15%.
• Consider ventilation techniques like natural ventilation, fans, and whole-house fans, as these are not only energy-efficient but also the least expensive ways to cool a home.  
• If you live in a region with frequent power cuts or blackouts, your utility bill is too costly, or you decide to go completely off-grid, investing in solar generators can be a great way to fulfill the power needs of AC while lowering the bills.

Solar Generators for Portable AC

Solar power generators, like the Jackery Solar Generator, use renewable energy to power appliances like portable ACs and other heavy-duty appliances. The generator combines a solar panel with a portable power station.

When placed outside on a bright sunny day, the solar panels capture solar energy using monocrystalline cells and convert it into electrical energy. This energy is transferred into the power station and converted to AC to charge the portable AC.

Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus

Ideal for off-grid living and extended blackouts, the Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus can expand its capacity by adding battery packs and solar panels. It can charge your portable AC of various units and provide sufficient battery backup for your home. With long-lasting reliability, this sustainable solar generator is fume-free and operates without noise.

Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus Kit (4kWh)

Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus Kit (4kWh) can power heavy-duty devices, including portable ACs. It offers long-lasting reliability and high power output and is expandable for various scenarios. You can easily operate and maintain the solar generator whenever you need to power your appliances. Ideal for off-grid scenarios, it can power various types of portable ACs, such as single-hose, double-hose, and portable window ACs.

Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro

Featuring a large capacity, the Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro can power up to 99% of devices. Its portable design includes a pull rod and double wheels for easy transportation. Ideal for home emergencies, RVs, etc., it ensures all-around safety while powering your portable ACs. The solar generator also has a longer battery life and can provide backup during blackouts.

FAQs About Portable ACs

How many amps does an 8000 BTU AC use?

An 8000 BTU portable AC of 935 to 1050 watts draws around 7.8 to 8.8 amps current at 120 volts.

How many amps is a 12000 BTU air conditioner?

A 12000 BTU portable AC of 1500 to 2000 watts running at 120V would draw 12.5 to 16.6 amps current at 120V.

How much power does a 10000 BTU portable AC use?

A portable AC of 10000 BTU would draw 9.4 to 12.6 amps current, or 1130 to 1515 watts, at 120V.

Conclusion

You can make informed decisions about the right type of power supply by understanding how many amps a portable AC uses. Knowing the amperage, power consumption, and voltage can help you monitor your portable AC’s performance. Portable AC amps depend upon factors such as BTU, types, operating hours, weather conditions, power supply, etc. Investing in solar power generators like the Jackery Solar Generator can help save loads of electricity and costs on electricity bills. These generators are not only efficient but also contribute to a sustainable future.