RA 9KM and 9KE

Portable Air Conditioners - RA 9KM (manual controls) and RA 9KE (electronic controls with remote) are recommended for someone who:

• Has a small apartment and would like portable air conditioning unit to cool a 300 sq. ft. room one at a time (sq. ft. can vary based upon ceiling height, number of people in room, etc.)
• Has a home with several floors, but the central air conditioning doesn't effectively cool the upper floors
• Would rather save money overall than turn down the air conditioner thermostat very low
• Works in an office environment with central air conditioning that is ineffective
• Has awkward sized windows - whether they are double-hung, casement, sliding, or swing-out, these air conditioners offer an optional window kit that will do the job
• Wants to avoid the expense of buying several window air conditioners
• Does not want to empty large water buckets - these cooling systems are self evaporating
• Does not want to destroy the paintwork or woodwork around a window with an air conditioning unit that must be secured with nails
• Is tired of back breaking installation each season with air conditioners that require window mounting
  

Features of Portable Air Conditioners - RA 9KM and RA 9KE

Technical Specifications of 9KM and the 9KE Portable Air Conditioners

Portable air conditioners are not meant to replace central air conditioning, but like conventional window air conditioners, they are good for spot cooling and they dehumidify the air. The electronic 9KE air conditioner was tested in a 1000 sq ft dining room area with 8-foot ceilings. It was used in a room with open doorways which was "window air conditioned" from 2 rooms over, but where the temperature was initially 82°F. The portable air conditioner brought the air temperature down to a comfortable 75°F and maintained that level, while dehumidifying the air.

Pluses

We found the best and most unique feature is that these air conditioners are self-evaporating; this means they create less moisture than other air conditioners in the market and that there is no bucket to drain. There is a shallow excess tray which is included which does need to be drained on occasion depending on use and temperature setting (usually no more than every 15 hours on high setting). We haven’t found another air conditioner on the market with this feature.

• Easy installation: Compared to installing a cumbersome window air conditioner, this unit's window duct kit was installed with relative ease. Thanks to easy to cut foam strips, the gaps were filled where needed to seal in the exhaust hose. The need for drills, screwdrivers, screws and holes in the woodwork were eliminated, a welcome change from traditional window ac units.
• Comfortable, effective cooling: The air conditioner decreased the temperature between 5 to 8%. We were quite comfortable in a 75°F room vs. an originally 82°F room.
• Air conditioner rolls easily and has hand grips: Thanks to 4 casters and hand grips, these ac units can be stored quite neatly in a closet and wheeled out when needed.
• Self-evaporative dehumidification plus reservoir with auto shutoff and excess tray: We were amazed at how long the air conditioner stayed on - 15 hours without having to unscrew the reservoir cap to empty the water into the tray for removal! This is all thanks to a self-evaporating mechanism which gives off water vapor instead of a lot of condensated water. Water will not run over when reservoir is full, thanks to auto shutoff feature. The excess tray is very light - no need for emptying heavy gallon jugs with these units.
• Quieter than average noise level: The unit was quieter on high speed than a window air conditioner
• Choose direction of air flow: An adjustable manual louver for directional air flow from air conditioner vents was very convenient, so we could direct a cool burst of air wherever needed
• Flexible hot air exhaust, allow for easy movement of ac unit: The hot air exhaust hose for the duct kit was expandable and contractible up to 6 ft., allowing movement further away from the wall where it is vented
• Sturdy, attractive styling with modern, rounded air conditioner housing
• Versatile window kit with foam strips which can be cut if needed to have air conditioner exhaust hose fit double-hung, casement, sliding, and swing-out windows; for casement or swing-out windows with a crank handle, an extra window kit would be helpful because more foam may be needed to seal around the perimeter of these types of windows.

Minuses

• For the 9KE model, it was not obvious at first use that the air conditioner had to be put on "cool mode" to actually blow out cool air. The factory settings are in the "automatic" mode when first putting on the air conditioner, so read the manual carefully and be sure to put the air conditioner on "cool mode".
• The exhaust hose on these units heats up, making it more of a challenge to lower the room temperature by more than 5-8%. If interested in decreasing the heat given off from the hose, the manufacturer recommends using insulated duct tape around the hose to keep the heat in.
• Water drainage in back of air conditioning unit - slightly more awkward than front drainage because you have to move air conditioner away from the wall to access it
• If the power is cut and then resumes, the RA 9KE electronic model must be reset once the power resumes due to this electronic air conditioner model's digitization, allowing three to five minutes for the compressor to regain function

Summary

It is a real treat not to have to lift and tear up window frames with a traditional window unit. Just a pair of scissors to cut the foam window kit, and the portable air conditioners are ready for cooling. The stretch exhaust hose is a real benefit, because on a hot day, one can roll the air conditioner closer to themselves to cool off for prolonged periods of time without having to stand in front of a window vent.

Courtisy of Allerby Buyers Club