Koldfront PAC801W

Bottom Line

If you only need to cool a small room (up to 200 square feet), the Koldfront PAC801W is a good value. Most owners find its cooling performance satisfactory, and they say it's easy to install. However, it can't cool larger spaces, and it won't work at all at temperatures over 90 degrees. Also, while this unit has a self-evaporation feature, many owners say it still requires drainage, which can be a big hassle.

Performance

Cooling power is limited. The majority of reviewers say that the Koldfront does a good job cooling a small room. However, with only 8,000 Btu of cooling power, it can't cover a large space -- and some users say it falls short even in a small one. One problem is that at temperatures above 90 degrees Fahrenheit, the unit simply shuts off. This makes it of limited usefulness in areas with very hot weather. The unit's energy efficiency rating (EER) of 8.5 is not bad, but not impressive either. As for its noise level, users are divided. Some describe it as "a nice hum," while others find it uncomfortably loud.

Ease Of Use

Easy to install, but drainage is a hassle. Most users say hooking this up to a window is fairly easy, although a few complain that the exhaust hose is too big and doesn't stay attached well. A bigger problem, however, is drainage. Although this unit has a self-evaporation feature to exhaust moisture, many owners report that they still must drain the unit often -- as many as four times a day -- to prevent it from overflowing. Multiple reviewers say attaching a drainage hose is a must, but since it hooks up to the bottom of the unit, replacing the drainage pan or bucket can be tricky.

Value

The price is right. At roughly $310, this unit is less expensive than most portable air conditioners. Moreover, durability complaints are rare and the warranty is better than average, covering parts and labor for one year and the compressor for an additional two. Shipping costs are covered within the first 90 days only, but that's more than most manufacturers offer. So if you can live with this air conditioner's limitations, it's a pretty good bargain.