This $299 Special Buy from ALDI may be exactly what you need this summer
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As the temperature rises across Australia, the quest for a cost-effective cooling solution becomes a priority for many households.
ALDI has entered the fray, offering a 2.0kW Portable Air Conditioner for $299 as a Special Buy on Saturday, December 16.
Portable air conditioners, while relatively inexpensive and easy to use, are generally considered an inefficient way to cool your home.
However, they can be a quick fix for those sweltering summer days, especially for those who don't have the luxury of a reverse-cycle air conditioning system installed in their homes.
ALDI’s offer, in particular, comes with cooling, fan, and dehumidifying features, two-speed settings, an LED display control panel, a 24-hour timer, WiFi, and is operable via remote control.
Thanks to the four castor wheels, it's also portable, allowing you to move it from room to room. But remember, these models can be bulky and heavy, and they need to be placed next to a suitable window to operate effectively.
The gadget has a cooling capacity of 2.0kW, making it suitable for cooling a small room.
According to CHOICE experts, a 2.0–2.5kW portable air conditioner is only suitable for cooling a room roughly up to 15 square metres, such as a small bedroom, study, or kitchen.
While the ALDI model is definitely at the lower end of the price range—other models retail for as much as $1,799—it's important to consider the running costs of such appliances.
The average running cost for a 1.2–3kW unit used for four hours per day during summer is $132*, and the average price of a unit for this size is $585.
Using these same numbers, CHOICE estimates the gadget will cost roughly $108* to run for the same period over the summer, which means its running costs are below average for units of this approximate size.
However, the price of an appliance also doesn't always indicate performance.
There are certainly cheaper models that outperform more expensive models.
When an appliance is sold for such a low price, it's worth considering the customer service that may or may not be available to you should something go wrong with the product, as well as its lifespan.
A cheap product could mean it is made with cheaper components, making the unit harder to repair later in its life.
CHOICE says that one significant benefit of buying the gadget from ALDI is that it comes with a three-year warranty.
But you'd still want your portable air con to keep running for longer than three years, so the quality of customer service after that point is worth considering.
Despite their inefficiencies, portable air conditioners can be the only option to beat extreme heat for some people.
They're easy to install and cheap to buy, which are both bonuses if you need an immediate cooling solution.
The low price tag of ALDI’s Portable Air Conditioner makes it a tempting purchase, add to that its three-year warranty guarantee and the fact that it scored relatively well against other models that cost significantly more.
However, keep in mind that these units can be very heavy and quite bulky, so you'll likely need a large car or van and someone to assist you!
What's your take on this, dear readers? Have you had any experiences with portable air conditioners? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
*According to CHOICE, the calculations were done assuming the portable air conditioners would run for four hours per day for three months during summer, based on 40c/kWh.
ALDI has entered the fray, offering a 2.0kW Portable Air Conditioner for $299 as a Special Buy on Saturday, December 16.
Portable air conditioners, while relatively inexpensive and easy to use, are generally considered an inefficient way to cool your home.
However, they can be a quick fix for those sweltering summer days, especially for those who don't have the luxury of a reverse-cycle air conditioning system installed in their homes.
ALDI’s Portable Air Conditioner may help cool your home this summer. Image source: ALDI.
ALDI’s offer, in particular, comes with cooling, fan, and dehumidifying features, two-speed settings, an LED display control panel, a 24-hour timer, WiFi, and is operable via remote control.
Thanks to the four castor wheels, it's also portable, allowing you to move it from room to room. But remember, these models can be bulky and heavy, and they need to be placed next to a suitable window to operate effectively.
The gadget has a cooling capacity of 2.0kW, making it suitable for cooling a small room.
According to CHOICE experts, a 2.0–2.5kW portable air conditioner is only suitable for cooling a room roughly up to 15 square metres, such as a small bedroom, study, or kitchen.
While the ALDI model is definitely at the lower end of the price range—other models retail for as much as $1,799—it's important to consider the running costs of such appliances.
The average running cost for a 1.2–3kW unit used for four hours per day during summer is $132*, and the average price of a unit for this size is $585.
Using these same numbers, CHOICE estimates the gadget will cost roughly $108* to run for the same period over the summer, which means its running costs are below average for units of this approximate size.
However, the price of an appliance also doesn't always indicate performance.
There are certainly cheaper models that outperform more expensive models.
When an appliance is sold for such a low price, it's worth considering the customer service that may or may not be available to you should something go wrong with the product, as well as its lifespan.
A cheap product could mean it is made with cheaper components, making the unit harder to repair later in its life.
CHOICE says that one significant benefit of buying the gadget from ALDI is that it comes with a three-year warranty.
But you'd still want your portable air con to keep running for longer than three years, so the quality of customer service after that point is worth considering.
Despite their inefficiencies, portable air conditioners can be the only option to beat extreme heat for some people.
They're easy to install and cheap to buy, which are both bonuses if you need an immediate cooling solution.
The low price tag of ALDI’s Portable Air Conditioner makes it a tempting purchase, add to that its three-year warranty guarantee and the fact that it scored relatively well against other models that cost significantly more.
However, keep in mind that these units can be very heavy and quite bulky, so you'll likely need a large car or van and someone to assist you!
*According to CHOICE, the calculations were done assuming the portable air conditioners would run for four hours per day for three months during summer, based on 40c/kWh.
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