What’s the MeacoCool MC Series Pro Portable Air Conditioner like to set up and start using?
First up, the air conditioner is very heavy. This is typical of portable air conditioner units so we won't take any points off for that, but it's worth mentioning, as the word 'portable' can give the impression that these units are easy to move around. In this context, portable basically means that it's not permanently installed. The unit does have wheels so it's easy for one person to move it around on one floor, but to carry it up or downstairs, you'll be best off getting a second pair of hands involved.
Unlike most other portable air conditioners, Meaco includes two window kits which are designed to fit any kind of window. The simplest and most aesthetically pleasing window kit fits sliding or sash windows, which sadly is not the type I have.
The 'flexible' window kit, for all other types of window and door, involves velcroing a sort of Hazmat liner around your window frame, then zipping it tightly around the air conditioner's hose to minimise outside air getting in.
There's plenty of sticky-back velcro and liner included, so even if you're venting your air conditioner through a door, this kit will be suitable. It zips all the way open so you can use your window or door as usual without having to remove it.
I peeled the velcro off my UPVC window frames and it came off easily, leaving no residue. You could either leave the strip of velcro on your frame all year round, or remove it and re-stick it next summer (although I'm not sure if the stickiness would be as effective so you may need to buy another roll). However, I can't vouch for wooden or painted frames.
The hose is easy to slot into place at the back of the machine, then you just need to stick it out of your window, secure the window kit around it and plug the air conditioner in.
It's worth noting that the air conditioner can be used without the window kit, but it's that bit less effective as warm, outside air can get in through your open window.
With simple controls and easy app pairing, the window kit is definitely the most time-consuming part of setting up the air conditioner. Once it's done, you're all set for a cool, comfortable summer.
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What’s the MeacoCool MC Series Pro Portable Air Conditioner like to use day to day?
Once the air conditioner is set up, it couldn't be easier to use. I particularly liked using the app to pre-cool my home office before I started work on hot days. Compared to a fan like the Meaco Sefte Air Circulator, or even the pricy Dyson Hot+Cool, the air conditioner is the more powerful by a country mile.
When the country is hit with a heatwave, it's priceless to be able to control the temperature in my office, setting it to a fresh and comfortable level. Previously, I'd relied on having windows open and using fans, and air conditioning truly is a different kettle of fish altogether.
The unit has a timer function, so you can set the air con to come on or go off at a certain time. It also has several modes to choose from:
Cool: pick a target temperature and the air con will stay on until it hits the target
Dry: adjusts to room temperature to keep things cool throughout the day
Fan: circulates air but doesn't cool as the air conditioner function is turned off
Sleep: dims LED display and switches to lowest noise level
I was disappointed to find that sleep mode wasn't particularly quiet. The two air con fan speeds are 51 and 55dB, so quiet enough to have a conversation or Zoom meeting, but I personally would find either level too noisy for sleeping.
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Is the MeacoCool MC Series Pro Portable Air Conditioner energy efficient?
The air conditioner is A-rated for energy-efficiency, and costs around 25p per hour to run, which is about average for this kind of air conditioner. If you use it to pre-cool a room or just for the hottest part of the day, you're looking at around £1 for 4 hours' use.
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Which BTU do I need?
Online guides to working out BTU can get quite complex, involving square footage, window position and how many lightbulbs you have on.
The air conditioner I tested is 10,000BTU, which is suited to medium-large rooms. Here's a rough guide based on room size to pick the right BTU for your portable air conditioner:
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Does the MeacoCool MC Series Pro Portable Air Conditioner offer good value for money?
At £400 RRP, the MeacoCool MC Series Pro Portable Air Conditioner is about in the middle of the market for portable air conditioners. There are more expensive units, like the £600+ DeLonghi Pingiuno, and budget options, like the Inventor Air Conditioning Unit Chilly at £200. When it comes to air conditioners, the more you pay, the more efficiently the unit will cool your room. Cheaper units do definitely make a difference, so it makes sense to get a good balance between expense and performance, which I think the Meaco strikes well.
Mumsnet users absolutely love Meaco products, saying their fans in particular perform as well as those two or three times the price. A trusted brand (with great customer service if anything goes wrong) is worth its weight in gold, so I'd say this air conditioner is great value for money.