Friedrich P12B Portable Air Conditioner
The Friedrich Zoneaire P12B portable air conditioner is a great cooling option in a variety of applications. Not only does this dual hose portable
air conditioner provide enough cooling power for most spaces but it also removes nearly 145 pints of water per day when continuously used. When
the summer heat and humidity gets to be too much, the P12B is an excellent choice when central air or a window air conditioner is not an option.
What I liked about the Friedrich P12B
As a dual hose portable air conditioner you do not have to worry about creating negative air pressure in the space where it is being used. Instead of
exhausting part of the air from inside the room, it uses a separate, outdoor air source for cooling the internal workings of the appliance. In general
dual hose portable air conditioners cool quicker and more efficiently since there is no pressure gradient. With the P12B this is certainly the case. In one
of our test rooms, this model did lower the temperature and relative humidity approximately 8% more quickly than a single hose air conditioner
of another brand.
The controls are very similar to other brands with digital controls and a remote. They are fairly easy to figure out even without cracking open
the user manual. (Though we strongly recommend you read through the manual before operating!) The timer function is generally one of the more useful
functions and can be set for up to 24 hours.
And like many other portable air conditioners, the Friedrich P12B uses auto evaporation to extract and remove most of the condensate that is
produced during the cooling process, so while there is an internal condensate tank, it doesn't have to be emptied very frequently under normal
to low humidity conditions.
The casters and handle make it easier to transport, but the weight of the unit will prevent many of us from easily moving them up and down stairs.
And lastly, the window kit is plastic, which may not seem like a major positive unless you purchase a model that uses foam.
What I did not like about the Friedrich P12B
Concerns with this model are similar to that of many portable air conditioners. First, the warranty period isn't as long as I would like for
an appliance that should last you well beyond the 1 year coverage of the warranty.
As with other models, make sure a portable air conditioner is the right fit for you. As a backup cooling option, they can work
wonderfully with generators. As a primary cooling source, they may be somewhat costly.
Overall, the Friedrich P12B is an excellent 12,000 BTU portable air conditioner. The dual hose functionality of this model gives it a step up
over similarly sized single hose models, and Friedrich's reputation as a leader in home cooling is nearly unmatched.
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