Portable Air Conditioning Sussex
Supply, delivery & professional installation with window slider kits
Portable AC Supply & Installation
Not every property suits a fixed air conditioning system. If you're renting, live in a flat, or need temporary cooling for a conservatory, home office, or event, a portable air conditioning unit is the perfect solution — no permanent installation, no drilling, no landlord permission needed.
At Ernest Air Cooling, we supply Carrier and Sinclair portable AC units at trade prices, deliver them to your door, fit a window slider kit for proper exhaust venting, and test everything before we leave. We also offer ongoing maintenance to keep your unit running efficiently season after season.
What's Included:
- No permanent installation needed
No drilling, no structural changes — take it with you when you move
- Window slider kit included
Professionally fitted to seal your window around the exhaust hose
- Cooling & heating models available
Heat pump units for year-round comfort in any room
- Professional setup & testing
We deliver, set up, test, and demonstrate the controls before we leave
- Carrier & Sinclair units
Trade-priced units from trusted manufacturers
Which Portable AC Is Right for You?
Not all portable air conditioners are the same. Here's how the main types compare so you can choose the best fit for your space.
| Feature | Carrier 51QPD Cool + Heat | Sinclair APM-12PTH Cool + Heat | Pump House Cooling Only | Pump House Cool + Heat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best For | Bedrooms, flats, renters | Bedrooms, flats, renters | Offices, summer cooling | Year-round comfort |
| Cooling Capacity | 3.5kW (12,000 BTU) | 3.5kW (12,000 BTU) | 3.5kW (12,000 BTU) | 3.5kW (12,000 BTU) |
| Heating Capacity | 2.9kW | 3.0kW | — | Yes |
| Room Size | 12–24m² | 12–24m² | 12–24m² | 12–24m² |
| Energy Rating | A (EER 2.6) | A (EER 2.6) | A | A |
| Input Power | 1.35kW | 1.35kW | — | — |
| Noise Level | 51–52 dB(A) | 64 dB(A) SWL | — | — |
| Refrigerant | R290 (GWP 3) | R290 (GWP 3) | R290 | R290 |
| Dehumidification | By evaporation | 31 L/day | — | — |
| Key Features | Remote, timer, sleep mode, autoswing, freeze protection | Remote, 3-speed fan, dehumidifier mode | Remote control | Remote control |
| Weight | 34kg | 35kg | — | — |
| Unit Supply Only +VAT | £449 | £449 | £729 | £1,059 |
| Fully Installed Recommended · +VAT | £699 | £699 | £999 | £1,299 |
Carrier 51QPD
3.5kW Cool + 2.9kW Heat
Sinclair APM-12PTH
3.5kW Cool + 3.0kW Heat
Pump House PAC-C-12
3.5kW Cooling Only — premium range
Pump House PAC-H-12
3.5kW Cool + Heat — premium range
All prices exclude VAT at 20%.
Unit Supply Only
- Delivery: £38.99 +VAT
- Window slider kit (add-on): £22.49 +VAT
Window slider kit only available when purchasing a unit.
Fully Installed Recommended
Includes unit, window slider kit, delivery, professional setup, testing & handover. Nothing extra to pay (plus VAT).
Our Recommendation
For Most Customers:
The Carrier 51QPD or Sinclair APM-12PTH, fully installed is our best seller. At 3.5kW cooling with heating mode, R290 eco-friendly refrigerant, and rooms up to 24m² — all for £699 including window kit, delivery and professional setup. The Sinclair also doubles as a 31 L/day dehumidifier.
Prefer to Set It Up Yourself?
We also supply units on their own from £449 +VAT. Add a window slider kit for £22.49 and we'll deliver everything to your door for £38.99. If you change your mind later, we can always come back to fit the kit — just get in touch.
How Much Does a Portable AC Cost to Run?
Portable AC is more affordable to run than most people think. Here's the real numbers.
Based on a typical 1-1.4kW portable unit at current electricity rates of ~24p/kWh.
Based on typical summer use of 4-6 hours daily from June to September. That's roughly £1-£1.50 per day of cooling.
Enough to cool a typical bedroom, home office, or conservatory. Larger rooms may need a higher-output model.
Energy Saving Tips for Portable AC
Always use the window slider kit — leaving the window open around the hose wastes up to 40% of cooling output
Close doors to the room you're cooling — portable AC is most effective in enclosed spaces
Use the timer function to run the unit before you arrive home rather than cooling an empty room all day
Keep curtains or blinds closed on sunny windows to reduce the heat load your unit has to fight against
Our Setup Process
From first call to cool air — here's exactly what to expect
Free Consultation
Give us a call or send a message. We'll discuss your room size, window type, and cooling needs over the phone or a quick video call to recommend the right unit.
Unit Selection
Choose from our range of Carrier and Sinclair portable units. We'll help you decide between cooling only or cooling and heating, and recommend the right model for your room.
Delivery & Setup
We deliver the unit to your home, position it in the room, fit the window slider kit to your window, and connect the exhaust hose — all in one visit.
Testing & Handover
We test the unit on cooling (and heating if applicable), check the window seal, demonstrate the remote control and timer functions, and make sure you're happy before we leave.
Trade-Priced Units from Trusted Manufacturers
We source our portable AC units at trade prices and pass the savings on to you
Global leader in HVAC, founded by the inventor of modern air conditioning. The 51QPD is their flagship portable unit.
Established HVAC brand. The APM-12PTH offers 3-speed fan control and a built-in 31 L/day dehumidifier.
Premium portable AC range available in cooling-only and heat pump models for customers who want the best.
All units are sourced from HRP, one of the UK's leading HVAC distributors, ensuring genuine products with full manufacturer warranties.
What Our Clients Say
"We couldn't install a fixed system in our rented flat, so Ernest Air set us up with a portable unit and window kit. Brilliant solution — our bedroom is finally cool in summer."
James & Sophie Turner
Renters, Brighton
"Needed temporary cooling for our conservatory extension while the main build was happening. Ernest delivered and set everything up same day. Really impressed."
David Marsh
Homeowner, Worthing
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about portable air conditioning supply and installation
How much does a portable air conditioning unit cost?
A portable air conditioning unit starts from £449 for the unit only, or from £699 fully installed. The fully installed price includes the unit, window slider kit, delivery, professional setup and testing — nothing extra to pay. If you prefer to set it up yourself, delivery is £38.99 and a window slider kit is available as an add-on for £22.49. Our premium range starts from £729 (unit only) or £999 fully installed.
Should I choose cooling only or cooling and heating?
If you only need cooling during summer, a cooling-only portable unit is a great option. However, most of our customers choose a cooling and heating model because it offers year-round comfort — cooling in summer and supplementary heating in autumn and spring. The Carrier and Sinclair units we supply come with both cooling and heating modes as standard, making them excellent value for year-round use.
Do portable air conditioners need to be vented outside?
Yes, all portable air conditioners need to vent hot air outside through a hose. Without venting, the unit would simply move heat around the room without actually cooling it. We supply and fit window slider kits that allow the exhaust hose to vent through a partially open window while sealing the gap to prevent warm air coming back in. This is a non-permanent solution that doesn't require any drilling or structural changes.
Can a portable AC unit cool an entire flat?
A single portable AC unit is designed to cool one room effectively — our units cover rooms from 12 to 24m². For an entire flat, you would need a unit in each room that requires cooling, or you could use one unit and move it between rooms as needed. For whole-flat cooling, a fixed split system is usually more effective and efficient. We can advise on the best approach during a free consultation.
How loud are portable air conditioning units?
Our Carrier 51QPD operates at 51–52 dB(A), which is comparable to a normal conversation. The Sinclair APM-12PTH is rated at 64 dB(A) sound power level. While noticeably louder than fixed split systems (which operate at 19–42 dB indoors), modern portable units are significantly quieter than older models. Most people adjust to the sound within a night or two when using them for sleeping.
Are portable AC units energy efficient?
Our portable AC units are rated A for energy efficiency with an EER of 2.6, meaning they produce 3.5kW of cooling from just 1.35kW of electricity. While not as efficient as fixed split systems (which achieve A+++), they are very cost-effective for cooling individual rooms. Running costs work out at roughly 15–25p per hour at current electricity rates. They are most effective when used to cool specific rooms rather than running continuously.
Can I use a portable AC in a rented property?
Yes — portable air conditioning is the ideal solution for renters. No permanent installation, drilling, or structural changes are required. The window slider kit fits into a partially open window without any modifications to the property. When you move out, you simply take the unit and kit with you. Get in touch to discuss the best portable AC option for your rental.
What is a window slider kit and do I need one?
A window slider kit is an adjustable panel that fits into a partially open window, with a hole for the exhaust hose to pass through. It seals the gap around the hose so warm outside air doesn't come back in while the unit is running. Without a kit, you'd have to leave a window open around the hose, which dramatically reduces cooling efficiency. We supply and fit the correct kit for your window type as part of our installation service.
Do you supply and install the window kit?
Yes, our portable AC service includes everything: we supply the unit, deliver it to your home, fit the window slider kit to your window, set up the unit, test it, and walk you through the controls. The window kit is included in the price — there are no hidden extras. We carry kits for most standard window types including sash windows, casement windows, and sliding windows.
How much does a portable AC cost to run per year?
Based on typical summer use (4-6 hours daily over June to September), a portable AC unit costs approximately £80-£150 per year to run. The exact cost depends on the unit's power consumption, how many hours you run it, and your electricity tariff. At current rates of around 24p/kWh, running a 1.2kW portable unit for 5 hours costs roughly £1.44 per day.
Can portable AC units also provide heating?
Yes — in fact, most of the portable AC units we supply include both cooling and heating modes. The Carrier and Sinclair units we stock come with heat pump capability as standard, so you get cooling in summer and supplementary heating in autumn and spring from one unit. Our cooling & heating models start from £699 fully installed.
What brands of portable AC do you supply?
We supply portable air conditioning units from Carrier, Sinclair, and Pump House. The Carrier 51QPD and Sinclair APM-12PTH are our most popular models — both offer 3.5kW cooling and heating with R290 eco-friendly refrigerant from £449 (unit only) or £699 fully installed. For customers wanting a premium option, we also stock the Pump House range. All units are sourced from HRP, one of the UK's leading HVAC distributors, with full manufacturer warranties.
Ready for Portable Air Conditioning?
Whether you're renting, cooling a conservatory, or need a quick solution for the summer, our team will supply, deliver, and set up the perfect portable AC unit for your space.