May 2026 EnergyWiseSM Tip: Portable Heat Pumps

May 2026 EnergyWiseSM Tip: Portable Heat Pumps
By: Energy Efficiency Program Manager Cory Fuehrer

Are you looking for a quick and easy way to keep a small area comfortable during a heat wave or cold snap? Using electric space heaters can be expensive to run and window air conditioners can be difficult to install. Instead, consider purchasing a portable heat pump and accomplish heating and cooling with one single unit.

Portable heat pumps work by using electricity and refrigerant to move heat rather than generating it directly. During the heating season, heat is extracted from outside air and transferred indoors through one or two hoses mounted in a window opening. Single-hose units will pull in air from inside the room and exhaust it outside. Dual-hose portable heat pumps will have one hose for pulling air from outside, and a separate hose for expelling air. Dual-hose units recycle indoor air and do not exhaust it outdoors. For this reason, dual-hose units are typically more efficient than single-hose units. When temperatures climb outside, portable heat pumps can reverse this process to provide cooling.

Though they are not the perfect solution for all space conditioning needs, portable heat pumps offer advantages. They are:

Mobility
Unlike window air conditioners, ductless mini split or central air-cooling systems, portable heat pumps are easy to move from room to room. Most have wheels to make one-person relocation simple.

Easy to Install
Nearly all portable heat pumps come with a window kit that their one or two hoses attach to. By closing the window around the kit’s frame, making provisions for water condensing out of the air and plugging the unit into a standard wall socket, it is ready to heat or cool. No professional installation is required.

Inexpensive
While comparable in price to a window air conditioner, portable heat pumps are more affordable than ductless mini split or central air-cooling systems.

Efficient
When it comes to heating, portable heat pumps are two to three times more efficient electric space heaters. While permanently installed cooling systems tend to be more efficient, portable heat pumps are just as, if not more efficient, than window air conditioners, especially when selecting an Energy Star®-certified model.
While a portable heat pump is an excellent, energy-efficient choice for renters, temporary use or small-space climate control (approximately 300 to 600 square feet) where installing a permanent unit is not allowed, they do come with some disadvantages:

Noise
Because the operating components are housed inside the unit, they tend to be louder than ductless mini split or central air-cooling systems. However, they are usually quieter than window air conditioners while operating around 45 to 55 decibels, which is comparable to a quiet-to-normal conversation.

Limited Heating Capacity
As the temperature drops outside, the amount of heat required to keep the indoor area comfortable increases. Portable heat pumps also do not have the ability to defrost themselves during freezing weather. Therefore, most stop operating when outdoor temperatures drop below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Though that covers about half of the annual hours when heating is needed in our homes, Additional heat sources are necessary when the mercury dips lower.

Window Compatibility
While hose kits quickly mount into the openings of single-hung, double-hung and sliding glass windows, modifications to the kit’s frame must be made to fit into casement-style windows.

Humidity Control
Because single-hose units create a negative pressure inside, they pull in unconditioned air from outside through cracks and openings throughout the home. Therefore, a double-hose model is necessary to provide dehumidification.

Condensation
When operating, condensation (water vapor) collects in a reservoir. This must be manually dumped every few hours or drained through a line. If not, the unit will shut off. To address this, some units have an internal pump to push the condensate through a drain line that exits through the window kit.

Limited Capacity
Portable heat pumps can only heat or cool a single room at a time. Depending on the size of the room, they may struggle to do so. Larger rooms are more likely to have hot and cold spots that create a less-than-comfortable environment.

While portable heat pumps provide a great solution to temporary heating and cooling needs in a single room, other types of heat pump systems bring greater efficiency and comfort when a longer-term solution is desired.

In partnership with Nebraska Public Power District, your local public power provider wants to help you gain the most value from the energy needed to keep comfortable inside. For more energy-saving ideas, including EnergyWiseSM energy efficiency financial incentives, contact your local utility or visit www.energywisenebraska.com.