The ideal temperature and cooling rate for a portable air conditioner can vary depending on individual preferences and the outside temperature. However, a common recommendation is to set the air conditioner to cool a room by about 10 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit (approximately 5.5 to 8.3 degrees Celsius) below the current room temperature.
If we assume you want to cool the room by 10 degrees Fahrenheit, you can calculate the cooling rate per hour by dividing the temperature difference (10 degrees) by the time it takes to achieve that temperature change. Portable air conditioners typically have varying cooling capacities, but a typical range might be between 6,000 to 14,000 BTUs per hour. BTU (British Thermal Unit) is a measure of cooling capacity.
Let's take an example:
Suppose you have a portable air conditioner with a cooling capacity of 8,000 BTUs per hour.
The cooling rate per hour would be: 10 degrees Fahrenheit / 8,000 BTUs per hour = 0.00125 degrees Fahrenheit per BTU-hour.
In this example, the air conditioner would cool the room by approximately 10 degrees Fahrenheit in one hour, assuming it runs continuously at its maximum cooling capacity.
Keep in mind that various factors can influence the cooling rate, such as the insulation of the room, the outside temperature, and the size of the air conditioner relative to the room's volume. It's essential to adjust the cooling rate based on your comfort level and the specific conditions in your room.