The State of Portable Air Conditioning
Portable air conditioners aren't exactly new. The problem is that we have a hard time calling them "portable" when their size is similar to a washing machine, and several models don't even work as air conditioners, only increasing the humidity in the environment. The Zero Breeze project aims to launch a truly portable air conditioner that also incorporates a Bluetooth speaker, emergency battery, and a mobile device charger.
Is the summer killing you? Don't worry, it's almost over... which is a big lie in the northern hemisphere. Air conditioning is a good ally when it comes to high temperatures, assuming it doesn't give up halfway (it happened to me, I wouldn't wish it on anyone), and that its energy consumption is reasonable, a very delicate topic in certain regions of the globe nowadays. The evolution of air conditioning hasn't been spectacular, to say the least. Several manufacturers have found ways to make their products more efficient, and even offer a certain level of wireless control, either with a remote control or through a smartphone app. However, they continue to be gigantic, and any idea of portability makes us think of something like a washing machine with wheels... for now.
Zero Breeze: Compact and Feature-Packed
That said, we present the Zero Breeze, a new compact solution in air conditioners that weighs just 6.5 kilograms. Its size is 48 by 20 by 28 centimeters, and according to official specifications, it uses a closed-cycle rotary compressor based on the R-134a refrigerant, replacing the old (and heavily prohibited) R-12. Among its secondary accessories we find an LED light, a Bluetooth speaker, two USB ports for recharging mobile devices, and as an optional element, an emergency battery composed of 64 18650 cells.
The maximum power consumption of the Zero Breeze is 150 watts, a number that aligns with its power supply (12 volts at 12.5A). The power supply is marked as "indoor use", but I imagine that with a 250-300 watt inverter or another kind of adapter, there would be no problem using it connected to a car. Now, how much can it cool? The minimum reported is 7 degrees Celsius for a 2 by 2.5 meter space. In more practical terms, a car interior would drop from 40 to 18 degrees Celsius in 20 minutes.
Price and Availability
Key question: what is its price? The Zero Breeze has already received all the funding it needs through Kickstarter, and as far as we can see, the number of available units is limited, so let's analyze your options. The basic model without the emergency battery is currently worth $389. Those who wish to make the jump to the model with battery will need to invest $608 (yes, $219 extra for a battery), and then there are offers to acquire two or more units. Obviously, the user will have to resolve all the details regarding air exchange and the drainage of the air conditioner (the Zero Breeze comes with both hoses). If there are no delays, the first deliveries will take place in March 2017. Personally... the Zero Breeze campaign reminded me of the Coolest Cooler, which apparently still owes units to its backers. I hope I'm wrong.
