That being said, I’ve been there, and as monumental as finding the right a/c can feel like, it’s actually pretty straightforward if you take some time to follow the right steps. As a result of my extensive experience, I've put together a helpful guide to choosing the right air conditioner for your home. Air conditioners work by removing heat and humidity from indoor air, releasing it outside, and sending cooler air into a room. A portable a/c unit was a dream solution for me when I lived in an apartment with windows that opened sideways. Narrow it down to whether you're cooling single rooms (window units, portable units, or evaporative coolers) or your whole house (a ductless mini-split).