Grow tents require a delicate balance of temperatures for plants to grow optimally. Too much heat can cause drying and shedding of leaves, while too little causes desiccation and death. Air conditioners help control the temperature in a grow tent, allowing plants to thrive.
When looking for the best AC for 4×4 grow tent, there are several factors to consider. These factors include cooling power, unit size, power consumption, and auxiliary functions. The perfect AC unit for your grow tent should have enough cooling power, be reasonably sized, and consume little power.
Let’s look at the top three ACs for your 4 by 4 grow tent.
Top 3 Best Air Conditioners for Grow Tents
There are numerous options to choose from when selecting a grow room AC. To help narrow your search for the best AC for 4×4 grow tent, here are the top three choices:
1. Black Decker BPACT10WT Portable AC
Features
- Voltage rating: 115 volts
- Special feature: Remote control ability
- Dimensions: 16.5 in * 26 in * 11.5 in
- Noise rating: 54 dB
- Cooling power: 12,000 BTU
- Floor area: 250 square feet
- Weight: 52.9 pounds
The Black Decker portable AC is a powerful 12,000 BTU conditioner that keeps your 4×4 grow tent cool effortlessly. It is compact and has a fan with variable speeds, with the most relaxed temperature setting being 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
Black Decker’s AC has a remote control and LED display. These features make it easy to regulate temperature accurately. The conditioner is also easy to clean since you only need to detach and rinse it using running water.
It is ideal for 4 by 4 grow tents since it has more than enough power to cool an area of 250 square feet. The Black Decker is also easy to install since it is portable. You only need to bring it into the tent, connect its hose to the adapter and plug it into the mains.
This Black Decker AC has a dehumidifier and fan and can cool the tent. Switching between the different modes is seamless, allowing you to create the perfect conditions for your plants. All these features together make it the best portable AC for grow tent.
Pros
- It can be cleaned and maintained easily
- Ideal for small grow tents
- Has a simple installation process
- Remote control capability makes it easy to use
- It has three in one functionality
Cons
- Its noise levels can be relatively high
2. Midea ASHRAE Portable AC
Features
- Voltage rating: 115 volts
- Special feature: Remote control ability
- Dimensions: 13 in * 17 in * 28.3 in
- Noise rating: 52 dB
- Cooling power: 8,000 BTU
- Floor Area: 175 square feet
- Energy efficiency ratio: 6.5
- Weight: 53.5 pounds
If you are looking for a high-efficiency device, this is the best grow room air conditioner. Its cooling capacity of 8,000 BTU enables it to cool a tent up to 175 square feet quickly, effectively, and reliably.
This AC has simple installation instructions which anyone can easily follow. Though you must attach the window kit and exhaust hose, no tools are required. After installation, you can enjoy functions like dehumidification and fanning since this AC has 3-in-1 functionality.
Midea’s AC has features like a remote control and an LED display that enable smooth operation. It can also be controlled digitally by phone, allowing for convenient control. You can adjust the 24-hour timer to vary a grow tent’s temperature between 90 and 62 degrees Fahrenheit.
The Midea AC has a removable air filter that can be washed regularly to improve performance and extend its lifespan. If the air conditioner fails, Midea also offers a one-year warranty covering labor and parts.
Pros
- It comes with after-sales services and a warranty
- Easy to install with straightforward instructions
- Can be remotely controlled by phone
- Offers three-in-one functionality
- Easy to clean with a reusable air filter
Cons
- Some users complain about its energy efficiency
3. TOSOT Aovia Series Portable AC
Features
- Voltage rating: 115 volts
- Special feature: Remote control
- Dimensions: 11.1 in * 12 in * 27.2 in
- Noise rating: 51 dB
- Cooling power: 5,000 BTU
- Floor Area: 250 square feet
- Weight: 48 pounds
- Wattage: 900 Watts
The TOSOT portable AC has a cooling power of 5,000 BTU. Hence, it can cool a 200 square feet area efficiently, making it a great 4×4 grow tent air conditioner. At 48 pounds, the AC is light in weight and easy to move around to any place it’s needed.
To install the TOSOT AC, simply use the installation kit included in the package. Connect the exhaust hose and fiddle with the knob to set the window panel. After setting up the window panel, you only need to plug in the air conditioner to start cooling the grow tent.
You don’t have to worry about emptying the collected water from the dehumidifier since this AC uses it for cooling. Since it is a 3-in-1 device, you can easily switch between the functions of a fan, dehumidifier, and air conditioner.
TOSOT’s AC remote control works as far as 20 feet from the device. The remote control and the LED display panel make it easy to vary the temperature and fan speed. It also allows you to switch between different functions, like cooling or dehumidifying.
Pros
- Has 3-in-1 functionality
- The installation kit within the packaging makes it easy to install
- It is easy to use
- Has an auto-evaporation feature
- It has a reusable air filter that is easy to clean
- Lightweight
Cons
- Noise levels can be high sometimes
How To Add AC To Grow Tent?
Grow tents are typically made of reflective canvas, so installing the AC unit on their walls is not practical. However, the tents have ports and openings through which cables and hoses can pass. These ports make installing lights and ventilation in the grow tent easy.
Permanent or window AC units are impractical for grow tents, so you must use portable ones. To install a portable AC in a grow tent:
- Move it into the tent. Most portable AC units are lightweight and have wheels that help move them easily.
- If your AC has a dehumidifier function, it’s wise to place it near an exit to make it easy to remove the excess water.
- Locate the ports of the tent.
- Fit the exhaust hose of the AC through the appropriate port.
- Finally, pass the electric cord through another port and plug in the AC.
Air Conditioner Buying Guide
Though there are several great AC options, not all will suit your needs. Here are a few factors to consider before buying a conditioner for your grow tent.
Power consumption
Power consumption is one of the most important factors when buying an air conditioner. A suitable air conditioner for your grow tent must fit within your budget for the electric bill. Hence, you must check how much power the AC consumes before buying it.
In general, power consumption depends on the size. Small ACs require less electricity, while larger ones require more power. Consumption also depends on where the AC is positioned. ACs placed near windows need more power than ones placed anywhere else.
Brand
Although the brand of your conditioner doesn’t affect its function too much, it is still important to note. Some brands provide after-sale services like repair and services that benefit you as a buyer. In the same vein, some brands of ACs have higher resell value than others.
Cooling power
Cooling power is the power of an AC, which signifies its ability to remove heat from a room. Heat is typically measured in British Thermal Units (BTU). Before selecting a conditioner, determine how many BTUs of heat are produced in your grow tent.
An ideal grow tent AC should be able to remove as much heat per hour as the tent produces. Remember that the bigger your grow tent is, the more cooling capacity your conditioner needs.
Size
The size of the AC you choose depends on your grow tent’s size. It’s vital to ensure that the AC you select fits inside the tent and doesn’t reduce the area available for your plants by much.
The chosen AC needs to fit inside the grow tent perfectly. A disproportionate conditioner is undesirable because it will either over-cool the tent or under-cool it.
Auxiliary Functions
Apart from cooling, most AC units perform other functions like dehumidifying. Hence, when choosing an air conditioner, it’s prudent to see what other secondary functions it can perform apart from cooling.
Conclusion
Choosing and installing the right air conditioner for a grow tent is essential for the health of your plants. The buying guide above should help you pick the perfect AC for your grow room. The three ACs listed above are great options that meet the conditions of the buying guide.
If you don’t have the time to sift through various choices, the Black Decker portable AC is the best AC for grow tent. It’s easy to install, use, and clean has a remote control, and has 3-in-1 functionality. Since it can cool an area of about 250 square feet, it’s perfect for a grow tent.
