The hot summer months can be miserable if you’re splashing in the pool or lounging in the air conditioning. But unfortunately, taking the summer months off isn’t an option for those who enjoy camping.
However, having something to make tent camping a little more pleasant is good. Your body needs the means to cool down and relax after a long day of hiking, kayaking, or exploring in hot weather.
Irrespective of how manly you believe yourself to be, getting too hot can be deadly. While camping, we always look for better ways to keep our tents cool. The firm behind Zero Breeze promised to create a compact and efficient portable cooling system but has failed to convince experts.
Zero Breeze, founded in 2014, is a self-funded firm. Kelvin Ma, the company’s creator, and his team created a prototype of the Zero Breeze in December 2015 to make the “coolest portable AC in the world.”
With almost $500,000 in the bank, they eventually launched their product on Kickstarter to raise more money. As a result, the corporation moved production to China to reduce production costs.
Unfortunately, after production shifted, there was a severe lack of quality control in the product for a long time.
On a scorching hot summer day or through a muggy night, Zero Breeze claims to deliver an efficient portable cooling system that will provide the cooler temperatures you require. Is it, however, truly the best?
Truthfully, it’s hefty, noisy, and questionable. So let’s take a closer look.
This product is discontinued and no longer being produced.
So alternatively, check the newer model: Zero Breeze Mark 2.
Pros
Cons
Table of Contents
Zero Breeze Mark 1 1100 BTU Portable AC Design, Size, and Portability
Zero Breeze Mark 1 1100 BTU Portable Air Conditioner is designed specifically so that it can be carried anywhere.
The device has 18 x 11 x 7.5 inches and runs on batteries, making it easily portable. It comes in both Orange and Blue colors and weighs about 12.8 pounds.
This portable AC looks like a small generator and can be easily fixed anywhere as it does not take a lot of space. However, users have complained that the device is heavier than advertised, making the portability problematic.
The battery must be replaced by undoing the thumbscrews, disconnecting the connections, and reassembling everything with a new battery. A big AC adaptor will be required to recharge the battery pack.
How Does Zero Breeze Mark I Work?
The Zero Breeze Mark 1 is a wall AC, mini-split, or central air conditioner as a compressor-based system. It works by dispersing heat.
Air conditioners employ a cooling material called refrigerant, contained in a closed system. The heat from the room is absorbed and transformed into a gas by the coolant.
The gas then flows together with other components of the cooling system to the compressor.
For example, a refrigerant is heated and then forced through a system at high pressure to cool it. The condenser coil absorbs the heat.
Refrigerators must cool down before they can absorb more heat. Desiccation removes heat from the place.
Zero Breeze Mark 1 1100 BTU Portable AC Battery Life And Charging Times
The Zero Breeze’s main selling point is the availability of battery packs that reportedly allow you to run your AC without any hassles. On the other hand, the company’s battery pack has a maximum run time of 2 hours.
When you buy a $499 package, these battery packs aren’t included in it. So just to run the machine for an entire night, you’d have to buy a lot of batteries.
With a tent air conditioner, the goal is to use the device for an extended time without bothering to change batteries now and then.
The product is exceedingly inconvenient and expensive to maintain in the long run. In addition, the battery is non-removable but, of course, chargeable.
You must not attempt to remove the battery as you may damage the device. The battery can be charged and discharged over 500 times, but it will eventually wear out.
Zero Breeze Mark 1 1100 BTU Portable AC Key Features
The world’s coolest portable air conditioner” is what Zero Breeze is marketed as. Cooling power per hour for the innovative small compressor is 1,100 BTUs per hour.
In addition, there are claims that the unit can cool 50 square feet to 44.6 degrees Fahrenheit because it is in a contained space.
The company emphasizes the “portability” of the product because it runs on batteries, which would have given it an edge over comparable portable AC units on the market.
It’s a good idea in theory, but it’s not so great in practice because you’d have to buy a lot more batteries to keep it operating.
As a result of the Zero Breeze’s use of environmentally and ozone-friendly rotary compression refrigeration, it is not your standard portable cooling equipment.
Instead, a built-in Dupont R-134 refrigerant with a cooling capacity of 1100 BTU/hour replaces the AC’s internal fan mechanism, freeing the system’s water.
With three fan speeds and cooling settings (Cool Airflow, Instant Breeze, Regular Fan Airflow), you can change the temperature to your liking.
In addition to the previously mentioned capability, the Zero Breeze can decrease the temperature to 44 degrees Fahrenheit.
Furthermore, it has two USB charging ports, so users may not only charge and cool their phones while charging their phones but also access their playlist and blast music through the Bluetooth speakers of Zero Breeze.
You can turn off your air conditioner when the sun sets and turn on the 250lm LED light as temps begin to drop. Since the LED can last up to 30,000 hours, it’s ideal for lake trips, camping excursions, tailgating parties, BBQs, and garage parties.
The shift from a portable AC to an illuminated gadget is simple with this product.
Zero Breeze Mark 1 1100 BTU Portable AC Noise Level
The company itself claims that the device does not produce much noise and can be used anywhere peacefully.
In the user manual, the noise level of Zero Breeze Mark 1 is declared to be ≤60dBA.
However, according to the customer reviews, the Zero Breeze Mark 1 1100 BTU is extremely noisy, making it impossible to sleep while the device is still on.
Furthermore, they complain that the device is itself heavy and produces noise which causes them discomfort. Hence we can conclude that the Zero Breeze Mark 1 1100 BTU has a high noise level.
Zero Breeze Mark 1 1100 BTU Portable AC Cooling Capacity
Zero Breeze has a cooling capacity of 1,100 BTU. Unfortunately, based on genuine user reports, the Zero Breeze does not deliver on its promise of cooling off an area of 50 square feet.
Higher-efficiency, 150-square-foot portable AC units run on at least 5,000 BTUs. Therefore, the claim that Zero Breeze is the “coolest portable AC unit” is false.
Extremely hot or cold ambient air might turn a cooling system into nothing more than an expensive fan.
The cooling fan at the rear of the machine will run for thirty seconds once the compressor is turned off to ensure the lifespan and efficiency of the refrigeration system.
If Mark 1 is still not functioning in cooling mode, you have to check the left, and suitable gratings on the machine are not blocked by dust.
The dust can prove to be a hindrance to the cooling system, so you need to have proper maintenance of the device, which is discussed below.
However, if there are still problems with the cooling, it is recommended to shut the machine down and restart it after fifteen minutes.
Zero Breeze Mark 1 1100 BTU Portable AC Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER)
When it comes to electricity, Mark 1 does not require that much of it. The battery of this device is 12V 43Ah 477Wh.
Zero Breeze Mark 1 1100 BTU Portable AC Maintenance and Usage
To have the device function properly, you must take care of it regularly. It’s similar to how you would take care of your other appliances, mainly a regular air conditioner. Like other electrical appliances, Zero Breeze Mark 1 also requires regular cleaning and maintenance.
Given Zero Breeze Mark 1’s multiple functions, the air inlets on both sides of the machine are equipped with a removable raster to ensure the smooth flow of air and the device’s working. So all you have to do is remove the raster for cleaning and dry it regularly. This is how you shall be able to maintain your Zero Breeze Mark 1 and have it work for you.
You must not use the Zero Breeze Mark 1 unless it is on a solid surface. Water can cause severe damage to this device. Make sure the product is upright during use. If the Zero Breeze Mark 1 is placed in any other way, condensate will cause a short circuit or complete shutdown.
To prevent the water backflow, insert the water pipe into the drainage port from the bottom of the device and place it below the water level at the bottom of the machine. You must not perform any maintenance other than the one shown on the user manual guide; it can damage the device or cause particular problems.
The device must only be used in dry locations as it is not suitable for wet surfaces. Additionally, it must not be used as a toy, and close attention must be paid when the device is near the children.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Does Zero Breeze Mark 1 work?
Some users say the device works and gets efficient cooling in their limited space.
However, many negative reviews about the Zero Breeze Mark 1 claim that the device does not work and only throws air.
Furthermore, they say it does not have large cool spaces, and the cooling system barely works.
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How long does Zero Breeze Mark 1 battery last?
The design is identical to that of Mark 2. The Zero Breeze battery lasts up to 5 hours and weighs only 16.5 lbs.
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How many watts is the Zero Breeze Mark 1?
The Zero Breeze Mark 1 has a battery with a capacity of 12V 43Ah 477Wh.
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Does Zero Breeze Mark 1 use freon?
A Dupont R-134a refrigerant that is “environmentally and ozone-friendly” is used by Zero Breeze.
This product is discontinued and no longer being produced.
So alternatively, check the newer model: Zero Breeze Mark 2.
Final Thoughts
The Zero Breeze Portable AC is a superb product without any other considerations. However, when compared to comparable portable air conditioners, it falls short.
Campers are inconvenienced by the low cooling power and draining concerns. In addition, the Zero Breeze has a concise battery life, and it costs a lot more than its competitors, who have higher cooling power to offer.
The next-generation air conditioner falls short of being a terrific product, but it has a more robust power bank.
As a result, if you’re an outdoor enthusiast, there’s no reason to get this ac unit. Furthermore, because cheaper portable ac units are significantly superior, it is difficult, if not impossible, to justify their high cost.
Because of the low-quality control and poor functional execution of the Zero Breeze portable AC unit, one can conclude that it is one of the most inadequate portable AC units available on the market.
