Portable air-conditioners
- Thread starter Cathleen
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SweetErika
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I'm interested in hearing about this, too.
So far, every one I've seen has required a vertical-closing window, just like the traditional window A/C units. This is an issue for us because we have horizontal windows everywhere but our bedroom. Maybe there are adapter kits or we could rig something up like we did in our apartment, though.
I also wonder how portable they really are.
I've noticed Costco (online and in store) has had a pretty good deal on the portable units recently.
So far, every one I've seen has required a vertical-closing window, just like the traditional window A/C units. This is an issue for us because we have horizontal windows everywhere but our bedroom. Maybe there are adapter kits or we could rig something up like we did in our apartment, though.
I also wonder how portable they really are.
I've noticed Costco (online and in store) has had a pretty good deal on the portable units recently.
popcorn2721
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my experience is that they are not that portable... typically they take up more space than most people are willing to part with. They are not very efficient but they will cool a small room reasonably well (lets say around 10x12 max). The duct that goes through the window is for the warm exhaust from the unit too. Ive seen folks use Styrofoam insulation to make them fit the window better too. I don't have one myself but since I work with appliances Ive seen a few.
Xstatic
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I will assume you're looking at a true air-conditioner rather than an evaporative air cooler (they don't really cool the air, just move it around-and they RAISE the humidity). I will say upfront: they can be noisy, they do take up space (the unit itself isn't that big, but the warm air exhaust ducting increases the space required) and they also produce a surprisingly large amount of waste water (condensed from the air in the cooling phase). But they do work quite well - living in SE Queensland (sub-tropical weather) and working shift hours meant my unit was a godsend when trying to sleep in the summer days!
As far as portability goes - you'll need a spot near a window to direct the warm air and waste water out (as SweetErika said, most units need a sliding window in a frame to hold the ducting mount in place) and (of course) a power point nearby. The unit (well, my unit, anyway - and I believe most others) is on wheels, so you can shift it around fairly easily (within the limits above, of course...)
As far as portability goes - you'll need a spot near a window to direct the warm air and waste water out (as SweetErika said, most units need a sliding window in a frame to hold the ducting mount in place) and (of course) a power point nearby. The unit (well, my unit, anyway - and I believe most others) is on wheels, so you can shift it around fairly easily (within the limits above, of course...)
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Cathleen
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Thanks all for your info.
Xstatic, when you mentioned an evaporative air cooler my brain recognized that, yes, one was an air cooler. It looks like an a/c and even says it is an a/c but now I know it isn't. Thank you!
Popcorn, I noted the weight of the unit, it's 65 pounds. I'm reasonably sure that on a hot day the last thing I want to do is move around a machine.
Erika, the units I saw don't necessarily hem you into either type of the windows you mentioned. Both will still need some kind of 'patch'.
I'm no longer interested in these. Thanks for saving me some money.
Xstatic, when you mentioned an evaporative air cooler my brain recognized that, yes, one was an air cooler. It looks like an a/c and even says it is an a/c but now I know it isn't. Thank you!
Popcorn, I noted the weight of the unit, it's 65 pounds. I'm reasonably sure that on a hot day the last thing I want to do is move around a machine.
Erika, the units I saw don't necessarily hem you into either type of the windows you mentioned. Both will still need some kind of 'patch'.
I'm no longer interested in these. Thanks for saving me some money.
SweetErika
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Are you able to put a couple of regular window units in, like one in your main living area and another in your bedroom?
We have one for our bedroom, and it's been a godsend! We just installed some shelf brackets with a piece of wood over them on the side of the house for support, and then install/remove the A/C unit by season. And when we close off all of the bedroom doors, the room cools down pretty quickly, so it's fairly efficient.
I'd like A/C in at least the basement as well (while it's about 10 degrees cooler in the summer, it gets uncomfortable on hot days even with fans), but it sounds like repeating the bedroom set-up with some extra rigging for the horizontal-closing window might be our best bet for that.
The good news is that the price of window units has really come down in the last 5 or so years. Last year I saw good ones for around $200 (vs. the $250 or $300 we paid), which is about half of one portable.
We have one for our bedroom, and it's been a godsend! We just installed some shelf brackets with a piece of wood over them on the side of the house for support, and then install/remove the A/C unit by season. And when we close off all of the bedroom doors, the room cools down pretty quickly, so it's fairly efficient.
I'd like A/C in at least the basement as well (while it's about 10 degrees cooler in the summer, it gets uncomfortable on hot days even with fans), but it sounds like repeating the bedroom set-up with some extra rigging for the horizontal-closing window might be our best bet for that.
The good news is that the price of window units has really come down in the last 5 or so years. Last year I saw good ones for around $200 (vs. the $250 or $300 we paid), which is about half of one portable.
Cathleen
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I have a 10,000 (or maybe 12K) wall unit and it does OK, it needs servicing but thought maybe a bedroom unit would be nice too. I live in a condo and the rules/regs don't allow for window a/c. I've talked with a few residents and think I'll send a note to the board asking if that rule can be suspended for the few months an a/c is needed.
And, hello friend.
And, hello friend.
Gil_T2
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BANDIT
& I have one & it was a blessing during our past summer & found sleep while it's running right beside the bed, noise wasn't a problem for us & only problem was fitting the exhaust into our over sized window.It does cool our unit / appartment but the only roob to really get the best out of it is the bedroom where it lives.
DeLongi Penguino Pac c100 10000BTU/h 2940 WATT
Gil_T2
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I have a 10,000 (or maybe 12K) wall unit and it does OK, it needs servicing but thought maybe a bedroom unit would be nice too. I live in a condo and the rules/regs don't allow for window a/c. I've talked with a few residents and think I'll send a note to the board asking if that rule can be suspended for the few months an a/c is needed.
And, hello friend.
I think you'll find they mean the units that actually hang out of the windows as the portables only exhaust out the window with nothing protruding.
mythtrav16
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Just a couple of pieces of advice:
1. DO NOT buy one that requires you to place a water container inside, that is used to cool the hot part of the compressor system. They work fine for only a couple years, then the sediment collected from the evaporated water will clog your pumping system and the thing will need repairs frequently.
2. Keep in mind how you will need to access/dispose of the condensed humidity that the unit collects. Some units have trays or buckets that collect this water which are placed in very inconvienient locations. Some are virtually impossible to remove without spilling some water on your carpet, and some with smaller containers need to be emptied frequently (the more humid your climate, the more you will be emptying your container). I own a model that runs the condensation across the hot part of the compressor, thereby blowing it out of the exhaust pipe as water vapor. But not many portable A/Cs do that (I had to search for ages to find my model). Most collect the condensation and you have to figure out what to do with it.
3. If it gets really cold where you are in winter, think about investing in a reverse cycle system. Believe me, it's worth it.
EDIT: By the way, responding to what some other people say above; Yes, they are quite noisy. But personally, I got used to it in about a week. After that, it didn't wake me up or anything. I do have to turn the TV volume up when it's running, though.
Hope this helps.
1. DO NOT buy one that requires you to place a water container inside, that is used to cool the hot part of the compressor system. They work fine for only a couple years, then the sediment collected from the evaporated water will clog your pumping system and the thing will need repairs frequently.
2. Keep in mind how you will need to access/dispose of the condensed humidity that the unit collects. Some units have trays or buckets that collect this water which are placed in very inconvienient locations. Some are virtually impossible to remove without spilling some water on your carpet, and some with smaller containers need to be emptied frequently (the more humid your climate, the more you will be emptying your container). I own a model that runs the condensation across the hot part of the compressor, thereby blowing it out of the exhaust pipe as water vapor. But not many portable A/Cs do that (I had to search for ages to find my model). Most collect the condensation and you have to figure out what to do with it.
3. If it gets really cold where you are in winter, think about investing in a reverse cycle system. Believe me, it's worth it.
EDIT: By the way, responding to what some other people say above; Yes, they are quite noisy. But personally, I got used to it in about a week. After that, it didn't wake me up or anything. I do have to turn the TV volume up when it's running, though.
Hope this helps.
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tonightsthenigh
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Hi Cathleen --
Picked up a portable Haier 6000 btu unit at BJ's last year for around $300.
Our bedroom windows are not compatible with window units and just no available wall space to cut a hole and put in a unit.
The Haier cools the room nicely, but is very LOUD. I'm a lousy sleeper as is, so I'm going to try and figure something else out.
With wall and window units, a lot of the noise goes outside -- not so with portable models.
cryforme1v
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i dont use a/c's because i generally get too cold.
even during the summer i'm always seen wearing a long sleaved shirt or a light hoodie or when i'm at home i'm always wrapped in a blanket.
But on the days that i do get hit with the heat, i have a really nice fan that i use, along with the cieling fans.
I would check out walmart or the local a-c / heater sales store and see what fits you the best.
Most portable ac's are either huge and bulky anyway or tiny enough to fit in the window.
even during the summer i'm always seen wearing a long sleaved shirt or a light hoodie or when i'm at home i'm always wrapped in a blanket.
But on the days that i do get hit with the heat, i have a really nice fan that i use, along with the cieling fans.
I would check out walmart or the local a-c / heater sales store and see what fits you the best.
Most portable ac's are either huge and bulky anyway or tiny enough to fit in the window.
