portable AC units

[slightlyhuman]

any one use them? i've got a 16x24 shop house i'm living in. it has a huge window unit but it's either on or off. i'm looking at getting a portable ac unit just to help out a little and run during the day when i'm not there(i leave the big unit off unless i'm inside).

looking at this one at BB:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Frigidai...&skuId=9747323

i'm assuming it has a thermostat control although i didn't see it listed? surely it does. any one care to comment?

 

[Vette73]

They are not as efficent and usually louder on average.

What is wrong with the window unit? Does it not have a Thermostat? If not get a better one then spending $400 on something that works worse.

 

[highland145]

May be some help in here.
http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2092739&highlight=portable

 

[jtvang125]

I bought a 12,000 btu unit for my bedroom a little smaller than your dimensions. I could never get the room cooler than 80 degrees during the day. Had it on max and coldest setting too. I should have just gotten a window unit at half the price and it'll have done a much better job.

 

[slightlyhuman]

well having never installed a window ac i'm not sure how to go about 'upgrading'.

it's not in a window. i live in a 40x60 shop with some of it converted to living quarters. the ac runs out of a cutout in the shop wall.

i guess my question is how would i go about replacing the current unit and making sure the new one(since i'm buying online) will fit properly? the current unit is 27 3/8" x 17.

 

[thegimp03]

I have a DeLonghi 12k BTU unit that cost about $500 new that I use to use in my ~10x12 bedroom in my old apartment. On a hot day, >90F, I could get the bedroom cooled down to the low/mid 70s, but that was running the unit at max on the coldest setting. It was probably due to the poor insulation of the apartment, but I would turn that thing off and the apartment would be warm again within a half hour. That unit worked pretty well in my small room, but for something as large as the room you're looking to put one in, I don't know if it would work as well.

 

[highland145]

well having never installed a window ac i'm not sure how to go about 'upgrading'.

it's not in a window. i live in a 40x60 shop with some of it converted to living quarters. the ac runs out of a cutout in the shop wall.

i guess my question is how would i go about replacing the current unit and making sure the new one(since i'm buying online) will fit properly? the current unit is 27 3/8" x 17.

I just put in a window unit one this a.m. Took 20 min start to finish. F-n central out again. The box gives a min and max window opening. Could use this, imo.

 

[Vette73]

well having never installed a window ac i'm not sure how to go about 'upgrading'.

it's not in a window. i live in a 40x60 shop with some of it converted to living quarters. the ac runs out of a cutout in the shop wall.

i guess my question is how would i go about replacing the current unit and making sure the new one(since i'm buying online) will fit properly? the current unit is 27 3/8" x 17.

Take old one out and measure hole and unit. Go to Costco, sears, Lowes, etc... and find the best energy star rated one and return and install.

Also get the model number off the unit and look it up. That may help as well.

 

[GuitarDaddy]

well having never installed a window ac i'm not sure how to go about 'upgrading'.

it's not in a window. i live in a 40x60 shop with some of it converted to living quarters. the ac runs out of a cutout in the shop wall.

i guess my question is how would i go about replacing the current unit and making sure the new one(since i'm buying online) will fit properly? the current unit is 27 3/8" x 17.

Well you would need to find a unit with roughly the same dimensions or you would need to adjust the cutout in the shop wall.

You will also need to consider the btu rating and electrical source. Whats the btu rating on the current unit? Is it a 110v or a 220v unit? Normaly 110v units go up to no more than 12000 btu, larger 18k, 20k or 24k btu units require a 220v outlet.

 

[caspur]

any one use them? i've got a 16x24 shop house i'm living in. it has a huge window unit but it's either on or off. i'm looking at getting a portable ac unit just to help out a little and run during the day when i'm not there(i leave the big unit off unless i'm inside).

looking at this one at BB:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Frigidai...&skuId=9747323

i'm assuming it has a thermostat control although i didn't see it listed? surely it does. any one care to comment?

Here you go. On sale this week at costco. I bought it due to the lifetime return policy. Uses standard wall outlet.

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product...rodid=11527943

 

[slightlyhuman]

looking at this one:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Frigidai...&skuId=9691688

Minimum window height: 15.5 inches|Min/Max window width: 23 in. / 36 in.

that should fit with a little work right?

 

[highland145]

looking at this one:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Frigidai...&skuId=9691688

Minimum window height: 15.5 inches|Min/Max window width: 23 in. / 36 in.

that should fit with a little work right?

Should be just about perfect.

 

[caspur]

looking at this one:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Frigidai...&skuId=9691688

Minimum window height: 15.5 inches|Min/Max window width: 23 in. / 36 in.

that should fit with a little work right?

If you wait a bit, you can get better deals.

For example:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/GE-10-000-...White/13803074

 

[rh71]

We have a local place that competes with PC Richards. PC charges lower with a higher install fee of $145 after everything. Local place charges a little bit more for the unit but only $20 for the install... they did a great job too... $420 11000btu GE wall unit installed. And window units are generally cheaper btw.

 

[alkemyst]

I bought a 12,000 btu unit for my bedroom a little smaller than your dimensions. I could never get the room cooler than 80 degrees during the day. Had it on max and coldest setting too. I should have just gotten a window unit at half the price and it'll have done a much better job.

12k for a bedroom shows a lot unless you are a millionaire with a busted central a/c.

 

[slightlyhuman]

Should be just about perfect.

even though it doesn't say 'adjustable thermostat' i'm guessing it has it?

that's the whole reason i'm replacing my current one..

 

[highland145]

even though it doesn't say 'adjustable thermostat' i'm guessing it has it?

that's the whole reason i'm replacing my current one..

The one I just got has a led readout. Zenith brand, iirc.

 

[Vette73]

looking at this one:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Frigidai...&skuId=9691688

Minimum window height: 15.5 inches|Min/Max window width: 23 in. / 36 in.

that should fit with a little work right?

Do you have a lowes near you?
If so they have the same one and you can get 10% coupons pretty easy for lowes.

http://detonator.dynamitedata.com/c...67585_4294937087_?rpp=15$Ns=p_product_price|1

 

[slightlyhuman]

Do you have a lowes near you?
If so they have the same one and you can get 10% coupons pretty easy for lowes.

http://detonator.dynamitedata.com/c...67585_4294937087_?rpp=15$Ns=p_product_price|1

i do. i'll check it out after i get off work in a few. thanks!

 

[slightlyhuman]

one problem: the unit i'm looking at is 14" tall. my current ac cutout is 17". how do i go about getting past this or am i screwed? no windows, only a hole cut out for my current AC which is 23x17.

 

[Vette73]

one problem: the unit i'm looking at is 14" tall. my current ac cutout is 17". how do i go about getting past this or am i screwed? no windows, only a hole cut out for my current AC which is 23x17.

Did you take the AC out and measure?

But most say you have to build a frame in the open area to make it fit.

Is the old one a 120volt or 240volt?

 

[alkemyst]

anyone do monthly addon expenses of a good portable/window A/C.

I can add 12k BTU and be happy

My A/C bill is about $300 a month...my neighbor spends half that.

I am going to upgrade but pricing is $3000-5000 to save that.

I don't think I am still going to be here in 5+ years, at the same time a better a/c adds to resale.

Don't know my bang for buck.

 

[JS80]

I've had both window unit and portable, portable is way quieter but less effective. I have the Sharp one, it will work well if properly installed and the room isn't too big.

 

[Vette73]

Just looked up a Window unit will not work in most wall installs as they have vents on the side.

So ask around in your complex to see if anybody has installed a Window unit in the wall. The wall units cost a lot more so if you can get the Window unit to work it may be worth the haslle.

 

[Vette73]

anyone do monthly addon expenses of a good portable/window A/C.

I can add 12k BTU and be happy

My A/C bill is about $300 a month...my neighbor spends half that.

I am going to upgrade but pricing is $3000-5000 to save that.

I don't think I am still going to be here in 5+ years, at the same time a better a/c adds to resale.

Don't know my bang for buck.

There are NO energy star rated portable units as they are not efficent. If you get a ES window unit they do not use as much and some are good.

Also have you cleaned the AC coils in your system and check for leaks in the duct work. Also clean the outside coils as they can get dirty.

My 2500 sq/ft house had a $150 power bill last month. But I also have a new 14seer unit.