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itsbabytime
LIF Adult
Member since 11/05 9644 total posts
Name:
Me
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Portable AC units? Edited with another q for those who have used one...
Anyone use one? How do they compare to the in the window units? They seem pricey - just wondering if the do the job just as well...TIA!
ETA:
How exactly do these things work? I was envisioning like a stand alone heater that I coud bring from room to room but, I see it still needs to drain out of the window? Do you have to leave the window part in there permanantly? Is it easy to just stick the piece in the window and take it out or does it require installation? TIA!
Message edited 4/29/2010 10:41:23 AM.
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Posted 4/28/10 11:34 PM  |
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MissJones
I need a nap!
Member since 5/05 22150 total posts
Name:
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Re: Portable AC units?
We're toying with the idea of one, too, since our building will be getting exterior work done and we can't have window units.
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| Posted 4/29/10 6:19 AM |
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GoldenRod
10 years on LIF!
Member since 11/06 26792 total posts
Name:
Shawn
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Re: Portable AC units?
I've had one for about 7 years. It works just as well, if not better, than the in-the-wall/window ones. It vents outside, so there really isn't much of a difference technically speaking. I like the fact that it doesn't take up half the window (we had casement windows, so a normal A/C wouldn't fit in the window anyway. It's also easier to move around in the off-season, since it's on wheels.
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| Posted 4/29/10 7:32 AM |
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MDF
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Member since 5/05 2313 total posts
Name:
Melissa
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Re: Portable AC units?
I have one Im looking to sell if anyone is interested. I cant remember the name of it but I can let you know when I get home. It is pretty modern looking not ugly white. Its black and silver. I believe its 13,000 btu. We no longer use it as our house has an in wall unit. FM if anyone is interested.
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| Posted 4/29/10 8:24 AM |
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itsbabytime
LIF Adult
Member since 11/05 9644 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: Portable AC units?
Posted by GoldenRod
I've had one for about 7 years. It works just as well, if not better, than the in-the-wall/window ones. It vents outside, so there really isn't much of a difference technically speaking. I like the fact that it doesn't take up half the window (we had casement windows, so a normal A/C wouldn't fit in the window anyway. It's also easier to move around in the off-season, since it's on wheels.
Ok - this is probably a stupid question but, I thought portable meant that it was a stand alone unit like the portabe heaters and I could bring it from one room to another and not have to put it in a window?
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| Posted 4/29/10 10:31 AM |
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HappyWife
LIF Toddler
Member since 12/06 484 total posts
Name:
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Re: Portable AC units? Edited with another q for those who have used one...
We used to use one (still have it) and ours definitely needed to vent to a window to let the condensation water drip out. It's a pretty large standalone unit, 15,000 BTU I think.
It worked okay but it was definitely louder than the window unit that we ended up putting in. The window unit also had a MUCH lower energy star rating than the portable for the same about of BTUs.
The one we have isn't like a heater where you can put it anywhere in the room. It's the unit itself and then there are these two tube/hose looking things that are attached to a frame looking thing. Then you pop the frame into the window to let the water drip out.
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| Posted 4/29/10 10:44 AM |
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GoldenRod
10 years on LIF!
Member since 11/06 26792 total posts
Name:
Shawn
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Re: Portable AC units? Edited with another q for those who have used one...
Posted by itsbabytime
Posted by GoldenRod
I've had one for about 7 years. It works just as well, if not better, than the in-the-wall/window ones. It vents outside, so there really isn't much of a difference technically speaking. I like the fact that it doesn't take up half the window (we had casement windows, so a normal A/C wouldn't fit in the window anyway. It's also easier to move around in the off-season, since it's on wheels.
Ok - this is probably a stupid question but, I thought portable meant that it was a stand alone unit like the portabe heaters and I could bring it from one room to another and not have to put it in a window?
All A/C units generate a lot of heat. That's just the nature of them. You have to vent that hot air outside (otherwise, you'll create more heat than cold....   )
Portable heaters just make heat, so they don't need to vent.
There's a tube that comes out of the unit, about 4-6" in diameter, depending on the model, and that goes out the window, with a filler panel to fill in the rest of the opening. All A/C units also create water, like a dehumidifier. Some of them (like the one I have), have a tube inside the air exhaust that pumps the condensated water outside. Other models have a holding tank that you need to empty. Window units just drip it outside.
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| Posted 4/29/10 11:17 AM |
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ttdiff11
LIF Infant
Member since 12/09 366 total posts
Name:
Theresa
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Re: Portable AC units? Edited with another q for those who have used one...
i have one, they work almost as good as window ones
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| Posted 4/29/10 12:16 PM |
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LisaI
Momma's Little Beans
Member since 1/06 3923 total posts
Name:
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Re: Portable AC units? Edited with another q for those who have used one...
We had one for our other house. The attic had the office in it and was hot in the summer and cold in winter. Even though we had central air/heat it just never really worked up there. The unit we got was from HomeDepot and $500. You can roll it from room to room if needed but the hose has to be in the window for drainage. If you don't have a window maybe use a bucket? idk...
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| Posted 4/29/10 12:17 PM |
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GoldenRod
10 years on LIF!
Member since 11/06 26792 total posts
Name:
Shawn
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Re: Portable AC units? Edited with another q for those who have used one...
Posted by itsbabytime
ETA:
How exactly do these things work? I was envisioning like a stand alone heater that I coud bring from room to room but, I see it still needs to drain out of the window? Do you have to leave the window part in there permanantly? Is it easy to just stick the piece in the window and take it out or does it require installation? TIA!
They look something like this:
Here's a good explanation of the units:
http://www.cleaning-guide.com/portable-air-conditioner.html
You just open the window a few inches, put the exhaust shield insert in, then close the window. Takes about a minute or less. Takes even less time to take it out.
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| Posted 4/29/10 12:57 PM |
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