Here's the picture. I improvised, but it works, this unit is much more efficient now. Still very noisy though.
Anyone know anything about Portable AC units?
- Thread starter volvoguy87
- Start date
norgeway
Well-known member
Wes wont allow!!!
Well if Donald said there could be no window unit...or dishwasher or anything else...he could find someone else to live with, it gets over 100 here and with 80+ humidity, there is either air or murder!!!
Well if Donald said there could be no window unit...or dishwasher or anything else...he could find someone else to live with, it gets over 100 here and with 80+ humidity, there is either air or murder!!!
Whole-house fan
Hey Dave, although it would be of limited value in the daytime, an attic fan may cool the house down enough at night to make sleeping comfortable. Many of my relatives in the south had these before air conditioning was affordable to them. After dark they would open the windows and turn the fan on, and the strong breeze would cool the house down in just a few minutes. These were located in the ceiling of the hallway outside the bedrooms. I don't know how the house is set up, but that might not be practical if the attic is finished. There are other models available that mount in an attic gable behind louvers. This of course would require leaving the door to the attic open when the fan is being used, or having louvers in the door. Hope you guys will find a way to keep cool.
Hey Dave, although it would be of limited value in the daytime, an attic fan may cool the house down enough at night to make sleeping comfortable. Many of my relatives in the south had these before air conditioning was affordable to them. After dark they would open the windows and turn the fan on, and the strong breeze would cool the house down in just a few minutes. These were located in the ceiling of the hallway outside the bedrooms. I don't know how the house is set up, but that might not be practical if the attic is finished. There are other models available that mount in an attic gable behind louvers. This of course would require leaving the door to the attic open when the fan is being used, or having louvers in the door. Hope you guys will find a way to keep cool.
toggleswitch
Well-known member
Today's window units now use plastic and sytrofoam where metal once was.
The good thing is that the styrofoam makes for a quieter unit, and it absorbs and attenuates vibration(s).
Plastic fans have less mass, are better balanced, and also lead to less vibration. Ditto rotary compressors. The movement is balanced and vibration, if any, is minimal. The comprtesso sits on rubber mounts and springs. The compressor may vibrate, but such vibration is not tranferred to the frame/base of the A/C unit OR to the window in which it is housed.
My father simply cut-to-fit white aluminum sheets and made a protected path for water that came throught the screens to exit the area between the windows and the storm-windows. Of couse the storm windows need to have two "weep-holes" (in the cauliking) for water to escape to outside the house!
WHEN THERE IS A WILL, THERE IS WAY.
NYC lanlords are prohibited BY LAW from banning window air-condtioners. They MAY charge $5 per month for wach unit for the wear-and-tear on the window and the outlet. NO ONE DOES because there is none!
The good thing is that the styrofoam makes for a quieter unit, and it absorbs and attenuates vibration(s).
Plastic fans have less mass, are better balanced, and also lead to less vibration. Ditto rotary compressors. The movement is balanced and vibration, if any, is minimal. The comprtesso sits on rubber mounts and springs. The compressor may vibrate, but such vibration is not tranferred to the frame/base of the A/C unit OR to the window in which it is housed.
My father simply cut-to-fit white aluminum sheets and made a protected path for water that came throught the screens to exit the area between the windows and the storm-windows. Of couse the storm windows need to have two "weep-holes" (in the cauliking) for water to escape to outside the house!
WHEN THERE IS A WILL, THERE IS WAY.
NYC lanlords are prohibited BY LAW from banning window air-condtioners. They MAY charge $5 per month for wach unit for the wear-and-tear on the window and the outlet. NO ONE DOES because there is none!
toggleswitch
Well-known member
To prevent any fear of vibration simply mount an "L" angle bar to hold the top of the unit (instead of the window holding the unit) and screw it to the sides of the window frame.
This will also allow the A/C to be well-supported while the window can still be opened for cleaning or ventilation.
Any reputable dealer can install one this way. You'll pay good money for such a thing, but if it means reduction of fear and peace of mind.............
Be sure to sepecify if you need the unit to be removable in winter, or "permanent" (year-round).
This will also allow the A/C to be well-supported while the window can still be opened for cleaning or ventilation.
Any reputable dealer can install one this way. You'll pay good money for such a thing, but if it means reduction of fear and peace of mind.............
Be sure to sepecify if you need the unit to be removable in winter, or "permanent" (year-round).
Whole House Fan.
We live on the 1st 2 floors of the house. We rent out the 3rd floor, so we have no attic access (and not much of an attic to access anyway). Appliguy was kind enough to give me a big 1950s Robbins & Myers window fan. It's a real window fan, not a box fan. It moves a ton of air and I turn it on high-speed exhaust when the temperature outside is cooler than that inside. Unfortunately, although it moves lots of air, it is of insufficient capacity for the 1st 2 floors.
Wes and I restore old fans and although they do move lots of air, it's hot air.
Still working on it,
Dave
We live on the 1st 2 floors of the house. We rent out the 3rd floor, so we have no attic access (and not much of an attic to access anyway). Appliguy was kind enough to give me a big 1950s Robbins & Myers window fan. It's a real window fan, not a box fan. It moves a ton of air and I turn it on high-speed exhaust when the temperature outside is cooler than that inside. Unfortunately, although it moves lots of air, it is of insufficient capacity for the 1st 2 floors.
Wes and I restore old fans and although they do move lots of air, it's hot air.
Still working on it,
Dave
spankomatic
Well-known member
Here is a photo of my Sunbeam window air conditioner that I bought for $89.00 on clearance at Circuit City a few years ago. It is only 5000 BTU and works WAY BETTER than the portable hose model I had. This one will keep the "Tuff" shed 68-70 on a hot 105 degree day. The portable hose model(9000 BTU) just could NOT keep up and would be in the upper 90's inside. Just to give you and idea of the SIGNIFICANT difference between the two models.
spankomatic
Well-known member
2.
Its very small and light weight. I only bring it with me to camp every summer then take it back home.
Its very small and light weight. I only bring it with me to camp every summer then take it back home.
richardc1983
Well-known member
an opinion from the uk
in my job our company services air con I have had a lot of interest previously in this area also.
I used portable a/c units with 1 hose for 2 yrs to cool my flat in summer... it was very expensive to run and a 12000btu unit struggled to cool 1 room down and would run constantly. I had to keep doors closed all the time as it would struggle and was very noisy.
I turned it into a 2 hose unit by using a spare hose and making a funnel on the back of the unit and using duct tape to seal it so that the unit would pull air in for the condenser from the outside rather than sucking the cold expensively produced air from the room I was trying to cool and throwing it outside! This worked better but still not ideal.
The cooling load on my room is about 2kws however I was using a 3.5kw portable unit to cool a room and it still wasnt enough, they are weak they are not very good!
I now have split inverter a/c, it is great, silent, and cheap to run. If you are using portable units make sure you get the biggest you can afford as even if you have oversized you still need to take account that the single hosed models will extract a lot of the cool air out of the room and then warmer air from other rooms will come in to replace it... defeating the purpose of it!
Go with window ac or split ac if you can afford it, i sold all my portable units and this pretty much covered the cost of the split unit!
I use LG split units, they are cheap to buy and run.
in my job our company services air con I have had a lot of interest previously in this area also.
I used portable a/c units with 1 hose for 2 yrs to cool my flat in summer... it was very expensive to run and a 12000btu unit struggled to cool 1 room down and would run constantly. I had to keep doors closed all the time as it would struggle and was very noisy.
I turned it into a 2 hose unit by using a spare hose and making a funnel on the back of the unit and using duct tape to seal it so that the unit would pull air in for the condenser from the outside rather than sucking the cold expensively produced air from the room I was trying to cool and throwing it outside! This worked better but still not ideal.
The cooling load on my room is about 2kws however I was using a 3.5kw portable unit to cool a room and it still wasnt enough, they are weak they are not very good!
I now have split inverter a/c, it is great, silent, and cheap to run. If you are using portable units make sure you get the biggest you can afford as even if you have oversized you still need to take account that the single hosed models will extract a lot of the cool air out of the room and then warmer air from other rooms will come in to replace it... defeating the purpose of it!
Go with window ac or split ac if you can afford it, i sold all my portable units and this pretty much covered the cost of the split unit!
I use LG split units, they are cheap to buy and run.
sudsmaster
Well-known member
I've had my eye on a dual hose portable that also could double as a space heater in the winter. But at something like $550 I've put off getting one, although I'm intrigued by the heat exchanger capability. Now that I know about the noise issue I'm less inclined to get one anyway.
For now I have two 5500 BTU Daewoo window units. These were very economical. Got $50 rebates from the local power company for each one, so they wound up costing about $50 each. I ran them both in the summer of 2008, but last year I left them in storage and didn't miss them that much. In this climate even when the days are in the 90's, it generally cools down to the 60's at night, so I just run fans at night to cool the place down (open windows) and then seal the place up in the morning to keep out the heat until I get home. Having R45 above the ceiling and a ventilated attic helps. This summer I'm planning on finishing installing under-floor (R13) insulation and that should help even more.
The windows here are all horizontal sliders, but the Daewoos are narrow enough to fit on the sill with the window about 80% open, and I rigged up a plexiglass panel above each one to complete the installation, along with some minor alteration to the outer aluminum frame on the window to accept the lower bracket. My main complaint is that with them installed, I lost a window needed to cool the place down at night. Last summer may not have been as toasty as some in the past, but I got through it without needing to reinstall either A/C unit.
For now I have two 5500 BTU Daewoo window units. These were very economical. Got $50 rebates from the local power company for each one, so they wound up costing about $50 each. I ran them both in the summer of 2008, but last year I left them in storage and didn't miss them that much. In this climate even when the days are in the 90's, it generally cools down to the 60's at night, so I just run fans at night to cool the place down (open windows) and then seal the place up in the morning to keep out the heat until I get home. Having R45 above the ceiling and a ventilated attic helps. This summer I'm planning on finishing installing under-floor (R13) insulation and that should help even more.
The windows here are all horizontal sliders, but the Daewoos are narrow enough to fit on the sill with the window about 80% open, and I rigged up a plexiglass panel above each one to complete the installation, along with some minor alteration to the outer aluminum frame on the window to accept the lower bracket. My main complaint is that with them installed, I lost a window needed to cool the place down at night. Last summer may not have been as toasty as some in the past, but I got through it without needing to reinstall either A/C unit.
richardc1983
Well-known member
You have made the right decision dont waste your money on portable units, at least get the window units. The portables are noisier than window units as the comppressor and all the fans are in the room,
I had to turn the tv up really loud when it was on as it was so loud, constant buzzing from the compressor.
Certainly could not sleep with it on at night!
Use some of those high velocity air circulators at open windows to pull the heat and cooler outdoor air through.
I had to turn the tv up really loud when it was on as it was so loud, constant buzzing from the compressor.
Certainly could not sleep with it on at night!
Use some of those high velocity air circulators at open windows to pull the heat and cooler outdoor air through.
whirlcool
Well-known member
I'm thinking at your house in SFO an attic fan as CircleW described would work fine. I think those work best in an area where it's hot during the day and cool at night.
We had a house once that had one of those. When you turned it on the shutters in the hall would bang open with a loud noise and within moments everything not tied down in the house would be flying around the place. Open the windows and a nice cool breeze would be flowing over you.
I have seen some really cold and foggy days in SFO in the summertime. Days where you actually need to wear your jacket.
We had a house once that had one of those. When you turned it on the shutters in the hall would bang open with a loud noise and within moments everything not tied down in the house would be flying around the place. Open the windows and a nice cool breeze would be flowing over you.
I have seen some really cold and foggy days in SFO in the summertime. Days where you actually need to wear your jacket.
philcobendixduo
Well-known member
The BEST Portable A/C unit!
Hello - I was most fortunate to find TWO of these units online - one from Craigslist and one from a contractor in Montana. They are not available any more, as far as I know and are VERY hard to come by. Why no one besides Delonghi makes them anymore, I don't know as they are the BEST portable A/C units out there. I have a Delonghi PACT100P (Costco special) and it is a two hose unit. Still, it is VERY inefficient as there is a HOT hose in the room whenever it's running that adds a lot of heat to the room that then needs to be removed. The units pictured in this and the next post are by FREECOM. If you can find ANY portable split system A/C unit, BUY IT! They are the best. The two I have cool the ENTIRE downstairs of my 2400 sq. foot home. Much easier install than trying to lift a window unit each season.
Hello - I was most fortunate to find TWO of these units online - one from Craigslist and one from a contractor in Montana. They are not available any more, as far as I know and are VERY hard to come by. Why no one besides Delonghi makes them anymore, I don't know as they are the BEST portable A/C units out there. I have a Delonghi PACT100P (Costco special) and it is a two hose unit. Still, it is VERY inefficient as there is a HOT hose in the room whenever it's running that adds a lot of heat to the room that then needs to be removed. The units pictured in this and the next post are by FREECOM. If you can find ANY portable split system A/C unit, BUY IT! They are the best. The two I have cool the ENTIRE downstairs of my 2400 sq. foot home. Much easier install than trying to lift a window unit each season.
philcobendixduo
Well-known member
Outside part FREECOM unit
This is the part that goes outside - connected by a hose that requires minimum window opening to pass through.
This is the part that goes outside - connected by a hose that requires minimum window opening to pass through.
spankomatic
Well-known member
How does it work?
How does this Freecom unit work. Is it a freon line that goes through the window? Is there a drain pan to empty. Looks like it might be a better way to go...
How does this Freecom unit work. Is it a freon line that goes through the window? Is there a drain pan to empty. Looks like it might be a better way to go...
philcobendixduo
Well-known member
FREECOM RCS-3000T
This is a true split system (almost) with the condenser and fan outside the house connected with a flexible line set that includes power, refrigerant, and condensate drain tube. There is nothing to empty unless the pump fails for some reason.
It is 12,000 BTU, has automatic turn or OR shut off (countdown timer) and motorized vanes for good air circulation. The compressor IS in the indoor unit, but it is very quite rotary design and can barely be heard over the blower when on high.
This is just the best design in portable A/C units and I don't know why they are so expensive (new list is $2500 I think). I paid $1400. for the pair - a bargain for me as it was going to cost about $20k to install new furnace, A/C, improved ducts, etc.
Plus - I can just turn on one or the other or both as needed - like a zoned system.
You can still buy a unit from Delonghi but the price is HIGH and the features are LOW (like a MECHANICAL timer and controls!)
This is a true split system (almost) with the condenser and fan outside the house connected with a flexible line set that includes power, refrigerant, and condensate drain tube. There is nothing to empty unless the pump fails for some reason.
It is 12,000 BTU, has automatic turn or OR shut off (countdown timer) and motorized vanes for good air circulation. The compressor IS in the indoor unit, but it is very quite rotary design and can barely be heard over the blower when on high.
This is just the best design in portable A/C units and I don't know why they are so expensive (new list is $2500 I think). I paid $1400. for the pair - a bargain for me as it was going to cost about $20k to install new furnace, A/C, improved ducts, etc.
Plus - I can just turn on one or the other or both as needed - like a zoned system.
You can still buy a unit from Delonghi but the price is HIGH and the features are LOW (like a MECHANICAL timer and controls!)
Controls.
Honestly, I like mechanical controls. Digital controls make me nervous because I've found them to be less reliable than mechanical controls. I wish I could find high-efficiency models that feature mechanical controls.
I'm still reading this thread, keep your experiences coming,
Dave
Honestly, I like mechanical controls. Digital controls make me nervous because I've found them to be less reliable than mechanical controls. I wish I could find high-efficiency models that feature mechanical controls.
I'm still reading this thread, keep your experiences coming,
Dave
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