New concept window A/C?

[jmm63]

Not sure if this popped up here, but I saw this on a news feed on FB. Looks kind of interesting...lets see if it pans out to something.

http://https//www.kickstarter.com/projects/kurt/noria-cool-redefined

 

[Ultramatic]

 

 

Oh I saw that on FB too. I loved it. I certainly hope the quality matches it's looks.

 

[washman]

Where will it be produced?

Hint: In a "cost competitive" environment.

 

[gusherb]

LOVE the concept. I'd buy one just to have even though I have central air and no proper Windows to fit it in. But that's only if the quality is right, and the controls are engineered/optimized properly. The horizontally mounted compressor is something I've never seen except in cars.

 

[delaneymeegan]

Nice idea.  I hope it takes off.

 

At least having the vents and control panel ONLY, through the window is a good idea.  If one had a remote freestanding unit outside with flexible insulated ducts to that window piece, that would be good too.  Much quieter. 

 

[a440]

So interesting.  I bet it takes off big time if it works well. 

 

[DADoES]

 
Interesting, but of somewhat limit application potential if the only capacity choice is 5,000 BTU.

 

[toploader55]

That is a Great Design.

Now... does it work well, cost a fortune, and the longevity factor....

 

[combo52]

New Compact Window A/C

Unfortunately from the quick video shots it looks like it uses therm o-electric cooling system [ no compressor ] No one has ever gotten TEC to work in even a full sized ref let alone a window A/C.

 

In general TEC uses far more power and has very limited cooling ability, TEC has been around for over 50 years and has not worked in this application yet, consider me skeptical.

 

I predict that it will never materialize, what ever you do don't invest a cent in it unless you want to give your money away, [ or just think the blond guy in the promotional video is cute ] LOL

 

[DADoES]

 
The description says "Cooling Type: Vapor-compression refrigeration using environmentally and ozone-friendly R410a refrigerant."  There are references to evaporator coil and compressor.

 

[gusherb]

If you look through the photos in the link you can actually see the compressor in one of the prototypes. I even commented about how it's horizontally mounted...
There's even a video showing a prototype unit running, it was quite loud and sounded like a compressor. (They claimed it was loud because it was just for testing and didn't have a proper vibration dampening mount)

 

[henene4]

Further, thermo electric units would never work with such a high BTU level. These things sometimes even struggle to cool these transpotable self cooling boxes for cars and such...

 

[warmsecondrinse]

I didn't read any information regarding dehumidification. Did I miss something?

Jim

 

[DADoES]

 
There's a reference to it in the FAQ about installing the unit in vertical orientation (vertical orientation presents engineering issues for compressor lubrication and handling of condensate dripping.

 

[washlogic]

Looks cool but I would worry about the security of the cooling unit that just slides into that plastic window frame from the inside. Seems like if you were standing outside and wanted to break in, all you would have to do is push the unit inward..

On the other hand, this product would be good for older people with small rooms who dont get that hot and have strength issues

 

[neptunebob]

The problem I see, the evaporator and condenser have to be quite small. One way the manufacturers make their units more efficient is to have larger areas to absorb and shed heat, larger evaporators and condensers. I like this concept, but how can it be efficient with such small heat exhangers?

Also, didn't Westinghouse have an air conditioner were some of the case was below the window, so not so much in the window, maybe back in the early 70s?

 

[supersuds]

I was wondering also about the small condenser size. I watched the video and didn't catch any reference to the EER of the unit.

It's also untrue that they're the first to aim the evaporator discharge at the ceiling. A lot of portable ACs have done that, the GE Porta-Cool, for instance.

As to the Westinghouse, yes they did have such a unit, that at least was low profile although not light and compact. Pics at post #111 at the link.

http://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?64040_112#bott

 

[DADoES]

 
"Power Consumption:  Approximately 460-480 watts, for an EER we estimate to be 10.4 to 10.8.  The unit will draw approximately 4 amps during operation."

 

[toploader55]

Was it Carrier that made the "Snorkel" Unit ?

Or was it Westinghouse ?

 

[supersuds]

EER would be very good, then, considering the size, especially.

 

[henene4]

I guess that the smaller surface area of the heat exchangers allows for higher temperature differences. If compensated by high airflow rates, the impact on efficency can be reduced by a fair bit.

 

[gusherb]

They can also make up for the lack of coil size by making it deeper, running more rows of tubing through, which in addition to higher airflow, I suspect is how they'll accomplish this.

 

[combo52]

New Compact Window AC

It looks like I jumped the gun a bit calling this a thermoelectric air-conditioner.

But I can guarantee you that they have not come up with a 5000 BTU air conditioner that has a 10 EER and only weighs 20 pounds, yes it would be possible to build such a machine but it would cost a fortune because of the exotic materials that would have to be used to make it efficient and light enough.

Using extra deep coils etc. require a lot more energy to push the air through them and it would also make a lot of noise. I definitely would not invest any money in this because I doubt it ever sees the light of day.

 

[delaneymeegan]

450-500 watts, is about what a 5,000 btu Freon gas type AC pulls.

 

I'm guessing these units are aimed at urban dwellers in the likes of New York, and RVer/Tiny housers where people are already living in limited, yet expensive square footage.  500 watts is manageable for Solar electric systems too.

 

http://https//youtu.be/Q4FoAr8i26g

 

[sudsmaster]

It's an interesting concept, and it looks like they got the new form factor not so much from new technology but from making the unit quite a bit wider and a bit deeper than regular 5,000 BTU window units.

 

I do like the fresh air feature - something I think all window A/C units should offer. But few seem to.

 

Two problems for me: 5,000 BTU not enough for the south facing master/bed bath at my place. And, all my windows are horizontal sliders. I've been able to adapt a 5,000 BTU window unit for it, but it was such a pain and I hated not having a fresh air option. Recently I got a 12.5k BTU portable DeLonghi unit, and it will at least be easier to install/remove.

 

If Norio comes out with a vertical unit I'd be more interested. But I think that may be years away.