Portable Air conditioners - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

Jamie XR6 · 12-04-2002, 01:32

Does any one know anything about portable ACs? I'm talking about the ones for the house.

I have an evaporative type which isn't too bad but not as good as an AC.

Harvey Norman have a portable AC for $990. I live in a rented place and obviously I don't want a fix system.

I've been told that they are only good for one room at a time, which is fine as it will mainly be for the bedroom.

Does anyone have one? or any thoughts on whether they are worth it or not?

SM · 12-04-2002, 01:50

The portable evaporative coolers, small ones anyway, are not much chop, just buy 3 or 4 pedestal fans instead. In areas that experience even slight humidity the evap coolers are useless, as all they do is pump cold water into the house. They are only capable of lowering the temperature by about 5 degrees on a hot dry day. We've got a big portable evaporative one in our workshop that cost about $2000, its as big as a mini and its as loud as a jet engine, but it does cool you down.
Refridgerated units are definitely the go, running costs are a fair bit more but well worth it. The only issue is whether or not to get window mount, which can raise some security and mounting issues, or there are also some good little units that have an external return air that can be placed outside the window, leaving the main cooling unit inside.
Harvey Norman are probably the easiest way to go.
Stay cool.

Jamie XR6 · 12-04-2002, 02:03

Quote:

Originally posted by XR8SAM
or there are also some good little units that have an external return air that can be placed outside the window, leaving the main cooling unit inside.

That's the type I'm looking at. I'll pop down to Harvey Norman on Saturday and have a look at what they have got.

There goes the money for tyres on my new rims. You would think the missus would do the righty by me and sweat for a little longer!

SM · 12-04-2002, 02:13

Flexirent, pay by the month, 12 months interest free, gotta get the new rims on.

Kieron · 12-04-2002, 02:27

Yep, just got one myself. Ais its refridgerated, it has to have a exhaust pipe running from it to somewhere outside which means a window needs to be open and a pipe dangling across the floor.

And yes, they are really only suitable for one room at a time, probably not much more than an average size main bedroom.

For their money, I don't think they are worth it, they arn't as efficient as a in window unit which are half the cost but a rental means you don't have to much choices.

Kieron

laminge · 12-04-2002, 02:46

Yep mate

Purchased one for the kids room some 12 months ago, paid some 1300 for top of line unit..

goddam thing was absolute crap, used heaps of electrcity and really didnt cool down the room.

Would have been better off with 30 fans for the same price.

Do yourself a favour and either talk the landlord into an aircon, or buy a ceiling light fan and have it on while your in the place.

XR_Strider_GuY · 12-04-2002, 13:57

Yeah i've seen those refrigerant cooled portable air cons go for around the $1000 mark.

But in our house we just use those water evaporative air coolers, yeah i realise that they create alot of moisture but if you have a non carpeted floor it should be fine and when used for one small room it's enough to lower the temp so you can sleep or do whatever.

I found the best way these water aircons work is to have it placed on a door openning with the window opened on the other side.

svo347 · 12-04-2002, 17:51

We had one in our other house also, I found it made the house more humid inside.
An age old secret was to go down the shops buy a couple of bags of ice & stuff it into the slot. Works a real treat on a hot day, once melted just top it up again. Cheap & nasty mate.......

Jamie XR6 · 12-04-2002, 18:05

Quote:

Originally posted by svo302

An age old secret was to go down the shops buy a couple of bags of ice & stuff it into the slot. Works a real treat on a hot day, once melted just top it up again. Cheap & nasty mate.......

That's what I do with mine, except I keep old icecream containers and freeze water in them. I then break it up with a hammer and feed it in.

My dog loves it, I have an Alaskan Malamute and the heat gets to her. She hogs the cooler when she isn't sleeping in the shower cubical.

Falchoon · 12-04-2002, 22:34

I've been wondering about these 'portable' a/c units myself - you guys have saved me a bucketload of money.