Portable A/C question

[Jsf721]

So my son rented the apartment with a windowless room. I got permission to cut a vent hole in the drywall so I can run an exhaust vent. The apartment has three a/c units installed in the other 2 bedroom and comon area built into the walls.

I have 2 ideas

1. one is to run the vent thru the wall and across the ceiling next to the crown molding and then installing a window kit to Accept the vent. Exhaust exits thru the window shown in yellow on the attached diagram (not to scale).

2. Next idea - the exhaust is warm/hot air but I assume safe to breathe. So I would run the vent thru the wall dump it into comon area and let the other AC units pull it out. Shown in orange on the attached diagram.

So is number 2 a horrible option? I don’t mind running the vent out the window but it will be More of an eyesore.

Thanks

https://imgur.com/a/2e9vGdO

 

[bored350]

If you're cutting a hole in the wall with permission, get it in writing and also get in writing the expectation when he vacates the apartment what must be done with that hole. Does the landlord expect the AC unit to stay with the apartment? Will you need to repair the hole in the wall and/or any other holes/modifications made to exhaust through the window? Does the standalone have a condensate line or a bucket that needs to be empied? If so, who is responsible of the condensate causes damage?

Back to your original question, I would exhaust out the window.

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[TRWham]

If you were going to do option 2, you'd be better off just to install a fan to move air between the rooms. What you propose will just add heat that must be moved by the other units and you will lose net cooling capacity in the bargain. An AC unit rejects more heat than it absorbs from the space being cooled. You cannot cheat thermodynamics.

 

[Fixin'Stuff]

You cannot cheat thermodynamics.

This^^^

They're known as the LAWS of Thermodynamics for a reason. They aren't just suggestions.

 

[Jsf721]

Yes, I have permission in writing. And I will save the cut outs to repair the holes in 2 years when he moves out.

I am responsible for any an all damage caused by just about everything. Great lease. Welcome to NY.

I wanted to figure out the options before I posted suggestions on an AC. Looking for one that has the smallest amount of condensate. I think there are units that use the condensate as humidification. This way there is minimal liquid to cause any damage or deal with. Don't most units shut down when full?

If you're cutting a hole in the wall with permission, get it in writing and also get in writing the expectation when he vacates the apartment what must be done with that hole. Does the landlord expect the AC unit to stay with the apartment? Will you need to repair the hole in the wall and/or any other holes/modifications made to exhaust through the window? Does the standalone have a condensate line or a bucket that needs to be empied? If so, who is responsible of the condensate causes damage?

Back to your original question, I would exhaust out the window.

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[Jsf721]

So I take it, exhausting out into the common space is not a good option in your opinion. I figured as much.

If you were going to do option 2, you'd be better off just to install a fan to move air between the rooms. What you propose will just add heat that must be moved by the other units and you will lose net cooling capacity in the bargain. An AC unit rejects more heat than it absorbs from the space being cooled. You cannot cheat thermodynamics.

This^^^

They're known as the LAWS of Thermodynamics for a reason. They aren't just suggestions.

 

[TangoFoxTrot]

One other thing you might want to consider is if a portable AC unit is actually worth going to all this trouble for?

Almost every single person I know that has tried one thinks they are pretty worthless and usually pretty noisy also.

Might want to try it out first and see what you think before starting a project like this.

 

[TRWham]

So I take it, exhausting out into the common space is not a good option in your opinion. I figured as much.

Just to be clear, it's a terrible and counterproductive option. However, just moving air between the rooms is a viable option. Google "transfer fan." Tjernlund makes good ones. Move hot air out of the bedroom high in the wall while bringing in cool air from the common room low in the wall. Problem solved.

 

[bored350]

I wanted to figure out the options before I posted suggestions on an AC. Looking for one that has the smallest amount of condensate. I think there are units that use the condensate as humidification. This way there is minimal liquid to cause any damage or deal with. Don't most units shut down when full?

From a former NY resident who went through a similar situation and had a portable A/C unit overflow from the condensate, they work well when they work. This is a rare occasion that I would say go oversize on your BTU estimate.


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[b-boy]

One other thing you might want to consider is if a portable AC unit is actually worth going to all this trouble for?

Almost every single person I know that has tried one thinks they are pretty worthless and usually pretty noisy also.

Might want to try it out first and see what you think before starting a project like this.

I have one of these. I vent through a window. Mine has been pretty much useless. It
blows cold air, but it never really cools anything. Plus I have to empty the water pan every few hours. I haven't used it in 2 years.

 

[njhoudini]

Assuming your son will be living in Bedroom 1, you should probably vent it out the window. I personally own a unit that does not need to be drained as it evaporates the moisture out the vent. It has never shut down on me and we have similar weather (I'm in Central NJ). You can probably do the ducting with materials from Home Depot, but insulated duct appears to be available only by delivery. I wish I was using the insulated ducting because it does give off a lot of heat just from the plastic duct pipe. I'll probably replace it when it continues to get brittle from the regular heating.

Mine is the Haier CPN10XCJ 10k BTU model. Works a treat, but it is not quiet.

 

[Jsf721]

Thank you for sharing your experience. And pointing out some areas I should be aware of. I will be ordering insulated ducting. And I will look at that Haier unit. What size room are you cooling? I love that it evaporates the moisture out the vent. Exactay what I’m looking for so there is no over flow damage and he does not have to deal with emptying it. I’ll most likely start a thread on specific AC units before I order but I thank you for your detailed response.

Assuming your son will be living in Bedroom 1, you should probably vent it out the window. I personally own a unit that does not need to be drained as it evaporates the moisture out the vent. It has never shut down on me and we have similar weather (I'm in Central NJ). You can probably do the ducting with materials from Home Depot, but insulated duct appears to be available only by delivery. I wish I was using the insulated ducting because it does give off a lot of heat just from the plastic duct pipe. I'll probably replace it when it continues to get brittle from the regular heating.

Mine is the Haier CPN10XCJ 10k BTU model. Works a treat, but it is not quiet.

 

[njhoudini]

Thank you for sharing your experience. And pointing out some areas I should be aware of. I will be ordering insulated ducting. And I will look at that Haier unit. What size room are you cooling? I love that it evaporates the moisture out the vent. Exactay what I’m looking for so there is no over flow damage and he does not have to deal with emptying it. I’ll most likely start a thread on specific AC units before I order but I thank you for your detailed response.

My pleasure. The unit sits in my living room and it blows towards the dining room and kitchen which has a window fan installed. The first floor gets comfortable pretty quickly and is about 700 sq ft.

I think once most of the humidity is reduced, the rooms feel comfortable around 74 degrees. Our house would probably feel better with another AC unit in the kitchen or dining room, but once I repair the botton of an older window unit, I am planning on moving the portable to the dining room.

I'm guessing another option for you could be a new portable mini split I saw on Costco's website. You might have to build a window mount for the outside unit, but it would probably be a lot quieter than having the compressor in the room and runs on standard 110V. It may be cost prohibitive though.

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[theoldwizard1]

so is number 2 a horrible option?

yes !