Weekend Warrior Welding
Member
Is a portable A/C worth it? Or should I just use an old window unit and save a few hundred bucks?
Portable A/C or window unit?
- Thread starter Weekend Warrior Welding
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Falcon67
Well-known member
One word from experience with portables - No.
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Portables are terrible and should only be used when they are the only option
b-boy
Well-known member
Portables **** big time.
I have one at home. Haven't used it in 3 years.
Our data center at work had an A/C failure. It's a small, non-critical data center, but an A/C outage is still a big problem. Our landlord brought in several 8K portable units as a temporary fix. They vented them out the door into the hallway. They actually raised the temperature in the room, as well as cooking everyone whose office was on that hallway. They finally gave up and 'temporarily' fixed the old until until it could be replaced.
I have one at home. Haven't used it in 3 years.
Our data center at work had an A/C failure. It's a small, non-critical data center, but an A/C outage is still a big problem. Our landlord brought in several 8K portable units as a temporary fix. They vented them out the door into the hallway. They actually raised the temperature in the room, as well as cooking everyone whose office was on that hallway. They finally gave up and 'temporarily' fixed the old until until it could be replaced.
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Mark in Indiana
Well-known member
My vote is window unit. Floor space is at a premium, so a portable AC is unacceptable. All I lose is a few lumens of sunlight with my window unit. Running a small box fan at the opposite end of the room is an added plus.
ItBurnsWhenIPee
Well-known member
I bought an 18k BTU window shaker off of The List of Craig about 10 years ago for like 100 bucks. It's a bit small for my shop, but on a 100 degree day, it would knock it down to just below 80 and remove most of the moisture.
**EDIT** My shop is a 24x30 metal building with a thin insulation/barrier between the metal frame and metal skin. Probably R3-R5 or so, tops**
Absolutely worth it for what it is...If I were out there daily, I'd invest in a mini-split, but for weekender stuff, it's been fantastic.
It just died this year...I'm watching CL and FB like a hawk for a deal on another big shaker LOL
**EDIT** My shop is a 24x30 metal building with a thin insulation/barrier between the metal frame and metal skin. Probably R3-R5 or so, tops**
Absolutely worth it for what it is...If I were out there daily, I'd invest in a mini-split, but for weekender stuff, it's been fantastic.
It just died this year...I'm watching CL and FB like a hawk for a deal on another big shaker LOL
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cspcrx
Well-known member
That's interesting!
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Bigbandguy
Well-known member
It sort of looks like a portable mini split. I sure like the idea and would love to see some reviews from anyone who tries them. This might be perfect for the guy with the big garage in FL who needs to cool his immediate work area.
That's why you buy it from Costco.com. No Hassle returns and free shipping both ways.
The only issue I see is that I don't think you would be able to separate the two pieces - so you have to have an opening big enough to fit one of them through
The only issue I see is that I don't think you would be able to separate the two pieces - so you have to have an opening big enough to fit one of them through
OP
Weekend Warrior Welding
Member
Looks like window unit wins. Since this is in my garage, which has no windows, and I'm not keen on putting a big hole in the brick wall, maybe run the exhaust up through the ceiling to a roof vent? There isn't a really easy solution but summer is just too hot to not try something, especially as I have been spending a lot more time working in the garage lately.
The single hose portables work OK when the outside air temp drops below your target room temperature, otherwise it just ***** in more hot air. The two hose portables are more efficient because they don't **** outside air into the room. But still they are inefficient. Use them only if aesthetics prohibit a window unit or mini-split.
LS6 Tommy
Well-known member
Portables/"Spot coolers" are great for just that- spot cooling. They are not made for comfort coooling in a larger area. Use them for what they're made for- cooling critical equipment when your first line system takes a ****.
Tommy
Tommy
Falcon67
Well-known member
If you're not up to cutting a hole to mount a unit, then look into mini-splits. Smaller penetration.
Otherwise
My gut feel is that won't work well. First, you need an in and out flow otherwise you will be drawing air into the room just like a single hose portable. Also, you have to deal with the condensate drain. Finally, if you are drawing your extension air from a very hot space then your efficiency will really drop. Side from cost, a minisplit is definitely the best option. That portable minisplit is pretty interesting.
LS6 Tommy
Well-known member
That won't work well. Window units need unrestricted airflow on the condenser side. You can't add ductwork.
Tommy
OP
Weekend Warrior Welding
Member
Very good point. I never really thought about the mini-split, but it seems to be better than my ideas about a rigged up window unit.
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BD1
Well-known member
Spot coolers need to be vented . They are great for rooms with drop ceilings used as a return air plenum. Just vent into ceiling.
As for a residence, window unit or a split system. Window unit is the easiest.
As for a residence, window unit or a split system. Window unit is the easiest.