Thread: Portable AC vs Portable Swamp Cooler (Evaporative Cooler)

Originally Posted by AustinFromSA

Just grab one or two of these:
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product...uctsInCategory
$349.99 after rebate, with free shipping. Our office just ordered two of them. They also have a 11,500 btu unit for $299 after $80 instantly off.

Costco also has a Sharp unit that's less BTU's (10,500 versus 12,000), but the reviews say it's quieter. The Sharp is at the store only, though.

If you're not impressed, just return the thing thanks to Costco's super awesome return policy.

We have 3 of the Costco Sharp units. I looked into putting in central air but we have radiant heat so no ducts. Looked at split systems but don't want the penetrations on the exterior brick. We had old window units but they block the window once installed and are a pain to put in and out.

In Vermont we only need AC for a few days at a stretch and only a few times a year. The portable units are great because it takes 2 minutes to roll it out if the closet, plug it in and put the hose in the window. I have them all set for each window and had to maker a plywood plate for the smallest window. They aren't the most efficient, the duct gets pretty hot and that is within your room, but they work fine for us. We have a 1500 sf story and a half cape and we use one upstairs for the bedroom, one in the living room that does the front half downstairs, and one in the back office that does the back part of the house. If we have guests in the downstairs bedroom the office unit rolls in there and they are nice and cozy. For only a grand we have an air conditioned house that holds comfortable temps even at 100 outside. Once the heat wave breaks it takes 2 minutes to break them down and roll them away.

The 7000 BTU unit I boasted about this AM actually sucks. It started off strong, but it can't get the room any cooler than 86*F. Its fucking 98*F outside which doesn't help, but I am returning it to Home Depot.

Originally Posted by Whiteroom_Guardian

The 7000 BTU unit I boasted about this AM actually sucks. It started off strong, but it can't get the room any cooler than 86*F. Its fucking 98*F outside which doesn't help, but I am returning it to Home Depot.

Time to step it up to that 12,000 BTU unit from Costco! Even that 11,500 BTU unit smokes the ones you posted, and it's only like $20 more. The one you bought from Home Depot is only designed to cool "up to 200 sq. ft," whereas the 12,000 BTU unit is good for around 450 sq. ft.

I just set this one up and its noticeably stronger and colder. Keeping the box just in case.

The only reason I am using Home Depot is the fact that I have a HD Corporate Card. If I was paying for these things it would cowboy A/C only aka bandanas soaked in ice water and wrapped around the neck.

Fan behind a bucket of ice always works in a pinch.

Originally Posted by Whiteroom_Guardian

I just set this one up and its noticeably stronger and colder. Keeping the box just in case.

Which one did you buy the second time? I just bought the same one you originally did (LG, 7000BTU from HD) and it does OK in my daughter's bedroom but struggles to get it below 77 degrees when it's 100 degrees outside. It works, and it's the cheapest portable unit I could find (sliding windows that are too narrow to fit a window unit), but I'd be happier with something that didn't have to work so hard.

Meanwhile, in my bedroom, we have a $79 window unit that we've had for 7 years that keeps it icy cool. Window units are definitely better. If you have sliding (casement) windows that are wide enough to fit a window unit, you can easily build a little frame to keep a regular window unit in place which will work better and save a lot of money. I just took a 1x4 and screwed a couple of flat pieces of metal onto one end (to grab the window itself) and slot it into the window frame on the other side. That provides a top support for the AC unit. Grab a piece of light-colored translucent material from Home Depot and cut to fit the gap above, and you're in business. Works like a charm.

I just wrapped the vent hose of our portable air conditioner in Reflectix. The hose was 102F and now the temp of the Reflectix is 80F. I guess that is going to make a difference in how well the AC works.

What is the smallest size size window that you need to vent one of these?I am in a house with 11in x 16 in windows, so no window unit would fit.

Originally Posted by haydukelives

What is the smallest size size window that you need to vent one of these?I am in a house with 11in x 16 in windows, so no window unit would fit.

The exhaust hose for mine is about 5" diameter. It comes with a slider bracket that fits in a normal window,but if it is too big for your small windows you could make your own bracket.

Originally Posted by Todds

I just wrapped the vent hose of our portable air conditioner in Reflectix. The hose was 102F and now the temp of the Reflectix is 80F. I guess that is going to make a difference in how well the AC works.

Just wrapped mine yesterday as well. Don't know how much it will help but it has to help somewhat given how hot the hoses get.

Wrapping the exhaust duct, on the outside, with insulation will help insulate the heat from escaping back into the room. Making the exhaust run as short as possible will also help.

BTW most AC systems are slightly undersized which makes it more effective in removing humidity from a structure or area.