LF: Portable A/C Advice

[flamesrule_kipper34]

Hey guys,

Looking for some advice on portable A/C's.

Our rental property in Calgary, the upstairs bedroom in the house tends to get hot and looking to put a portable A/C for the one room only.

The windows in the room are casement windows so the window kits that come with the portable A/C's that I've seen would not really help or be applicable.

So looking for opinions/suggestions on what I can do that would not break the bank.

So far I was looking at units such as this:

https://www.homedepot.ca/en/home/p.8...001036784.html

And then seeing if someone can install some form of plexiglass to vent out such as this example: http://www.shopsmith.com/ss_forum/viewtopic.php?t=14751

Seeing if I can get estimates on that sort of install right now.

But before I go too far thought I'd ask the folks of CP if they had any other suggestions or recommendations in general.

Thanks in advance!

[Lanny_McDonald]

https://www.homedepot.ca/en/home/p.1...000841155.html

[Flabbibulin]

We went with the 12000BTU LG unit last year and are very happy with the purchase. Installed in a casement window as well and simply went the cardboard route. Ya, it isnt pretty, but its a quick and cheap method. We intend on looking into plexi or something this year, but cardboard works until then. Just make sure you secure it well- dont want it popping off in the middle of the night and heating up room. A few cons- it is a little noisy, even on low fan mode and does have a bit of vibration when the compressor kicks in. It takes up a lot of space. Not a lot of flexibility in the exhaust hose, so it needs to sit away from the wall by at least a couple feet. Not a big deal if you are talking about a master bedroom that might have more space.

Anyway, it is an affordable and quick solution to cool a single room imo.

[btimbit]

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/aw/d/B07CCM...ir+conditioner

I use something like this and it works fairly well. Not the prettiest but better than lots of the other solutions

[RW99]

I ended up buying a more expensive one to be sure I was getting the most A/C I could for being portable, bought this one: http://www.delonghi.com/en-ca/produc...b-0151801215-x

As far as sealing the window, I went with a cheaper version of this vinyl sheet and used tape on the inside so people couldn't see it lol https://www.homedepot.ca/en/home/p.4...000850316.html

[flamesrule_kipper34]

Thanks guys.

I actually didn't even think of through the wall AC's.

Anyone have any ideas on ballpark areas of what it would cost to have someone install?

[RW99]

I got one this spring. The condo split A/C can be about 3-5k. Wall plug ones are cheaper, but less BTU. Hardwired are more expensive, but more BTU.

[Calgary14]

How to install AC in a casement window: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fu1u1HoBtUs

[Aleks]

Mini splits cost easily as much as it costs to just central AC your house.

[BloodFetish]

If you have to go portable I suggest looking for a dual-hose unit. No portable will compare to central or a mini-split unit, however the dual-hose portables are more efficient and perform better overall. On the downside they tend to be pricier and there is less selection to choose from.

I've done the acrylic sheet over my casement window in the past. Works well, but make sure you have the hole placed in front of the latch - I didn't and it was a pain to close and latch the window!

[calgarywinning]

I used poor man's A/C for a while. I know i've posted this before but it's got a lot of upside, one being price, the noise is very short term and if possible in another room.

Basically get a honeywell turbo fan 30" or so, put it in another room facing outward and at an open window. Open the room window you want to cool. When the temperature changes outside hit it full blast and blow the hot air out of the unit, sucking in the cool air from outside in the room you are cooling. The vacuum it creates can cause you to exchange your air very rapidly.

If it's very warm outside you can keep the fan running over night at a low speed. You will be amazed what this can do!

[RW99]

Piggybacking with my own question. When my split AC was installed, I was told not to turn it on until it was +15 outside. But in the manual the operating range says outside temp -10 to 46. What is up with that?

It was 33 in my condo this morning while 10 outside, I really wanted to turn it on lol.

[Aleks]

Originally Posted by RW99

Piggybacking with my own question. When my split AC was installed, I was told not to turn it on until it was +15 outside. But in the manual the operating range says outside temp -10 to 46. What is up with that?

It was 33 in my condo this morning while 10 outside, I really wanted to turn it on lol.

If its too cold outside I don't think the compressor will even kick on, so I don't think its an issue?