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Portable AC, any recommendations?

McG2k1

Limp Gawd
Joined
Aug 6, 2006
Messages
404
I'll count this as a gadget, no place else to ask this. Can any of you recommend a portable AC unit? I just need something for a room basically the size of a walk in closet or master bathroom. But it needs to be reasonably quiet and not be a POS.

McG
 
i have a 2 year old maytag 10k btu one hose portable a/c, paid $420 new willing to part for $200. youd have to pick it up though.. northern illinois
 
Best deal that you will find right here. Any larger BTU and you are looking at 350-500.
 
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just go to home depot or lowes. they have portable a/c, they just dont advertise it. usually up front by all the window a/c's and fans. these things would be a pita to ship and possibly return if you have to..
 
always heard portables were not the greatest. are you able to install window unit? in my 700sqf place we have a 10k unit in the living room window and an 8k unit in the master bedroom. the entire place is like a freezer after 10-15mins.
 
Well... To be honest I'm not too sure if there is a portable AC which isn't considered, "crap" by someone. These things are all made out of plastic so the potential for a part breaking is higher (plus it is more likely that it will be moved more often vs. a window AC unit).

I can't back it up with a link or anything but I did read somewhere that consumer reports didn't recommend portable AC units at all.

I had to buy one myself because the windows in my apartment are crap and can't properly support a window AC.

A portable unit is easy to setup and most are on wheels, so it's easy to move it out of the way if necessary.

One feature to look for is that it has some kind of auto evaporation (expel the water etc. outside instead of into a container). All of the units I looked at do have at least a small reservoir to catch the dripping because no matter what, some water will drip off of the coils I guess.

When I was looking around for mine, I found that pretty much all of these things are made in China anyhow (at least I didn't find one that wasn't).

Anyhow, if you are only talking about a very small space, that one linked may do the trick but as noted by others, I would buy locally in case you need to return etc. because the shipping would be VERY expensive.

This is the unit that I got recently. I haven't had it long enough to form a real opinion but the build quality does seem good. I picked it up when it was on sale for $399.99 CAD. it would be too large for the size of space you are talking about though):
Commercial Cool - 12,000 BTU.

Perhaps these would be worth looking at:
Commercial Cool - 7,000 BTU
Commercial Cool - 9,000 BTU

From what I've read (and heard from a couple people that I know), Danby units may be worth steering clear of.

I have heard many people recommend buying an extended warranty on these units and Best Buy's warranty plans were pretty reasonably priced ($59.99 CAD for 4 years replacement coverage). It may be worth it if you are worried about it. Personally I did not buy an extended warranty on mine.
 
I bought a Sharp branded portable ac from my local Costco business center. Its working out great. It's a self evaporating unit so you don't have to empty the accumulated water (a huge plus). Quieter than I expected too. Fry's carries the same model, but its more expensive there. The portable units are not as efficient as a window unit, so I definitely recommend buying extra btu for a little headroom. If your requirement is say 7000 btu, go for a 10k unit.
 
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