Any reccomendations or feedback on portable air conditioners for the home?

Question

I dont have the ability to install a wall or window unit AC. So i was hoping to get feedback on portable airconditioners. Im looking to get a 12,000 BTU unit. Any info will help.

Thanks

Answer 1

A good website to compare models, prices, and reliability is Consumer reports at:

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/index.htm

Good luck with your air conditioning.

Answer 2

I bought a 7500 Haier. They made it sound like you could just wheel it from room to room but it does have an exhaust tube that must vent the hot air outside. If you have windows that slide up and down venting it is not a hard job. I have windows that crank open and I had to glue the PCV (that the vent hose fits into) into the window frame and then I put clear plexiglass above the PCV. So now the PCV and plexiglass are where the screen was. I can still close and lock the window in the winter.

It does do a nice job of cooling the room.

Answer 3

12,000 BTU's are supposed to cool a room about 800 square feet. If a kitchen is in the room you are cooling then it may not be sufficient. I bought an Amcor Ultracool 12,000 BTU unit and it's works really well. However, we've moved it into the bedroom and use it to cool on hot summer nights. It turned out to be inadequate for our approx. 800 square foot living space with a kitchen. It would cool the larger room down to approx. 80 degrees. It can cool the bedroom down to around 73 degrees. We feel like we've gotten every penny's worth out of the unit since it kept us from sweating at night and helped us sleep.