portable air conditioner question
 

So I reluctantly bought one of these damn things despite all the reviews saying "window units are better" because I have wooden crank out type windows. Of all the shit I read nothing mentioned you need a heat exhaust pipe. I thought the heat it produced was so much less than the cold air it produced that it didn't fucking matter. Looks like I was wrong. Do all of these shitty things have a heat exhaust? I was just going to get a container to hold the water but this damn heat pipe is fucking up my plan.

hmmmm ... umm .. mmm umm umm um um mmm ... i ... i tell you ... i ... umm ... i .. i think i dont know :)

Yes, ALL air conditioners need to exhaust the heat that they generate.

This is why window units hang outside, and central AC units have parts sitting outside, on the ground or on the roof.

Damn it. Why do these portable units even exist then? If you can't use them in a basement (without windows) or in rooms with windows that wouldn't allow a window unit it seems like everyone would just buy a window unit.

Cause some windows just can not have them and then other people just make the exhaust pipes longer (with extra fans if need be) and vent it out another area.

1. Window units make the outside look like crap.
2. They can be used without windows, you just got to put a hole in the wall it can vent out of.

Ah, those pesky laws of physics :)

In order to "make stuff cold" the heat removed must be put somewhere. Your fridge is actually heating up your house to keep the inside of it cool - just it's so tiny you don't notice too much.

There also is of course a whole bunch of waste heat generated from the compressor/fans as well, which add to the exhaust problem.

I do find those tall upright fans.. Not the standard fans but the ones that look like a skyscarper work really well..

You have no way to run a pipe out?

I bought one because my window would not work with a window unit. Mine works fine.

Thats why I wont buy one.

You need a Ductless Mini-Split system
http://www.acfactoryoutlet.com/home.asp?cat=1

Did you read my fucking post, moron?

Because more rooms come with doors and windows than without. If everyone lived in their mom's basement with no windows they probably would not exist.

I have to be honest though, I have been in a lot of basements [own a house with one] and can't ever recall going into one that did not have windows. That sounds more like a cellar.

I have a portable I picked up from Sly a few years ago and I think it is better than any window unit I have seen / used. You just run the exhaust tube out the window. It probably comes with a piece that fills the gap from opening the window.

Put a bunch of ice cubes in a bowl. Point a fan at it.

Put your portable A/C near the bathroom. Stick the exhaust pipe in the bathroom vent. Presto!

Ok, that seems like a valid response to most of my 2nd post in this thread. What about MY problem.. wooden crank out windows? I can't leave them open. They will be damaged by wind and they will mold.


The reviews at amazon overwhelmingly say window units are better but I'm glad you are pleased.

I have no idea what to do about your problem. The only thing I can really think of is to replace the window... but obviously that isn't the greatest solution.

On another note... why are you always so nasty to people? Yeh, this is GFY but come on...

A portable A/C unit without anything attached to its exhaust is unfortunately just a dehumidifier (and a small heater, since its internal parts consume electricity and generate some waste heat). So the net effect is a drier, slightly warmer room.

Why can't you face the exhaust baffle downwards (at the bottom of the window) and stuff some weatherproofing onto the other two sides of the "triangle" on each side of the window?

Another option, assuming you own the place or you have your landlord's permission, is to return it and install a split system. This is a permanent installation with the main guts of the A/C located outside.

BTW, one reason that window units are better is that most portable A/C units have an uninsulated exhaust tube, which means some of the heat radiates/escapes back into the room. There are also problems with seals between the unit and tubing; I've had to use some extra screws and gaffa tape to stop all of the air leaks on my portable A/C's outlet.

On second thoughts maybe your window opens from the top? If so then face your baffle upwards

That is the thing. Portable a/c units were probably invented after they stopped building homes with wooden crank out windows. You may have noticed that they don't make then for caves or wigwams either.

Are you talking about homes built on the assembly line? It looks like they still make the windows: http://web.pella.com/products/window.../Overview.aspx. Considering how much better they look than vinyl I think they will continue to do so... :winkwink:

Sorry, I meant standard homes. Not custom built ones that probably already have built in a/c and forced air heating.

I hit my tipping point about 2 months ago. If you search my posts from before then you'll see I was somewhat polite. I'm not sure what caused me to crack after this long. It seems like there are so many people willing to post dumb responses. Part of me wants to believe they are doing it because they sold their sig but I don't really believe that. I believe they suck at life.

I sometimes mix up names and have probably been nasty to someone I wouldn't have if I could remember all my interaction with them and that is no good... so I'll try to work on it.

You should be able to cut a hole in the wall to vent the pipe. There should be some space right about your basement cement wall where you can vent it. Will probably have to do some drywall repair after you are done, but if you're going to be there a while it will be worth it.

Hell, just call up a local HVAC guy and tell him you need a vent for your new AC unit. It probably wouldn't cost much to have it done professionally.

http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/vide...057387,00.html

Sorry, that made no sense the first time I posted it.

Just run the exhaust into the toilet.

Cut a hole in ceiling. Exhaust through ceiling.

We have the same issue, so I feel your pain. Our office is located above our garage. That means in the summer the sweltering heat from the garage moves upwards into our office alone with the normal migration of heat upwards from the downstairs rooms.

We have 2 vents in the room both pushing the cold air from the central air but with all of the computers etc. running in the office combined with the fact the garage makes this room much hotter than the other rooms in the house.....the central air just can't keep up. We use a rotating fan on a pedestal (invest in a good one that pushes a lot of air) as well as a dehumidifier. If you live in a humid climate, a humidifier works wonders. It eliminates the sticky humid feeling and the heat doesn't seem as bad.

In your case, I sure hope you insulated the ceiling of that garage. Otherwise you'll never keep up with the heat.