Portable air conditioning? (apartment)
 

It's summer time in San Diego and my apartment has so much insulation that it stays much warmer than the outside temperature. It's been so warm lately that it's effecting my sleep any daily activities and I've decided I need to buy a portable air conditioning unit.

I went to HomeDepot.com and found a seemingly nice selection. None of my windows will fit the traditional window-mounted horizontal-shaped units that have a window slide down on top to hold them in place. What I'm wondering is if units like the ones I've linked ahead will work simiply by placing them on my floor. I've read about exhaust hoses but I'm not going to be able to remove any of my 4ft tall screens or modify them in any way :(

I can't direct-link the pages, but go to http://www.homedepot.com and then search for either air conditioning for the complete list or AP-08CK1FDS and MEP09D2BCOM for the specific models I'm considering.

Thanks a lot for any opinions and advice guys.
-T

AP-08CK1FDS is an actual portable units... are meant for the floor... they kinda are like big space heaters... but they cool.. the portable ones tend to be pricier than a window unit, but at least you don't have to screw around withwindows or installation of it

Measure your room and make sure you are getting the proper btus... ( idont know how to calculate that but i'm sure there is some formila on the web somewhere

Mal hit it for portables. They work fine but are expensive/btu. Oh, find out how they handle condensation. Some use a tank, others try to exhaust it out the hose, or some combination. Depending on humidity the condensate can build quickly.

Measure the space available before deciding. You can find window-hung models oriented vertically. Also, there are horizontal 5-8K/btu window-hung models that aren't so wide. That'll be plenty for a bedroom. You'll pay 2-3x as much/btu for a portable unit.

Thanks guys. So I just got home from Fry's with smaller window-mounted unit. I must say that it was kind of a impulse buy because so many people were flocking to the units that it was practically cut-throat in there. A sales person said I didn't necessairly have to mount it in a window to use it so I have it sitting on my floor with plenty of ventillation. To my luck though, the back is spewing out extremely hot air so the cold/hot are basically cancelling eachother out..

I'll keep an eye out for the vertical mounted units you speak of, however I don't think it will work because it woul dhave to be 4ft tall x 2 feet wide to take up the entire window (IE bugs would be getting in if it were only say 2x2..)

Maybe I'll just get a pricey portable one and jimmy rig the hose to the screen or just cut a hole in it. All the heat is channeled out the hose, correct? And even if so, I'll still have to open the window about five inches to put the hose in, and that five inches is pretty substantial as far as letting heat in considering its about a 4+ft long slit.. :(

Thanks again guys.
-T

Yep, the hose vents the heat and at least some of the condensation.

Not in a window? Sounds like Fry's. Something they forgot to teach about heat exchange. :) You could arrange a box around the rear and maybe a couple dryer hoses with a fan to vent the heat, but it'd be a foul looking beast.

When I was renting in CA I had a couple narrow units that fit in 21" or so. Use a tape to check the actual cabinet size, without the accordian baffles. That buys 1.5-3".

Thanks again Cyrnel. Looks like Home Depot, Sears, and Fry's are all basically sold out of portable units except, of course, a $500 one at the Home Depot Supply store :\

I guess I'll keep on looking!
-T

The first box I bought down south was too wide for my bedroom window. Thus began my couch sleeping days. Good luck.

Lol, no way I'm skipping out sleeping on this BeautyRest ;)

Just got back from Fry's again and set up a decent and decently cheap portable conditioner. I got it all hooked up nice in my window and it's working hard so far! Lets hope it's low 7,500bcu can handle the heat :)

Thanks again guys
-T

I know your pain, being in san diego also... I'm just living with several fans blowing at me

For a bedroom, that'll rock. Even if it can't bring down the temp more than 20* the humidity drop is where you'll feel the difference. Just prepare to move all your activities into the bedroom. Computer, music, TV, meals, phones... :)

Lol, well I live in a studio (not even 1 separate bedroom) so I do all my things in virtually the same room. I'm worried that the 7,500btu won't be enough though. It's been on for three hours already and I don't feel much of a difference at all. I'll just let it run through the night and have a fresh start on tomorrow morning instead of starting at the peak of the day.

Good call on the humidity though. The catch tray is already half full (optimistic pun intended) ;)
-T

i had the same problem in my room. i had 4 crt monitors running and 2 computers. 2 TV's and abunch of other electronic devises. it was running almost 80 Degrees in there. i ended up selling some of the computers. Switching to LCD's and turning of the TV's more often. I also installed a new small Central Air System in 1/2 my house. Now i have a 50 yr old one cooling one half and a Brand new one cooling the other half. now im running at 68 Degrees most days. feels nice.