Portable air conditioner for 24m2 room

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  91rs on 04/01/2022 - 10:10

  +1

  They're better than nothing and in the right conditions can work well.

  I had one at the last place I was at for around 3-4 years but did the following:
  Spent a decent amount on what was at the time well rated portable AC unit. (on sale then pushed for further discount as per ozb-lyf)
  I got a heavy curtain (fabric) and covered the large window in the bedroom to try absorb the heat coming in. (Spotlight, was cheap)
  The window was an awning wind out style, so I adjusted the exhaust plate it came with to sit at the bottom of the window and wound it closed, took measurements of the "A" on each side of the window that was still exposed.
  Went to clark rubber and got some heavy duty black dense foam cut to size for the two "A" sections, these were probably 30-40mm thick as they were also sealing the outside from the inside of the house.
  Then a really thick blue square (foam) that was the size of the base of the portable AC unit as it was on a timber floor and was quite noisy, this blue foam was probably 75mm thick but was softer so the wheels and unit would sit on it and absorb all the vibration from the unit.
  They don't have it shown on their website or id link the type.

  Installed the two "A" bits with some small bits of double sided tape and some other tape (black PVC duct tape from bunnings, not the cloth kind) the length of the long sides to seal up better and hold it in place.
  Had the AC in the same corner as the window so it was the shortest run for the exhaust vent (less heat escaping into the room).
  Got some cardboard and cut it to make a vent that would direct the air at the bed rather than diffuse randomly up in the air as I wanted the cold air on me, once I found the cutout shape that worked for me covered it in clear packing tape so if there was any moisture it wasn't going to make it wet.

  It was weather sealed enough to leave it like that all year without issues, did this for a few years and it was worth the comfort.
  Room wasn't as big as yours OP but did have high ceilings, it would struggle on those hot 38-42c days but still be way cooler than not having it.
  Set to 22 or 23c as they can only work so hard to cool a room when really hot, plenty of times it was running all day and night during summer.

  Power bills were not crazy, the 2.7Kw or whatever that's rated at didn't seem to be reflected in the consumption jump.

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    91rs on 04/01/2022 - 10:31

    +2

    Here are some pics I took of it to give you an idea.
    https://imgur.com/a/V0kb8tV

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      AJW on 04/01/2022 - 10:56

      +1

      Nice job - where there is a will, there is a way!
      It's much easier when you have a horizontally sliding window - you open it the width of the exhaust plate and if you want to make it airtight you can just put some electrical tape around it. As I only have it up in a bedroom for a few days during heat waves, the tape is easy to remove without sticky residue.
      Window propped with a piece of dowel for security and so the exhaust plate doesn't vibrate it open and pull off the almost useless tape sealing it :)

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  RADICALIST on 04/01/2022 - 12:44

  Get a wall mounted split system.

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  cookie2 on 04/01/2022 - 16:57

  Keep blinds shut, cold shower before bed, damp towel for sleeping and a fan AND a portable aircon or similar. And if you get really desperate, a sleeping tablet of some sort for those extreme temp evenings. Cool air on my face helps more than my body but don't know about you.

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  BuyoTheCat on 04/01/2022 - 18:00

  I have a Kogan 3.5kW portable Air Conditioner. 12,000 BTU.

  I run it for an hour or 2, mainly to dehumidify my room. It does go to 19 degrees in that mode.
  My room is about 20m2

  You might have more difficulty as you room has a higher celling. and I would guess that you are living in a house. the sun beats down on the roof and the rooms upstairs gets baked.

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  yellowfever on 05/01/2022 - 00:02

  OP can spend $2K on gaming monitor but not a split system air con.

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    AlienC on 05/01/2022 - 00:50

    gaming tv*

    lol i never spent 2k on a gaming monitor i spent 370 + 50 = 420 for a 40 inch 4k 60hz korean monitor.. i think you stalked the wrong person bro

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  AlienC on 05/01/2022 - 00:53

  +2

  fwiw it has been nice and cold past few days so i dont know how invested i am in this any more but yeah if we start getting a bunch of 40 degree days again well i just want to make that 40 degree day 25 degrees but yeah most other days i will never use the air conditioner so weighing up how much I really need this or what I really need.. realistically I will only need it for a month or two out of the whole year and so far this summer has been somewhat bearable but I really appreciate everyones comments and I hope this helps someone else who needs this so keep the good info coming not just for me but for us all

  under my umbrella ella ella eh eh

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    Heaps for Cheaps on 05/01/2022 - 18:22

    +1

    Realistically you'll only be needing it for max 10 days a year and the other days will be comfortable with a fan.

    However, big thanks for coming back with your outcome as I always love to hear what route the original poster took after the community came together to give their opinions. how …And it helps other people in similar situations who will see your post in the future.

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      Borg on 05/01/2022 - 18:30

      +1

      I agree about only requiring Aircon for those rare few days that are nasty (In Sydney ….4km from coast and not inland!). It is nice knowing it is there if needed. A fan works most of the time and a cold shower before bed!

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      AlienC on 06/01/2022 - 00:00

      +1

      I do try to improve on what we got and if possible go the extra mile… there is so much around us we tske for granted or dont see the outcome of our actions and consequences so a simple kind gesture like following up can sometimes give someone closure or make someones day and if i can do that every now and then then i have done my part and can complain about others not doing the same

      Im not perfect im just better than the rest

      But it always comes at a cost there is always that hidden cost

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  bazingaa on 16/01/2022 - 22:05

  what did you get at last ?

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    AlienC on 19/01/2022 - 07:23

    +1

    the strength to go on

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      AJW on 19/01/2022 - 11:42

      +1

      Thanks for posting back what you went with after you went through all our suggestions.
      It makes everyone here that contributed to this post (to assist you with your issue) that warm and fizzy feeling :)

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