Could you suggest me a good portable air conditioner under $400?
Suggest Me a Good Portable Air Conditioner - Budget $400
DingDong2024 on 28/11/2024 - 19:46
Last edited 28/11/2024 - 20:18 by 1 other user
Last edited 28/11/2024 - 20:18 by 1 other user
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then what you suggest?
Split system. Agree with this comment, have used portables in the past and at best you get one cool room with the sound of a 747 in it.
I gather there's a regulatory barrier that prevents the sale of dual hose portables, so we're stuck with single hose only. I've read tips about insulating the vent hose with cheap material like thermal survival blanket in an effort to reduce inefficiency.
I did that with mine. Put insulated ducting over the pipe, made a little difference, but not a lot.
ALDI when they are available. They are all the same in the sub $400 that I looked at a few years ago. With Aldi you can return them in the first 60 days, so you can grab one and try it.
You will have to look up when they were last available and add a year for the next time they will be available as they are a once a year special.
@AustraliaBargain
Ha. Well I was in a flat roofed carport converted into a room. Very large room, I divided it with plastic curtains and covered air gaps with tape. It works, but like when it's 35 outside even if I run the AC full blast early in the morning, the temp in the room will still creep up to like 28/29. In a smaller bedroom, a proper room in the house with the door shut, it works great. The small room without it gets just as hot as the big room, afternoon sun bakes it just as hard so very very hot, but that AC will chill it. It's very loud but you get used to it. Obviously split system is better, but if you rent and that's not a choice, and a window unit isn't a choice either, you gots no choice.
Though, I did find the heating mode on the unit works pretty good. Draws 1200kw or whatever of electric, and outputs like 3500 worth of heat. It creates negative pressure in the room, so it's sucking in outside air/adjacent room air too.
When I packed it up before moving and a hot day hit it got so hot I was seeing stars. If you only choice is getting heat stroke or using a portable that isn't entirely efficient, the portable is a no brainer.
Jimothy was asking @AustraliaBargain
Olimpia Splendid Piu off Gumtree/marketplace.
depends where you are located.
it you're in a northern area and you have humidity then you'd be better off with a dumidifier.
if you're in a southern area then you could possibly use an evaporative cooler.Is it for a small bedroom or living room?
I've used portable air cons for the past 20 years and they have come a long way. Yes they aren't as good as an installed one but if that's your only option then there is nothing wrong with them. I now only use them in addition to installed air cons in areas that get hot. Living in Melb so my climate/usage might be different to yours.
- As someone above said "Olimpia Splendid Piu off Gumtree/marketplace." I have one I paid about $800 about 15yrs ago. Very good and still blows very cold air. This is a bigger 3.5kW unit for larger rooms.
- Cheap Kogan brand are also good value and work well. I run a small 2kW one in a bedroom when needed, you can get them for about $200 on sale. I have an older model about 8-9yrs old, the newer ones are smart enabled.
- Make sure there are no gaps after fitting the exhaust vent. I use these Noirot Windout Window Solution
- I spray the outside of the window with outdoor pest spray.
- Don't run a powerful unit in small areas, I tried the 3.5kW in a bedroom once and it was too loud and cold.
- 2 smaller units might work better than one larger unit
- I just got a Vornado fan, these are great and can be used with air con to cool the room/house. About $100 after cashback for the Vornado 533.
If they have sash windows, we used a box A/C mounted in a bedroom window years ago (like https://www.airconmarket.com.au/wp-content/themes/acm-2015/i…). It worked well. Installation was simple. Either we left it behind when we sold or gave it to someone.
Sorry, I can't remember the brand.
I have half heartedly looked at options for my parents for quite some years but the general consensus has been they (portable units, especially budget ones )are no good.