Portable Air Conditioner Advice

Due to the odd layout of my apartment I have been contemplating getting a portable AC unit. The prices are much higher than normal window units though and the customer reviews are all over the place.

Does anyone here have any advice/experience with a portable unit? Pros and cons?

Thanks

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I know someone who has a portable one that has a hose that goes out the window.He said it works fine but in this kind of weather where it's 93 degrees and high humidity,you have to be close to the unit to really feel the air.He says it has problems circulating but I was over at his house yesterday and I thought his place was rather comfortable.He paid about $400 for it (I think it's an LG)He has no regrets but thinks if he had to do it over again he'd get a window AC. We had this discussion because two summers ago I had trouble with my AC and the repair guy fixed the problem temporarily but said I'd need a new AC (which is gonna cost me around $4,000-$5,000) So, two + years later and it is still holding up fine and I'm hoping it lasts me this summer. If not, I may have to look at buying a portable AC myself.

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ljay, that's why you spend all the money on a nicer portable a/c and then invest in a smaller cheap fan to help spread that cool air around. A fan for your a/c is kind of redundant, but very helpful.

That's true. I guess it all depends on how and where you're using it (e.g. for sleep versus for hosting)

I have never loved central air more than I do now. Spent many many years (15+) in apartments without a/c. And then when window units were finally affordable and practical, I would always end up sleeping next to them in my bedroom. And, if you didn't know, that's supposed to be terrible for your sinuses and allergies. Ugh.

"I've had one since last summer and have never had to empty any water or anything."

ljay, where does the water that it pulls out of the air go?

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ljay, where does the water that it pulls out of the air go?

From an online review
"You really don't ever have to empty water from it. It uses the hot exhaust to evaporate the water that condenses in the unit, and exhausts the evaporated water out the hot air exhaust. A truly great idea, and I can't believe more units out there don't do it this way."

"The KY-80 under my (normal) conditions automatically disperses excess water through the out-take air hose."

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16896808070

Updated On: 7/7/13 at 12:12 PM

Hope you get some relief in this heat. But a cheap fan or a series of fans really will help any air conditioner. The fan in the air conditioner has a limited radius or arc. An under-$20 fan will double the effect.

Good luck.

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Mikey the hard part is unplugging the Hoe. They are persistent little ladies

Having a problem w my lrge living rm one. The water will not evaporate. it's only in its 3rd yr and while it does cool having to empty the damn thing every 30-45 mins is becoming a real pain. Have someone coming to look at it this aft but this is not boding well. sigh. and a Happy freaking Bday 2 me!!!