Air Conditioner: Window Air Conditioner

The Benefits of a Portable Air Conditioner

If you are one of the millions of homeowners who don't have central air conditioning, you might want to consider a portable air conditioner. Unlike a window air conditioner, A portable air conditioner can be rolled from room to room and vented through any window opening.

Until the past decade or so, the only alternative to central air was a window air conditioner. Window air conditioners are still an excellent value. You can buy a good one for as little as $299.00 or less, depending on the features you want and how much space you are trying to cool. On the downside, window air conditioners are fixed in one room and are not designed for easy portability to cool other rooms.

One of the biggest benefits of portability (rolling the unit from room to room) is that you can take your comfort with you. Rather than wasting energy in one area of the house (while hoping that the cool air will reach into connected spaces), we like the concept of cooling only the room you're in at the time. This zone cooling concept can save a boat- load of energy. Of course, you could buy a window air conditioner for every room, but that might be a little impractical, as well as unsightly.

There is a lot of information floating around the Internet about efficiency as it relates to air conditioners. Most portable air conditioners operate with an energy-efficiency ratio (EER) of somewhere in the range of 5 to 7. Window air conditioners are somewhat higher (usually around 8 to 9). However, it is important to note that the EER rating of the unit may or may not determine actual energy savings. It is how you use the unit that can determine the greatest energy savings benefit.

For instance, if you're only trying to cool one room, a window air conditioner makes a lot of sense and you may benefit from the higher EER. On the other hand, if you're relying on that air conditioner to transfer cool air to adjacent spaces (such as a sun room, den or dining area), you could be wasting a lot of energy trying to cool those areas down. That's especially true if those other spaces are far away from the primary space where the air conditioner is located.

That's where portable air conditioners come in. Although they cost a bit more ($349 to $699, depending on features), portable air conditioners offer the advantage of taking your cooling ability to different rooms, even garages. That advantage alone may be worth the extra cost.

It is important to consider that portable air conditioners come with a single exhaust hose , which gets routed from behind the unit to a low-profile window adapter bracket that is easily installed in any double hung window. That's where the hot, humid air gets vented to the outside. Note: since these are water-cooled air conditioners, we recommend buying one that allows condensation to drain through that same hose outlet. Otherwise you'll be required to empty a drain pan periodically, which we feel is a nuisance.

Whatever you decide, whether it's a portable or window air conditioner, we like the overall energy savings they can provide by simply not cooling unused spaces or where cooling is generally not required, such as basements and storage rooms.

What is the most economical way to add air conditioner for a house with duct gas heat system?
We are renting a house with only duct heating and fan, but not cooling. Getting close to summer, we are wondering how can be the most economical way to dehumidify and also cool the air. Here are the house conditions: * It's not possible to securely install window air conditioner in this house since the windows are big and horizontally sliding. * All the rooms have ceiling fans * The duct heat system has also the fan option for the whole house * This house has 3 bedrooms and 2 large living rooms. ~1800sq ft As we are renting, we don't plan to change the house and leave it for the landlord, unless it can be cheaper than other options. Please also recommend what system (model/brand) to use when suggesting. Or at the very least what type? (I see a suggestion for using the same air duct, but with what type of system this can be done and how much cost the installation can have?)

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Am i turning emo? i am always in black?
Am i turning emo or goth or something else? i feel ashamed of myself, i don't ever want to talk or socialize...i am in the 6th grade ........embarassed of myselft all the time....i feel like punching myself in the face when i look in the mirror......,...but, i think emo would fit the way i think about myself.....am i turning emo? I always wear black my window air conditioner is always on my stereo is always on never off computer and rooms always dark? i get mad and want to cut myself etc. also when my computer freezes i look for a razor blade and my mom asks what i am doing and she stops me I love black its uniquie and i am a 13 year old boy, obsessed with facebook and myspace Please no rude answers i would like to know what i asked computers always on And etc i like to replay the same cd 50 times a day hate school wanna cut/kill myself before i go I've been through counseling they dont do anything They all cancel I hate this damn state of florida plz Someone give me a real answer Counseling does nothing. i think i am emo this is making me want to go get a razor blade

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am i turning emo i always am wearing black constently?
Am i turning emo or goth or something else? i feel ashamed of myself, i don't ever want to talk or socialize...i am in the 6th grade ........embarassed of myselft all the time....i feel like punching myself in the face when i look in the mirror......,...but, i think emo would fit the way i think about myself.....am i turning emo? I always wear black my window air conditioner is always on my stereo is always on never off computer and rooms always dark? 4 hours ago - 1 week left to answer. Additional Details i get mad and want to cut myself etc. 4 hours ago also when my computer freezes i look for a razor blade and my mom asks what i am doing and she stops me 4 hours ago I love black its uniquie and i am a 13 year old boy, obsessed with facebook and myspace 4 hours ago Please no rude answers i would like to know what i asked 4 hours ago computers always on And etc i like to replay the same cd 50 times a day hate school wanna cut/kill myself before i go 4 hours ago I've been through counseling they dont do anything They all cancel I hate this damn state of florida 4 hours ago plz Someone give me a real answer Counseling does nothing. i think i am emo this is making me want to go get a razor blade 3 hours ago I've missed half of the school year i cant go out anymore, today i just got mad and just sat there waiting to come home and redecorate my room _ i want to Put pictures of skeletons on the walls.

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How to fill holes in a concrete/bricks wall?
Well I boguht a house ( http://cdn.clasipar.com/pictures/photos/000/617/207/vga_DSC01403.JPG ) and as you can see they used to have window air conditioners, and I want to switch to central AC so I was hoping that there is a way that the bricks and concrete I'm filling the wall with can actually match the rest of the construction? Is there a way? Thanks.

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