Domestic portable air conditioners, any recomendations?

[MrCruza]

Daughter is looking for some way to cool their flat. As it's a rental they can't install a normal aicon so we're wondering if anyone has any positive experiences with portable units?  I know they are far from an ideal solution, just after any positive feedback on individual models, and maybe ones to totally avoid.

[smythy17]

All I can say is make sure it's a big one or else you may as well put a desk fan in the fridge and leave the door open. I know it's only a rental but they really are a waste of money unless if not sized right. Retailers will tell you oh they'll do x amount of square metres but they are not air con techs. Even a cheap split from Bunnings is more effective. PM me if you need any advise.

[richee]

Ask the owner to install a split system. You never know they just might say yes.

[nick_4x4]

Mother in-law got the owner on her place to pay for the system if she was to pay for the install, cost her around $300 to install, owner had it all done within a few days he saw it as an investment.
Most owners of units haven't been in to see them in summer or ever (aunty has never been to her investment units since purchase) its good feedback for them to know if its really hot in summer in the unit or not, and most people just don't complain because they are in a rental.

Have her contact the realestate and ask if the owner can have aircond fitted, its only a question at the end of the day, its either yes or no and really doesn't hurt to just ask.

[smythy17]

Some landlords will even let you put a split in as long as you patch it up when you leave..

[dazzler]

Some landlords will even let you put a split in as long as you patch it up when you leave..

When you SPLIT!.......  Lame I know....

[Rumpig]

All I can say is make sure it's a big one or else you may as well put a desk fan in the fridge and leave the door open. I know it's only a rental but they really are a waste of money unless if not sized right. Retailers will tell you oh they'll do x amount of square metres but they are not air con techs. Even a cheap split from Bunnings is more effective. PM me if you need any advise.

one of the boys at work was complaining the portable unit he purchased was good for nothing the other night after Brisbane's 40 degree day... waste of money he said, couldn't even feel it at all. can't help with size or brand he got though, but he had it in his bedroom which i'll assume he'd closed the door of to make a small area that needed cooling (but you know what they say about assuming and all...lol)

[smythy17]

one of the boys at work was complaining the portable unit he purchased was good for nothing the other night after Brisbane's 40 degree day... waste of money he said, couldn't even feel it at all. can't help with size or brand he got though, but he had it in his bedroom which i'll assume he'd closed the door of to make a small area that needed cooling (but you know what they say about assuming and all...lol)

It's not surprising. Unfortunately when the temps get that high not much works real well. I was on the phones for work the other weekend when it hit nearly 45 down here and there was literally one call after the other.

[maggs]

I have a 6KW Polo cool and it is lucky to cool a 3.8 x 3.8 Metre bedroom to less than 30 degrees at an ambient of 35 degrees.
It produces plenty of cold air but it also creates as much hot air. The reason for this is that they only have a single hose to exhaust the condenser heat. The supply for the condenser cooling comes from the room air and this causes a low pressure in the room. This draws in ambient air through door and Window gaps and reduces the efficiency dramatically. They really need 2 hoses. One to expel the condenser heat and one to supply the air for cooling. In the USA they sell these but I've not seen any here in Oz.
If you can seal the room and insulate the exhaust hose you can get a workable system. Adding a second supply hose is not so easy.
As has already been said, you are way better off with a split or Window unit. Both in terms of initial and running costs.
Steve

[slcs78]

The other issue with these units is the noise. Don't expect a quite night with the condenser in the room. Also if you can't run a drain hose you will have to empty the resivoiur on humid days quite often.

[MrCruza]

Thanks for the input guys. I'll persue the landlord for a split system I think.