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[amyb]

Having work done in my condo soon, that involves fixing a wall where a box/wall A/C unit is. I'd like to take out the sleeve and flatten that wall. A mini split in that room isn't an option, (already have one in main rooms of condo and we cannot add another new box outside the unit) So I'm contemplating a portable A/C I can just use the two months I need it here in CT then storing it away.

Anyone have one, can recommend a brand, or unit they like, reviews of how they work??

My bedroom has a ceiling fan too. I found I did use the A/C on the hotest of our nights but not all the time...sometimes I'd turn it off during the night (it really over-chilled the room) and switched to fan only on it.

I've had neighbors tell me they only use their fans, no a/c, and it's fine.

The box/wall units are bulky, ugly, and like this one, can sometimes crack the wall, or let in moisture or drafts through the box.

I only worry about taking it out and having no A/C in the BR being a resale deterrant. That's why if a portable A/C works fine for me, which I'd prefer at this point, I can let any perspective buyer know that's the solution.

Any feedback about using portable A/C units in small rooms, is appreciated. Tks in advance.

[I am still oxox]

We had one for a week it very loud and it leaked if I remember correctly. 

[SilleeMee]

I own a large (14,000 btu) Whynter portable AC. They also make smaller ones, too.

Look for one that has two hoses on the back. That kind is more efficient at cooling and will not use as much electricity to run. Also, be sure and check if it is self-evaporating b/c if not then you have to dump any water that gets collected in a receptacle inside the AC unit itself. My Whynter is self-evaporating but it still has a water collection receptacle for high-humidity areas which I don't have.

Most all portable AC units will not work with windows that crank open. Windows need to be slider type.

ETA-

The biggest complaint I hear from people I know who have a portable AC unit is the level of noise they make. There's really no way around it b/c the guts of the machine are inside the house rather than outside like you see with central air or with a regular kind of window AC. Noise is part of the package with portable ACs unfortunately.

[LIG1]

We use 2 Delonghi 14,000 BTU portable AC units and have never had a problem with excessive noise or leaks. 

You do need to drain them every so often and clean the filter which is less than a couple of minutes.

Maybe check YouTube for any other suggestions.

[wagirl]

I have a portable one for my bedroom and it does the job just fine. It is noisy tho---got mine from AMZ about 3 years ago. I live in an apartment with only a slider so no way could I use any a/c unit in there. 

[gardenman]

I had one and went back to window air conditioners instead due to the power used. It worked fine, but my electric bill shot up to over $300 when I used it from the $150 or so with window air conditioners. It worked fine, it just cost a lot more to use.

[Pooky1]

My mil  has a LG 8000 but portable AC in her kitchen because she has slides window in the kitchen. It works well and keeps kitchen cool.she doesn't have to deal with emptying and water from it.it just had the one hose that goes our the window. Just have to clean filters but that's easy.she has had in 9 summers and it works well . good luck what ever way you go.

[nwbabs]

I've been happy with Black and Decker portable ac units (both on wheels) purchased through Amazon for the limited time frame during the summer needed here in the Pacific NW. I can't handle wildfire smoke or bad air quality, so they have been a godsend. And, we do have a handful of hot days (80+ degrees) with more humidity than in the past.

Back in 2022 finally broke down and got a unit for the bedroom as I can't sleep well if too warm. The bedroom window slides up and found it easy peasy to setup the unit. And, at the end of warmer weather or wildfire smoke it is easy to stow away by rolling into the closet. I don't keep it on all day, just prior to going to bed turn it on and cool down the room a bit. It's a Black & Decker 8500 BTU unit for up to 350 square feet in the bedroom. I've run it three summers and no issues. I sleep with a sound machine (sound of rain), so I don't have a problem sleeping with whatever sounds the unit puts out. So, I might not be the best judge of noise level.

In early 2024, decided to go with another larger portable unit for the main open living area (kitchen, dining, and living rooms). It was nice to have this area comfortable during the day and when cooking in the kitchen. I just turned on the living area unit in the morning and shut it down in the evenings. Works out perfectly in the kitchen and blows enough into the other areas. It's a Black and Decker 14,000 BTU for up to 700 square feet. 

They have been good investments as the cost of the units was covered easily compared to a few nights spent in a hotel due to wildfire smoke one year. And surprisingly, the electricity cost to run them was not a shock. Usually my electric bill runs $30 or less during the summer months and with both units running as mentioned above it was closer to $60. 

Grateful we do not get months of warm weather or wildfire smoke for any great length of time. So, this may be for a multiple days or few weeks a month or two during the summer. I hope this all helps @amyb.

I resisted any ac here for decades and why I live in the Pacific NW after living in heat and humidity of the South for far too long. However, the climate has changed since I moved to the PacNW many moons ago as most people do/did not have ac in their home. And, as a born and raised New Englander without ac, I appreciate open windows and fresh air. However, living in the South did teach me about keeping blinds/curtains closed and proper use of ceiling fans. LOL

Cheers! 

[Nonametoday]

I haven't had a window unit in about 40 years but when we had one, the "guts" were outside hanging out the window and the "face" where the control buttons were, was on the inside.  Not very noisy that I recall.  Felt good.  I am hot-natured and we put a big one in our bedroom and an even larger one in the middle of the house, a guest BR which kept the children's rooms cool as well as the remainder of the house.  I can't sleep when I am not.

[mrshckynut]

@amyb   i have used one for over 10 years now in our master bedroom   if you have casement windows it is a problem at least with our older unit 

otherwise you can easily them from room to room with ease  and it will be easy to remove when you choose       i only know our unit is a 14,000btu and cools our room easily  i do not know the brand name but it was worth the price    we do not have central ac

mrshckynut