Is a Portable Air Conditioner a Good Solution for Cooling My Unit

jamesvtre on 06/10/2015 - 16:06
Last edited 06/10/2015 - 16:44 by 1 other user

I live in a unit with 1 bedroom and open living room and kitchen. I currently only have an evaporative cooler. I was thinking about getting a portable air conditioner. Does it work. Is it any good. Would this cool down the temperature inside my home. I was thinking about getting this one from JB Hifi HOME. Its a Dimplex. http://bit.ly/1MVroHe. Any suggestions, reviews on this portable air conditioner or other brands.

I live in community housing so don't think I can install a split system air conditioner though I read this will be much more effective at cooling.

Home & Garden

Comments

  • jimbobaus on 06/10/2015 - 16:09
    +1

    As long as the unit is a proper refrigerant based air con, (the one linked is) and has the exhaust tube (goes out the window) and the water run off hose then a small unit should be fine.
    I have one similar to the one you linked and i find it is very good for my study, previously we had used it in our other house in the lounge room, but that was all it cooled.
    You tend to need to have it in a spot where it can cool the main living space and if possible also be pointed towards your bedroom, as its not exactly mobile when it comes to re-locating it.

    • jamesvtre on 06/10/2015 - 16:20

      Hi the one you have is it loud and if so is this something you just have to deal with. Is it easy to install the hose pointing out the windows. I've read there's an included window kit. I also read somewhere it can't be connected by extension cord so my guess I can only put in my living room which is where I want and need it anyways.

      • jimbobaus on 06/10/2015 - 16:24

        Its does not exactly hum but at same time its not super loud either, i find it bearable and it does not effect my TV watching or the like.

        As for the window.. it depends.. mine came with an attachment on end which i just put under a slightly raised window.. some come with a foam piece which u put the hose though, you literally just connect venting hose to back of the unit then run it out of the window.

        I did find when i ran mine on a power board i would always get safety switch shut offs, since plugging directly in wall no such issues, i don't know how the unit can detect its on an extension cord, you are really only limited by the length of the venting hose… the unit u linked i think its the one that has no water run off hose, which is good.

        The reviews of the unit on product review are ok (keep in mind people generally only review on there if they have something bad to say) but 3/5 stars is pretty good

        http://www.productreview.com.au/p/dimplex-dc10rc.html

        • jimbobaus on 06/10/2015 - 16:26

          If u click on "similar products" on product review you may also find others which have better feedback

          Seems the Dimplex is "noisy"

          Saying that PR reviews said the fridge i bought was very loud.. i still got one and i barely ever hear it

  • JJJ on 06/10/2015 - 16:32
    +1

    Cooling a room -Yes but cooling a unit - not sure how effective that would be .I used one before 5-6 years and with a proper exhaust ,yes you could really cool down a room in a one bedroom unit (am sure there are bigger kwh ones which could cool a larger area) ..Mine still sits there -no issues..May be on a hot hot week you may have to empty the collected water 3 -4 times in couple of days ,otherwise does a decent job.

    • jamesvtre on 06/10/2015 - 16:38

      I may have to go see a demo display of the portable air conditioner I want and hear the noise and ask questions.

  • Ace26 on 06/10/2015 - 19:19

    I have one from Dimplex that I bought 4 or so years ago. It's good enough for a large bedroom but for an open plan living/dining/kitchen it will struggle to meet the temperature.

    They are loud but you get used to it.

  • PVA on 06/10/2015 - 19:23

    get the biggest you can. spend $100 more and get 1.4kw more cooling. It will help and only $100 more.

  • jamesvtre on 06/10/2015 - 20:31

    Maybe I look at getting the bigger 4.4kw Dimplex rather spend a little more now.

  • TRD on 06/10/2015 - 21:09

    Can someone recommend me one? One that is not too loud and pretty portable and energy efficient.

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join