Portable air conditioner for 24m2 room

Wondering what people are using to keep cool this summer

Currently have 2 fans blowing on me but I feel like a meat pie in an oven aka hot air is hot

Also any tips for staying cool

Currently am near naked with a cold wet towel on me

Room size is roughly 6m x 4m with high ceiling maybe 3m but slanted because roof

Luckily I do have a window I can vent the air conditioner out

So far I have found this from big w

https://www.bigw.com.au/product/onix-portable-air-conditione…

Onix Portable Air Conditioner 2.7kw - White

$279.30 + $44 delivery

Comments

  • +14

    Currently am near naked with a cold wet towel on me

    Pics please

    • +9

      Or it didn't happen

      • +2

        Oh it's happening I'm not overcooking in this heat. I took a cold shower an hour ago and need a second one now.

    • +54

      Subscribe to my only bargains

    • +3

      ms paint pic or didnt happen

      • What's mobile version of Ms paint

    • +3

      ms paint diagram of air flow

  • +4

    These portable aircon's work quite well, assuming the exhaust tube can reach the window. The aircon made a room in QLD with no fan a lot better, much cooler. The only problem is the noise. For me, it was great because we were next to the train and it drowned the noise out, but if you have roommates or if you are averse to loud noises, it's quite a 'bass-y hum'.

    • +1

      Noise is fine I mean I'll just put my tablet louder when Netflixing and when gaming I have headset

      • +2

        I really think you'll over-extend any portable a/c that I've ever encountered that needs to deal with 24m2. Do you have the ability in your home to have an in-window unit, assuming you might be renting and thus can't install one fully?
        Ive had several portables over the years and all of them are compromised once you ask them to do more than cool a little, no matter what they promise. I strongly advise you to consider a proper a/c unit to give you decent heat relief, calculating the kW power you need etc, and wish you well in your choices.

        • Thanks I think the reward is not worth the small benefit.

          I have decided just to rough it out on the hot days and use cold water to stay alive.

          It is a nice dream thought though.

          Thanks.

          • +1

            @AlienC: I wish you cool times, buddy!!
            Up here in Cairns it's really not manageable, other than during the cooler months of winter, and even then, on some days…..
            Some seem to manage, but I've no clue how they do it in the Tropics. Other ideas, if you haven't already done so - consider cheap block-out curtains, which are effective in blocking out a lot of the sun rays heat…Reject Shop and the likes often sell them, not expensive.
            Evaporative coolers, I've never found much good….anyway, enough of me banging on, wish you well mate.

      • You will have to turn your tablet up higher anyway if you are wearing a towel

  • +3

    I couldn't find the specifications but I would think the room size you have would be the upper end of what this AC could cool. If you are in a room with good insulation, don't have direct sun entering your window etc you would be reasonably happy vs the price paid.

    I have purchased some of the best portable AC's like 6Kw Polocool PC-58AP/C and although they take the edge off the heat, they all heat up the rest of the house, have to be turned on early to get a head start on the heat and are on all the time.

    • How do they heat up the rest of the house

      • +7

        Portable AC's create negative air pressure inside your house as they extract they exhaust hot air to the outside through the hose. The air that is coming in to replace this exhausted is… the hot outside air. Many years ago I used to see dual hose portable AC's to stop this issue, but not any longer.

        • +2

          Dual hose portable AC aren't legal anymore in Aus, so the key is to have your main air 'opening' somewhere that is going to pull cool air to replace the hot air that is exhausted outside - i.e. leave the coolest window or door area in another room slightly open.

          • +1

            @AJW: Is that why you cant buy them? Why were they made illegal?

            I Put a carboard box + Plastic around the intake and ran a 2nd hose out the window. Ugly but effective.

            • +3

              @Nalar: Can't remember exactly, but I could not find any in Aus, and saw threads like this when looking:

              https://whrl.pl/Re3Qm9
              Two-hose portables have to be rated under the MEPS scheme (same as a split or ducted system) and all the current designs fall below the minimum efficiency requirement. Single hose units are exempt from MEPS ratings and even though they are much worse than the two-hose systems, the exemption lets the manufacturers sell them in the local market without energy efficiency ratings.

              • +1

                @AJW: It almost seems like a conspiracy by manufactures, but then Hanlon's Razor tells us it's probably just incompetence.

                • +1

                  @Nalar: It is crazy. I luckily own 3 x Portable spit systems and they work really well i.e. condensor outside connected via hose to main unit inside. Why oh why these were banned here is beyond me as they work so well compared to current models where the condensor is all in one inside your room. Shame.

                  • @Borg: Never let them go!

              • +3

                @AJW: So to meet the efficiency standard they make the product less efficient and everyone is happy except the consumer and the environment. Sounds like a Rob Sitch comedy.

            • @Nalar: Which portable aircon do you have that you put this mod on?

              • +2

                @[Deactivated]: Cheapo Kogan one from about 5 years ago. Looks pretty similar to this one:

                https://www.kogan.com/au/buy/dimplex-25kw-portable-air-condi…

                Make sure it only has 1 set of intake on the back, some have like 3 sections.

                Looks like this: https://www.woolie.co.uk/article/convert-ac-from-single-hose…

                Edit: This makes it look WAAAAY better than how I did it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rh6fk2AucP8

                • @Nalar: Thank you!

                • @Nalar: So the new Kogan one's like this won't work/be very difficult to mod right?

                  The dimplex also appears to have a side grill/intake? Not sure if that is also used as an intake.

                  You don't need to cover the side intake right? This bit: https://files.ozbargain.com.au/upload/383244/93409/ac.png.

              • +1

                @[Deactivated]: Here's how I did my one, the bottom hose is the DIY one.

                https://imgur.com/WB5u6ns

                I made the box with wood glue and screws, then sealed up the edges with construction adhesive or hot glue or something, cant remember now. Then I attached the box to the air con by scuffing up the aircon a bit, then attaching it with epoxy. I taped it on while the epoxy set.

                I think you can do it on any portable, just make sure the air intake for the compressor is easily sealed off. You can tell which air intake is for the compressor by holding paper against it for testing purposes. On my one, the top air intake is for the inside air, because if you block it off, air stops blowing about inside the room.

            • @Nalar: Can you please share a pic, if you still have this setup? Thanks.

        • +3

          I made my own two hose unit. Been going strong since 2019 now! Its an arlec one from bunnings. I made a wooden box around the air intake for the compressor, then put a second hose in it and ran it to the window. Works a charm. :)

  • +2

    Why not just get a Evaporative Air Cooler for 100 bucks from kmart or something if really urgent?
    Just put a jug of water in fridge

    Dont torture yourself mate.

    • I used to have a convair megacool with big blades and a huge watertank. In the right house with great airflow it made the hottest days feel like heaven, but the same unit in another house didn't do so well. The nice thing about evaporative coolers is the fresh cool feeling with all the windows open.

    • Considering it but it is hit and miss sometimes and barely better that my current fan situation

    • +10

      He's in Sydney, evaporative AC work in areas that are low humidity like Adelaide, last time I was in Sydney is was disgustingly sweaty and humid

  • +2

    Bubble wrap the windows. And foil in the outside.

    Seal up and draughts.

    • This plus open windows at night once it is less than 25 degrees and close them again in the morning

    • +1

      And wait for the drug squad to arrive 😬

      • Make new friends!

        Maybe they’ll share some of their spoils?

  • +1

    They work, but are:
    1) Noisy
    2) Cost allot to run 2.7 * electricity rate you are on.
    3) Do not cool if the temp gets above a certain temp. When it gets to 40 in Sydney the portable only takes it down to 30, but when it's 35 outside I get about 25 inside.
    4) You will need to ensure that you shut all of the other doors/windows
    5) You will need to MAKE sure that the window you are using for the exhaust does not allow the hot air back in. In other words make sure it is sealed once you put the output adapter in the window. I did this by cutting a 3mm MDF panel from bunnings and put some screws in the window to hold it so it was sealed as best I could.

    • Damn so not worth it

      • +1

        Worth it for the days when it gets above 35 and a makes a HUGE difference on the 40 days.

      • That one you linked, it's no good.
        I tried a better version (according to specs) and ended up returning it. It's only slightly cool at where it blows, and it's very noisy so you cannot sleep with it. I left my crappy curtains closed, door shut, and the machine running non-stop and it actually made the room hotter.

        You get much more "cooling" if you time it correctly to open the windows to let the cold breeze take out the stale air. Then close the windows, curtains, and doors to separate the hot air away.

        That's why if you put your Gaming PC in the freezer it actually is worse for it. You get much better heat management of you put a $10 pedestal fan in front of it instead.

      • So I suggest a couple things you could do:
        - use thick curtains that reflect heat away
        - cheap fans
        - cold shower
        - damp towel over your belly/thighs
        - keep your bedsheet folded in freezer, and use it just before sleeping

        The other options are to move somewhere colder, or to install a proper AC Unit.

        Someone recommended an "Evaporative Cooler" and I have no idea if it will work for you. I think those are good options for dry-heat like in the Sahara, but probably not that good in Australia, and definitely useless in wet-hot climates like in the Amazon.

        But it might be worth to try (check refund policy):
        https://www.bunnings.com.au/arlec-8l-evaporative-cooler-with…

    • +2

      Cost allot to run 2.7 * electricity rate you are on.

      Not quite - that's the cooling capability, not the energy consumption.

      I can't find this model's input power requirements, but I'd expect it's about 1 - 1.3kWh, not 2.7kWh.

    • 2) Cost allot to run 2.7 * electricity rate you are on.

      Wrong. They don't draw 2.7kw of power. My old 3.5kw unit drew just under 1kw of power.

    • Agree with this - however you can find units that have dual hose for both in and out that way it all circulates from outside. Recommend the Honeywell MM14CCS which was intended for US market and has 2 hose fittings on it but was only ever delivered with 1 hose for the AU market.

      Simply buy another hose attachment and window kit and you have what I believe to be the best cooler / volume unit out there (claimed 53db).

      Have not really used any better units than that (have tried Polocool 5+ KW units, Kogan, Devanti etc) the best ones so far are:

      • Honeywell MM14CCS (dual hose)
      • Dimplex DCP series (all are pretty decent)
      • Devanti PAC-A-22k (dual fan 6.4KW unit)

      All the others I've tried are pretty balls even the Dimplex 12k BTU units were better than the massive heavy Polocool 5+ KW sorts.

  • +1
    • +3

      mate if i buy 10 that is like free milk.. sold

  • +10

    Unless you're renting, why not save up and install an aircon. You're gonna have the same problem every summer in Aust.
    Cheap 2.5kw plus install, max $1200.

    I wouldn't waste $300 on half baked solutions.

    • +1
      And if you want to save a few dollars going that route Install a box window unit yourself.
      They are proven to work just a little noisier than a back to back unit with the added benefit of a heater come winter.

      https://www.appliancesonline.com.au/filter/heating-and-cooli…

      • These are awesome for rentals. Sadly the ones in Aus are massive and can be a pain to install, but miles better than the portable ones.

  • Air circulator the likes of Vornado in most of your normal hot days. It runs only 50w on high settings. I believe in your space you should run only the second level.and yes to portable air con if it's too hot.

  • +4

    You need a box unit in your window. Portable is crap. If your window slides to big enough hole it's easy.

    • how does the electrical side of things connect up what can you expect to pay for one and installation and set up?

      • Power Lead is on inside. Haven't looked at cost lately for unit, guess maybe $350 or so for a small unit. Setup can be as simple as placing it there with foam to fill gaps if there is something to rest it on. Otherwise might need to make a pine frame to support it.

    • this in 240v would be perfect
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-pa_vUNGl4

      window ac is pretty easy, you just need a way to properly secure it, then seal the rest

  • Hi friend

    • +6

      hi nice to meet u

  • +1

    Haven't you made this thread before?

    • I was thinking this as well but couldn't be bothered going back over OP's 300+ post history.

      • lol

      • +4

        What type of aircon would be perfect for this?

        I really am thinking about investing in a 24-25c 12/7 aircon for when I am not at work and at home and asleep also my pc will love me.

        I have a really small room to cool like think two small bathrooms put together and that is my current room.

        Was considering a portable aircon but my window is really difficult to work around as it is an old house and I am not sure what would be the cheapest to own and run mainly run over the long term like 10-20 years.

        Here

        and

        Air Conditioner for a Small Room Portable $500-600

        Summer heat is unbearable so instead of buying pizzas I'm buying an air conditioner for my small bedroom.

        Thoughts ideas?

        Preferably one that needs no further installation if possible though I do have a window to put the stuff outside.

        Budget $ 500-600 but cheapest is probably best

    • +3

      honestly can't remember professor oak

      • +1

        don't worry he has trouble remembering his nephew, your name, and what gender you are. But he can memorize 151 different creatures :\

        • Haha lol

  • +2

    To get around the issue of a portable air con heating up the room it's in, maybe set it up in the living room and using one of these: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/10000366556828.html

    • I will keep it noted.

      There are plans to move my setup downstairs into the below ground level but I have to check if my wifi will reach downstairs nicely otherwise gaming performance will suffer.

  • +1

    Something like these work well if you have a window sill and don't require installing (permanently).
    Example Only: https://www.kogan.com/au/buy/kogan-vertical-window-air-condi…
    This model would be too small for a larger room.

    I have Teco branded ones from a few years back a smaller and larger one. They work well. Can be boxed away in Winter.

  • I live in North Qld so you can imagine the weather. Not just the heat but the humidity is a killer and I am born and bred here. Our house doesn't have air con so this year I bought a portable aircon. It is a TCL 3.6KW and I must say I am impressed. I had previously had an evaporative set up where you put cold water in and it blows it out but with the extreme humidity of where I live it was worse than useless. As well as having somewhere for the exhaust pipe to vent you also have to have somewhere for the water it sucks out from the air. I have a bucket which can almost fill in a couple of hours it is crazy how much moisture is in the air. I have a bucket as I live on a slab with brick walls but if you were above ground you could drill a small hole in the floor for the water pipe to go. This size is more than ample for a decent sized room although it struggles a bit in the big open plan living/dining/kitchen which is fair enough and as I had thought. It does hum but so does the ceiling fan going full pelt. I don't find the noise obtrusive as it is a low pitched hum and it even has the advantage of drowning out the noisy neighbours as obviously as well as the aircon all windows and doors are closed. I just checked the weather and at the moment it is 7.45am the temp is 28C but the "feels like" is 33C and the humidity is 84% so that is what the poor machine is dealing with and I think is a pretty accurate assessment. Obviously if you lived more inland or south where the humidity wasn't such a problem your needs might differ

  • Do not be tempted by this POS

    https://www.harveynorman.com.au/goldair-2-0kw-cooling-only-p…

    The key with portable aircon is having it have enough power. A 3kw unit just cools our 3x4M bedroom, for your space you’d want something much stronger. I know heaps of people are saying don’t bother but I’m the opposite. Our landlord outright refuses to install aircon and our place is an oven in the summer. The unit cools enough to help me sleep, before buying it I’d go so short on sleep in the Sydney summer.

    • So are you saying to avoid portable air conditioners overall or just this specific unit?

      • That specific unit. Currently battling Harvey Norman for a refund because it’s so bad.

  • +1

    You have a problem if you have two fans on you plus a wet towel. Is the room well ventilated… maybe sleep elsewhere in the house.
    Change the bedding to cool cotton. get a gel-pillow. Hot nights are only one or two over an La Niña summer

    • Can't open windows too wide because possum at night.

      Room is facing the sun a lot so heats up.

      Am looking at using another room in the house during summer or when hot but have gotten pretty comfy to this room.

  • https://www.kogan.com/au/buy/inalto-portable-airconditioner-…

    That rates far above anything else for cooling according to CHOICE. Out of stock at the moment everywhere. But Choice don't actually test, they run MEPS numbers through a spreadsheet.

    "MEPS data is based on independent labs who issue reports based on the standards needed for each particular product. They get registered with GEMS who take it at face value."

    It seems highly unlikely to me that this particular lower priced portable air con is so superior to all others, including other models from the same manufacturer, but maybe it's true.

  • I recently bought the Kmart one you posted and for the money it's baller !
    Not a evaporative cooler. Gets down to 16 degrees. Cools a medium sized bedroom easily.
    Go for it !

    • What was setup like and is it taking up just all of one outlet.

      My understanding was that a single outlet can only do 2.4kw but this is 2.7kw.

      Also any extra information from your experience that might help me or others.

      Thanks.

      • "My understanding was that a single outlet can only do 2.4kw but this is 2.7kw."
        The figure of 2.7kw is referring to the cooling capacity of the unit, not the power used… My portable AC has a cooling capacity of 6kW but uses 2300 watts from the outlet. Based on that your proposed portable AC will use slightly more than 1000 watts.

        It's to do with energy transfer, not conversion.
        A heater converts electrical energy to heat - so 1kW in (electricity) means that you can't ever get more than 1kW out (heat).

        But an air conditioner just moves energy (as do heating systems based on a heat pump). It takes energy to do so, but it's perfectly possible to move more energy than you use doing so - just think of a fuel tanker. A tanker can easily move fuel with a chemical energy of a terajoule, whilst using perhaps only a gigajoule to do so (one-thousandth of the energy moved).

        • Ah damn so I guess a gaming pc and TV can't share the same circuit outlet as a 2.7kw portable air conditioner.

          • @AlienC: Let's say the AC is 1200 watts and gaming pc is 600 watts (it is unlikely to be this high even), older plasma is 150 watts… You are at 1950… plenty of room…

    • Which Kmart one?

  • +1

    By design portable air conditioners DO NOT work as well, as efficiently as others.

    Cooled ($$) air is sucked inside the unit and expelled outside. That means more cost and less already cooled air for you.

    If you have a window, get a window air conditioner for about $500.

    More money to spend? Get a split system.

  • What would be the solution for the given scenario?

    Two-storey house (bottom floor - kitchen, dining and living, top floor - bedrooms). Bottom floor is all open-plan, which leads into an open stairwell void to the top floor.

    Feel like an aircon unit wouldn't suffice given the openness and the m^3 that needs to be filled with cool air.

    • Move out and grab a place with some doors :-)
      Ducted air would work fine but costs a lot to run like all aircon and heating does.

    • I used to live in a place that had a really poorly placed AC unit, we'd pin up sheets to keep the cool air more directed towards the parts of the house we actually lived in and it did a great job.

  • the tube that connects to the window needs to be insulated, otherwise it emits quite a lot of heat. there is a lot of heat outputted from the back. I was successful with towels wrapped around it. at least double layer.

    • Yeah this sounds like it might be a bit above my skill level to maintain and manage and today's weather was cool enough for me to reconsider it.. If the rest of my area can handle it then I guess so can I

    • That will have some benefit.

      The thing that will make the most difference is converting it to a two hose version. Ideally you want a closed circuit between the air entering and exiting the air conditioner. For the Australian market manufacturers have removed the intake hose so they don't have to meet any of the required energy standards and ratings. With the one hose version the unit is putting the room under negative pressure, meaning it's sucking it hot air from all of the gaps and cracks. The air has to come from somewhere!

  • Mate do you live in Warwick farm?

    • Last time I checked no why that sounds oddly specific

    • Oh that's near cabra nah I live in the blue mountains mate

  • Would not recommend evaporative coolers or cheap portable aircons - yes they are cheap but they don't work on hot days.

    Get a Nobocool portable aircon - 6kw would kickass but a 5kw should also suffice. They are $1k plus brand new from Harvey Norman, but they're bloody good and can cool up a room in a reasonable time.

    I have used them for a number of years and had also tried couple of other portable air cons and evaporative coolers which didn't really do the job. You could get a used 6kw from facebook/gumtree for under $400 but they are very popular on hot days and you'd need to be very quick. In winter you could grab one for under $200 if you keep an eye out.

    • Thanks I'll look into it

  • +1

    Cool air tonight saved me.. I forgot how fast the weather can change

  • Itll work, but you have to point it at your body all the time plus theres the added hassle of emptying the water tray every 2-3 hours.

    • Yeah my family used to have an old one of that. Huge thing. As a kid emptying the tray was fun to play with but as an adult it is just work now haha lol.

  • +1

    A lot of people here don't sound like they have used portable aircons a lot. I've used in multiple houses across different states and they are definitely better than nothing. Super noisy. After you sort out the window venting situation and have that well sealed your then need to sort out the exhaust hose itself as it radiates heat too. I used an insulating foil and wrapped it and that worked pretty well. Then seal it around where the hose attaches to the unit itself. I found this all made a difference.

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