Portable air conditioner used throughout the year

[johngolf]

I expect his building does not allow window units.

[inquisitive2]

Originally Posted by Berteau

Can you not use a window unit? They are quieter and way more efficient.

I have slider windows so it would be awkward to install a window unit.

They have specialized air conditioners for these type windows but they're almost double the price of a traditional window unit.

[terracore]

Originally Posted by inquisitive2

I have slider windows so it would be awkward to install a window unit.

They have specialized air conditioners for these type windows but they're almost double the price of a traditional window unit.

It would pay for itself in no time. Most people don't understand how inefficient those portable units are. All air conditioning units are essentially heat pumps. They produce the same amount of hot and cold air, plus the heat generated by running the unit. So, a window air conditioner with a cooling capacity of 5,000 BTU/hr will produce about 6,000 BTU/hr of heat.

A window unit solves that problem because the hot side of the unit is outside the dwelling, and all the cold air is blown inside.

With a portable unit, both the hot and cold sides of the operation are inside the dwelling with you. The unit uses tubes to try and push as much of the hot air out of the room as possible, but since the appliance can't break the laws of physics, a lot of the heat the unit produces escapes inside the dwelling. Not only will the portable unit consume more power, it will also cool a smaller area.

You should consider an inverter window unit. They are more efficient than a portable or a regular window air conditioner and they run much quieter.

I've never lived anywhere that has the type of windows a normal window air conditioner would fit. They have all opened and closed by moving them horizontally. I don't know why finding an air conditioner that fits most of the windows is so hard. I have installed three of them in slider windows they weren't designed to fit... I haven't found a perfect solution.

[NORTY FLATZ]

If everyone is using their heat below you, then it must be chilly outside. Being on the top floor of an apartment bldg, you should be able to open a window and let cool air in. (Yes, I know, heat rises.)

The most efficient A/C, is the A/C that's NOT turned "On..."

[johnsonkk]

Originally Posted by rabbit33

The unit's probably vibrating and ringing the floor (his ceiling). Put it on some thick foam rubber.

Even adding an “egg crate” type foam would be a great attempt. Often ceiling fans have rubber grommets and the noise is barely dampened by the hard rubber. With a stand alone AC unit, you can out anything under it.

Here is the good news: the neighbor waited 2 years to approach you on this so we’re not talking concert level noise but tolerable. So a minor adjustment by adding foam under might do the trick.

The phrase is “happy neighbors, happy life” or something similar.