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Heating & Air Conditioning

how do those new type port ac units work...

15 years ago

They are on wheels and claim not to need to be emptied or drainied, yet a duct goes to the window? A friend is who does not want a big unit hanging out of their window was asking...thought you folks might know. I did see one in Sams club...could not tell how it worked. I peeked my inetrest because our bedroom can only get cold enough (for me) by making the rest of the house too cold. I always thought a small window unit in my bedroom would make me more comfortable wile allowing me to set the stat downstairs up a few degrees. I figured I'd likley break even or do a letter better on my bill too. The wife though won't have and AC unit hanging out the fornt of the house either! I might be able to get away with one of these portable little guys though. Any thoughts, are they quiet, cheap, etc etc. I had good luck with a fin radiator this winter. I was able to set the stat lower at night and use the fin to keep 2 bedrooms a little warmer. I noticed no impact to my bill and we were more comfortable. I wonder if it would work the same way with the ac unit?

Also, I just heard the tailend of a radio commercial advertizing a new Carrier Hybrid Ac System....any one here about this...whats the hybrid part?

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Comments (2)

ryanhughes
15 years ago
Can't comment on how those portable units work, but the Carrier Hybrid system involves 2 forms of heat--a gas furnace and a heat pump (which would provide the A/C as well). If you have trouble cooling your room, it may be the result of an insufficient duct system that you should have investigated--could require some balancing.
aemeeich_
15 years ago
The portable AC units work all right, but only if you get a 2 pipe model. When you have 2 hoses, one blows the hot air outside, and the other one brings outside air directly into the unit.

When you use a one pipe model, it uses inside air (that you already paid to condition) to cool the condenser and blow outside. These types don't work all that well and are inefficient. They also don't keep the room as comfortable since they are always bringing in warm, humid air into the rest of the house.

Michael
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