I'll check out Lowe's & HD this weekend. It's getting to be that time..... texas_al - we're in Texas too. It just makes no sense to run the house unit all night - especially since it's just the 2 of us. Thanks for the info. You're right, a little noise makes for hypnotic, good sleeping. Our last unit was a huge Carrier that came with that house - when we installed central, we kept it because we were used to the sound (which wasn't loud exactly, but did block out the neighbor's barking dogs...). I know that none of them are silent, but some of them are LOUD. I think that the mini split option sounds like heaven - we just can't go that route right now - got too many other irons in the fire - next up: fencing 7+ acres to keep our neighbors kids & their ATV's off the property. I assume they can read since I see them get on a school bus, but somehow "NO TRESPASSING" signs just don't register with them......

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Sliding windows are not casement windows. Casement windows are the crank-out type. I have the sideways sliders so I know what you're going through. There's more work to putting a unit in with these but I like the windows so it's something to live with. Most new a/c units are much quieter than before. My old unit died and I bought a new one. Much quieter, albeit less powerful. Security is an issue with any window unit. Someone determined to get in can and will. However, any available window is also an opportunity to get in as is a door. One or two good kicks on a wood-framed door and that door is open. Wooden frames are not secure. I put my a/c unit in a room in which I don't sleep, then set up fans to circulate the air. Much less noise. If it gets really hot where you're at you might consider 2 units. A/C units don't have to be expensive. You can buy them for under $75. The smaller the unit, the cheaper, but, the benefit is that they're much easier to put in and take out as they weigh less. Everyone I've talked to about the "portable" units, that use a dryer vent hose seem to agree that they're far less efficient, much more expensive (probably 4-5 times) and not generally worth it except for extreme situations. Some have an evaporator for the moisture, which essentially puts the moisture back in the air, or else you're dumping a small container of water frequently if it's humid weather. A window unit of course drains outside when installed properly. Putting an a/c unit in isn't too tough. Remove the screen. Something on the bottom to protect the window frame and it should match the width of the a/c unit. It should be weather resistant, even if just put in a plastic bag. I then close the window around it and put in a blocker for the window opening. I like using the corrugated plastic for starters, cut to fit the opening snugly. Old campaign signs work great. They also give some insulation. I try to place it in the window tracks then tape it up good with box sealing tape and/or duct tape. Then another layer of something over that. Another sign or some cardboard, again, will give insulation too. Close the inside window onto it and then I use an old rectangular chair cushion in a plastic bag stuffed in the opening above the a/c. More insulation and seals out the weather. Then it's to seal by the a/c unit itself. Bubble wrap and chunks of foam rubber wrapped in plastic bags stuff in there and stay in place. The better taping job you do, the more "secure" the window is. They won't be able to slide it open. My old one had the flaps on the side that stayed inside so it couldn't fall out or be pulled out by someone outside. The new one isn't that way - I didn't put those things on because I wanted it easier to install and seal. Mine has a remote control which is very handy since I don't really go into the room. But that's a little more expensive. For a little extra security, cut a rod of some type to brace against the window and the frame, much like the broomstick in the sliding door feature. FWIW, my old unit was an 8800 BTU unit, the new one is something like 5500-6000. I cool the bedroom it's in, hallway and large living room with it and we had 100°+ temps and over 80° dewpoints this year. So I'm pleased with the performance of the smaller unit. Another consideration is the windows. Put some insulation on there. Insulated drapes make a BIG difference. You can make some simple window coverings though for the really hot days to help by simply using quilts and/or bubble wrap. If you're allowed, hang some of those rollup shades outside to block some of the sun and heat out. We hung some of those on my old GF's apartment balcony to shade her sliding door and it worked nicely on calm days. Another option is to help the a/c unit. Get a dehumidifier and use. Once you remove the humidity it's easier to cool the air, therefore the a/c unit works less and a higher temp will be more comfortable. Most will hold a gallon or more so they don't have to be emptied as often. They're also pretty quiet in operation.

As Jasdip said, portable units don't cool as well as a window unit but they're better than nothing and good for special needs. Keep in mind you have to empty the water catch cup ongoing. The last unit I bought was a relatively cheap unit, ($125 or less as I recall) and has a remote control which I REALLY appreciate. I have it upstairs in the small bedroom and blow it out into the hall and living room. It's about 5000 BTU, replacing an 11k or 12k unit and cools just as well if not better than the old unit and it's SO much lighter that it's manageable for me now, even as crippled up as I've become. It's also way quieter than the other. Basically there's not a lot of difference between units so I wouldn't get hung up on buying a particular model or brand. Get a good price and enjoy it. I look at it this way, I could have paid $400-$700 for a unit or $100, If this lasts 1/4 to 1/7th the time of the more expensive unit, I'm at break-even point. I've got at least 6 or 7 years on this one. I hope it'll keep going strong for a long time yet. But if it dies, I can go to Aldi or someplace and get another unit to keep me cool. If you have an issue with physical size then the measurements should be a determining factor. For me, it's a window unit and makes no difference.