Portable Air Conditioner Help!

[adore.clothing]

Does anyone here have a portable air conditioner?

I've just moved into a property with no cooling (didn't even think to check as where I came from never got very hot) so I'm in desperate need of a portable air con unit.

It would be in an open plan lounge dining area in a small townhouse, one of these seems to fit the bill although a bit on the expensive side:  http://www.harveynorman.com.au/polocool-6-0kw-cooling-only-portable-air-conditioner.html

I can only vent it to a window that faces my neighbour who are across the driveway, are they likely to get any noise through the open window?  Id probably just use it during the day so no night time noise.

If you have a portable air con what do you think of it?  In 38+ degree heat does it make a discernable difference?  I'm not keen on spending a huge amount of money if there won't be much difference in air temp.  I've seen one like this advertised privately for sale at half the price but am worried about having no warranty etc.

Any advice appreciated!

[adore.clothing]

Forgot to mention I'm renting so no chance of installing air con permanently - and there's no outside wall with enough space as it's just a small place with large windows!

[debra9275]

We just purchased a 2nd hand convair unit last weekend. It does work. On a 40 degree day it kept the temp to 23-24 degrees and we have 13 ft ceilings. They're probably all different, & the vent through the window doesn't make much noise, though it does expel hot air.

If I were you, I'd go to Harvey Norman or the Good Guys to check out the working units

[punch*drunk]

My dad has a Nobo one, very efficient. Just check the guidelines for what sort of area they will cover. Dont try and use it in a room thats too big.

[bright.ton42]

I would have thought you could get one a bit cheaper,  I went down this path a couple of months ago but did decided on a

split level wall one, but I do own my own home.  I did get a lot of really helpful advice on the Whirlpool forums too.  

[adore.clothing]

Thanks Debra, just what I wanted to hear

I don't mind if they are noisy inside, just hoped the neighbours wouldn't complain about any noise from their side of the driveway.  Seems like it should be ok.  There's enough distance that they won't get blasted with hot air from the vent I hope!

The Nobo's do look very good and are more reasonably priced but unfortunately there's no retailers where I live that sell them, just my luck!

[purple_haize]

Have you ever thought of buying one off ebay, would probably be alot cheaper.....there are plenty of good ones out there, My MIL got one off ebay at a reasonable price.

[joz*garage]

the machine you'd want should handle 38+ temps

ive got and recommend the polocool 6.0 kw, handles 44 degrees no worries, in a large room

   its a gem

(cost me $1000, depends where you go, and the units rated by choice magazine)

[joz*garage]

oh i just clicked your link, yep.. youre on the right track

(if you can get a second handy for half the price, go for it, coz they wouldnt be all that old, the 6.0kw model only came out a little while ago

just see it working first before you hand over your readies

[amber-eyed-girl]

You will have the unit inside with you, that will be the noisy thing.

The outlet you pop through the window will not be noisy, but as mentioned here, will be expelling hot air.

A lot of it.

So if the neighbour has a window directly opposite, that might be an issue, or any plants outside (wilt).

My mother in law has a neighbour who directs the hot air right through her kitchen window basically as it is only a metre away.

She is not happy.

Hopefully you will be fine. You should be with a driveway in between 🙂