Can anyone here recommend an effective cooling air conditioner that can be moved from room to room?
Summer’s not far away and I’m thinking of purchasing one of these gadgets.
I actually gave one away two weeks ago. it was quite a decent unit but I cannot remember the brand. I suspect that they will all do a decent job and you’ll get what you pay for.
Bubblecar said:
Can anyone here recommend an effective cooling air conditioner that can be moved from room to room?Summer’s not far away and I’m thinking of purchasing one of these gadgets.
I can’t. Sorry.
We don’t have an air conditioner, because mostly we don’t need one. We do however use portable pedestal fans. Which are more than adequate most of the time.
I have one such machine, prepare to be disappointed.
They need to be placed near a window, because they have a hot air exhaust that needs to be directed outside. You generally get some plastic contraption that fits into an aluminium sliding frame and is held in position by wedging it between the frame and the moveable part of the window. However, if you can other sort of window you will need to custom-make (or bodge) some contraption to hold the exhaust in place.
Secondly, they are loud. Unlike fixed aircons which generally mount the noisy machinery outside of the building, you have all the machinery inside the room with you. Enough to be annoying if you’re trying to watch TV or a film and want the sound. It requires turning up the volume so you can hear the TV type loud. Also can be quite hard to sleep if you’re on of those people that need quiet.
They only do one room at a time. They will not cool the entire house. Even if left on all day.
Do you know that Fujitsu is Australia’s favourite air?
party_pants said:
I have one such machine, prepare to be disappointed.They need to be placed near a window, because they have a hot air exhaust that needs to be directed outside. You generally get some plastic contraption that fits into an aluminium sliding frame and is held in position by wedging it between the frame and the moveable part of the window. However, if you can other sort of window you will need to custom-make (or bodge) some contraption to hold the exhaust in place.
Secondly, they are loud. Unlike fixed aircons which generally mount the noisy machinery outside of the building, you have all the machinery inside the room with you. Enough to be annoying if you’re trying to watch TV or a film and want the sound. It requires turning up the volume so you can hear the TV type loud. Also can be quite hard to sleep if you’re on of those people that need quiet.
They only do one room at a time. They will not cool the entire house. Even if left on all day.
Looking at reviews, the fiddly window exhausts and loud noise are common complaints.
Bubblecar said:
Can anyone here recommend an effective cooling air conditioner that can be moved from room to room?Summer’s not far away and I’m thinking of purchasing one of these gadgets.
The swamp units (Evaporative) type worked quite well in low humidity areas.
Bubblecar said:
party_pants said:
I have one such machine, prepare to be disappointed.They need to be placed near a window, because they have a hot air exhaust that needs to be directed outside. You generally get some plastic contraption that fits into an aluminium sliding frame and is held in position by wedging it between the frame and the moveable part of the window. However, if you can other sort of window you will need to custom-make (or bodge) some contraption to hold the exhaust in place.
Secondly, they are loud. Unlike fixed aircons which generally mount the noisy machinery outside of the building, you have all the machinery inside the room with you. Enough to be annoying if you’re trying to watch TV or a film and want the sound. It requires turning up the volume so you can hear the TV type loud. Also can be quite hard to sleep if you’re on of those people that need quiet.
They only do one room at a time. They will not cool the entire house. Even if left on all day.
Looking at reviews, the fiddly window exhausts and loud noise are common complaints.
the loud noise might cover up the noise of your neighbours.
party_pants said:
I have one such machine, prepare to be disappointed.They need to be placed near a window, because they have a hot air exhaust that needs to be directed outside. You generally get some plastic contraption that fits into an aluminium sliding frame and is held in position by wedging it between the frame and the moveable part of the window. However, if you can other sort of window you will need to custom-make (or bodge) some contraption to hold the exhaust in place.
Secondly, they are loud. Unlike fixed aircons which generally mount the noisy machinery outside of the building, you have all the machinery inside the room with you. Enough to be annoying if you’re trying to watch TV or a film and want the sound. It requires turning up the volume so you can hear the TV type loud. Also can be quite hard to sleep if you’re on of those people that need quiet.
They only do one room at a time. They will not cool the entire house. Even if left on all day.
I agree about the noise, but only to some extent. On a 40 degree day, when you are consulting with a damp towel around your neck between patients and with sweat dripping down your back – the noise is the least of your problems. We bought one of the original portable aircons some 25 years ago for Mr buffy’s Mum to have in her room at the nursing home. It was good for that and she said I could have it for my Casterton practice when she died. When she died…I took it to Casterton! A few years later we bought a second one, because Carmel’s one was in the waiting room for the patients and my receptionist and I was still working in my hot consulting room. They were not both the same brand, but I can’t remember what they were. Mr buffy thinks Dimplex. I know we had de Longhi oil column heaters, maybe one of the aircons was de Longhi too. All in all they suited the purpose very well for what we wanted. We didn’t need to be using them all the time. In one of the rooms we had sliding aluminium windows and it was pretty easy to fit there. In the other room an old fashioned sash window and it also was easy there too.
So if you don’t think you will need to use it a lot, and in Tassie I would not expect you to (yes, I have been in Hobart on a 40 degree day, so I know they happen), I think it’s a consideration worth thinking about.
buffy said:
party_pants said:
I have one such machine, prepare to be disappointed.They need to be placed near a window, because they have a hot air exhaust that needs to be directed outside. You generally get some plastic contraption that fits into an aluminium sliding frame and is held in position by wedging it between the frame and the moveable part of the window. However, if you can other sort of window you will need to custom-make (or bodge) some contraption to hold the exhaust in place.
Secondly, they are loud. Unlike fixed aircons which generally mount the noisy machinery outside of the building, you have all the machinery inside the room with you. Enough to be annoying if you’re trying to watch TV or a film and want the sound. It requires turning up the volume so you can hear the TV type loud. Also can be quite hard to sleep if you’re on of those people that need quiet.
They only do one room at a time. They will not cool the entire house. Even if left on all day.
I agree about the noise, but only to some extent. On a 40 degree day, when you are consulting with a damp towel around your neck between patients and with sweat dripping down your back – the noise is the least of your problems. We bought one of the original portable aircons some 25 years ago for Mr buffy’s Mum to have in her room at the nursing home. It was good for that and she said I could have it for my Casterton practice when she died. When she died…I took it to Casterton! A few years later we bought a second one, because Carmel’s one was in the waiting room for the patients and my receptionist and I was still working in my hot consulting room. They were not both the same brand, but I can’t remember what they were. Mr buffy thinks Dimplex. I know we had de Longhi oil column heaters, maybe one of the aircons was de Longhi too. All in all they suited the purpose very well for what we wanted. We didn’t need to be using them all the time. In one of the rooms we had sliding aluminium windows and it was pretty easy to fit there. In the other room an old fashioned sash window and it also was easy there too.
So if you don’t think you will need to use it a lot, and in Tassie I would not expect you to (yes, I have been in Hobart on a 40 degree day, so I know they happen), I think it’s a consideration worth thinking about.
Ta for that. I’m not really worried about noise. Most of my heating is done with a noisy fan heater.
Dark Orange said:
Bubblecar said:
Can anyone here recommend an effective cooling air conditioner that can be moved from room to room?Summer’s not far away and I’m thinking of purchasing one of these gadgets.
The swamp units (Evaporative) type worked quite well in low humidity areas.
The parental home in the 1970s had portable Bonaire evaporative units. Seemed reasonably effective.
Bubblecar said:
Dark Orange said:
Bubblecar said:
Can anyone here recommend an effective cooling air conditioner that can be moved from room to room?Summer’s not far away and I’m thinking of purchasing one of these gadgets.
The swamp units (Evaporative) type worked quite well in low humidity areas.
The parental home in the 1970s had portable Bonaire evaporative units. Seemed reasonably effective.
We had one of those in Hawkesdale, also noisy, but effective. But didn’t survive rolling away and falling off the verandah…
(I can’t remember why it was out there, probably while a floor was cleaned or something)
buffy said:
Bubblecar said:
Dark Orange said:The swamp units (Evaporative) type worked quite well in low humidity areas.
The parental home in the 1970s had portable Bonaire evaporative units. Seemed reasonably effective.
We had one of those in Hawkesdale, also noisy, but effective. But didn’t survive rolling away and falling off the verandah…
(I can’t remember why it was out there, probably while a floor was cleaned or something)
Amusingly written ad from 1968.
Bubblecar said:
Dark Orange said:
Bubblecar said:
Can anyone here recommend an effective cooling air conditioner that can be moved from room to room?Summer’s not far away and I’m thinking of purchasing one of these gadgets.
The swamp units (Evaporative) type worked quite well in low humidity areas.
The parental home in the 1970s had portable Bonaire evaporative units. Seemed reasonably effective.
Not so effective up here in the tropics, but I believe you southerners have a dry heat that suits them.
They’re on wheels, so you can move them around the house as required and can can be treated as shelf space for the rest of the year.
Do portable air conditioners create humidity?
Dark Orange said:
Bubblecar said:
Dark Orange said:The swamp units (Evaporative) type worked quite well in low humidity areas.
The parental home in the 1970s had portable Bonaire evaporative units. Seemed reasonably effective.
Not so effective up here in the tropics, but I believe you southerners have a dry heat that suits them.
They’re on wheels, so you can move them around the house as required and can can be treated as shelf space for the rest of the year.
Tau.Neutrino said:
Do portable air conditioners create humidity?
A little one like this might be adequate for my purposes.
https://www.dimplex.com.au/en-au/7l-evaporative-cooler#anz-ec-02
Bubblecar said:
A little one like this might be adequate for my purposes.https://www.dimplex.com.au/en-au/7l-evaporative-cooler#anz-ec-02
Tau.Neutrino said:
Do portable air conditioners create humidity?
No. Cooling the air removes humidity.
Bubblecar said:
Dark Orange said:
Bubblecar said:
Can anyone here recommend an effective cooling air conditioner that can be moved from room to room?Summer’s not far away and I’m thinking of purchasing one of these gadgets.
The swamp units (Evaporative) type worked quite well in low humidity areas.
The parental home in the 1970s had portable Bonaire evaporative units. Seemed reasonably effective.
Mr Ted Celi.
Dark Orange said:
Tau.Neutrino said:
Do portable air conditioners create humidity?
No. Cooling the air removes humidity.
Apparently evaporative units are only effective if humidity is below 30%.
Bubblecar said:
Dark Orange said:
Tau.Neutrino said:
Do portable air conditioners create humidity?
No. Cooling the air removes humidity.
Apparently evaporative units are only effective if humidity is below 30%.
Tamb said:
Bubblecar said:
Dark Orange said:No. Cooling the air removes humidity.
Apparently evaporative units are only effective if humidity is below 30%.
Even above 30% their fan blows cool air around.
Goodo.
Bubblecar said:
Dark Orange said:
Tau.Neutrino said:
Do portable air conditioners create humidity?
No. Cooling the air removes humidity.
Apparently evaporative units are only effective if humidity is below 30%.
That’s why they were built in Leeton.
Bubblecar said:
Tamb said:
Bubblecar said:Apparently evaporative units are only effective if humidity is below 30%.
Even above 30% their fan blows cool air around.
Goodo.
Yes, you don’t have too have water in them.
roughbarked said:
Bubblecar said:
Dark Orange said:No. Cooling the air removes humidity.
Apparently evaporative units are only effective if humidity is below 30%.
That’s why they were built in Leeton.
Ted and Anne Celi began Celi Manufacturing over 44 years ago in Leeton, putting all of their savings into producing the first Celair evaporative cooler in 1972. A year later, they had quadrupled their output and moved into a new manufacturing site.
Today, with the addition of brand names such as Bonaire and Pyrox, thousands of units are produced and distributed nationally annually. The Celi Group of Companies is a significant employer in this town employing anywhere from 50 to 100 people. The Malmet company produces specialised hospital equipment right here in Leeton, these products are sold and distributed nationally.
The Celi family have always been an avid supporter of local charities and organisations.
roughbarked said:
Bubblecar said:
Tamb said:Even above 30% their fan blows cool air around.
Goodo.
Yes, you don’t have too have water in them.
I have both an evaporative cooler and compressor style one, both portable. The evaporative cooler doesn’t not cool the air as much as the other one, plus it makes the air more humid. I bought the other one because I wanted something better than the swampy.
party_pants said:
I have both an evaporative cooler and compressor style one, both portable. The evaporative cooler doesn’tnotcool the air as much as the other one, plus it makes the air more humid. I bought the other one because I wanted something better than the swampy.
Whoops, excuse the double negative.
party_pants said:
I have both an evaporative cooler and compressor style one, both portable. The evaporative cooler doesn’t not cool the air as much as the other one, plus it makes the air more humid. I bought the other one because I wanted something better than the swampy.
Maybe so, but you were disappointed and warned me to be.
party_pants said:
I have both an evaporative cooler and compressor style one, both portable. The evaporative cooler doesn’t not cool the air as much as the other one, plus it makes the air more humid. I bought the other one because I wanted something better than the swampy.
Bubblecar said:
party_pants said:
I have both an evaporative cooler and compressor style one, both portable. The evaporative cooler doesn’t not cool the air as much as the other one, plus it makes the air more humid. I bought the other one because I wanted something better than the swampy.
Maybe so, but you were disappointed and warned me to be.
There’s nothing going to solve my issue like a properly bought and installed split system or roof mounted system. Everything else is just a “temporary” thing.
party_pants said:
Bubblecar said:
party_pants said:
I have both an evaporative cooler and compressor style one, both portable. The evaporative cooler doesn’t not cool the air as much as the other one, plus it makes the air more humid. I bought the other one because I wanted something better than the swampy.
Maybe so, but you were disappointed and warned me to be.
There’s nothing going to solve my issue like a properly bought and installed split system or roof mounted system. Everything else is just a “temporary” thing.
party_pants said:
Bubblecar said:
party_pants said:
I have both an evaporative cooler and compressor style one, both portable. The evaporative cooler doesn’t not cool the air as much as the other one, plus it makes the air more humid. I bought the other one because I wanted something better than the swampy.
Maybe so, but you were disappointed and warned me to be.
There’s nothing going to solve my issue like a properly bought and installed split system or roof mounted system. Everything else is just a “temporary” thing.
Being a renter in a house with no installed AC, that’s my lot.
Tamb said:
party_pants said:
Bubblecar said:Maybe so, but you were disappointed and warned me to be.
There’s nothing going to solve my issue like a properly bought and installed split system or roof mounted system. Everything else is just a “temporary” thing.
Make it reverse cycle as well.
That will be the plan… eventually.
Even after allowing for increased water tariffs, it is estimated that evaporative air conditioners have lower running costs as they use less electrical energy compared with reverse cycle air conditioners. The use of evaporative cooling also has a positive impact on reducing peak electrical power demand in comparison with refrigerated systems.
With depleting water resources, the water consumption of evaporative air conditioners has become an important issue in Australia and may impact on the evaporative air conditioning market. Little independent evidence or monitoring data exists to quantify water consumption rates of evaporative air conditioners. This report has attempted to quantify the water consumption; however more in situ monitoring data collection is necessary.
Although no reliable data is available on annual monitored water consumption by evaporative air conditioners, our computations suggest that, on average, evaporative air conditioners consume approximately 4-18 kilolitres per annum, which is 2-9% of the total annual water use in typical Australian households.
It’s the kind of thing where you’d want local advice from someone who knows your climate conditions
dv said:
It’s the kind of thing where you’d want local advice from someone who knows your climate conditions
Yes.
Tamb said:
Tau.Neutrino said:
Do portable air conditioners create humidity?
They put water into the air but it isn’t noticeable.
Actually, they take water out and you have to empty a little reservoir periodically if the weather is humid. It beeps to tell you when this needs to be done, if I remember rightly.
buffy said:
Tamb said:
Tau.Neutrino said:
Do portable air conditioners create humidity?
They put water into the air but it isn’t noticeable.Actually, they take water out and you have to empty a little reservoir periodically if the weather is humid. It beeps to tell you when this needs to be done, if I remember rightly.
Reverse cycle take the water out. Evaporative rely on the water to humidify dry air.
Somebody seems to have thrown water coolers into this thread and confused them with air conditioners.
buffy said:
Tamb said:
Tau.Neutrino said:
Do portable air conditioners create humidity?
They put water into the air but it isn’t noticeable.Actually, they take water out and you have to empty a little reservoir periodically if the weather is humid. It beeps to tell you when this needs to be done, if I remember rightly.
Tamb said:
buffy said:
Tamb said:They put water into the air but it isn’t noticeable.
Actually, they take water out and you have to empty a little reservoir periodically if the weather is humid. It beeps to tell you when this needs to be done, if I remember rightly.
Sorry mate but you’re wrong. Evaporative coolers lower the temperature by evaporating water.
Compressor types like your car’s ac remove water from the air.
Oh, are we still talking about the evaporative ones? I thought we were talking about the little portable Dalek ones. Mine had reservoirs to empty because they collected water on humid days.
buffy said:
Tamb said:
buffy said:Actually, they take water out and you have to empty a little reservoir periodically if the weather is humid. It beeps to tell you when this needs to be done, if I remember rightly.
Sorry mate but you’re wrong. Evaporative coolers lower the temperature by evaporating water.
Compressor types like your car’s ac remove water from the air.Oh, are we still talking about the evaporative ones? I thought we were talking about the little portable Dalek ones. Mine had reservoirs to empty because they collected water on humid days.
roughbarked said:
buffy said:
Tamb said:They put water into the air but it isn’t noticeable.
Actually, they take water out and you have to empty a little reservoir periodically if the weather is humid. It beeps to tell you when this needs to be done, if I remember rightly.
Reverse cycle take the water out. Evaporative rely on the water to humidify dry air.
So you just put your reverse-cycle on top of your evaporative, and let the water drip from one to the other.
Problem solved. I’ll be back next week with some more handy home hints.
Kingy said:
roughbarked said:
buffy said:Actually, they take water out and you have to empty a little reservoir periodically if the weather is humid. It beeps to tell you when this needs to be done, if I remember rightly.
Reverse cycle take the water out. Evaporative rely on the water to humidify dry air.
So you just put your reverse-cycle on top of your evaporative, and let the water drip from one to the other.
Problem solved. I’ll be back next week with some more handy home hints.
“ For my birthday I got a humidifier and a dehumidifier.
I put them in the same room and let them fight it out.”
Portable Air Conditioners – Why you shouldn’t like them
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-mBeYC2KGc
party_pants said:
I have one such machine, prepare to be disappointed.They need to be placed near a window, because they have a hot air exhaust that needs to be directed outside. You generally get some plastic contraption that fits into an aluminium sliding frame and is held in position by wedging it between the frame and the moveable part of the window. However, if you can other sort of window you will need to custom-make (or bodge) some contraption to hold the exhaust in place.
Secondly, they are loud. Unlike fixed aircons which generally mount the noisy machinery outside of the building, you have all the machinery inside the room with you. Enough to be annoying if you’re trying to watch TV or a film and want the sound. It requires turning up the volume so you can hear the TV type loud. Also can be quite hard to sleep if you’re on of those people that need quiet.
They only do one room at a time. They will not cool the entire house. Even if left on all day.
Father in law had one. He had ducting to duct the exhaust to a nearby open window and blocked the rest of the window opening with a wooden panel. It cooled the room, sort of, but was noisy and took up a lot of space.
I have an evaporative cooler, which turned out to be totally useless here, Melbourne.
I don’t recommend either.
A fan is better. If you have high ceilings then a ceiling fan. If not then a pedestal fan.
mollwollfumble said:
party_pants said:
I have one such machine, prepare to be disappointed.They need to be placed near a window, because they have a hot air exhaust that needs to be directed outside. You generally get some plastic contraption that fits into an aluminium sliding frame and is held in position by wedging it between the frame and the moveable part of the window. However, if you can other sort of window you will need to custom-make (or bodge) some contraption to hold the exhaust in place.
Secondly, they are loud. Unlike fixed aircons which generally mount the noisy machinery outside of the building, you have all the machinery inside the room with you. Enough to be annoying if you’re trying to watch TV or a film and want the sound. It requires turning up the volume so you can hear the TV type loud. Also can be quite hard to sleep if you’re on of those people that need quiet.
They only do one room at a time. They will not cool the entire house. Even if left on all day.
Father in law had one. He had ducting to duct the exhaust to a nearby open window and blocked the rest of the window opening with a wooden panel. It cooled the room, sort of, but was noisy and took up a lot of space.
I have an evaporative cooler, which turned out to be totally useless here, Melbourne.
I don’t recommend either.
A fan is better. If you have high ceilings then a ceiling fan. If not then a pedestal fan.
I use both the aircon unit and a pedestal fan on the worst of Perth summer days.
I built my own wooden window panel to hold the hot air exhaust tube, plus a stand to put the machine on so it is at just the right height. The position is such that the exhaust pathway is short and straight – about 250 mm long, and straight out the window without anything to constrict the airflow.
One of the best free air conditioners I know of, is to open the doors and windows and let the breeze flow through. It may ruffle the curtains, but that is a small price to pay.
Or, Mr Parpyone, get a few of these. I have a few. in various rooms. Cheap and quiet @ $17 each.
Order a few and try them.
They have 3 speeds, and you can raise or lower them, and they oscillate if you want . Use two at once if you like. and 40cm is a decent size fan.
https://www.bunnings.com.au/click-40cm-white-pedestal-fan_p0104280
Woodie said:
One of the best free air conditioners I know of, is to open the doors and windows and let the breeze flow through. It may ruffle the curtains, but that is a small price to pay.Or, Mr Parpyone, get a few of these. I have a few. in various rooms. Cheap and quiet @ $17 each.
Order a few and try them.
They have 3 speeds, and you can raise or lower them, and they oscillate if you want . Use two at once if you like. and 40cm is a decent size fan.
https://www.bunnings.com.au/click-40cm-white-pedestal-fan_p0104280
I like fresh air too.
Problem in my area is dust.
Woodie said:
One of the best free air conditioners I know of, is to open the doors and windows and let the breeze flow through. It may ruffle the curtains, but that is a small price to pay.Or, Mr Parpyone, get a few of these. I have a few. in various rooms. Cheap and quiet @ $17 each.
Order a few and try them.
They have 3 speeds, and you can raise or lower them, and they oscillate if you want . Use two at once if you like. and 40cm is a decent size fan.
https://www.bunnings.com.au/click-40cm-white-pedestal-fan_p0104280
Ta. I’ll probably get one of those too.
Bubblecar said:
Woodie said:
One of the best free air conditioners I know of, is to open the doors and windows and let the breeze flow through. It may ruffle the curtains, but that is a small price to pay.Or, Mr Parpyone, get a few of these. I have a few. in various rooms. Cheap and quiet @ $17 each.
Order a few and try them.
They have 3 speeds, and you can raise or lower them, and they oscillate if you want . Use two at once if you like. and 40cm is a decent size fan.
https://www.bunnings.com.au/click-40cm-white-pedestal-fan_p0104280
Ta. I’ll probably get one of those too.
They are cheap, Parpyone. Get a couple of them. Cost? About an evening’s worth of scotch.
From: Tamb
ID: 1799273
Subject: re: October Chat.
Air temp 36° Temp output from evap cooler 24°
Michael V said:
From: TambID: 1799273
Subject: re: October Chat.
Air temp 36° Temp output from evap cooler 24°
Tamb said:
Michael V said:
From: TambID: 1799273
Subject: re: October Chat.
Air temp 36° Temp output from evap cooler 24°
Thank you MV. Must have been looking in the wrong place for the thread.
:)
Michael V said:
Tamb said:
Michael V said:
From: TambID: 1799273
Subject: re: October Chat.
Air temp 36° Temp output from evap cooler 24°
Thank you MV. Must have been looking in the wrong place for the thread.:)
Low humidity day?
roughbarked said:
Michael V said:
Tamb said:Thank you MV. Must have been looking in the wrong place for the thread.
:)
Low humidity day?
