Portable Air Conditioners - Why you shouldn't like them
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 14 มิ.ย. 2019
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Oh no. It’s a new version of a well-established product that trades efficiency for convenience. But this time, it’s more than just being cool. It’s about cooling.
Seriously, either we need to get more awareness of how dumb single-hose portable A/C units are, or we need to just use window units whenever possible. While I know that there are times a portable unit is the only option (remember, I’m in that boat), it seems that only very high capacity, premium machines have the facility to use two hoses. Which is frankly stupid but then again that’s what I’m trying to tell you now.
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I worked at an auto shop, the boss lady loved an office as cold as her heart, so she used a portable unit pointed right at her, where did the heat pump out? That's right! right into the shop, right in front of the work computers!
What a wonderful woman.
Lol
@@ILOVECHICKEN698
🤣😂
I can feel your love for her from here ❤️
😂😂 I feel your pain
Lol... what a boss.. hey thanks for sharing it
Every person renting a home instead of owning one, knows that portable airconditioners are a blessing.
I refuse to rent any place that doesn't have central air. Window units are no good unless you have one in almost every room otherwise you will have to keep your bedroom doors open to get cool air in the room and even then the rooms further away from the main unit in the living room will be hotter.
Not in Texas. I deal with electricity and these things suck ppl dry!!! 200-300+ bills in a trailer
@@BartholomewSmutz Trick is to put the ACs in the bedrooms, so the open door cools the rest of the house during the day. And then when you go to sleep, you are cold and comfy.
Everyone renting is poor.
@@user-zu1ix3yq2w maybe you're joking but if you're not, that is a silly statement.
Problem is, in my country (The Netherlands) window units literally don't exist. Split airco systems are available, but if you live in a rental home / social housing, you are prohibited from making any "permanent" changes to the house (i.e. making a hole in the wall to connect a split unit from inside to outside) so portable AC's are pretty much the only option.
Not necessarily true, you are allowed to make "permanent" changes if the home owner gives you permission.
The problem with window units is, Dutch windows open like a door (outwardly), not up and down like American ones. So, if you had a window unit part of the window would be always open.
The main reason I personally like portable air conditioners is because it's MUCH cheaper than an air conditioner you have to attach to the wall.
@@onee It's not that much cheaper to be honest. A cheap carvan split airco is probably way better, more efficient and stronger than an expensive mobile airco. But I still need a portyable one for my rental room, sadly
I live in Netherlands and sadly i cant have a window unit... I rent a home and company have strict rules for window units. (I hate you destion)
@@maxk880 From what I've seen those are usually a little more expensive than portable air conditioners. Portable ones are €200-500. Less powerful split caravan units start at €450.
Same in Switzerland.
Can you imagine how much money the dude would make, that can offer a split air conditionner, that can be easily installed and removed in every home ?
These are actually an extremely important emergency item for certain areas (especially rurally).
It often gets over 120 F. in the summer where I live and the nearest store is more than a 2 1/2 hour drive away (“next door” neighbors are almost as far away).
Every farm here has at least one of these.
Because in the event of an emergency in the summertime, they are a literal lifesaver for the children/adults/pets/etc. that might be stuck at home awaiting a repairman, parent to get home, or someone returning from town with the necessary parts to fix the main unit.
Children/seniors/disabled people/etc. can’t be trying to lift and setup a window unit in an emergency-but the majority of them can definitely shove a hose into a window slat.
That is why I own a portable... part of the Hurricane prep.
Fr, I use a portable bc I am not capable of putting in a window unit. I’ve tried several times. I’ve almost dropped it out of the two story window multiple times :( I wish I could tho bc I hate how much space my portable takes up, plus my cat likes to walk on top of it and change all the settings
wowa, where do you live where the nearest store is that far away and neighbors are?
@@cranbers I won’t give too much specific information on the “town” (for lack of a better word🤣) and the surrounding area-since there are fewer than 200 of us out here…
But it’s one of the main agricultural zones in southern Arizona.
OK, now *that's* a good use for them. I couldn't imagine trying to fit a window unit in a hurry, even as a young, able-bodied adult. One of these would've also provided us with air conditioning when our old one died, as we hadn't yet figured out how to remove the window screens (we borrowed a window unit, but weren't able to use it because of that).
Anyone who can talk about over 15 minutes about conditioning without being boring ... deserves respect.
Congratulations
Who was that? Certainly not this human sleep aid.
@@danmalec6823 you beat me too it
@@danmalec6823 Says the noncontributing mooch.
@@BuckRogers2000 what the hell are you putting up here? Do you have a dictionary? Look up mooch. You clearly do not know the meaning of mooch as it in no way makes sense the way you used it. Good boy though! Nice try.
What bro? i was falling asleep after 4 houra.
Thermometers are just speedometers for molecules.
I didn’t want this but I got it
Nailed the 100th like on this comment. 😎
Ehhh... sorta. Energy does not equal speed per se.
Ya gotta shake what your 'mometer gave ya'!
You are too woke.
You are dangerous.
You will be destroyed.
One of these was a lifesaver when our central AC died. We kept it in the bedroom so we could sleep. Opening the door to walk into the hallway was like opening the door to a blast furnace.
Had one of these a few years ago, not long after this video was released. My solution to its issues was to have the unit right next to the window, minimizing hose length and hose heat transfer, and to have a strong fan sitting right next to its air output port, blowing the cooled air across one of the walls and creating a slow vortex in the room that circled the hottest air back to the unit.
When I needed one in an emergency while my main AC was getting repaired, I did the same exact thing except I also wrap insulation around the exhaust hose because it got super hot. It helped me in a pinch, and I still have it as a back up if it’s ever needed.
This clears up a lot of gripes I've had with my portable. Sadly because of regulations in my building I was forced to buy one of them. You're dead right when you say this should be the last resort.
th-cam.com/video/c9p8vJGc37E/w-d-xo.html have you ever tried one of these?
That blows
You could probably turn it into a 2 hose model by picking up another hose (like a dryer vent hose) and attach one end to where the air is drawn into the machine and stick the other end out the window so it doesn't suck out the air from your house.
@@jmad318 Yeah, I've seen videos of those kind of mods online. Would certainly suck less by sucking more ;)
I just hate the condensation drain part, major pain in the rear if you don’t have a good/easy outlet for it. Or the exhaust hose also, if your windows aren’t set up to where it’s easy to position the hose to vent outside.
Me: It's 3 in the morning, I need to get to sleep
Also me: Ah, yes... Tell me about these inefficient air conditioners!
Same lmao
Kuhwristchin P It’s not 3:00 Am anymore
@@-Name-here- it is in Hawaii
Richie Godsil - Lol
@@brawnbenson552 8PM in the Netherlands already Lls
I finally upgraded from a single-hose to a dual-hose portable for my apartment and the difference is night and day. The single-hose basically only cooled the room it was in, the dual-hose cools the whole apartment. As a bonus, it seems to use about half as much electricity. Plus, during wildfire season, it's not sucking smoke into my home. Well worth the extra hundred bucks or so.
What dual hose ac did you get?
@@littlebanshee it's a Danby inverter unit, model DPA100B9IWDB-6. Costco had it $120 off.
I was wondering how these machines worked and am so glad to learn this. One of my dilemmas during wildfire season is to chose between open windows (cool, polluted air) or closed windows (hot, clean air). I always just thought I would have to choose one and alternate between the two, but it seems like that's not the case if I get a dual hose or if my window shape allowed for a window mounted unit. Nice!
@@zacksstuffmy Central AC went up, cost 5 grand for a new one, just brought a Hisense 8000BTU dual hose with 2yr warranty. For 279$ , it should get here by Saturday...
😊
We need more people like you to exist, brutal honesty goes a long way
I'm a 20 plus year HVAC tech, and you my friend, did an incredible job explaining the way air conditioners work. Doing so in layman's terms so people not in the know can understand it is really great. I agree with the premise of the video 100%. 👍👍
Literally about to say the same thing. It shows how much he understands the concept.
Also a HVAC Technician, and i agree. Hes on point. I want him to make more videos so i can show them to my customers lol
I also agree. I've heard instructors do a worse job explaining the refrigeration cycle
I thought the low pressure is the gas side, and high pressure is liquid side? He said the reverse, though. Am I mistaken?
@@jonsmith1259 Time Stamp where he said that?
7:22 "You can't just expel air from a room without it being replaced somehow,
otherwise you are in a vacuum chamber and I advise you leave as soon as possible" I thought this was kinda funny
is was FAN-tastic :)
@@RoelAdriaans BAHAHAHA
What would happen if you turned an air conditioner on in space?
@@frostamatus It will not function.
Technically we should'nt hear his advice, since there is no air
I've used portable units a few times, and I've had window units as well. The portable unit is great for a temporary solution, and can also be great for use on a rental property where landlord wouldn't approve of window unit installation or in an area where neighborhood rules don't allow traditional window units. It's also nice to be able to aim it around the room, something you cannot do nearly as effectively with a window unit. I find the portable units also sound a lot nicer than window units. Portable units can actually sound comforting (I had no trouble sleeping next to one), while window units are often more like nails on a chalkboard. Downsides of course are the lower efficiency, and you also have to deal with condensation, so there is either a drain hose you have to figure out what to do with or there will be a reservoir that you have to regularly empty out. I would say window units are better, but there's nothing quite like coming home to a hot house and positioning a portable unit right next to your face or chair; it's like giving life the middle finger for a short while when life is giving you a hard time (which if you life in a hot climate and don't have regular A/C in your place, life is probably giving you a hard time).
the sound factor your talking about is just down to quality of the unit. There's no real reason a window unit that puts the sound outside your home should be worse sound than a portable unit fully inside your room.
@@aravindkancherla8668 Sorry but the window units are extremely noisy due to motor vibration resonating through the window frame and wall!!
yeah life is definitely giving me a hard time. and I understand that on paper, my portable AC should be terrible but it was 108F yesterday and I'm way more comfy than I was with my window unit!
YES, Thank you for that!
I agree. I live in a noisy area and the portable drowns out the outside noise completely. I set the timer on mine to come on a few hours before I get home so the room is very comfortable when I’m ready for bed. Admittedly, not a refrigerator mostly because the bedroom is on the second floor which gets beaten by the sun for pretty much the whole day.
As a small hvac business owner with a degree in this field i found this video, information, and understandable explanation of operation fantastic!
As an old HVAC guy, you made this totally understandable for the consumer. I deal with trying to explain the operation all the time. Thanks for a fresh perspective.
Seumas Righ I totally agree man. He’s AWESOME when it comes to literally explaining ANYTHING.
As a new HVAC guy it felt good to understand and know how to apply what he is talking about.
The biggest downside we found with our window unit (and the reason we have a inside portable unit) is because of the massive issues we had with mold. Super humid climate + constant rain (south east US) = incredibly moldy unit which caused problems with family members who have asthma, etc.
If someone solves that I'll happily pay for a new window unit.
@dbltrplx I believe the Commentor was describing himself as being old, not the gentleman in the video.
@@Xteesy Xteesy The ac is a dehumidifier!!! if you have mold issues then your drain (slope of the a/c must be down as it goes to the outside) is clogged, dirty and recycling the condensation back into the room. Try two small A/c units instead of one and be sure to get one that drains the condensation to the outside. I put a hose and a filter to get "evap" (distilled) water which people pay for , into a small cistern (look it up) in the ground to keep cool. Blessings
I am a HVAC technician. I love your explanation of this. I always have a hard time explain to people how it works without getting too technical. You sir are awesome! 👍🏻
If i have horizontal sliding windows that leave a gap from top to bottom once opened, can i still buy a window unit? Should i buy some ply wood and put it on top to seal the gap and add some ductape for good measure?
@@edntz That's generally what I see people do, but you'll want an opinion from OP since they're an actual technician. Keep in mind sealing around the plywood and making very sure the plywood and AC unit are both safe and secure where they are, not to mention checking for any water leaks once it's installed.
If someone doesnt understand basic physics of phase change it is impossible to explain how it works.
And I'm a nasa engineer! Ah the internet... such a good place to RP
Its important to mention the two spurving bearings, aligned with the 2 reverse stating omni-solenoids.
Dude you have an amazing gift of explaining things in laymen’s terms!
Great explanation. Why a dual hose portable is better is a difficult concept for many to understand. I'm looking at options now, and I see that dual host portables are getting more expensive while mini splits are getting better and cheaper.
Mini splits are expensive to install though like thousands of dollars.
@@lgarla23 Just got a quote for a 5-head minisplit system for my house. Thousands indeed. As in, $25,000.
I think people also get confused when you see the dual hose units that have two smaller hoses inside a larger single hose that goes to the window and think it's only a single hose unit
It's not too difficult to shroud the condenser intake and add another pipe to it. Some plastic and a replacement hose/duct will do the job. Makes any single pipe portable into a double pipe...
@@lgarla23 A lot more than a windows unit, that's true. But a single wall mount indoor unit with the outdoor unit on the other side of the wall cost around $400-$800 for installation. It's pretty easy, and there are some retailers that sell DIY install systems.
I'm an HVAC tech and I really appreciate how simple you make a complex process. Great video! I'm going to share this with my customers!
Same here. I'm quite impressed with having the fundamentals right, and the information presented.
I’m happy that people can use his content in such creative ways
it goes very complex when trying to maximize the efficiency of the process, but the basics are not that complex, its simple thermodinamics
I like the combo system with the compressor on the poo utside of the building and the evaporator on the onside
HVAC tech here as well. FINALLY!! Someone explains this lol. Too bad the folks who use these wont ever bother to click on this video :(
Also, great job on diving into the specifics on how this stuff works. I'm so use to explaining refrigerant theory and how AC/heat works to "common folk" *cough* home owners *cough*, that its refreshing to hear a proper explanation.
16 years in HVAC. You did a wonderful job on this video. ! Well done!
Are you ever gonna come out though?
I agree. People usually mess up explaining the refridgeration cycle but he did a great job at it.
Why are you inside a High Voltage Alternative Current network?
@@Helveteshit ...
@@Helveteshit 0/10 shitpost
As an apartment renter whose central AC went out and isn't allowed a window unit, thank you for this video. I was lucky enough to find a 2 hose unit with 1 day delivery instead of getting a single hose unit from local stores.
It cost me a bit more but I'm beyond positive that it's comparative efficiency will save me money.
I found a dual hose unit at Costco with 8,000 BTU for $399 I'm debating on buying that before summer comes around!
You remind me of my late friend. Smart and articulate and passionate about things that are important, but rarely investigated. I can't help but smile watching you. Thank you!
This channel is CRIMINALLY underrated.
+Edim 108 Agreed! This Queen slays!
Just found it. The algorithm will find him also, just wait.
Almost half a million views and almost half a million subscribers! I wouldn't call that underrated! 👏👏
@@karl5874 The Queen indeed slays!
yes it is...
I have been in the AC business for 40 years and this is a great video for the homeowner to explain how air conditioning works! Great job!
Only if he told the truth. Portable is just as good as a window unit.
he literally spent the entire video explaining why you’re wrong
@@jastekcameralive Jeezus JASTEK, did you even watch the video?
@@jastekcameralive portable units are only good for pushing around. Rest of the parameters are bad.
@@jastekcameralive Jealous he did a million times better job at explaining this then you ever could ? LOL
Fantastic explanation. I hope more people will understand how the things work and create more customer pressure on manufacturers. We need to see more double hose units on the market.
Dude, as a new HVAC apprentice I'm seriously so glad I'd watch these vids for fun. Gr8ly boosted my understanding tysm
As an HVAC person this is a very good explanation of how AC units work.
Very nice video.
As a non-HVAC person, I also confirm.
As an HVAC system, this is super accurate
As a person i support HVAC
its not really tho, he said 3 essential components. as a HVAC person you should know its 4.
Well presented and accurate. I have always found how the portable units operate to be poor and highly inefficient and in the early days when you had to drain the condensate by hand or through drain hose, it was even worse.
As a air conditioning engineer of 21 years this is a perfect explanation of how a air conditioning system works in basic terminology.
Then maybe you're the perfect guy to answer an idea I just got for my singelhose ac after watching this. I'm always thinking about how stupid it is for sucking in warm air again.
So do you think the machine will work properly if I connect another hose for the air inlet with some modification to make it suck the outside air directly? The function of setting temperature will maybe not be usable but it's not a biggie, the biggest question is will it still be working okey when it sucking hot outside air all the time?
@@albert. perfect 👌
typo, there is no such thing, your a ''technician.''
I wouldn't call it perfect. There where minor errors.
@@richardformdal6631 I have the solution. Just use the unit in the winter, when the air outside is cold. No more warm air issues.
Thank you!!! Love that you got just far enough into the science and engineering to truly explain the "why". Very smart and well made explanation. Digital cold beer to you, good man.
I am unsure how I came across your channel, but this vid is a 10 out of 10. Over the next couple of weeks, I will check your other stuff out. You clearly have talent, thank you for this.
Who the hell has such a pitiful and miserable life that they DISLIKE a video giving them nothing but clear and reliable information about something you have to be interested in to watch it in the first place?
A great video with a clear, concise, and most important of all, informative delivery.
Probably people who sell these...
People who don't like to know they've just wasted money lol
All jokes aside, TH-cam automatically adds dislikes to videos to balance the ratio.
@@lilyflower6265 they do, it's a known fact.
@@lilyflower6265 I don't know, ask the CEO Susan Wojciki. TH-cam does it, not me.
We have left the Toaster Era and are now entering the Air Conditioner Epoch.
We still need proof if you can or can not toast bread on the warm "grill" of a windows air condition.
Air conditioners: Automatic Beyond Belief!
@@TheAnkMan
Probably can not make toast with the new efficiency standards. But probably a hot car engine can make toast?
@@yosefmacgruber1920 Don't know about toast. But saw videos people frying eggs.
bread for the bread god
I liked my portable unit. There were really only a couple months in the year when I needed more than just a fan. What made it better than the window unit is I could easily remove it, close both panes of the window so I wasn't losing so much heat in the winter time. Removing and reinstalling the window units every year is much less practical.
You are THE first person to successfully explain how ACs work to me Great job
A Technology Connections video to start off my Saturday morning? Brilliant.
weekend off to a great start
It's better than zero air conditioning
As a Refrigeration Technician I am impressed with your technical explanation.
Im also a tech I was gonna say the same thing
Same here. I am thinking of making some of my new guys watch this.
It seems tech find this video more than homeowners lol. HVAC tech here too!
@TeefMah
Are magnetic fridges appearing yet?
@@avada0 I am not familiar with magnetic refrigeration.
We have both a dual hose and single hose portable AC we use during the summer in our townhouse. The difference in cooling power between the single and dual hose is honestly astounding. The dual hose is put on the main floor at the front of the house, and manages to cool the entire floor, about 750 square feet if I had to guess.
By contrast, the single hose is in our bedroom, and can't even manage to keep just our room cool when the sun is on that side of the building. To be fair, the two large, poorly insulated windows in that room certainly don't help. But the inherent weakness of the single hose setup is pretty clearly illustrated in that case. When the sun isn't beating down on that side of the building, it manages to keep that room cool to the temperature you want, but the rest of the floor still stays hot.
"propane is becoming a more popular choice"
> hank hill liked that
My thoughts exactly. Lol
Isn't it butane that's starting to be used now?
My dad says butane is a bastard gas.
Lol😄😄😄😄
good ole C3H8
I found out that an air conditioner of this kind is priceless for someone who has noisy neighbours. When you turn it on, you stop hearing any outside noise.
I literally turn on white noise when I don't have my DeLonghi Penguino on, so for me it works great.
Our AC went out a few summers ago and was gonna take 10 days to get a new unit. My buddy let me borrow one of those stand up machines and it saved my life while waiting on the new unit to be put in. It cooled the entire down stairs where we spend most of our time
I have a 6,000 BTU unit in my kitchen window, it's 94 here today with a "feels like" of 110. I live in Florida, massively high humidity... the window unit blows a nice cool 38 Fahrenheit jet into the kitchen. It's not a perfect unit, but the white noise and extra cooling it gives to our kitchen is great. Not a perfect unit, maybe not even a good unit... but I do appreciate it.
"Air conditioners are pretty cool". And that's 0:01 - We're in for a treat.
I internally groaned pretty hard.
At least until you get all heated over the electric bill! :D
People who don’t like puns don’t like them because they don’t understand them. I don’t understand them (the people, I mean, I love puns).
I somehow laughed at it and then immediately wondered why. There's something about this Technology Connections channel, I tell you…
PRO TIP - Adding insulation to that exhaust hose will greatly increase the efficiency, reduce operating cost and increase cooling performance on that portable air conditioner unit. It can also lower the exhaust sound by a few decibels.
Oh thats pretty ingenious. What material can be used for insulating it?
@cokomairena They sell HVAC insulated ducting in 6 inch at Home Depot. That's the size on most of these.
That's a great tip which we also employed a few seasons back. We have an 18 yo(!) portable ac for the bedroom. It's a noisy beast and quite inefficient.
So, wrapping the exhaust duct with insulation helped a lot with directing more of the heat outside, along with a lower overall noise level.
Before insulating, the machine would sometimes actually turn off due to the high ambient air temps, but now with the insulation in place the machine works as it should by (somewhat) cooling the room. Definitely not as good as say, a split system.
at which part of the hose? at the end or near the ac itself?
@@ablueprofilepic9876 around the entire length of the hose to stop the heat passing through it radiating back into the room
This is one of the best channels on TH-cam. If you don't think so then question your life choices and start over at life!
Great explanation. I have a portable airconditioner at my place. And it’s true what you’ve said about the difference in pressure in and outside the room. When my AC is on, and I close my living room door, I feel pressure against the door. Besides all of that, it cools my space greatly. Only the noise… it hits 60 dB SPL easily. I’m annoyed by the hose. Bought a window kit, but it’s too short for safe installation. Great video. Subscribed.
"Otherwise you're in a vacuum chamber and I suggest you leave as soon as possible." LOL!!
I'd be impressed that they survived that far into the video.
You mean like I Dream of Jeannie?
I worked at sears and used to try and explain this to everybody, I felt like a madman
@sman7290 hurting cats is easy. Tuna
The average American is basically just a high functioning blob of cells.
@@starfox6335 oh dude to try explaining your trade to a residential client is always such a cluster fuck
NathansHVAC no way ur sucks!
Star Fox Because every other person in the world isn’t, right?
I just sent this video to my mother instead of trying to explain to her why these things are terrible.
Well made video 👍
I occasionally renovate apartments and the portable AC unit is a godsend. I never minded the noise I'll take that anyday over working in sweltering humid heat here. Its also nice because its much less likely to get stolen, and doesn't require window mounting. Sucks that its not as efficient, but I think they do have uses.
Whoever devised air conditioners was a bloody genius.
That would be Willis Carrier, in 1902.
Yep an Englishman named Carrier invented it.
And before anyone says he was an American stop typing.
By Englishman I am referring to where his family originated from.
He was not a Native American This I referred to him as an Englishman.
So stop typing your angry retort.
Cheers mates
John Gorrie 1845 & American
Prepperjon American ***
Prepperjon that’s just not how Americans are referred to as though. You aren’t English if you aren’t from England. You can speak English and not be from England, but you can’t be English.
Lol just bought a portable ac unit today and now I find this video recommended to me. Way to bum me out
Same man 🤣🙄
Same
Same
Friends love their portable ACs, I dont care what youtube says. I got one. 🤷♂️
same
I didn’t realize I had a strong opinion about window ac units until this video. We went and bought the Midea U air conditioner and it’s insane! The window closes between the hot and cold side and it’s incredibly quiet! It’s a solid solution to everything mentioned in this video.
I can't believe that this video explains the principles of air conditioning better than videos that explain how air conditioning works. Most videos talk about the process in broad terms or show details of refrigerants travel through the system but never mention why there's a need for a liquid with low boiling point.
7:25 "Otherwise you're in a vacuum chamber and I advise you leave as soon as possible" 😂😂😂
Aha! I sleep in a fully isolated pressure suit, and breathe canned air. CHECKMATE!
You would actually just be in a negative pressure environment, which is very much often used during confinement and cleanup of hazardous materials and not so dangerous as you may think, especially since the isolated containments under negative pressure are at -0.02in mercury
@@KoruKun You must be fun at parties
🤣🤣🤣
I saw one of these at a local store. They had the exhaust blowing into the room. I told the clerk that the machine was only making the room hotter. She looked at me like I'm an idiot. I wished her a good day. GA Tech BME 1999.
lol......
@@Dynamic_Editor Heck no. That must be something buried in the manual. Not important. It's an air conditioner, man. You plug it in it makes the room cool, duh. /sarc
Well you have no net change in the heat transfer, but the energy use of the compressor motor is going to be turned into heat so yeah.
Well, many buy a air humidifier as AC.
While they are probably better than single hose ACs (witch are responsible for multiple deaths each year due to CO poisoning) they won't cool the room at all, they will just blow slightly cooler Air that humidifies the whole room and makes the climate in the room way worse.
@@huyopo lol dumb
Careful now, you are becoming my favorite guru! Thank you for this knowledge, I have both and always wondered why my unit sucked compared to the actual window unit. Now I know.
somebody made a portable unit that was great. a heat exchanger was located outside and connected to the indoor unit with low pressure fluid lines filled with antifreeze. and a small electric cord ran from the outdoor exchanger to the indoor unit. the indoor unit gave up the heat to the fluid which was pumped outside and cooled by the fan cooled air to liquid exchanger. the fluid lines had hydraulic style quick connects, so no leaks. indoor unit had a small condensate line with a pump to remove the water. really all it was is a mini split that is easily portable without dealing with compressed refrigerant. a grand idea in my opinion. they only manufactured them for 2 years if memory serves.
What a wonderful explanation of how a cooler works. Thanks.
You Don’t Know The Struggle Until Your AC Falls Down 5 Stories From Your Window While “Installing”.
LOL
Get a split unit then...
you did a Kramer install? 😁
Thank the gods it didn't land on someone's head.
I had a neighbor in my old condo building drop his his AC onto the windshield of my new SUV (only 3 weeks old). He dropped it from 3 stories up and it destroyed the windshield and dented the hood. Worst parking space ever!😂
I have a portable air conditioner that breezes all the cold air out the front. I also recognize that it's not the most efficient (since outside air has to come back in to displace the air we're sending out) but it does the job on the rare occasion it's needed in the summer. But despite not being the most efficient, it still works. It's basically like taking two cups of warm water, turning them to hot and cold, then replacing the hot (going out) with warm (coming in). So we're changing 2 warm to 1 warm.
And i also agree having 2 hoses would be better, to prevent other warm air forcing its way back in the house, so instead we're using 1 cup from outside that we're putting the heat into and sending right back out. So inside we're just turning warm to cold.
But then of course there's the hoses heating up. So having it outside would make more sense, just take out warm air and send back cold air. And then of course since we're going for max efficiency, it can be done without those giant hoses. And smaller pipes can be used if you still want to split it to get it out the way.
So, if you must go portable, say you're a renter and aren't allowed a window unit, try to get a two hose unit. Probably still less efficient than a window unit, but it should be much better than a mono hose.
You sir, and people like you are Reason the Internet was invented.
INFORMATION!!!
Thank You
really it was for the military and porn
@Lybrith mostly for porn tho.
uh the military are the founders of the intranet, which became the internet...
@@brandonreal916 actually your completley right more so for porn
From air conditioners to porn in 3, 2, 1!! 🤣 Cat videos are the only thing left out here, so I'll give you all points.
I'm surprised you didn't mention another serious disadvantage of portable ACs: dealing with the condensate. Many units try to "mist" the condensate out via the hose, but once it gets really humid you just end up with a rapidly-filling extremely noisy dehumidifier in the room.
Ya know, I didn't mention this because I thought this has largely been solved. I've never had my LG unit fill up with water, though it does say that's possible. I believe that newer units have some way to get the condensate onto the condenser so that it boils off and then gets exhausted. I don't know the specifics of that, but I figure that's got to be the ideal way to do it, especially because it would help increase the effectiveness of the cooling. I would think that the only times that wouldn't work would be on extremely humid and relatively cool days, where it removes a lot of moisture, but it doesn't run long enough for the condenser to get hot enough to boil off the condensate.
I remember having one 12 years ago that had a tray to empty once it was filled with water.
I live in the swampy areas of Kentucky, and let me tell you. Just running my "portable" AC for 8 hours a day produces more than a gallon of water. I have to let mine drain into a bucket.
@@TechnologyConnections My portable AC unit use to leak water everywhere, not just through the hose drain at the bottom of the unit. I found out the tiny hole of the small water trap that dripped the condensate onto the condenser was clogged. When the hole was clogged, I could generate buckets of water. Thanks for a great video!
@@TechnologyConnections You run a tube from a port on the back of the unit to a bucket. When the bucket gets too full you dump it out.
I’ve owned a Frigidaire for 10 years and it’s ice cold still. It saved us when our AC went out in 98 degree heat. It simply works awesome. Don’t let this post steer you away from a good name brand model.
We use one to keep the bedroom cold at night while not having to cool entire house. Plus the white noise blocks out noise.
A window unit creates a security risk and can be stolen.
In case others are interested: One way to mitigate that risk is to use one of several security products made for window AC units. There are brackets that make it really difficult to push the AC unit in or out. And there are also bars you can place to lock the window in its current position.
The one thing I’ve learned this summer after a few too many awkward conversations is that when people are considering buying a portable air conditioner, I should just keep everything I learned here to myself.
IKR!!?? In the past, I’ve tried preaching the “two hoses is best if you absolutely have to go portable” but no one cares 🤷♂️ how or why. I’ve learned to just shut up and help friends and family “install” their shitty single hose units. I have a 15k btu smart window ac that I turn on with an app, on my way home so…I’m happy! Haha
I agree with you except that if you live in a rental with a house that has crankout windows, a portable may be the only option. Not they aren't great but they are decent.
@@jeromemckenna7102 yes, a portable is sometimes the only option and can even be the best option…just make sure it’s a dual hose not a single hose, if available….that’s the point we are attempting to make
@@nahteo A single hose works just fine. Mine is single hose and I have enough problems slithering that six inch diameter, plastic, unwieldy monstrosity though the only single window I have as it is. To have two of those, stacked on top of each other as it's a side hinged window is utterly and completely out of the question.
@@vresi I feel you on so many levels. As I live in a rented apartment it is the only option. It looks ridiculous, noisy as hell, but no way in hell will I work from home in 35°C
I modified my single hose A/c into an insulated dual hose for this very reason. No joke, made it 75% more effective.
Friends don't let friends buy single hose.
Someone should make and sell a Dual insulated hose conversion kit for the single hose units, There seems to be a need for it.
I just wrapped the hose in an old blanket.
@@onidaaitsubasa4177 I've actually considered it as it's taken me a few prototypes to get right. The best option is to build a manifold but there are so many horrible a/c designs it would be impossible to make a universal kit and still have it be worth a shit.
These things just need to be outlawed or something, it's strange that such a wasteful product is being sold.
@@thatguyontheright1 that's where I started my modding, but without a second hose it really didn't matter much. I already got the hose as short is possible and the intake is sucking most of that hot air from that area anyways so it didn't change the overall as much as you would think.
The negative pressure problem is a big one
I've got double hose, in different area codes.
I completely understand the physics and concepts but even with all that due to the convenience and suitability, I got a single hose unit (black and decker 14000btu). Yes, I notice negative pressure but it cools and heats like a charm! No regrets.
Great explanation. I have a larger one story home with two central air units one for living space and one for bedroom spaces. But in California electricity is so expensive I got a 12k portable for the bedroom, then I can shut down the big units over night. A little noisy but saves a lot of money. Rolls into a closet in off season.
As a HVAC guy, you did a nice job explaining the reason why the portable units are not energy efficient - good camera work too...! :)
I feel like new techs could learn alot from this video, this is basically half a semester of information crammed into one clean well made video
How terrible was that split ducted install but
I'm an HVAC tech too. Ever seen how much heat comes off that hose leading outside too? They're pretty worthless in my opinion.
@@ParkerGuy89 They are pretty bad (inefficient) but the video explanation was so clear that NOW I know that using my fridge with its door open as an AC will never work (since the heat outputs into the same room).
Currently going through training my self and i thought the same thing
Mmm... Acoustics
not that bad tbh
Yeah sounds fine to me.
I only noticed it after reading this comment.
Your tape is hissing, you should use a chromium tape! :-)
Probably just the youtube compression
these devices are for those who have to compromise like me. I have a horizontally sliding window so I can't get a unit that sits in the window. And modifying window is out of the question, unless I want to pay an arm and a leg, plus my first born when I am done with my rent for a new window.
Always interesting, informative and helpful videos. I share the swamp cooler video to people every summer.
4:37 that was an excellent panning shot. Entertaining and informative as always.
I want to see a 'making of' for that shot.
Came here just to talk about this shot.
It looks similar (though a "budget" version) to the shots MKBHD does with his fancy camera robot. But I doubt this guy has access to this kind of equipment, so it could be camera slider, or just took the shot from further away and used a lot of stabilization
My friend had this in the windowless garage we would play DND in, with the air hose going through the outside doors dog flap. This is probably the best possible situation where a portable ac unit outshines traditional cooling. It doesn't have to be quite or efficient when it just has to periodically make the room tolerably cool for a bunch of already loud people.
When fictional combat concerning six or so IRL people sounds like REAL armed combat, you're obviously playing D&D properly!
...AND sometimes "making a little noise" really does have it's perks. ;o)
@@gnarthdarkanen7464 unless the room happens to be the kitchen table with screaming kids running around.
@@AuronFFX In the late 90's (if I recall correctly) "Vampire: The Masquerade" released a "Theatrical Version" of their RPG from White Wolfe Games... AND it was designed for kids and adults alike to dress up in costumes and run around acting like "real combat" except (of course) for actually wounding or killing anyone... they had rules for that... Still sounds like real combat with the jumping around and dramatic (over-acting) screaming and swearing and all... provided you're doing it right...
What's funny is kid's seem to instinctively know how to play an RPG (read "Play Pretend") correctly... It's us (adults) who actually have to sit down and read a book to find out how it works... to be able to do it...
AND many's the night I was up at the kitchen table with my friends, throwing dice and swearing like troopers... crunching up the combat numbers... AND the parent(s) in charge as such, were actually just glad their child was participating in something that was proving useful toward improved math skills...
Children making noise, generally speaking, are good news. It's when things get quiet that you better be worried! ;o)
@@gnarthdarkanen7464 This is called LARP. I used to be part of a VTM larp until I had disagreements with a referee (dm) I can answer some questions if you like.
@@oxybrightdark8765 I'm familiar with LARP... The Vampire Theatrical RPG reference is something I figured just about anyone can look up online (surely, by now?) and figure out with as little or as much reading as they care to do... to their satisfaction.
I'll continue to make my kitchen table sound like "real combat" and let the kids throw the dice and swear like troopers "theatrical license" as we call it... AND the parents can just learn to get glad that their precious is doing some serious math drills to keep up with the game. haha!
Thanks... ;o)
This is extremely helpful. My apartment doesn't have AC, we're not allowed window units, and we've been getting 115º summers the last few years. I was looking at getting one of these AC units, and this video is helping me make a far more informed purchasing decision.
Living somewhere where it only gets into the 90s 1 week per year, we have no house cooling system. We have a portable unit that we bring out
Very informative. This explains why 3.5kW split system turned my shed into a freezer, but a 3.5kW portable system made the shed the same temperature as outside, which my windows can achieve.
😂
I think a portable fan would work better lol
idk dude its 20deg inside and 32 out, im on the top floor, maybe not the most efficient way to do it but it works
@@retrocompaq5212 My best guess is that extremes play an important part in determining the viability of these units. Your summer temperatures in Canada are the same temperature as my mid-winter days in Australia. When it is 44 degrees Celsius in the shade in my summer, I really am not impressed by a drop in 4 degrees achieved with a 3.5kW portable unit in a small room measuring 21 cubic metres. My 3.5kW split system on the other hand, easily chills a 40 cubic metre room to 21 degrees in the same conditions. Perhaps these units work amazingly in cool climates, or maybe you own a product that has a performance well above the average. What I do know is that I am now one of the few Australian digheads that were dumb enough to buy one of these and find out the hard way why the only people who own these here are the people who tell you why you should never buy one.
"Air conditioners are pretty cool"
I'm calling The pun Police
Punlice?
Mestre Shake your arrested as well
If you call it on him I’m pretty sure his channel would get him the chair.
I don't think that's a fair PUNnishment
So, you're not a fan?
You know what sucks even more? The utter lack of AC models for sliding side-to-side windows. It's like the whole industry FORGOT to design ACs for the windows existing in MILLIONS of houses? So weird and stupid
Omg! I found you explanation in the right moment!! Thank you a lot for taking your time your this!! I I was considering to buy a portable...thank God they were all gone at the stores... your considerations and empathy are great!!
This is a great channel and I enjoy you explanations. One other major issue with the single hose portable air conditioners is that when they pull a negative pressure inside the house they also can backdraft the water heater if it is a standard natural draft gas unit and it will spill carbon monoxide into the house. I would suggest always having carbon monoxide detectors installed.
Great video showing the thermodynamic idiocy of exchanging 75 F air (you just paid for) to cool the condenser with 100 F outside air.
@@MrJoeBobSmith I mean, I've been seeing this around some time, the other day the air conditioner in the upper office busted and some geniuses took like four of these indoors... And it was like "you do realize the hot air is coming right back at us, right?"
This is one of those videos everyone should see.
2x the power consumption while only cooling at a rate of ~75% and more expensive to boot.
this info is old, with the newer models im able to keep a 150sq ft room nice and cool, along with a high end computer running at full load
@@Shpooky They were always able to cool the rooms, the issue is that they are less efficient at cooling, they consume more power to get the same result. The info isn't old because the science is the same.
@@chrismitchell6478 Have you tested a new model vs an older inefficient model?
These pretty much just exist for asshole landlords that ban the window units, and crappy windows that won't physically fit one (even with building a frame).
@@Lauren_C There are other reasons for using one of these units. Security comes to mind.
Great explanation, thanks! I live in Texas with calls for possible rolling brown/black outs this summer and had planned to get a portable AC unit BUT I'm definitely going for a window unit, just in case SHTF, thanks for the video, you saved me a lot of $$ and headaches!
one of these things saved me and my family one summer and we got it for a decent price. The difference between not having one and having one was clearly big enough to where I wouldn't have been able to be at home without one.
"These portable air conditioners are horrible, i have 2 of them"
Shouldn't be reviewing something if you don't have and have used one.
Sell them on Craigs list to commenters here who likes them. Take the money and buy one that doesn't "really suck". Cheers.
A funny observation, but I wouldn't trust his opinion and information nearly as much if he didn't own a couple. So... Double edge sword, right?
@@TheBrokenLife I think he explained quite well why they objectively _are_ a terrible, inefficient option compared to almost any other cooler. It doesn't stop being terrible just because it's cheap, convenient, or the only choice. .
@@JohnMichaelson I don't see where I defended them from being terrible...? I only said that I value is opinion more because he has first hand experience with them to accompany the empirical discussion he provided.
portable air conditioners are a _godsend_ when you live in a hot, humid climate and have smaller-than-normal windows that make it basically impossible to find a window unit to fit.
Hawaii
Make sure to add a suction hose. That would double the efficiency of the unit.
Any recommendations on which? I bought a metal/steel i forgot fan and even then my room is very hot. I need something better
@@milkiesss mine worked great until it literally melted in a fire lmao, I wish I could remember the brand... it was just a cheap Aldi one but it was 8,000 btu and had a dehumidifier
@@BeetleBuns ooh ! great thanks! i’m looking at a Midea one and the reviews are great i think, i’m looking for ice cold 🤣 and i live in an apartment so no window acs :/
Agreed, I added an intake hose to my single hose unit, DIY style. They should absolutely come as a two hose unit.
@11:55 I'm glad you mentioned the lack of insulation on the hoses for yours. I have an older Frigidaire two hose. It's noisy as all get out but it works like a champ and has insulation on both hoses. It helps a lot. Something else to note with these is the drip pan. Because you're dealing with refrigeration at room temperature with the condenser in the cool room they should have a drip pan mounted and it needs to be monitored. Mine has a pump with a discharge hose in the window mount plate which is super awesome.
I literally pitched my brand new portable air conditioner out the door an hour ago and am unreasonably excited to see this video published immediately after.
Side note because I'm a nerd: The post-production color correction on this video is ON POINT. It looks really good. It's vibrant and pleasing to look at without feeling over-saturated.
That is all.
i have a portable one that i bought 27 years ago and it's still working fine. I use it in my bedroom and the only change i made is a slight bigger hose that fits over the excisting hose, and that isolates the heat that comes of the original hose, and that makes a 30-40% difference in the cooling capacity. The summers here in Holland are not that long
and at night it cooles off anyway, so i let it run at daytime so that my bedroom is cooled when i go to bed and then turn the ac off.
These are a blessing for those that have heart conditions or/and have conditions like ringing in the ears
Someones you need air blowing directly on you.
This was the only type of air conditioner my college allowed me to have for accommodations and it worked perfectly. The sound of it at night also let me sleep and drowned out hallway noise from my residence hall. I've got nothing against these.
Which air conditioner did you buy, if I may ask? I’m trying to find one that’s similar to your experience
@@StewHeisenberg This was the model I bought. Pricey, but I tried to live in my dorm without it and I ended up in the emergency room. I like the settings and it has wheels so you can roll it.
www.amazon.com/discover/BLACK-DECKER-Portable-Conditioner-Display/salp/B01DLPUWJ4/ref=asc_df_B01DLPUWJ4/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=198098764798&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=17772208920142419175&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9003521&hvtargid=pla-348315898733&psc=1
@@liv1848 thank you!!
@@StewHeisenberg no problem! Best of luck!
yes if, 1. you have free power 2. you can't use anything else 3. you don't care about efficiency
Like the McDLT taught me, you wanna keep the hot side hot and the cool side cool.
Haven't had a McDLT in 25 years.... and now I want one. So thanks for that!
Really dating yourself there. Lol
Wow! That was a long time ago.
I miss the McDLT - worked at McD's (it was my first job) when they were introduced and it quickly became my very favorite from that point onward. It was the only sandwich McD's had (until it's demise) that actually had mayo on it.
@eggmanwi Uh eggmanwi - now you are showing your age... McD's hasn't used styrofoam for years in their packaging. Even if the McDLT came back, I don't think they would bring back the packaging it originally was in.
Wow! I wish I had seen this video before purchasing the indoor unit, but glad for the explanation when I changed back to a window unit the room is much more cooler. Thank you.
I bought a Midea portable INVERTER air conditioner last year. Not only is it dual hose-it puts the hot hose inside the air intake hose so there’s less heat escaping. There’s spacers in the hose to keep the hot hose from touching the outside. The inverter compressor is not off or on-it’s a variable compressor that only uses as much energy as required to keep the room at the set point. It is so much more efficient than the other portable I pulled out. The previous one was a LG portable that was a single hose and ran up my electric bill. It was terribly loud too. It used to go Rooooooaaaar when it started up. This one is much quieter. I installed two other window inverter air conditioners this year-replacing older units that were on or off. I used a lot of foam and tape to insulate the windows too. I am seeing a huge difference in my electric bill. I have central air-a 3-ton on or off unit, but I don’t run it anymore because I was getting $300 electric bills.