The ARC-14S and ARC-14SH are exactly the same. The heater function is nice to have but remember this is an AC with a heat option. The room will be to be higher than 45 degrees.
The ARC-1230 models are really nice. I love the upgrades and the use of the app.
I'm in AZ so I know what you mean when you say you're dying LOL.
The Whynter ARC1230 is a much better option. I tested both of them and the 1230 had a much higher tested capacity (9256 BTU) in our test room than the 14S (6154 BTU). It has a more efficient design, so it used less energy (621wh vs 1061wh) to cool the same room. Also, since it has an inverter, it has a much better oversizing tolerance and will use less power when maintaining (unless it's undersized). It'll also be better at maintaining the humidity since it doesn't have to turn its compressor on and off.
Not sure of pricing, but the ARC123 is technically just a rebranded Midea Duo, so if you can find a 12K BTU Midea duo for cheaper than that will also be a good option!
Not sure about the heater functions on either since I haven't tested them, unfortunately.
Hope this helps!
Unfortunately Amazon is the best and cheapest place to get things like that “off season” (even though it’s broiling in Oakland). It looks like they’re doing a sale on summer type stuff next week starting the 25th so if you can wait it might be best.
To answer your question better, we absolutely love the “Whynter Portable Air Conditioner 14,000 BTU & Heater”. We leave it hooked up most of the year because it’s dual hose so it can also blow just outside air instead of cooling and is way more efficient than anything except a window unit. It’s not cheap, but the amount of extra sleep we’ve gotten due to leaving the windows closed the entire summer is huge. It’s highly rated and we’ve spent no extra money over 3 summers with it. Just hand wash the filters.
What size area are you trying to cool?
The portables usually say one btu but the real btu is much lower. Look at the sacc btu for the unit. Those 8k btu are probly 4 to 5k sacc btu won't do much more than a single small room.
Ive been using a whynter 14k btu dual hose that is only 9500 sacc btu that has worked well the past 5 years.
I recently bought a new whynter inverter model thats listed as 12k sacc btu but I haven't used it yet.
My older whynter isn't quite enough when it gets really got and humid and we can't use windows units so im hoping the new one does the trick
Heatherina885
