Check Consumer Reports (subscription required). They have a few ratings.
After going through a number of them settled on
[https://whynter.com/product/whynter-arc-14sh-14000-btu-dual-hose-portable-ac-heater/](https://whynter.com/product/whynter-arc-14sh-14000-btu-dual-hose-portable-ac-heater/)
Have 3 of them, 2 for 2 300 square foot upstairs rooms, 1 for cooler 600 foot downstairs room. Noisy, and if the temperature goes above 100 with hot nights to keep indoor temperatures reasonable have to run them constantly during the night to cool things down which sucks up a lot of energy.
Run big fan downstairs during the night. If I can get the temperature 66 degrees or lower the concrete slab usually keeps things cool enough that don't need to run the downstairs unit.
1. You want a dual hose
2. *Energy efficiency is important to me since I don't want my electric bill to skyrocket.*
Portable units are less efficient than other types. If you figure a 1400 watt unit that's 1.4 kWh. Multiple that by your electric rate to figure the cost per hour when running continuously. Where I live my electric bill skyrockets.
3. We just had \~100 degree days and if the \~300 square foot room was heated up it took time to cool it down but eventually did reach a comfortable level.
4. Since my unit is generally constantly running an inverter unit probably wouldn't make much difference in my case.
5. They are very noisy as the intake and exhaust fans are inside the room.
6. Have gone through quite a few portables. Finally settled on this well-reviewed one. Like them so much have 3 of them.
[https://whynter.com/product/whynter-arc-14sh-14000-btu-dual-hose-portable-ac-heater/](https://whynter.com/product/whynter-arc-14sh-14000-btu-dual-hose-portable-ac-heater/)
Review:
[https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/appliances/g71076073/best-portable-air-conditioners-tested/?utm\_source=google&utm\_medium=cpc&utm\_campaign=mgu\_ga\_ghk\_md\_pmx\_comm\_org\_us\_21358631192&gad\_source=1&gad\_campaignid=21362714878&gbraid=0AAAAADA2MErnWYtcdDldw8Z-lM61LNvxn&gclid=Cj0KCQjw\_7PRBhDcARIsAMjV7jld-T5RX6wLihwH58YGnpPZwI7P8E0-0Kacbin--6k6J9NzREfCBKQaAhvuEALw\_wcB](https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/appliances/g71076073/best-portable-air-conditioners-tested/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=mgu_ga_ghk_md_pmx_comm_org_us_21358631192&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21362714878&gbraid=0AAAAADA2MErnWYtcdDldw8Z-lM61LNvxn&gclid=Cj0KCQjw_7PRBhDcARIsAMjV7jld-T5RX6wLihwH58YGnpPZwI7P8E0-0Kacbin--6k6J9NzREfCBKQaAhvuEALw_wcB)
1. Window units are preferable if you can use them.
2. I can't so have to use 3 portables for 600 Sqf each downstairs and upstairs. 1 for each of the 3 rooms.
3. Portables aren't that efficient so you want a dual hose. You don't want to be exhausting your cool air to the outside with a single hose unit.
4. Portables are noisy.
5. Normally any condensation is captured and added to the exhaust hose. I live in a relatively low humidity environment and never have had any draining problems.
6. The largest units, \~14000 btus, run around 1300 Watts. As with any A/C your electric bill will soar.
7. Once temperatures go > 100 they will struggle to bring down a hot room during the day. If there are hot nights I need to run them overnight cooling everything down to keep cool temperatures during the hot times of the day.
I've gone through a number of portable units and have settled on this one which has had good reviews:
[https://whynter.com/product/whynter-arc-14sh-14000-btu-dual-hose-portable-ac-heater/](https://whynter.com/product/whynter-arc-14sh-14000-btu-dual-hose-portable-ac-heater/)
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 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.
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.
i had a whynter arc-14s last summer and honestly, it did a decent job cooling my room. but man, the noise was something else. like, you get used to it but it’s still kinda annoying at night. the flimsy window kit was a pain too, ended up buying extra weatherstripping just like you mentioned.
i’ve heard good things about the [midea duo](https://oklookup.com/review/midea-duo-portable-air-conditioner/) though, more power and quieter design. but that whole one hose thing is a bit weird. if you can swing it, maybe go for that one instead of whynter? just not sure about long-term reliability, ya know? but yeah, good luck with the search!
Caprichoso1
