Seems like every 3 years I’m buying a new room AC for either my bedroom or my LR. This doesn’t count the two I dumped out the window in one season, did I ever tell that story?
My pet peeve is that they fall apart, all the stupid plastic bits crack, the accordians on the sides break and they buzz and rattle enough to wake the dead, not to mention me.
I want a good (don’t mind somewhat expensive if it’s well made), efficient (the elec rates in CT will double by the end of this year) and quiettttttttttt AC. Any experiences?
PaulB
Replies
I just consider them disposable and buy whatever is on sale. You can't get them fixed anymore.
About that ac,I'm also on the buy the cheapest mode and mine seem to last 6/7 years. I'm trying to configure them for zone or whole house.I have a problem with the noise so I'm attempting to add ductwork,originally 2foot to lessen the noise,and set it out from the room a little,the next step is longer ductwork.If using some kind of soundboard the noise should be much less.I also put mine on rotary timers so they don't run all the time,an hour on,two off,etc.You have to use your comfort or wallet to set timers.The ac also has to be analog??,not digital because digital doesn't come on again after shut off or after power failure. Mines still evolving,goodluck
Panasonic make some of the quietest window units that we could find. We bought ours 3 years ago, and they are quiet and functional. Go to a decent appliance store (we bought ours at Bernies) where you can actually see a working demo.
We started out buying the cheapies at Home Depot - they were Maytag brand at the time - louder than my Ram diesel. Took 2 of them out of the box to try before we decided that they were not for us. Home Depot refused to take the opened packages back, so we returned the 2 that were unopened and gave the other 2 away.
Next trip was to BJ's, where we spotted Sharp 'library quiet' units - NOT. Those went back the same day.
We now have 5 of the Panasonic units - 1 in each bedroom and 1 in the living room. I can't recommend them highly enough.
Bob
Not meant to side-step the original post..., but I was wondering if you've had any experience with a Panasonic window model that also is a heat pump to provide AC & heating to a 16'X32' room?
Thanks,
Bill
but I was wondering if you've had any experience with a Panasonic window model that also is a heat pump to provide AC & heating to a 16'X32' room?
No, I've never dealt with a model that worked as a heat pump - at least not without turning it around in the window...:)
Bob
I had heard good things about Panasonic, but surprisingly their website doesn't give much info at all. Thanks!PaulB
I had heard good things about Panasonic, but surprisingly their website doesn't give much info at all.
It doesn't surprise me. I'm a dealer of Panasonic business telephone systems as well as some of the consumer products, and the catalogs don't come out until well into the model year. If the air conditioners are anything like that, I imagine that the 2007 models catalog probably won't be released until at least mid-summer...:)
Bob
I got a 10,000 BTU Fedders window unit last year for the living room. It's as quiet as a mouse, operates as economically as the previous 5K BTU HD cheapie, while cooling half the house quite nicely. It also has a timer, for turning it off or on. Last but not least, it's narrow enough to fit in one of the side windows in the living room's bay window.
Thanks HVC... I'm going to look into theirs and Panasonic's.PaulB
Thanks HVC... I'm going to look into theirs and Panasonic's.
Those would be my first choices too. It seems odd that window units are as efficient as they are, but their simplicity is a real key. I doubt that the ductless systems are any more efficient, just quieter and less obtrusive.
I can live with the small window units easily if they're as quiet as the Fedders I mentioned. They allow individual room temp control which is really ideal, and they can be taken out and put away during the winter, making for a tight seal, like the ductless units offer.
for not much more money and just a little more trouble... i think i'd look at a ductless unit... look on ebay 1 ton units are around $600 with the lines ect... no more hang'n junk out a window ect... and real quite
p
I'll second the suggestion to go ductless, if you want to do something more permanent.
Now that we're on that subject....maybe it's time for a thread about them...hummm. So far I've only read about them. Haven't heard any actual experiences.
Dunno how that would work for me, I'm in a 2nd fl apartment, hence the window units... but I agree not my first choice either ;)PaulB
Check out a different type that is called a mini-split.
17 SEER --you can get them that do up to three different rooms.
Most HVAC men can tell you more.
"Check out a different type that is called a mini-split."The cheapest mini-split will cost a lot more than a window unit because you need a tech to vacuum and connect the lines, and there is considerable installation work inside and out to set it up. It cost me $750 to install a 3/4 ton mini split heat pump and I did most of the work myself. The cheapest quote from a pro (in 2006) was $2450 for the same system. HD and Lowes sell 10K BTU window units for around $500.Heat pumps are great -- down to 30F to 20F depending on the model. If it gets colder than that where you live, plan on a separate space heater.