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Post by rockjunquie on Jul 12, 2019 10:10:58 GMT -5
A broken AC.
Our main AC has been giving the signs of dying. I was hoping against the odds that it would make it through the summer. It produced less and less cold until it blew no cold air. It is a through the wall ac. If we have to pull it out, as just as soon get a new better one. This frigidaire never worked as well as it should have. My last Kenmore was over 30 years old. I'm told that the life expectancy of a new ac is 10 years. Ours is abt 8 or 9. I have 2 fans on me now. Today they are calling rain- instead of the every day t-storm. So, we are getting a break- 89 degrees.
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Post by Rockoonz on Jul 12, 2019 10:54:07 GMT -5
Have you considered a heat pump or AC with dehumidifier? some of the newer units with variable speed pump motors save on the electric bill and seem to last a long time. We put a ductless heat pump in our ranch home that previously had electric ceiling heat. First time we've ever had AC, kind of a luxury in the NW. Thought about getting a window unit for out in the shop, probably will once I'm retired and spending more hours out there.
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Post by fernwood on Jul 12, 2019 11:30:28 GMT -5
I feel for you. Do not have central AC. No windows that a portable unit can go in. I do have a feature on my thermostat/furnace that allows for cool air to come in from outside. Been using that all night to cool the house off, while running a portable fan 24 hours/day. We are predicted to have 5 days of temps from 87 to 92.
I have been told to look into getting one of the wall mount "portable" air conditioners. They cost more than a window unit, but far less than central air. Some include a dehumidifier. Mitsubishi is the trusted brand, from what I was told. All needed is an outside wall and electric for installation.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jul 12, 2019 12:04:05 GMT -5
Didn't have AC as a child, don't have it now, but I moved away from the humidity which can be miserable, so I sympathize. Just plain heat can be handled with sipping cool drinks + windows open all night, then button up the house once the temps start rising each morning + no cooking, washing or other heat-generating activity (that includes computers and most fans). Growing up, we dealt with hot and humid late afternoons and early evenings with dinner out followed by a visit to a movie theater. The ductless AC's are more efficient, and might be worth the investment if you're going to be living in the house for many years to come. As you said, though, the life-span of all appliances has rapidly gone downhill over the past few decades. Enjoy your respite from 90+ heat!
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Post by mohs on Jul 12, 2019 14:41:11 GMT -5
Didn't have AC as a child, don't have it now, but I moved away from the humidity which can be miserable, so I sympathize. Just plain heat can be handled with sipping cool drinks + windows open all night, then button up the house once the temps start rising each morning + no cooking, washing or other heat-generating activity (that includes computers and most fans). Growing up, we dealt with hot and humid late afternoons and early evenings with dinner out followed by a visit to a movie theater. The ductless AC's are more efficient, and might be worth the investment if you're going to be living in the house for many years to come. As you said, though, the life-span of all appliances has rapidly gone downhill over the past few decades. Enjoy your respite from 90+ heat! I have to remark r2d2 That a plan beat my measly solution which is to camp out under a rock nonetheless its miserably hot Crank the refer down
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Post by rockjunquie on Jul 12, 2019 18:33:08 GMT -5
Yes, the humidity is off the charts here. We are near sooooo much water and then there are the pop up storms. I can deal with heat- but, not when you factor in humidity. I could take it just fine not that many years ago, but not anymore.
I have looked into the other (modern) alternatives, but another wall/window unit actually serves us best. I have already chosen another larger one. I want to be COLD. LOL! Getting the old one out and the new one in will be REALLY difficult and it's too hot for these old folks to do it, so it has to wait. It's gonna be rough for a few weeks. I have to pay for some college expenses coming up, too, which was AC money. Right now we have fans on us. We have air conditioned bedrooms to escape to, too. If we have to put it off for too long, we can put in a smaller unit where we spend all of our time.
On the bright side, I spent the day doing a lot of work in my shops. With it being so hot, I don't want to be vacuuming or whatever. I just sat with the fan and did computer work.
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Post by Pat on Jul 12, 2019 18:56:22 GMT -5
What's worse? Over 100! High humidity....
Agree it is miserable being very uncomfortable in your own home.
Do you have any ceiling fans? They are much better than the floor models, and much cheaper than air conditioning.
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Post by parfive on Jul 12, 2019 20:31:07 GMT -5
What’s worse than temps in the 90s?
Rain at an inch every ten or twelve minutes.
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Post by Rockoonz on Jul 12, 2019 20:44:04 GMT -5
I feel for you. Do not have central AC. No windows that a portable unit can go in. I do have a feature on my thermostat/furnace that allows for cool air to come in from outside. Been using that all night to cool the house off, while running a portable fan 24 hours/day. We are predicted to have 5 days of temps from 87 to 92. I have been told to look into getting one of the wall mount "portable" air conditioners. They cost more than a window unit, but far less than central air. Some include a dehumidifier. Mitsubishi is the trusted brand, from what I was told. All needed is an outside wall and electric for installation. There are also free standing portable AC units that only need a wall plug and any window opened a couple inches for the hot air exhaust. They're nice because you can take them room to room and only cool the area you're in. www.bestbuy.com/site/air-conditioners/portable-air-conditioners/abcat0907004.c?id=abcat0907004We have a Mitsubishi ductless unit, and are very pleased with it after 9 years with no issues.
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Post by rockjunquie on Jul 12, 2019 21:18:32 GMT -5
What's worse? Over 100! High humidity.... Agree it is miserable being very uncomfortable in your own home. Do you have any ceiling fans? They are much better than the floor models, and much cheaper than air conditioning. We were in the high 90s last week. Humidity probably averaged 85%. Ugh.
Yes, we do have ceiling fans. I love them!
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Post by rockjunquie on Jul 12, 2019 21:23:10 GMT -5
I feel for you. Do not have central AC. No windows that a portable unit can go in. I do have a feature on my thermostat/furnace that allows for cool air to come in from outside. Been using that all night to cool the house off, while running a portable fan 24 hours/day. We are predicted to have 5 days of temps from 87 to 92. I have been told to look into getting one of the wall mount "portable" air conditioners. They cost more than a window unit, but far less than central air. Some include a dehumidifier. Mitsubishi is the trusted brand, from what I was told. All needed is an outside wall and electric for installation. There are also free standing portable AC units that only need a wall plug and any window opened a couple inches for the hot air exhaust. They're nice because you can take them room to room and only cool the area you're in. www.bestbuy.com/site/air-conditioners/portable-air-conditioners/abcat0907004.c?id=abcat0907004We have a Mitsubishi ductless unit, and are very pleased with it after 9 years with no issues.
I was looking at those portable ones. Pretty cheap. I wonder how often you have to dump the water? We have a portable dehumidifier that we needed after some water damage. We had to change the bucket pretty often.
My friend in Lithuania bought a portable one a few years ago. An absolute luxury where she is. This year, with the crazy heat in Europe she is the envy of all her friends and neighbors. She has a Mitsubishi, too, and loves it.
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Post by fernwood on Jul 13, 2019 3:27:42 GMT -5
A former employer had several of the portable units. They were abut 3.5' tall. The water was dumped daily. My house is strange in that there are no windows to the outside in my living/dining/kitchen area. The living room has 2 large windows facing an enclosed porch. There is a patio door in the dining room. I have an old dehumidifier. The 1 gallon container had to be dumped several times daily. The unit emitted so much heat I stopped using it. Rockoonz What type of outside access and wiring does the Mitsubishi unit require?
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Post by Rockoonz on Jul 13, 2019 10:36:14 GMT -5
A former employer had several of the portable units. They were abut 3.5' tall. The water was dumped daily. My house is strange in that there are no windows to the outside in my living/dining/kitchen area. The living room has 2 large windows facing an enclosed porch. There is a patio door in the dining room. I have an old dehumidifier. The 1 gallon container had to be dumped several times daily. The unit emitted so much heat I stopped using it. Rockoonz What type of outside access and wiring does the Mitsubishi unit require? My Mitsubishi is a ductless heat pump. It has the inside head that mounts on a wall and a condenser outside. Between the two is a bundle of refrigerant lines and electrical cables. It's not at all like a window/wall unit, I got it to heat and cool over half of my house. It sounds like it would suit you well but they cost a lot more than a wall unit, and if you already have a heat source you're happy with it's going to be overkill. I had 3 rebates when I had mine put in which effectively made the labor free to me, total cost would have been 3 grand plus without them. With a portable you could probably get a long hose to go through your porch but in a humid area the condensate tank could be an issue for sure. You should probably be getting ideas from someone who knows HVAC, there are surely options I have never heard of.
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Post by rockjunquie on Jul 13, 2019 11:57:37 GMT -5
A former employer had several of the portable units. They were abut 3.5' tall. The water was dumped daily. My house is strange in that there are no windows to the outside in my living/dining/kitchen area. The living room has 2 large windows facing an enclosed porch. There is a patio door in the dining room. I have an old dehumidifier. The 1 gallon container had to be dumped several times daily. The unit emitted so much heat I stopped using it. Rockoonz What type of outside access and wiring does the Mitsubishi unit require? My Mitsubishi is a ductless heat pump. It has the inside head that mounts on a wall and a condenser outside. Between the two is a bundle of refrigerant lines and electrical cables. It's not at all like a window/wall unit, I got it to heat and cool over half of my house. It sounds like it would suit you well but they cost a lot more than a wall unit, and if you already have a heat source you're happy with it's going to be overkill. I had 3 rebates when I had mine put in which effectively made the labor free to me, total cost would have been 3 grand plus without them. With a portable you could probably get a long hose to go through your porch but in a humid area the condensate tank could be an issue for sure. You should probably be getting ideas from someone who knows HVAC, there are surely options I have never heard of.
My grandson, who lives with me, is trying to talk me into a split system. They have come down in price a lot. Yet another thing to consider. But then, I already have a hole in my wall.
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Post by fernwood on Jul 14, 2019 7:41:04 GMT -5
A former employer had several of the portable units. They were abut 3.5' tall. The water was dumped daily. My house is strange in that there are no windows to the outside in my living/dining/kitchen area. The living room has 2 large windows facing an enclosed porch. There is a patio door in the dining room. I have an old dehumidifier. The 1 gallon container had to be dumped several times daily. The unit emitted so much heat I stopped using it. Rockoonz What type of outside access and wiring does the Mitsubishi unit require? Thanks. Yes, humid here for sure. Also the lack of access to the porch or outside of that would be a problem. Would need to have holes drilled in wall of living room and porch. I was thinking about getting a unit installed on the North side of house, opposite from porch. A hole could be drilled in wall there and condenser placed on my back deck. Am concerned about doing that, as the snow falls off my roof onto where condenser would need to be. I tried getting an estimate for cost, but there was a charge for the inspection and estimate. Will need to wait until some property sells so I can afford it. Know I cannot handle another summer with no air conditioning in my house.
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Post by fernwood on Jul 14, 2019 7:42:04 GMT -5
Split systems are great. Allow for cooling of only specific areas. Had that in my old house. Loved it.
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Post by toiv0 on Jul 14, 2019 9:03:30 GMT -5
I have never lived in a place with air.
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,666
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Post by Fossilman on Jul 14, 2019 9:17:02 GMT -5
We finally bought a portable AC unit and it was worth the investment! I can't stand "HOT" and neither can my wife!
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Post by rockjunquie on Jul 14, 2019 11:41:59 GMT -5
OMG- it is so hot in here. I don't feel like doing a thing. I think we'll be getting that AC sooner than later. I'm too old for this and my damn feet are swelling in the high heat and humidity. Ugh.
DH is working Saturdays right now and on Sunday, he takes care of his uncle and mother. I don't know when we'll find the time to do it, but it needs to be done ASAP or take the time off work.
Send me chilled thoughts, y'all
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Post by woodman on Jul 14, 2019 11:51:49 GMT -5
I was in the Army at Fort Eustis Va. Not bad in the winter but did not like the humidity in the summer at all. The first time for training we were in old wooden barracks without AC. terrible. Second duty there was in large concrete barracks and had semi private room. roommate and I installed a window AC. It was real nice. Western Oregon is much better. this morning at 10 it is 65.3 degrees out. might get to 80 this afternoon.
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