How to cool one bedroom on a budget?

[cielo]

So I know very little about air conditioning, what the advantages and disadvantages of products, etc. I don't need it freezing cool, because I don't mind warm temperatures, but I absolutely dread humidity. There is a computer in the bedroom, but its not on all day and also a ceiling fan that moves air upwards and downwards. I'd like to keep my budget under $300 for this room, what are my options?

1) A/C window/portable unit?
2) Dehumidifier?
3) A bunch of fans to move large amounts of air?
4) Other?

[Drthorne]

Home Depot has a Haier 5200btu small window a/c for $97, in store only

[fergy]

Portable units are more expensive and less efficient. They make ones that have 2 tubes (1 exhaust and 1 intake) or single tube (exaust only). The single tube ones draw air in from the other rooms in order to exhaust the hot air. This means more humid air comes in. The dual tube models would work better in a closed room because the can cool the air conditioner without drawing warm humid air in from elsewhere. The 2 tube units are superior to 1 tube units.

A window unit recirculates the air and acts like a 2 tube portable. It's the cheapest to buy and the cheapest to run. A window unit is more efficient than portables.

[coolspot]

I would install window film to reflect heat from the outside (about 15.00 per window), and a window or portable AC unit if its really that bad. A set of good blinds + curtains help too.

[pkguy]

You can buy 2nd hand window air conditioners cheap usually at the Habitat for Humanity Restores. $30 - $80 depending on the unit size etc and condition. Depends on what type of windows you have as well. sliding and casement windows are harder to fit in a window air conditioner and upright window air conditioners are also not as commonplace and therefore a little more expensive. But I got a good one there last year for my sister for about $65.. a 9000 BTU vertical unit only a couple of years old if that.. works great.

[cielo]

Thanks for all the good advice. I have a question about what to do when an AC unit no longer cools the air. I'm told they run on this Freon gas, and I can refill the unit whenever it runs out, do they sell this gas in hardware stores?

[coolspot]

Thanks for all the good advice. I have a question about what to do when an AC unit no longer cools the air. I'm told they run on this Freon gas, and I can refill the unit whenever it runs out, do they sell this gas in hardware stores?

It's probably cheaper to get a new one than get it repaired.

[woof]

I'm told they run on this Freon gas, and I can refill the unit whenever it runs out, do they sell this gas in hardware stores?

Runs out??? The freon is in a series of sealed metal chambers and pipes. It doesn't run out unless there's a leak which is rare. An air conditioner is exactly like a refrigerator. When was the last time your refrigerator ran out of freon? And coolspot is right in that if that does happen it's cheaper just to get a new one.

One thing to take into consideration is noise. The cheapest units can be extremely noisy.

[cielo]

Runs out??? The freon is in a series of sealed metal chambers and pipes. It doesn't run out unless there's a leak which is rare. An air conditioner is exactly like a refrigerator. When was the last time your refrigerator ran out of freon? And coolspot is right in that if that does happen it's cheaper just to get a new one.

One thing to take into consideration is noise. The cheapest units can be extremely noisy.

Makes sense. We have a $400 vertical window AC to cool another room and a year later it was blowing only slightly cooler than room temperature on max. I suppose this means its officially in need of repair. Does leaving it sitting on a window ledge during a Quebec winter count as destructive usage of an AC unit?

I am thinking of getting a portable unit for this reason alone, to avoid environmental damages. but I'd be hard pressed to find a unit for only $300.

[pshch]

Do you know how hot this room gets in summer? Based on my past experience living in your area humidity is much bigger issue there then temperature so dehumidifier will do better work for you unless room gets too hot because of location.

[coolspot]

I am thinking of getting a portable unit for this reason alone, to avoid environmental damages. but I'd be hard pressed to find a unit for only $300.

Depends on how many BTUs, but Futureshop, Home Depot, Costco, etc. should have ~5000 BTU units for $150.00.

As for a portable, Futureshop has a 7000BTU one for 329.00:

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10099082&catid=23953

[cielo]

Depends on how many BTUs, but Futureshop, Home Depot, Costco, etc. should have ~5000 BTU units for $150.00.

As for a portable, Futureshop has a 7000BTU one for 329.00:

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10099082&catid=23953

Thats the exact one I purchased today. Its actually $296.99 but with GST & PST its about $340. I also had to have it shipped to my house because it is not in stock in Quebec, which costed me another $40. But I don't find this a bad deal, because other locations in my area sell this model for $370 before tax. With tax it would cost $430, which is still $50 more.

[coolxten]

Consider a high power dual window fan. You can have it running all day with minimal cost. I got one last summer for about $75, and it kept me pretty cool. Highly recommend it to those living in an apartment where heat raises and then has no place to go but stay in your unit. You can set it to bring air in or to exhaust air out.