I'm struggling to cool my home with a 14,000 BTU portable AC unit (10,000 SACC) in a 700 sq ft space. The outside temperature is currently 79°F after hitting 92°F earlier today, and I have the unit set to 61°F. However, the inside temperature is still at 81°F with humidity at 62%. I'm really concerned because I have an infant, and despite cranking up the AC, it's not making a difference. Any advice?
3 Answers
To get better cooling, try using fans to circulate the air in the room. Set an oscillating fan to help distribute the cool air, and maybe try blowing air out of a window too. It really helps create a cross breeze and makes the whole space feel cooler!
Many folks have mentioned that portable ACs tend to be less effective than central units. They’re basically just heat exchangers, and they can struggle if the exhaust hose isn't well insulated. Consider buying an insulator sleeve for the hose; that made a huge difference for me!
First off, is your AC a single hose or dual hose system? If you have a single hose, it can struggle more because it pulls air from inside the room to cool itself, just to dump heat back into the space. Make sure the hose is sealed properly in the window with no leaks; those gaps can let hot air back in. Also, have you checked the air filter? Keeping it clean can really help with airflow!
It's a single hose and brand new, but you're right about needing to check for leaks. I don't have any condensation to empty either.
I’ll definitely give that a shot! I hadn’t thought about the cross breeze.