Looking for a recomendation for a small inexpensive Air Conditioner.?

Question

We recently had a baby and it's been hot enough around here lately that we've ended up sitting in the car with the A/C going several days already. We need to find a single room air conditioner, not a swamp cooler since we're constantly fighting a battle against mold because of the humidity here to begin with, don't need anything beyond just a small area. Our whole place is only around 3,500 cubic feet if I'm doing the math right, and the only part of it that needs to keep cooler than our fans already keep it is baby's area. Of course with all the costs associated with having a new baby we're a little short on cash so the $400+ units I keep seeing as results for my web searches aren't going to fall within our price range without enough saving as to make it late enough in the year that we will no longer need it by the time we can afford it. So, anyone have any recommendations?

Answer 1

Just go to Costco, Lowes, or Home Depot.  Inexpensive window units are between  $140 to about $300.

(At least they were at Costco)  

And you've got that backwards about the mold issue.  Mold LOVES dampness and humidity.  An air conditioner removes humidity from the air as (the air) passes over the chilled coil.   Using an air conditioner is good for your air.

Answer 2

There are three inexpensive air conditoner units that are easy to install.

1 - Room air, for window installation, you can get for $99 and up.

2. - Protable air conditioner - These sit on the floor and exhaust through a hose(Duct) you place out of a window. These start in the $300.00

3. - Split Air system - I just installed one in our bonus room where our 4 year old sleeps. Great little unit. This would be a permenant installation, and takes a little know how to install. I found mine online for $400.00.

So a window unit may be your best option for the cost.