Using portable AC units during long power outages (Laura experiences?)

Using portable AC units during long power outages (Laura experiences?)

I have two 5000 btu units - one for the MBR and another for Family room.
They are powered via extension cords to 5000 w generator.
The one in the MBR will freeze you out. The other will keep us comfortable, but not as cool. It will keep the humidity down though.

I threw a window unit in each the master bedroom and the kitchen sink window post-Laura. When I started losing daylight, I’d crank the generator and run both units with master bedroom door closed. By the time things went completely dark, kitchen was comfortable enough for my whore shower, etc. Topped off the tank one last time before bed and ran master window unit only all night with box fans, mostly for noise. Bedroom was nice and cool, freezing by morning when generator was out of gas - my wakeup call if sleeping past dawn.

Window units are great as long as you isolate into small areas (a bedroom), but you’d need several to get an entire home to comfortable temperatures during the day.

Portable units suck arse.

I did that last spring in anticipation of hurricane season. Bought a 10,000 starting watts/8,000 running watts Generac from Home Depot and got the interlock kit installed on my outside panel. I can run everything in my home except the central air, just not all at the same time. My plan is to use most lights, one or two small window units to keep the house temp manageable, the fridge/freezer, alarm system, and camera system all the time but turn off everything for a couple hours to use the water heater before showers, then turn off the water heater to turn the others back on after the water heats up. Got a portable electric burner to cook with instead of the stove/oven since that uses more electricity (I think).

All in all, I spent roughly $1,700 total. $1000 for the generator and about $700 for the interlock kit and installation.