Have a camp/country house that has a separate shanty on the property about 30 yards from main house. I had a portable AC (black & decker (model BPT08HWTB) that was used for heating and cooling but recently crapped out after 2 years. The shanty is about 400 total sq ft (essentially a bedroom and bathroom).

Looking for options under $750 (window unit isn't really an option given the setup). Either replace the B&D portable or something else.

I realize the likely option is another portable, but most of the units that are out there are all unrecognizable name brands. Just looking for anyone that has had good experience with one.

TIA

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Posted by mdomingue

Lafayette, LA

Member since Nov 2010

29853 posts

Posted on 3/4/23 at 9:26 am to failuretocommunicate

If there is any way you could use a small window unit, it would be much more efficient.

But on the Home depot website they offer this by Black and Decker.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/BLACK-DECKER-14-000-BTU-10-000-BTU-SACC-CEC-Portable-Air-Conditioner-with-Double-Motor-Dehumidifier-and-Remote-White-BPP10WTB/316567955

Also these by what are typically reputable brands.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Westinghouse-12000-BTU-8000-BTU-DOE-Standard-Portable-Air-Conditioner-3-in-1-Operation-For-Rooms-Up-to-400-sq-ft-White-WPac12000/324995732

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Honeywell-10-000-BTU-Portable-Air-Conditioner-with-Dehumidifier-in-White-and-Black-HJ0CESWK7/316403409

I do not have personal experience with using a portable, however. All I can tell you definitively is that you need to have a way to exhaust the heat out of the space you want to cool. I am assuming you already have some setup to do that with your unit that went out.

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Posted by failuretocommunicate

Lafayette

Member since Dec 2007

1062 posts

Posted on 3/4/23 at 9:40 am to mdomingue

The B&D model that I had is the smaller version of the one you linked. It did the job but only getting 2 years out of it is disappointing. I was hoping that someone has had a better experience with another brand or another alternative.

The venting issue is definitely necessary. A window unit would be an eyesore on the shanty....therefore I chose to vent the portable AC with a permanent dryer vent setup (which is a better more discreet look)

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Posted by mdomingue

Lafayette, LA

Member since Nov 2010

29853 posts

Posted on 3/4/23 at 10:00 am to failuretocommunicate

You might consider a small mini-split. That should outperform even a window unit. Again, though, this is not from personal experience. Just what I know about HVAC. Installation would be a little more involved as well. Might be a job for a pro so that jacks the price up.

Just for reference, here is a link to what HD offers at at 120V.

https://www.homedepot.com/b/Less-than-5000/110-120v/110v/115v/N-5yc1vZ1z18trrZ1z195r9Z1z1c6qiZ1z1p90m/Ntk-elasticplus/Ntt-mini%2Bsplit?NCNI-5&sortby=bestmatch&sortorder=none

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