See all updated sections The Case for Fans vs. Air Conditioners in NYC As a recent convert to the fan-centric lifestyle, I’m prepared to go on record and say yes: you can survive the summer in New York City without air conditioning. Skeptics, hold your fire! There are a few salient points that may help you become a fan of the fan:Have you ever tried to install a window-unit air conditioner by yourself? Or had to carry it up and down multiple flights of stairs while moving? I hope your back has recovered. Fans are lighter, quieter, and need far less maintenance than an AC unit.Fans are smaller than air conditioners, and therefore much easier to store during the winter when they’re not in use. In a small space, especially a room with only one window, an AC can be an eyesore, and prevents you from being able to open the window on beautiful summer days. (Source: etccdb via Flickr Creative Commons)Although there are plenty of high-end fans out there, stores like the Home Depot and PC Richards have plenty of options under $100.

The Lasko cyclone standing fan goes for $32.96 and gets great reviews. AC units also vary greatly in price, but you’ll be hard-pressed to find one below $100. At Home Depot, you can expect to pay anywhere between $129 to $299 for a unit. Fans are easy on your electric bill. On average, a window-unit air conditioner will cost about 14 cents an hour to run, whereas a fan costs about 1 cent every three hours. That breaks down to $50.40 per month for an AC, and $1.20 per month for a ceiling fan. One word: the environment. About 25% of all electricity consumed at home in the United States is to power AC units, and most of that electricity comes from carbon rich coal. AC units release about 100 million tons of carbon dioxide into the environment every year. It may seem counterintuitive, but you should turn off the AC when the nights keep getting hotter. The earth will thank you. Listen, I’m not a monster: I understand that some people simply can’t sleep in a room when it gets hot.

There are good reasons why an AC would make more sense than a fan: if you are trying to cool down a large space, like your living room, an air conditioner may be the only way to do that effectively. And rooms that get a lot of direct sunlight, no matter how small they are, might also need more cooling power than a fan can provide. There are pros and cons to both, but let’s face it: if the weather in New York continues to be as erratic as it has been this summer, there may be fewer days in the future when an AC unit will feel absolutely necessary. Hacks for Living in NYC on a Tight Budget Got a Tiny Bedroom? How to Make the Most of Your Space When is the Best Time to Rent in NYC?Portable air conditioners are air conditioning units that can be transferred from one room to another. They're self-contained systems that do not require any permanent installation. However, portable air conditioners do require venting via a window or wall. Once you've positioned the portable air conditioner where you'd like it, you must set the exhaust hose through an opening to the outside so that it can vent hot air out of the room.

It's necessary to vent portable air conditioners because they extract hot air. new ac unit azIf you want your air conditioning system to cool the room effectively, you need to let the hot air vent to the outside. best setting for ac unitWhen you purchase a portable air conditioner, the venting kit will almost always be included.central ac units sizePortable air conditioners can also be vented through a window, wall, ceiling or even a door. Plexiglas is generally used for venting portable air conditioning systems through casement windows. First, you need to cut the Plexiglas to the size of the window. Then cut a 5" hole and set this over the open window. With this, the portable air conditioning unit will vent the hot air to the outside. Also, Plexiglas will allow the same amount of light to pass through the window as regular glass.

The portable air conditioner venting kit must be installed in order for the unit to work correctly in air conditioning mode. Although portable air conditioners come in a range of different styles and sizes, the venting steps are generally the same across the board. Make sure you keep the exhaust hose very straight while using the venting system. Try not to increase the length of the exhaust hose (it can, however, be shortened). Using an extension cord with a portable air conditioner is also not recommended.Remember: venting instructions may vary from unit to unit, but the most important thing to remember is to follow the instructions provided with your air conditioner. By venting the unit properly and following the care instructions provided, your portable air conditioner will last you for many years.Report item - opens in a new window or tab Sep 19, 2016 16:51:40 PDTRead moreabout the condition DescriptionThe Amana APN12JR 12,000 BTU portable air conditioner is ideal for situations where installing a standard air conditioner isn't cost effective or possible.

It provides cooling comfort and also acts as a dehumidifier. The APN12JR 12,000 BTU portable air conditioner is ideal for a variety of settings, including apartments, rooms, workplaces and computer server rooms. Questions and answers about this item This item will ship to United States, but the seller has not specified shipping options. Contact the seller- opens in a new window or tab and request a shipping method to your location.Oct. 4 and Wed. Oct. 12 * Estimated delivery dates- opens in a new window or tab include seller's handling time, origin ZIP Code, destination ZIP Code and time of acceptance and will depend on shipping service selected and receipt of cleared payment- opens in a new window or tab. Delivery times may vary, especially during peak periods. Interest will be charged on your account from the posting date (which is usually within a few days after the purchase date) if the purchase balance is not paid in full within the promotional period. Subject to credit approval.

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