[Erasmus]

Are you talking about a regular window unit, or one that is physically split between evaporator (indoors) and condensor (outdoors) and compressor (one place or the other) with extended freon lines between the two?

I think Sherman and I are talking about the kind that whose mechanism (compressor, evaporator, condensor, two blowers) entirely indoors (usually in a big box on casters) and it has only a large airhose that goes to the window.

Muwiyah got one of these whose hose had two channels in it, which allowed there to be an entirely separate outside air circuit, which is how I assumed they were all built.

Sherman’s unit evidently wasn’t built this way, which would have to be, unfortunately, a ripoff.

[muawiyah]

You have to watch these guys closely, Fur Shur. Also price ~ higher prices don't necessarily count as a guide to quality or capacity when it comes to the portables. You can spend as little as $300 on a really high quality, but low capacity system, or $1,000 for an improperly designed, high capacity unit that will run up your electric bill like no one's business.

The focus should not be on "hiding the unit" from building management, or the town's fascist league. Rather, figure out what you need. If it's just for some cool air around your easy chair in the evening, get something that gives you just that.

If you want to cool the whole house, get a central unit - not a portable.

[muawiyah]

You have to watch these guys closely, Fur Shur. Also price ~ higher prices don't necessarily count as a guide to quality or capacity when it comes to the portables. You can spend as little as $300 on a really high quality, but low capacity system, or $1,000 for an improperly designed, high capacity unit that will run up your electric bill like no one's business.

The focus should not be on "hiding the unit" from building management, or the town's fascist league. Rather, figure out what you need. If it's just for some cool air around your easy chair in the evening, get something that gives you just that.

If you want to cool the whole house, get a central unit - not a portable.