Reddit reviews Whynter Elite ARC-122DS 12,000 BTU Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner, Dehumidifier, Fan with Activated Carbon Filter plus Storage bag for Rooms up to 400 sq ft
We found 2 Reddit comments about Whynter Elite ARC-122DS 12,000 BTU Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner, Dehumidifier, Fan with Activated Carbon Filter plus Storage bag for Rooms up to 400 sq ft. Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.
* AWARD WINNING : 1. Good Housekeeping's "Best Portable Air Conditioners to Buy in 2019" 2. The New York Times Wirecutter named "the most efficient and fastest cooling portable AC"* Three operational modes: air conditioner, fan or dehumidifier. This unit can cool up to a 400 square feet space (ambient temperature and humidity may influence optimum performance)* Full thermostatic control (61°F - 89°F) with digital readout, 24 hour programmable timer; Eco-friendly CFC free Green R-410A refrigerant; Patented auto drain function fully exhausts all condensate automatically in most environments* Remote control, activated carbon air filter, washable pre-filter, and product manual packaged inside exhaust hose; Noise level (dBA): <52* Full installation set includes extendable exhaust and intake hose (up to 60") and window kit (up to 46") Max. window kit length = 46" , Min. window kit length = 20".* Maximum power consumption: 1000W / 9.0A. Power supply: 115 V / 60Hz / 1 Phase; Dehumidifying capacity of 76 pints per day; 3 fan speeds; Air Flow (at high speed): 264m3/h / 155CFMCompatible with 5.9" and 5.0" diameter hoses
A portable A/C unit sound like your best option. Like the other post said, go for a dual hose unit if possible. These are more expensive but worth it. The single hose units will need to draw air from the outside albeit indirectly. I built a box around the lower coils of a single hose portable AC unit to draw air from the outside directly into the unit. The saved me from pulling air in from all over the house and running the building AC more.
As far as the unattended requirement, most portable AC units should have drain plugs. You can run a small hose from the upper and lower drains into a condensate pump. You then run a small hose from the pump out the window or to a nearby drain. The pump will gather the moisture into a small reservoir. Once the pump reservoir fills to a certain level, it will pump the water out the window or to the drain. Everything you need can be bought at most big box home improvement stores or amazon.
Condensate pump: Little Giant 554425 VCMA-20ULS Condensate Removal Pump. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000SM342Q/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_rYpVDbFDQ8239
Example AC unit:
Whynter Elite ARC-122DS 12,000 BTU Dual Hose Portable AC https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01AA8WOAK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_x1pVDbBCRNERY
Tip: when buying the AC unit, make sure it has an upper and lower drain that have threaded or securable attachments. The Amazon link has a picture of the rear where you can see one between the hoses and one at the bottom. Take the screw caps off and then take them to the local plumbing home improvement store. Use the caps to find the proper size plastic connectors with a nib to connect tubing to.
Also, look at insulating the hoses to avoid unnecessary heat transfer. The hoses will get hot and are plastic so they will transfer the heat. Some simple pipe wrap can make a huge difference.
Screen the hoses from outside insects and critters. Keep in mind that even a screen can create back pressure. I dont like to screen right at the hose outlet. But if using the windows built inscreen, some air can be reflected into the intake, so a little blocking material can help the in and out flows.
I've got this guy and have zero complaints. https://www.amazon.com/Whynter-ARC-122DS-Conditioner-Dehumidifier-Activated/dp/B01AA8WOAK
It bring my ~300 Sq ft master down 10 degrees in <2 hours. It evaporates most app the condensate too, I empty it once a cooling season.
It's not perfect, but I too have a horizontal slide window and I rolled the dice on it. The main issue is I don't care for the noise but a window unit would be the same so I'm not really sure that's a con.