portable air conditioners

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  • #182922
    harvcarp
    Member

    Any info on where to purchase a small portable room air conditioner in the area between the airport and Naranjo.

    Gracias
    Harvey

    #182923
    Andrew
    Keymaster

    Can’t think of any location between those two points at all. In fact, the more I think about it, there are hardly any shops of any kind between those points.

    Would strongly encourage you to make the trip into San Jose where you’ll find a better selection and probably better prices or, take the back route from the airport via Belen to Santa Ana and visit the ferreterias there or ConstruPlaza off the highway that goes from Santa Ana to Escazu/San Jose.

    Scott Oliver – Founder
    WeLoveCostaRica.com

    #182924
    DavidCMurray
    Participant

    You could also try the big appliance dealers — Gollo, Casa Blanca and Importadora Monge. Even a local store in (say) Naranjo might be able to get something that they don’t commonly display.

    Importadora Monge has a large store in the MultiPlaza in Escazu that caters to North Americans. They used to have a large store in San Pedro, across from Cemaco. Now, that place is called Players, but I think the merchandise mix is the same.

    #182925
    drushton
    Member

    I found them at Pricemart and EPA both about $650.00

    #182926
    Andrew
    Keymaster

    Just as a matter of interest, how do these work? Do you have to hang a tube out of the window or something?

    Is there a brand that you prefer?

    Scott Oliver – Founder
    WeLoveCostaRica.com

    #182927
    harvcarp
    Member

    Yes, I visited those locations.
    Multi Frio in San Jose called and tomorrow I will visit them.
    Will report back for those of you that believe it really is hot!

    Harvey

    #182928
    *Lotus
    Member

    Have you had good results with this type of A.C. unit? They never seem to work very well at least the ones I have used here in NYC.

    #182929
    harvcarp
    Member

    Hello Scott!

    No tubes involved; just a free standing unit on the floor.
    Add water and cool the room.
    Have not found many units to consider a brand yet.
    Multi Frio mentioned that they had a Lennox in stock.
    Will update tomorrow as I plan to purchase one.

    Harvey

    #182930
    harvcarp
    Member

    Lotus:

    Never owned a floor model; hopefully I will have a good experience.
    Any particular models I should avoid?

    Harvey

    #182931
    *Lotus
    Member

    I don’t remember, but the ones I have seen had to be vented via a small hose. Check consumer reports, bizrate.com for some real person reviews. Good luck!

    #182932
    drushton
    Member

    Harvycarp is confused. What he is talking about is not an air conditioner. It’s a water vapor cooler. An air conditioner is an appliance that does not put more water into the room but takes it out. Therefore – yes – it does require an exhaust vent. When I built my house in Turrialba (see Scott’s listing), I told the builder to put 5 inch vents in the walls of each room. These are covered unless nmeeded. If I need A/C I can just connect the exhaust vent to the wall outlet. It works like a window A/C except that you can easily move it from room to room as needed. I don’t think we’ll need A/C but I’m prpared in advance if we do.

    #182933
    harvcarp
    Member

    Hola Drushton!

    I was enlightened today on the portable a/c.

    There is a hose in most cases or other equipment to vent.
    With the setup here in our rental apartment, I cannot, without major adjustments, have that type of unit.

    Gracias
    Harvey

    #182934
    ssure
    Member

    I was speaking with a guy a year ago who built a motel up near Limon. He used to pick up a small air conditioner each time he went home to the US and bring it back as a piece of luggage. Friends and family would have to bring one with them if they came to visit. He said it was worth it even though he had to pay a little extra for the excess weight because he was only paying about $175 each for them.

    #182935
    drushton
    Member

    I picked up one of those portables at EPA a month ago and find it great for my needs. I had my builder put a vent in each room with a cover that closes it off when not in use. I just move the thing (on wheels) to the room I want to cool and plug it in. I paid $700 for it and I’ll by a second one soon.

    In my next house I will have central air, but this really works well.

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