Help: need advice on Portable Air Conditioner for an Apartment

[FrankCaron]

So I just recently moved into a new apartment (my first post-university one) and I'm looking to get myself a portable air conditioner that I can hopefully keep with me for a while. My lease here is for 12 months, so it'd have to at least get me through the coming summer months, but I'm hoping to spend a bit more to find a good one. <BR><BR>However, being the ignoramus that I am, I have absolutely no idea what I'm looking for. I did some Google Sluething and came up with a few stray tips about BTUage and what to look for, but for the most part I feel lost.<BR><BR>Basically, I'm looking for a portable unit that, preferably, doesn't sit in the window. I'd rather have a unit that either uses the hose shenanigans or some other method to shoot air out. The reason for this is that I don't really have a good window to sit one outside on. <BR><BR>As for the room's details:<BR><BR>View image: http://i39.tinypic.com/s273sz.jpg <BR><BR>Dimensions are in feet. The area I'd like to cool is the 20.7 foot by 17.14 foot living/dining room, which I realize will require a more powerful (BTU-wise) machine. <BR><BR>Not to put too fine a point on it, but money is (almost) no object. My utilities are all-inclusive, so I just have to find a good unit—and I'm willing to spend a decent amount (say, ceiling of $700 Canadian). Of all the home purchases besides my TV, I'm putting the most value in this badboy because I like my shit as cold as possible. You can always put more clothes on to make yourself warmer, but there's only so naked one can get on a stinking summer day in the city.<BR><BR>The full-wall balcony that faces the sunset means every summer night will be direct sun. I've got some really hardcore curtains going right now that do a decent job, but it's going to get hot as hell in here soon. <BR><BR>Any tips, advice, links to products, horror stories, and sage wisdom is appreciated.

 

[Andrewcw]

Wow with the lounge free.<BR>Do these still get locked?<BR><BR>Anyways, off hand portable units are much less efficient than portable versions. You have to duct the hot air out. Also you have to get rid of the water somehow.<BR><BR>http://blogs.consumerreports.o...air-condition-1.html

 

[FrankCaron]

<blockquote class="ip-ubbcode-quote">
<div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div>
<div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by waitex:<br>Wow with the lounge free.<br>Do these still get locked?<br><br>Anyways, off hand portable units are much less efficient than portable versions. You have to duct the hot air out. Also you have to get rid of the water somehow.<br><br>http://blogs.consumerreports.o...air-condition-1.html </div>
</blockquote>I figured it was "other" enough to fit in "Other" Hardware. -- View image here: http://episteme.meincmagazine.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif --

 

[continuum]

We generally think of Other Hardware as Other <i>Computer</i> Hardware.<br><br>Sorry Frank, try the Lounge. -- View image here: http://episteme.meincmagazine.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif --