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Window Air Conditioner
we have a window air conditioner that my mother uses in her room, but she closes her bedroom to make sure that none of the cool air escapes into the rest of the house. which does not have air conditioning, so she gets the air conditioning only in her room, forcing all three of our family members, plus three dogs, into one room. she claims the costs will explode if she uses this one air conditioner for the whole house. our house is about 1200 sq ft. and we cannot put it in the living room window due to the shape and size of the living room window.
my question is, is she right? will the costs go up? and if so, is there a way to cool down the rest of the house as well? We cannot afford to have our central air fixed (and it would probably need to be entirely replaced anyway), so is there a better way to cool down? We have fans all over the house, but it doesn't really do much on the days where it's 95 and humid.
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Frozen Popsicles. Pedestal fans. Outdoor Camping while you figure out how you're going to install new A/C units.
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I vote for saving up to get AC fixed. You might also plan to choose the timing to be winter when the prices for fixing may be lower.
In the meanwhile, to get by, watch this youtube video on a DIY air conditioner. The principle works much like why the air is cooler at the beach. It it cooled as it passes over the water. Now think of how much cooler air can be if passing over ice. And that is the basic principle here.
Although they use a plastic coleman ice chest, I have seen it done with those cheap styrofoam ones which are easier to cut into with any sharp knife and won't require a special tool or ruining a good ice chest.
Heres the link:
[Link](Mouse over link to see full location)
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There is a reason window A/C units are called room air conditioners. All of the units on sale at Lowe's, Home Depot and other outlets like them run of of normal 110 power. A/C is measured in ton's and most window units do not exceed 1/2 ton capacity. Some will reach a ton which would cool more then the average bedroom if proper ducting was used.
Fixing the central air is the best and most economical way to cool the house. Purchase other room A/C units would be an alternative doing so will skyrocket the electric bill. The longer an a/c unit runs the higher the electric bill so mom is right not to use the one unit to try and cool the house.
Have you had and estimate to repair the central unit. Don't assume it will be an expensive fix. Call a reputable repair service and get an estimate to repair. Also get an estimate to reparable if need be and see what financing options are available.
Check with your electric supplier as they may offer financing as a new a/c unit is more cost efficient then the window unit and it will cool the whole house.
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