Window Air Conditioner Use
 

I understand window "mounted" AC units are not allowed.

My question is regarding "portable" air conditioners where it vents out the window via a hose that is flush with the window and remains behind the window screen.

Are those allowed? It's not mounted to the window, rather sits on the floor inside the house and does not stick out of the window. You can just see the hose openings behind the window screen.

Thoughts?

Are there photos on line of what this unit would look like from the exterior of your home? If so, submit the photos to the ARC for approval. They may not be able to envision what it would look like from the exterior of the window point of view without photos. Good luck.

I've been doing it for about 8 years in garage along with other neighbors. Yes you will have people say NO NO NO.
We have even have a unit in bedroom for cooling so we don't need to cool the whole home to approx 72°. It's basically out of sight out of mind and makes very little noise.

It is a portable device, like a space heater or portable fan. It does not have any outside parts. It does not change the house exterior in any way. I would plug it in and use it.

According to the deed restrictions, window air conditioners are prohibited. What you describe does not seem to be a window air conditioner since it is not mounted in the window. Sure, a window needs to be left open to vent the warm air but that's what a lot of us do in the spring and fall anyway.

As others have said, I would just plug it in and use it.

That's how I read it as well.

We've bought and thrown away 2 different brands of portable ACs. After about 1 season of use they both started to leak. We paid about $500 for each unit. Would appreciate knowing which ACs, at which price point have worked/lasted for people. Thanks

I mean this in the most constructive way possible. Take 10 $50 bills and fan yourself with them in a vigorous manner. That is more cooling and satisfaction than you will get out of the unit you are speaking about. They are not meant to take on the monstrous job of cooling anything in Florida. I'll bet you it couldn't make an Iguana fall from a shower curtain rod in your bathroom. Just don't do it.

Agree. We have one for our enclosed lanai but we live in a CYV so it’s out of sight. In fact in a 3 bedroom CYV the master bedroom and another bedroom is unseen behind the wall so there is nothing unsightly for a neighbor to complain about even if you had a window unit. (“What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas”)

I believe this revolves around how well you get along with your neighbors. I have a next-door neighbor that is less than hospitable. She takes every opportunity to be the troll in our area. If you have one like her, you may have a problem. If fortunate not to have one, I would not worry at all.

How do you vent your unit? I’d like to have one in the garage too.

Recommendations as to best one to buy?
 

Inquiring minds want to know!
:024:

Portables work well in garages
 

I have a portable in my garage. It keeps things reasonably cool and dry. I vented it out the wall (6” hole saw through cinder block to a dryer type vent). You have to crack the window open to balance the exhaust air, but I’m quite happy at less than $400 all in.

An adjustable window adapter is supplied approx 6in high adjustable to about 48 inches.
Set up is easy water tank needs to be emptied or drain hose attached. We have installed insulation to garage door. Garage temperature on a 96° day around mid to upper 70’s with greatly reduced humidity to 60%.

You can still get Covid but it will be less severe and reduces risks of dying. Still 500 a day die. It was worth it to get shots.

Any single hose portable is less than effective.. dual hose units (intake and exhaust) are more effective.

No ac in windows.

One way to disguise the vent is install a dryer vent through the wall.

Not in anyway getting the window. I like it.
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Um, then it becomes, more or less, permanent instead of portable.

Me thinks you're in the wrong post...
:popcorn::popcorn:

Ummm, did you see post #13...
:agree::pepper2:

They're NOT talking about a WINDOW A/C...
:(:(

According to Shannon at Community Standards, the portable type of AC unit you described is acceptable.

Simple way to get the facts: ask the Architectural Review Committee (ARC)! They don’t bite and they will give you the facts, not opinions.

See Post No. 23. Community Standards is the same office as the ARC.

An air conditioner is basically a heat pump. It need to dump the heat somewhere. Running without an outside vent will actually make it hotter.

I was forced to buy one of the portable units when my central air was out for multiple weeks. Between the one I purchased and the one that was loaned to me by SunKool, my electric bill made a huge jump from $140 to over $200 using the portable units. Add to that the noise factor I found them unacceptable. If you are thinking about cooling your garage with one I wish you luck. Also, if you have plantation shutters like I do, you have to figure out a way to block the sun from coming in the top section of the window, not to mention privacy.

No real difference then putting a box fan in a window.

So are you saying with or without a portable AC unit you can still get Covid.

Used one for years, for our master bedroom, they work great, don't add much if anything to your utility bill, it's only appears like an additional piece to your window frame. Absolutely fine to use.

Did it leak or did you not drain it regular. The humidity builds up in a pan at the bottom that needs to be drained frequently.

We have used them before in Florida with great success. Just nighttime use in bedroom.

Where did you get a 6” concrete hole saw and what type of drill will accept it? How long did it take to drill? I can’t see the blocks, so I would end up missing the hollow portion of the block.

I have contacted several people there and still waiting for an answer a week later.

See Post No. 23. Shannon works in the ARC office and she told me that the portable AC units with the round exhaust duct are acceptable to use. If you want a second answer, call the ARC office (Community Standards) at 352-751-3912. You will probably talk to Shannon, like I did.

Sounds great. Thank you. I want to get this in writing from them. Too many people here looking to rat on other people for entertainment.

You can also go to the districtgov.org website, and click on the Community Standards department. There are two links where you can send an email to Deed Compliance or Architectural Review. If they reply, you will have something in writing, but they may not specifically answer your question. You may need to actually submit the ARC application to get a clear, definitive answer. Your question is actually a deed compliance issue because window air conditioners are addressed in the deed compliance documents.

Thx. Just did this now. Hopefully I will get it in writing.

Doesn’t your bedroom have its own thermostat? Set your bedroom at 72 and the living room something else. I like to sleep cold (not cool), with a blanket, the house is 72, my bedroom is 67 and the guest bedroom when my mom visits is 78. Several thermostats equal several temperatures. I built in the last year and took an upgraded HVAC. It is possible when you built, that system was not offered.

One zone for the entire house. We run it at 78 degrees during the day. We like to sleep at 70 degrees at night. The Portable AC works great and solves the issue for minimal cost.