I need to cool a room about 20 by 20 that gets warm during the day, what is better Window unit or a portable AC, I want to spend about 250. What's a good BTU number for this size room.
A window unit is going to get your more bang for your buck. If you're OK with having a semi permenant giant box in the window, and its the only room that needs it (you don't need to move it around), that's how I'd go. 400 sq ft, you can get away with a 8500 btu unit unless the room gets a ton of direct sun..then probably go up to 10,000. Does the house have central air and this is just auxiliary or is there no central air? If you have central air and the room still gets hot, it may be cheaper/better in the long run to have an adjustment done to the ducts that exist already.
There is central air, I need to upgrade the unit but will have to wait, I just had some work done on the heater and replaced the unit on the addition. This room is in the older part of the house and it gets warm in the afternoon evenings. The room is not 400 maybe 250?
We have a stand up unit of 10,000 BTUs that handles ours.....we put it in place in the summer roll it away in the fall. I think you can find it used on Marketplace or Craiglist for $250, we paid $400 new. ' Here it is for $225 on Facebook Marketplace. DD
If you're only talking about bringing the temps down a few degrees... I'd bet you can get away with a 6k btu $150 Walmart special. If you turn it on an hour before things start getting warm you should be fine. Assuming I understand you correctly when you say you already have a/c, but it isn't keeping up for whatever reason. Also assuming your ceiling are less than 10 feet.
is it 20 x 20 like your original post? Either way, since it is a secondary AC you can probably stick with an 8000 btu especially if it’s closer to 250 sq ft
A window AC unit will be much more efficient than a portable AC unit because a window AC unit passes hot outside air to cool the condenser vs portable unit using conditioned air in a portable AC unit. So you're literally pumping away cold air to the outside in a portable AC. If your window accepts a window AC unit and you don't mind the look, then it's always better. Another option would be a ductless mini split system. That will require a more expensive system as well as professional installation, but it'll be more efficient and looks better.
Thanks this is the info I needed, it seems the window unit is the best way to go. I think 6,000 BTU will be sufficient.
Does the room have a ceiling fan? Does it get somewhat comfortable if you have some box fans running? How many hours of the day is the temperature uncomfortable in that room? What is the temperature range from the highest room temperature to what is comfortable/acceptable? 90 degrees to 78 degrees or something smaller?
No ceiling fan, about 8 hours out of the day its uncomfortable. I like the room to be about 72 to 70 to be comfortable. Box fans keep it cooler at night but don't really do anything when it is hot during the day.
My mom got one like this installed in a room and it's a miracle machine. She tossed the window ac immediately.
