A/C unit compatible with air filter?
August 29, 2021 8:18 PM Subscribe
Is there such a thing as a Portable A/C unit that is compatible with a MERV-13 or higher air filter? Our apartment has no A/C, but we had to keep windows closed all weekend due to air quality, and it was quite overheated inside. We'd like to kill two birds with one (cool-to-the-touch) stone...
Even if there is, it will be far more affordable to have two separate appliances. One window or two-hose portable A/C, and one HEPA air purifier.
Window A/C and two-hose portable A/C do not bring outside air into the home. A single-hose portable A/C will and should be avoided (they're also extra inefficient).
posted by flimflam at 8:33 PM on August 29, 2021 [2 favorites]
Window A/C and two-hose portable A/C do not bring outside air into the home. A single-hose portable A/C will and should be avoided (they're also extra inefficient).
posted by flimflam at 8:33 PM on August 29, 2021 [2 favorites]
Per a comment on wirecutter, the upcoming Whynter ARC-147WF is the only dual-hose portable air conditioner with a HEPA filter. It's supposedly being released in September.
posted by Nickel at 10:39 PM on August 29, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by Nickel at 10:39 PM on August 29, 2021 [1 favorite]
Two hose v one hose is overblown. With two hoses, you're still sucking in outside air that goes through the portable AC. With one hose, it's sucking air from the room, so it'll create negative pressure and pull air into your living space from the envelope of your living space.
If you're living in an apartment with a shared hallway, assuming your windows are closed and the place is generally not drafty, you'll likely be sucking in hallway air in rather than outside air from the second hose. Depending on your apartment, there might be internal "make up air" that the building pumps into the hallways. Make up air units can be equipped with filters. You can ask your building manager what your case is.
If you own the apartment, is getting a split unit an option? It uses a compressor outside of your living space and recirculates indoor air and doesn't engage with outside air at all.
If cost is a concern, google 'box fan air filter' - you can buy whatever grade filter you like from the hardware store and a box fan. 5 filter (to create a box) set ups are better than 1 filter - and they work acceptably great.
Arguably, a standalone filter is better since it can move (and thus filter) a much larger volume of air than just the air that the air conditioner moves.
posted by porpoise at 11:47 AM on August 30, 2021 [1 favorite]
If you're living in an apartment with a shared hallway, assuming your windows are closed and the place is generally not drafty, you'll likely be sucking in hallway air in rather than outside air from the second hose. Depending on your apartment, there might be internal "make up air" that the building pumps into the hallways. Make up air units can be equipped with filters. You can ask your building manager what your case is.
If you own the apartment, is getting a split unit an option? It uses a compressor outside of your living space and recirculates indoor air and doesn't engage with outside air at all.
If cost is a concern, google 'box fan air filter' - you can buy whatever grade filter you like from the hardware store and a box fan. 5 filter (to create a box) set ups are better than 1 filter - and they work acceptably great.
Arguably, a standalone filter is better since it can move (and thus filter) a much larger volume of air than just the air that the air conditioner moves.
posted by porpoise at 11:47 AM on August 30, 2021 [1 favorite]
Seconding the "box fan air filter" suggestion. If I wanted to seriously add filtration to my house, I'd be building something like this. Think about maximizing air flow across the filter and recirculating filtered air through your space.
Also wanted to chime in and say that HEPA filtration is way more filtration than you want or need. Even hospitals don't use that for most rooms. True HEPA filters are crazy expensive and plug up fast, and they're a lot of work to replace because they have to be sealed/glued into place to keep air from leaking past them. A large amount of air circulating across a MERV-8 (or lower) filter is going to do way more good for you in your apartment than a little bit of air across something claiming to be a HEPA filter.
posted by beandip at 8:09 PM on August 30, 2021 [2 favorites]
Also wanted to chime in and say that HEPA filtration is way more filtration than you want or need. Even hospitals don't use that for most rooms. True HEPA filters are crazy expensive and plug up fast, and they're a lot of work to replace because they have to be sealed/glued into place to keep air from leaking past them. A large amount of air circulating across a MERV-8 (or lower) filter is going to do way more good for you in your apartment than a little bit of air across something claiming to be a HEPA filter.
posted by beandip at 8:09 PM on August 30, 2021 [2 favorites]
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posted by rogerroger at 8:20 PM on August 29, 2021