Question:
I'm thinking of getting one of these for my office, but have a question about
how it disposes of the water. Does it work like a dehumidifier where you have
to empty a bucket every now and then, or does it somehow exhaust it via the hot
air exhaust out a window ?
Answer:
I got a portable floor unit because my upstairs window a/c that came with
a home built 1910, glued into an framed opening in top half of window
(silicone sealer and expanded foam), suddenly failed when the heat came,
and my other windows have steel storm window/screens that may not be easy
to remove.
The floor unit is a Maytag 8000 btu (basically a Fedders with full 5 yr
warranty instead of 1/5 limited). As is commonly done with window units
too, I think the condensate is slung at the condenser to help cool it with
evaporation, and is expelled in the form of water vapor out the vent hose.
If too much water accumulates, it will automatically shut down until
drained. I have only had it for a few days (including temps in mid-90s),
but so far it does the job and has not required draining.
It does cost twice as much as a window unit, but it is more easily
installed without help, can be installed where a window unit cannot, and
can easily be moved to a different room or location.
And when I get around to replacing the upstairs window unit, I can use it
on its dehumidify setting to dry (and cool) my half exposed basement,
which starts getting warm in midsummer.
