<p>My D’s dorm is not air conditioned. We thought about getting her a portable room air conditioner since window units are not allowed. Anyone out there know anything about these or has anyone used them in a dorm room?</p>
<p>I don’t have experience with these in a dorm room, but I had a Pinguino years ago, and it was a beast. First of all, these ACs are hard to vent. You have to stick the exhaust tube out a window. That of course means that the window has to be open a bit, which allows the cool air to escape and the hot air to enter, defeating the purpose. I ended up having a special window panel made up by a local hardware store.</p>
<p>Second inconvenience: My Pinguino had to be filled with water in order to run. Maybe the newer models are different. So I had to lug the water container into the bathroom to fill it in the tub. Not fun at 3 a.m., and that’s when I ended up doing it because the water would run out at approximately that hour each night. Ah, memories!</p>
<p>Third drawback: It tended to leak.</p>
<p>So if I were you, I would check out these machines carefully. My experience may not be valid anymore because I bought the Pinguino used, and it was about 15 years ago. Maybe they’re better now! I sure hope so.</p>
<p>We had an older one too, that wasn’t vented out the window. The water collected in a ridiculously small catch tray that had to be emptied I swear, about every hour or so. It was also big, heavy, and ungainly. But-- am sure the newer ones are much more effective. </p>
<p>Have you considered a really good fan? Perhaps a rotating stand fan, or one of those tabletop ‘vornado’ types might be adequate.</p>
<p>Portable room air conditioners may not be permitted. So check with the college before buying one.</p>
<p>Marian is correct, most colleges do not allow ac units. If this is the case consider getting a good fan as lspf suggests.</p>
<p>I agree with those above who said it isn’t going to be allowed. They draw a fair amount of electricity and there’s no way they’re going to let the kids have those.</p>
<p>actually, the college my daughter will be attending this fall allows window units. The freshman have three possibilities of dorms - only one of them has central AC. My daughter has allergies/asthma, and we’ve already been reassured that a window unit will be no problem if she does not get into the already AC’ed dorm; in fact, we saw window units when we did a campus tour. Since it’s been eons since I paid any attention to window units, I was surprised to find we could purchase the smallest one for around $100. Guess we’ll find out with a week or so which dorm she’s in, and whether we’ll need to make that purchase.</p>
<p>We got one of the portable ones two years ago for my DD’s very small room, and it was next to useless. Now it’s taking up space in the attic. We have a few friends who have had similar experiences. It’s a great idea, but they just don’t work.</p>
<p>Thanks to all who responded about my a/c question. I guess my D will have to tought it out with a lot of fans. Anyone suggest any good ones???</p>
<p>
What kind was it and how was it used? Obviously if always kept in the room constantly, it will not cool down the air (laws of thermodynamics). However, there are the ones which you set outside to cool a tank of water, and then bring it in. However that’s also a hassle. Portable ACs = bad idea.</p>
<p>The newer type of portable, which have a flexible tube which vents hot air to the outside through the window (they have specially shaped vents which fit snugly in a partly-opened window) can work OK with some care. But they take up a fair amount of space, which is generally at a premium in dorm rooms. I’d check with the school to see if it is allowed before anything else.</p>
<p>The vornado fans are good for moving air, though are usually expensive. Big pedestal fans are good too, though probably too big for a dorm room. S. will bring a medium sized desk fan. He actually wants one that doesn’t run too quietly, since the “white noise” might come in handy for a noisy dorm. I do the same with our own bedroom fan, since H. is a heavy duty snorer…</p>
<p>LNM’s unit might have been a swamp cooler which works by evaporation – hence the water tank. This would work well in a dry environment (Univ Arizona for example), but not so much at LSU.</p>
<p>You could also try a dehumidifier, if your daughter is going to be in a place that’s muggy in September and May.</p>
<p>D. liked having a fan that clipped right to the bed and she could tilt in different directions. Just watch they don’t set it up where the cord can get pinched between the furniture and the wall and start a fire.</p>
<p>willow_41z-- Great Idea about the dehumidifier!!! I also checked into the Vornado fans!! Thanks everyone!!:)</p>