Cooling towers???

Brie

Given the hot weather I am wondering about purchasing something like an air conditioner to make it easier to cope. (I don't do hot)

The air cons seem quite big and bulky and the alternative seems to be an air cooling tower fan (example in the link).

Has anyone tried these? Are they effective? And easy to move???

John Lewis Water Tank Air Cooler Fan, White

michael1234

I have split air conditioners that work very well but I actually bought them for top up heating in the winter when I didn't want to put on the entire house heating e.g. if it is late at night and folk are sleeping. They are essentially air to air heat pumps and are very efficient.

mark_cycling00

This looks awful for a heat wave. It's adding humidity into the room.

I have one of those big Aircon units with a pipe for the hot air that you hang out of the window.

Its going to cost 25p an hour to use but it throws out cold air at 15degrees and after an hour it's made a huge difference.

Was a pair to carry upstairs and it has to live in the back of a wardrobe for 350 days a year

Rodders53

You can place a bowl of water in front of any fan to do the same evaporative cooling effect (and put moisture in the air to then condense on cold places). Try that first.

Split pack air to air heat pumps are the way to do it properly and quietly.

Portable aircon sort of works if you can vent via a (short) pipe through a hole in the wall, but are still very noisy and far less efficient in electric. Through open windows is not worth the bother or electric.

QrizB

In order of efficiency/effectiveness (most effective to least) and cost to purchase & install (most to least)

1. Proper split aircon (example). Can usually also be used for winter heating. The only one on this list that requires professional & permanent installation.
2. Portable split aircon (example). Uncommon.
3. Twin-hose portable aircon. Uncommon.
4. Single-hose portable aircon (example). Widespread but noisy and not particularly efficient.
5. Evaporative cooling, aka "swamp coolers". Most effective in dry heat, useless when the humidity is high.

Brie

Thanks all - I'll take that generally as a no then. We'll just stick with the fans we have.

QrizB

If you want an air conditioner, look at eBay etc. in the winter when everyone is getting rid of them.

I've got a single-hose unit that I bought used one November in the 2010s for maybe 1/4 of the price the first owner paid earlier that year.

It gets used for half a dozen days a year and the rest of the time it gets in the way.

Jemma01

With temperatures rising every year, these will become even more expensive. I do like (1) in @QrizB's list, it looks clean and minimal, but not being able to put away in winter is off putting.

sarah1972

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82013904#Comment_82013904

it’s permanently on the wall so no need to be put off about not being able to put ‘it’ away
I love mine, I had all radiators taken out, it’s my heating the winter and great cooling in the summer.

Jemma01

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82014455#Comment_82014455

I understand that it is permanently on the wall, and appreciate why it's a good choice for you, I wouldnt use it in winter as my underfloor heating does the job perfectly and invisibly with no radiators! Having something as bulky sticking out permanently that's rarely used is an eyesore for me.

sarah1972

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82015838#Comment_82015838

each to their own, I use my 365 a year and love how it looks. I thought about under floor heating but opted for air con as it does both.
Isn’t it lovely not having to have radiators everywhere though x