Possible to cool entire floor of house with one/two portable AC unit?

[trd2343]

I was wondering would it be possible to cool down the top floor (4 bedrooms), with 1-2 AC unit, or would I actually need one in every room?

Unfortunately, portable AC is the only option. Top floor is roughly 900 sqft.

The two rooms facing the south would be the top priority because they get the most sun.

Hope someone could give me some insight as to what I can do.

[pingu81]

This depends on the rating of the AC unit(s).

[Adorkami]

https://www.homedepot.ca/en/home/cat...sort=price-asc

seems like 12,000 BTU is good for 500 sq/f, looks like two should do.

[trd2343]

I guess the biggest (physics) question is, how could I get the cold air to dispersed throughout the entire floor?

Or that is highly unlikely given I can only use portable unit?

[fliptuner]

I have 1 14K BTU on each floor and on the top floor, an additional window fan, blowing outwards (on the opposite side from the room with the AC)

I also have a room fan on the main floor, just to circulate.

[Jmac]

I'd recommend against a portable air conditioner if you can avoid it. Ductless split and window units are more efficient and quieter.

If you do go with a portable, get a dual hose unit. Single hose units will draw the cool evaporator air back through the condenser and exhaust it outside.

To get the air to the other side, you can set up a window fan blowing outside on the opposite side of the floor.

[trd2343]

lol, thanks for hitting both my AC related post.

If you see in the pic above, there is basically four rooms, and the open area in the basically the open area/stair way leading to the main floor. If I'm blowing the AC air from one end of the hallway to the other end, some of the AC air would probably sink to the lower floor right?

Lastly, if I needed just the south 2 rooms cooled, could I make something work with just one unit? Or would I still need both.

Unfortunately, portable is the only option right now

[smoothie.]

buy two decent ones, and they'll be worth the nights where you sleep well when everyone else is sweaty and angry. make sure you have a window where you seal out the hot air too. the two hose ac in theory work better, but are harder to find for a good price point.

two full blast for the months of july/august still cost me less than 17* baseboard heating during the winter.

[Urrtoast]

If your stair well is open , All your cool air will drop to the lower levels and the ac units will not cycle.
Remember hot air rises....

[donk.]

18btu/sqft general rule for cooling, 35btu/sqft for heating.

18x900=16K BTU required.

Variable by windows, insulation, outdoor temp, etc.

You can easily cool down all rooms with one or two units, note, the room that the unit is inside will be much colder than the rest, as the thermostat registers return temperature at the unit.
And not temperature in Lucy's room across the hall.

Portable unit may actually cost you more, and be less effective.
More effective, individual window shaker units. They are only 100$ a piece for basic units brand new.

[fliptuner]

Strata probably limits him to use a portable.

Window units are cheaper, more efficient, and don't take any floor space. I'd prefer to use one of I wasn't restricted.