Furious

[chin_gal]

Ok, so I live in a rented townhome. We've always had central air and have used it with no problem with the chinchillas. Well, the landlords have installed a "new" BGE thermostat that runs on a schedule that THEY set, and you can't adjust it at all, it won't allow you. The house has been getting to 78 degrees everyday, and I'm sure it's hotter in my room. So far, with me cooling them and the temperatures sometimes getting to what they should be (70-72 if I'm lucky), they've been fine. And I know 78 degrees isn't that extreme, but I'm sick of worrying and so upset that they would do this. And of course, my room, where the chins are located, is in the front. You aren't allowed to have window units in the front of the townhome. So, I'm looking into a portable AC. This isn't the same as a swamp cooler, is it? I know those aren't recommended, but I started looking into these portables because I NEED to do something. :banghead:

http://www.portableairshop.com/Cool...le_Air_Conditioners,default,sc.html?view=grid

How do those look? Which one looks best?

Thank you... I am just so frustrated and I've only had this thermostat for 2 weeks. I'm worried about my babies and need to get this figured out.

 

[AZChins]

How large of an area are you wanting to keep cooler?

I'm sorry that you don't get to set your own thermostat...it seems like that should be illegal. 78 degrees for where you live seems wrong because it is so humid. Could you get a dehumidifier and keep that right by the thermostat? The heat generated by the dehumidifier would make the thermostat go to 78 more quickly but the rest of the house wouldn't be as warm. I used to do this with my air conditioner in September because the air conditioner wouldn't cut on as much and the chin rooms would get too warm.

 

[chin_gal]

I could definitely try a dehumidifier. The only thing is the thermostat is in the downstairs living room and my room is upstairs. Would that still take care of the whole house? The thermostat never gets above 78 degrees, I think that's the maximum that it's set on. So, If the dehumidifier can make it feel a few degrees cooler in here, I'm sure it'll work. Sounds like it's worth a try. And I agree, this should be illegal. I'd love to see how they can do this.

 

[AZChins]

It would help make the rest of the house drier regardless of where it is...that is, if you have central air and good air circulation. It sounds like you do have central air.

It is worth a try. It's too bad you're so far away...I have a dehumidifier that we could experiment with...but you're on the other side of the universe from here!

 

[chin_gal]

Thanks! ) I actually think my dad has one from back when he had to use it for my asthma. I'm going to give him a call and see if I can't give it a try, and if he doesn't have it, I'll just have to pick one up.

Now, if this for some reason doesn't work, is a portable air conditioner something that could be done? I've honestly never heard of them before today, and saw that Walmart has one for about $250.

 

[AZChins]

If you have a window that will support one or if you are allowed to have one, get a window mounted A/C unit because they are a little cheaper and more efficient. If not, a portable unit is fine.

 

[Mt. Zion Chins]

just remember a portable unit has to vent somewhere

 

[AZChins]

You're right, Barb... It could be into an attic or out a window.

The problem with condos and townhouses (and maybe some housing developments) is that sometimes they won't let you have anything hanging out the windows. I've had a few customers that had problems with this because people actually will complain about something in the window. (Some people seriously need to find hobbies and leave others alone...)

 

[Rickman]

It's easy to "fool" the thermostat!! Just close or restrict the ducts that exit in that room!!
I've been doing it for years, to keep the chins cooler! Open theirs all the way!
Might take some time to get it all straightened out - but well worth it!
Rember to reverse it in the heating season, or you'll be in trouble again!!
Free and easy!

 

[chin_gal]

Yeah, we're not allowed to have a window unit here. I don't really understand it either, I guess it's for cosmetic reasons, but I don't understand how a window unit looks THAT bad? *shrugs* It is what it is I guess.

Oh, about the portable, how would venting it work exactly? A hose?

 

[AZChins]

It's a smaller thing that you hang out the window. BUT, the good news about that is that you could easily pull it back inside whenever you aren't using it. It isn't like with the window A/C that weighs 40 or 50 lbs or more. At night you could just pull the hose back inside and shut the window.

It's just awful that they would have restrictions against air conditioners, but they have them everywhere now. I can do whatever I want...it's one of the joys of being 10 miles from anything.

 

[ABBY W.]

I have a Danby 9,00 BTU, it came with a kit for the window, and the hoses hook right into a hole in the window kit, so it's not hanging outside at all. The unit works very well, but it's a bit loud. It dehumidifies as well, so it's really worth the money.

 

[CerLynn]

Not sure if I'm too late on this one, but I've used a portable unit before, and I think it would work in your situation. Just be sure to find one that has a "window exhaust", where the hose just sits in the window, kind of like a window fan, but doesn't need to hang out at all. The only issue (more of an annoyance) I had with it is that since it's inside, it has a catch basin for the condensation, which has to be emptied fairly often, depending how much the AC is on.