After doing quite a bit of research, I decided to purchase the Black & Decker 14,000 BUT Portable AC. This unit is fantastic. I bought it for use in my 12' x 14' office. The office has two persons (my wife and I) and many computer systems (7 large servers, a couple of desktop systems, numerous battery backup units, numerous monitors, etc). To make matters worse, the office unfortunately gets full sun for more than 5 hours throughout the day. Though we have a central AC, the thermostat is in the family room ... so either the office is comfortable and the rest of the house if 68 degrees ... or the house is comfortable and the office is 86 degrees. Moreover, cost goes way up if we keep the office cool ... even if we were OK with the rest of the house cold like the north pole.
Before this unit
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Before we received this unit, the office would run anywhere from 82 - 86 degrees many times higher during summer. With this unit, we were able to keep the office easily at 72 degrees (much colder if we wanted).
Shipping & Packaging
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Shipping was great. The unit arrived in perfect packaging and was free from any scratches, dents or any other marks. Unpacking was very straight forward. As a reminder, the unit needs to be upright. Per the documentation, they suggest the unit be left upright for at least 6 hours before use ... preferably 24 hours. I decided to wait the 24 hours since I did not know how the unit was handled during the shipping process.
Operation
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The unit pushes some seriously cold air. Like all AC units, when it starts-up, cold air does not come out immediately. But within 30 seconds of starting, it was blowing freezing cold air. Within 5 minutes the room cooled down and during the day, it maintained the temperature with ease (we set it for 72 degrees). In fact, we did set it down to 65 degrees and it would run until the room reached that temperature ... that was just simply too cold for us.
Quiet
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This unit was much quieter than we expected. Even when on video conference calls using speaker-phone, there was no issue. Others on the call could not tell the unit was running. I am not saying the unit is stealth quiet, but the noise level was surprisingly low ... on-par with the fans from my computer servers.
Why Returning?
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If the unit was so great, they why would I return it? Well there were two issues with the unit I did not like: 1) Placement and 2) Security
Placement
----------------
Based on the layout of our office along with the servers, desks, multiple monitors, etc ... there was no real convenient location to put the unit. So how did we know the unit works well? I temporarily moved desks / computers out of the way so I could mount the hose and pass-through to the window. Originally, I had planned on drilling a hole in the wall (this is a 6" diameter hose!!!) and putting a one-way flange & baffle with a fine screen mesh to ensure no outside critters could get in. I bought this with the intent of installing it somewhat permanently. Even with this in mind, where I could place the unit would not be close enough to the flange for the exhaust hose. I could buy additional hose extensions but because of the diameter of the exhaust hose, I just could not easily run the hose behind desks, etc. Keep in mind the hose does not make 'right-angle' turns either. Also, the exhaust hose is rather sturdy - which is actually a good thing.
Security
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The window mounting assembly is actually quite easy and seemed to work well for the intended purpose. As a reminder, I only ran the unit for a few days so not sure what the long-term durability of the hose and mounting assembly would be like. In any event, I am very security conscious. I did not feel the window mounting option allowed me to secure the window effectively enough to prevent someone from pushing the baffles in and then getting inside the office and our home.
Who is this unit for ?
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This unit works exceptionally well especially for someone that needs to cool down a reasonably large room quickly and quietly. This probably would work great for 2nd floor (or higher floors) homes where outside access to the window would be limited or non-existent.
I have decided to order a Mini Split AC instead. It will allow me the flexibility of placement and will enable me to maintain the security aspect.
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Reviews with images
Works great, but I have casement windows, how to install it tip.
My biggest complaint? The remote doesn't have backlight. Neither does the one for my space heater WHICH you can buy one of these units with heating options. I just haven't taught my fingers on this one yet similar to getting a new tv remote.I have Casement Windows. I didn't WANT casement windows because I knew this problem was going to occur BUT I lost that fight. Ah well. So I got the unit in and didn't have time to configure my window screen for the exhaust tube but it was 98 degrees outside. I stuck the hose out into my hallway landing, turned the ceiling fan on there to move the air down opposite of where I have it in the winter to bring the warm air up, and slept cool all night. It worked so well I contemplated NOT doing the window install. That cost me a little over a hundred dollars in plexiglass and parts though I could do it cheaper. But Free is cheapest. It also had me walking around the unit in the door while asleep SO, I fixed the window.With my window screen adapted, when I use the unit I crank open my window, turn on the air and leave my door cracked. I have a cat that comes in and out but the opening in the door doesn't let much air out, lets the inflow needed for the air that DOES go out through the unit in and gets my bedroom cool in 10-20 minutes tops from too hot. It's as noisy as a window unit but I grew up with that so I go right to sleep.The air in my house is already dried by the HVAC so I have not use Dry mode. There are three modes of control for the Cooling. Temp/Sleep and Timer. Set the Temperature that you want and the unit will cycle on and off to reach and stay at that Temperature. The Sleep setting will raise the temperature 2 degrees in an hour and 4 degrees after 4 hours. (When you fall asleep and are still, you tend to get cold and it tries to account for that.) And Timer, you can have it turn the unit off in 1 hour units up to 24. I've used all three. Last night I left it on. Woke up cold and adjusted temps myself twice. The sleep setting might be about right for me. YMMV I set the timer mode too early the first night and thumbed the unit on again midway through the night THEN woke up cold and turned it off. You'll find your correct setting as well.And NOW people can sleep downstairs without freezing to death so that I can sleep upstairs in comfort, not just tolerable relativity. Should make the electric bills go down to as I don't seem to need the unit on for more then 3 or 4 hours.---- (the following isn't really review but added to help with Casement Windows Install.)---Having watched a few YouTube videos the attached photo shows my installation. My real problem with this is I have casement windows. This itself isn't the problem of the unit, it just complicates the install. My windows have screens that clamp to the inside of the window. Simply remove the frame, remove the screen material, buy a piece of plexiglass and trim pieces at your big box store to fit your screen area. You'll have to cut it to size, cut the hole for the exhaust tube and then I used clamps (simple pieces of metal and short, #8 screws to screw them to the frame. Then put the frame back into the window and it's done. I didn't get my trim pieces cut just right and the holes it left in the corner advertised for all those no-seums bugs to crawl right through. I sealed it with white duct tape. When the seasons over I'll fix that. I have seen videos on installing the cutouts they send you on regular windows, they look about like anytime you use a window unit WITHOUT having to have that wonderful time where you slide the unit halfway out and then have someone push the window down to keep it from falling out your whatever story window. It does take a little floor space and is several hundred dollars cheaper then the two hose units that don't take inside air, suck the heat out of it and blow it out the window. That means you are sucking air from somewhere else in your house and bringing that into your room. I let you research those differences, MONEY turned out to be the limiting factor here.
Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on July 17, 2024
Color: White - 14,000 BTUSize: 1 Count (Pack of 1)Verified Purchase
Reviewed in the United States on August 8, 2024
I have Casement Windows. I didn't WANT casement windows because I knew this problem was going to occur BUT I lost that fight. Ah well. So I got the unit in and didn't have time to configure my window screen for the exhaust tube but it was 98 degrees outside. I stuck the hose out into my hallway landing, turned the ceiling fan on there to move the air down opposite of where I have it in the winter to bring the warm air up, and slept cool all night. It worked so well I contemplated NOT doing the window install. That cost me a little over a hundred dollars in plexiglass and parts though I could do it cheaper. But Free is cheapest. It also had me walking around the unit in the door while asleep SO, I fixed the window.
With my window screen adapted, when I use the unit I crank open my window, turn on the air and leave my door cracked. I have a cat that comes in and out but the opening in the door doesn't let much air out, lets the inflow needed for the air that DOES go out through the unit in and gets my bedroom cool in 10-20 minutes tops from too hot. It's as noisy as a window unit but I grew up with that so I go right to sleep.
The air in my house is already dried by the HVAC so I have not use Dry mode. There are three modes of control for the Cooling. Temp/Sleep and Timer. Set the Temperature that you want and the unit will cycle on and off to reach and stay at that Temperature. The Sleep setting will raise the temperature 2 degrees in an hour and 4 degrees after 4 hours. (When you fall asleep and are still, you tend to get cold and it tries to account for that.) And Timer, you can have it turn the unit off in 1 hour units up to 24. I've used all three. Last night I left it on. Woke up cold and adjusted temps myself twice. The sleep setting might be about right for me. YMMV I set the timer mode too early the first night and thumbed the unit on again midway through the night THEN woke up cold and turned it off. You'll find your correct setting as well.
And NOW people can sleep downstairs without freezing to death so that I can sleep upstairs in comfort, not just tolerable relativity. Should make the electric bills go down to as I don't seem to need the unit on for more then 3 or 4 hours.
---- (the following isn't really review but added to help with Casement Windows Install.)---
Having watched a few YouTube videos the attached photo shows my installation. My real problem with this is I have casement windows. This itself isn't the problem of the unit, it just complicates the install. My windows have screens that clamp to the inside of the window. Simply remove the frame, remove the screen material, buy a piece of plexiglass and trim pieces at your big box store to fit your screen area. You'll have to cut it to size, cut the hole for the exhaust tube and then I used clamps (simple pieces of metal and short, #8 screws to screw them to the frame. Then put the frame back into the window and it's done. I didn't get my trim pieces cut just right and the holes it left in the corner advertised for all those no-seums bugs to crawl right through. I sealed it with white duct tape. When the seasons over I'll fix that. I have seen videos on installing the cutouts they send you on regular windows, they look about like anytime you use a window unit WITHOUT having to have that wonderful time where you slide the unit halfway out and then have someone push the window down to keep it from falling out your whatever story window. It does take a little floor space and is several hundred dollars cheaper then the two hose units that don't take inside air, suck the heat out of it and blow it out the window. That means you are sucking air from somewhere else in your house and bringing that into your room. I let you research those differences, MONEY turned out to be the limiting factor here.
Color: White - 12,000 BTUSize: 1 Count (Pack of 1)Verified Purchase
Works great, but I have casement windows, how to install it tip.
Reviewed in the United States on August 8, 2024
My biggest complaint? The remote doesn't have backlight. Neither does the one for my space heater WHICH you can buy one of these units with heating options. I just haven't taught my fingers on this one yet similar to getting a new tv remote.Reviewed in the United States on August 8, 2024
I have Casement Windows. I didn't WANT casement windows because I knew this problem was going to occur BUT I lost that fight. Ah well. So I got the unit in and didn't have time to configure my window screen for the exhaust tube but it was 98 degrees outside. I stuck the hose out into my hallway landing, turned the ceiling fan on there to move the air down opposite of where I have it in the winter to bring the warm air up, and slept cool all night. It worked so well I contemplated NOT doing the window install. That cost me a little over a hundred dollars in plexiglass and parts though I could do it cheaper. But Free is cheapest. It also had me walking around the unit in the door while asleep SO, I fixed the window.
With my window screen adapted, when I use the unit I crank open my window, turn on the air and leave my door cracked. I have a cat that comes in and out but the opening in the door doesn't let much air out, lets the inflow needed for the air that DOES go out through the unit in and gets my bedroom cool in 10-20 minutes tops from too hot. It's as noisy as a window unit but I grew up with that so I go right to sleep.
The air in my house is already dried by the HVAC so I have not use Dry mode. There are three modes of control for the Cooling. Temp/Sleep and Timer. Set the Temperature that you want and the unit will cycle on and off to reach and stay at that Temperature. The Sleep setting will raise the temperature 2 degrees in an hour and 4 degrees after 4 hours. (When you fall asleep and are still, you tend to get cold and it tries to account for that.) And Timer, you can have it turn the unit off in 1 hour units up to 24. I've used all three. Last night I left it on. Woke up cold and adjusted temps myself twice. The sleep setting might be about right for me. YMMV I set the timer mode too early the first night and thumbed the unit on again midway through the night THEN woke up cold and turned it off. You'll find your correct setting as well.
And NOW people can sleep downstairs without freezing to death so that I can sleep upstairs in comfort, not just tolerable relativity. Should make the electric bills go down to as I don't seem to need the unit on for more then 3 or 4 hours.
---- (the following isn't really review but added to help with Casement Windows Install.)---
Having watched a few YouTube videos the attached photo shows my installation. My real problem with this is I have casement windows. This itself isn't the problem of the unit, it just complicates the install. My windows have screens that clamp to the inside of the window. Simply remove the frame, remove the screen material, buy a piece of plexiglass and trim pieces at your big box store to fit your screen area. You'll have to cut it to size, cut the hole for the exhaust tube and then I used clamps (simple pieces of metal and short, #8 screws to screw them to the frame. Then put the frame back into the window and it's done. I didn't get my trim pieces cut just right and the holes it left in the corner advertised for all those no-seums bugs to crawl right through. I sealed it with white duct tape. When the seasons over I'll fix that. I have seen videos on installing the cutouts they send you on regular windows, they look about like anytime you use a window unit WITHOUT having to have that wonderful time where you slide the unit halfway out and then have someone push the window down to keep it from falling out your whatever story window. It does take a little floor space and is several hundred dollars cheaper then the two hose units that don't take inside air, suck the heat out of it and blow it out the window. That means you are sucking air from somewhere else in your house and bringing that into your room. I let you research those differences, MONEY turned out to be the limiting factor here.
Images in this review
Top reviews from other countries
Masoud Sadat
Poweful and effective
Reviewed in Canada on July 26, 2024Color: White - 14,000 BTU + HEATSize: 1 Count (Pack of 1)Verified Purchase
💀
CONEXIÓN A VENTANA
Reviewed in Mexico on May 26, 2024Color: White - 14,000 BTUSize: 1 Count (Pack of 1)Verified Purchase
idyes e.
Bonito pero…
Reviewed in Mexico on July 15, 2023Color: WhiteSize: 1 Count (Pack of 1)Verified Purchase
idyes e.
Reviewed in Mexico on July 15, 2023
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Actualización, al final no devolví el producto, lo que hice fue comprarle un protector para el tubo de plástico ya que se calentaba muchísimo, al implementarlo y ponerlo de una forma que de directamente a la cama, no solo refresca si no ha estado enfriando el espacio. El consumo de luz si fue bastante, vere como va este mes y si hubo diferencia de consumo electrico con el protector.
Images in this review
Luis M.
Buen producto Amazon cumple
Reviewed in Mexico on May 25, 2023Color: White - 14,000 BTU + HEATSize: 1 Count (Pack of 1)Verified Purchase
Luis M.
Reviewed in Mexico on May 25, 2023
Images in this review
Brett
Great buy
Reviewed in Canada on August 2, 2024Color: White - 14,000 BTU + HEATSize: 1 Count (Pack of 1)Verified Purchase
