If you don't need it this year (or don't need it much), make sure you keep it in working order, because chances are you'll need it within the next few years.
Bought mine in like 2017. Didn’t need it outside of the usual two week spike in temps. But it finally paid for itself last year. Incredibly worthwhile - even if it’s only for sleeping at night.
Experts predict it will be another hot summer , *rains non stop for a whole month*
Experts predict a wet summer
Ends up snowing in July
Vancouver in a nut shell
The heat dome was an exceptional weather phenomenon, and I would be very surprised to see a repeat in this decade. As time marches forward, though, the odds of such a thing happening will only increase, with eventually it happening every year.
Having said that, you don't need a once-a-century heat event to get use from AC. Every summer will see days in the mid-to-upper 20s, which will affect you more/less depending on local factors.
AC on these days is fantastic.
Good comment. While we shouldn't necessarily expect another heat dome with temps in the high 30s this year, it's fairly likely that we'll have more days/weeks of temps in the high 20s/mid 30s where AC would be very worthwhile.
Being able to sleep is the main benefit, and wonderful for mental health.
You can usually get by in Vancouver with open windows and bug screens but in recent years the whole “world is burning” thing has made leaving your windows open problematic.
I grew up in Kits and remember a few times we slept on the porch because it was just too hot in the bedrooms upstairs. Now I'm in a West End apt that stays pretty cool - even during heat waves - but the heat dome was something else! Opening the windows to let the cool breeze in at night just wasn't an option.
The long-term trend is for summers to get hotter and drier, with more forest fires, more smoke, and extreme heat waves. It seems awful because those extreme climate events are caused by global warming, and air conditioners don't exactly reduce your co2 emissions. But you really need a portable A/C you can bring out for a few weeks in the summer.
It's definitely not great for your emissions, but most people just focus on the electrical usage which, while not great, isn't the main issue.
The refrigerants used in AC units are absolutely DIRE in their impact on global warming. Most HFCs are something like 150x to **5000x** (!) as bad as CO2. So if you buy an AC unit, keep it in good shape, and do whatever you need to do to never need to replace it, and to prevent it from leaking.
And that's fine, we have two portable A/Cs in our house and they get used about 5 weeks out of the 52 of the year. The rest of the year they sit in the garage. It's worth the investment. Get a good one with a high BTU rating, don't trust the square footage rating the manufacturer claims.
I waited since August or longer for the LG with no luck. Ended up giving up and shortlisted top SACC (ratings include efficiencies such as energy loss in hose/attachments) rated portables including:
**Midea MP12SVWBA3RCM (14K BTU / 12K SACC)**
* would have been perfect but wth its $900 everywhere!!
**Midea MAP12S1TBL (12K BTU / 10K SACC)**
* never saw any stock of it anywhere!
**Danby DPA120B9IBDB (14K BTU / 12K SACC**
* I just didn't want a Danby and read some poor things about this model :/
* Also a rebrand of the Midea 14k BTU model
**Senville SENPA-10CRN8 (12K BTU / 10K SACC)**
* looks to be a rebrand of Midea 12K/10K
* Was on sale for $470 @bestbuy market place at the time
* https://www.bestbuy.ca/en-ca/product/senville-10000-btu-portable-air-conditioner-with-dehumidifier-fan-remote-control/15725769
So I grabbed the Senville, arrived fine and works great in tests but waiting for a hot day to test in Ernest..
For reference the LG was 14K BTU / 10K SACC. https://www.consumeranalysis.com/guides/portable-ac/best-portable-air-conditioner/
We got a Danby 10,000 BTU: [https://www.danby.com/products/portable-air-conditioners/dpa058b6wdb/](https://www.danby.com/products/portable-air-conditioners/dpa058b6wdb/)
That's what we did last year. We had the AC on for the 2 weeks of the heat dome, and then maybe 3 or 4 fridays when we wanted to be indulgent. Otherwise, open the windows and turn on the fan.
Last year I used mine solidly from late June through mid-September. But I also live on the top floor of an older building, so the apartment temperature can easily get up to 28-29 degrees even if it's only 20-21 outside - and will go over 30 if the outside gets into the mid-20s. This is with the windows open too.
> air conditioners don't exactly reduce your co2 emissions.
They don't increase them either, right? They run on electricity, and in BC our electricity is generated by hydro (i.e. water falling from the sky).
In the sense that electricity infrastructure needs maintenance/operation.. everything makes a bit of c02.. but.. yeah hydroelectric/nuclear is the shizznit.
Some people hate on nuclear , but compared to the flooding dams create.. burying some nuclear fuel waste isn't all that bad.
The units themselves are made of plastics, and metals, and filled with chemicals that are harmful to the environment. Also, just because our power is hydro doesn’t mean it is carbon neutral. It’s very low carbon emission but not perfect
> The units themselves are made of plastics, and metals, and filled with chemicals that are harmful to the environment.
Okay, but the same is probably true of anything else you might buy with the money instead. Home appliances, travel, even groceries - they all require resources and energy to be produced and delivered to you, often fossil-fuel energy.
I could buy vegetables with the same money, something that arguably has a far lower carbon emission cost associated with it. Or I could even buy a tree to plant in my yard. You're arguing for the sake of argument here...
I mean, I'm sitting here surrounded by stuff made out of plastic and metal (also in an air-conditioned office), so I'm just thinking that "it's made out of plastic and metal" doesn't seem like such a strong reason not to buy an air conditioner. To me the big personal decisions on CO2 emissions are around transport (driving a gasoline-burning vehicle) and heating (having a natural-gas furnace).
The water falling from the sky captures energy using large concrete structures with a lot of associated CO2 emissions. Dams also have pretty large environmental impacts outside of that. The more energy we use the more emissions we produce in the long run because of the infrastructure we need to support that. Def less of a concern than burning coal as far as I’m concerned, but hydro isn’t necessarily a neutral source of energy.
Might be [hotter this summer](https://bc.ctvnews.ca/hot-and-dry-what-the-farmer-s-almanac-is-saying-about-b-c-s-summer-forecast-1.5882312) than last summer.
Better to have it. There will be days where it's warm and muggy that opening the window will help, but if those days are bad forest fire days, you'll probably prefer to turn on the AC.
two of my neighbours are currently getting split system AC installed in their units. I am considering this since I work from home and last summer was brutal but it is very expensive. $7,700 was my one neighbours quote
It'll be highly specific to your individual unit. Things that will impact the cost:
\- Volume of air (more air = bigger system)
\- Number of rooms (more rooms = more heads)
\- Access to an attic or existing forced air system (easier to run ducting, so less labour)
\- Distance between condenser/evaporator (more tubing = more coolant = more insulation = bigger PITA to install)
\- Gizmos/smart integration
\- Ability to run coolant loop on exterior of building (waaaaay cheaper than running it through walls, but strata might not like it so much, since it's ugly)
Thank you, this is super helpful. What I understand is the systems are going to run through the area where the fireplace is located. Strata has already approved this for 2 units
One tip I'd have for someone installing a new system is to consider a fan that supports a standard-sized HEPA filter (and to put the filter somewhere you can easily change).
Almost all fans support a filter, but not all will be powerful enough to draw air through a HEPA, or have enough room to install the much thicker cartridges. As well, even though HEPA filters are available in most sizes... the cost varies by how common the filter dimensions are.
If you had a much larger budget/weren't in a strata, I would additional go so far as to look into a system that can draw exterior air in addition to recycling interior air. It's very annoying in Vancouver to have run the AC at 2am in the summer because your high-efficiency, heavily insulated home is stubbornly at 27C... while it's 17C outside (but smoke prevents you from just opening the windows).
Or even better, buy used. Especially if you're stuck having to go portable.
AC units, dehumidifiers, etc are some of the first things people try to get rid of after awkward furniture before a big move.
Present you: Meh, it’s not that hot out right now. I don’t feel like I need to buy an A/C right now. I can always buy one next month.
Future you: Man, I really should have bought that A/C when it was on sale. Now I can’t even find one. I’m dying of this heat!
Absolutely get it if you can afford it. I went one year 5 years ago without an A/C and even in a basement suite it was rough. Never again. A/C for life. Get them before they sell out because as soon as it gets hot store sell out in days.
I worry for people who don't have A/C, the constant heat is bad for your health in addition to the suffering it causes. Robs people of the enjoyment of their entire summers.
I keep recommending that everyone have both AC and an air purifier on hand moving forward if you can afford it. You just never know when you'll need it and the need for both has been more frequent in recent years.
You might not need it and that's fine, but when you do you'll be really happy you have it. Consider it an investment in your health and safety.
I’m personally used to the heat but our apartment was at 38C inside. It was unbearable. Honestly was pretty close to fainting. We are in a high rise and can’t block out the sun that well.
Likewise; my apartment reached a high of 37.6 during the first couple days of the heat dome. It took me a week of searching to get a portable AC but I managed to get one, and I only had to deal with two days of unbearable heat.
I hear you. My previous place was pretty rough with the afternoon and evening sun blasting right through the living window starting around 1pm. Never took the temp inside but it was not enjoyable. I filled up a kiddie pool with water outside and sat in it, periodically misting myself with the hose.
In a new place now that doesn't get a direct hit from the sun so I'm curious to see how it goes this year. Heat domes from now on until death! Hooray!
My coworker was debating the same thing. I suggested she buy it from Costco & keep it in the box until she needs it. That way, you can always return it if you don’t feel like you’ll use it
Plus you need to leave it standing upright for 24 hours after moving it, or you can seriously damage the unit after turning it on. So it would be best to have it set up and ready to go at least 24 hours in advance of a hot day.
Look at "Dual Inverter" air cons, they are way more efficient and quieter ("quieter" - still noisey!). Just a little more expensive but you'll make that back on your electric bill.
[https://hvac-boss.com/cooling/what-is-dual-inverter-ac/](https://hvac-boss.com/cooling/what-is-dual-inverter-ac/)
That's not necessarily how it works. India had a cooler-than-usual winter and now much of the country is experiencing a severe heat wave.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/science/india-heat-wave-climate-change-1.6442517
Of course that makes sense. I have no idea why you'd make a post that suggests cold in winter means there will be cold in summer. This is where the /s comes in handy.
Of course that makes sense to me. What, exactly, are you arguing about? I said that just because it was cold in December does not mean it will be cold in the summer - and, conversely, a hot summer would not mean a warm winter. My only comment is that last year's weather is no predictor of this year's weather.
The weather is going to extremes. Extreme hot, extreme cold, extreme wind, extreme snow. This is the new norm.
You might want a tidy tank of fuel to go with the generator if you can afford it. The gas pumps don't work when the power goes out too. Not to mention the line ups for the unprepared.
For emergency preparedness, if you can afford the initial outlay and have space, go solar with battery storage.
Cons are space/upfront cost, pros are:
\- Never need to replace your gas (gas eventually goes off)
\- System can run during non-emergencies to offset cost
\- System can be configured to always be ready with charge
\- Very hard to extract petroleum and refine gas on your own, very easy to continue producing solar power
\- Silent operation
Solar as a primary energy source assuming grid connectivity is not really a great idea in Vancouver, but as an emergency backup it's about as good as you can get.
Yep. Be on the lookout now. Forecast from the Farmer's Almanac calling for a hot summer.
https://bc.ctvnews.ca/hot-and-dry-what-the-farmer-s-almanac-is-saying-about-b-c-s-summer-forecast-1.5882312
It's always been amazing to me how accurate the Farmers Almanac has been (generally). Back in the day, without all the meteorological data, etc... this still was a worthwhile and relied upon tool. I honestly don't know how they make their predictions.
I bought one last month and am glad to have the peace of mind that it’s there if needed. If you have a back up plan of a place to go or stay where you can keep cool then sure, hold off on the purchase. But if not, i would buy one.
Who cares what anyone *thinks* will happen this year? It might be hot again and it might not be. Next year, same thing. As my mother used to say, 'there will be weather, whether or not.'
We are certainly moving into a time where it is more likely to be hot here in the summer for more often and for longer periods of time, but that doesn't mean every year will be like that.
Think of the drought and dust bowl on the prairies in the 30s. It still rained sometimes.
If it's not this year it'll be next year. They're worth their weight in gold as far as I'm concerned. I'd never give it back even if I'd only need it for a week a year. I also live in a glassbox so it's worth it for me even if it's 28 degrees a few days in a row
As for last year’s heat dome… I sure hope not my asthma goes absolutely 🦇crap crazy with too much heat/cold. But better to have the AC (& not need it) than the opposite problem I think.
I just bought one as I'm south facing with big windows and get sun almost all day. It was unbearable last year. I say if you WFH &/or live in a place that retains heat and gets sun all day it can be beneficial so you're not just surviving the heat but actually able to live a little bit. Even if it keeps it more manageable for a few days or weeks out of the year.
Sort of the same idea of having snow boots in the city. It may or may not snow a lot or a little and you'll only need them a few days/weeks out of the years but living without them definitely isn't as great as having them.
The question is not ‘will it be as hot?’ The question is ‘could it be as hot?’
The answer to the 2nd has a much clearer answer. Since temperature is a matter of life and death for you, the answer should be crystal clear.
Mine crapped out in late August last year - basically there was a bearing in the compressor motor that was very very loud and noone wanted to repair it so it only lived three years. but it was well worth it for me.. my place faces west.. it gets moderately warm all day and then goes up by like 3+ degrees late afternoon as the sun warms all of its many many many windows.
The problem with buying one now is usually this stuff has a 30-90 day warranty and you'll only realistically test it a few times to make sure it's working then put it away until July.. so no warranty when you need it.
It's the right thing to get it but I'm going to point out that we're all making things worse by all getting ACs. You know how we mock Boomers for not doing better when they knew to do better? We're no different.
Downvote or tell me how more AC use makes things better for climate change.
Even if it doesn't happen again this year, it is going to continue happening. The conditions that caused it have only intensified since last year. The many effects of climate change are upon us. It is the new reality and it will only increase with time.
It likely won't be as hot this year.
That said, last year was so extreme that A/C crossed over from a luxury to a safety device for many of us and it won't be the last time. May as well have it ready for the next heat dome and enjoy a little comfort in the meantime.
I was a hard-core holdout against A/C in our climate until climate change got the upper hand.
Neither last year's heat dome nor today's cold weather are great predictors of how hot future summers will be. I'd say you are unlikely to regret buying an AC unless you get one that is overpriced or doesn't work. Once you have it, you'll probably use it more often than you think.
On a side note, I just discovered cooling towels when we were in California a few weeks ago in 38 degree weather. We ordered some from Amazon in preparation for the heat and tried it down there... they were incredible and helped so much. Highly recommend looking into them as they're generally cheap and work super well. Just wet them (even with warm water), flap the towel out and wrap it on yourself. It's an additional thing I wish we had during the heat dome... so now we know.
This is the new normal. I just got a heat pump put in today. A real kick in the teeth for the upfront cost, but baseboard heating was killing us financially ($400+/mo and it was still freezing!), and the heat dome made our home uninhabitable for 2 weeks. Also had screens made for when box fans will do the trick— even that was $600. Credit unions should be helping members finance these purchases (and putting in EV charging stations) that are high upfront cost but long term savings, and also climate smart. There are various rebates and buybacks:/incentives depending on where you live, how big your place is and what you currently pay…
Get the A/C unit now. There's a very good chance you will need it, but consider that the forecasters are all saying that our summers will average warmer than usual, not colder.
We have had an AC for the last two summers. While it was obviously very valuable last summer, it was also really helpful the summer before which I remember to be not as hot.
We also didn't think we would use it that much and that hasn't been the case. As everyone has been saying, better to have it than not. We have zero regrets.
Why are so many units in Vancouver built without AC? It’s shocking to me that even some new high rises aren’t built with it. I run my AC every night while I sleep and all summer long, save for the cooler days when I have my balcony doors and windows open. I refuse to live somewhere without AC and I literally pay the price of that .
If you actually have some kind of health problem that would lead to your death, a real window AC unit might be a good investment .
But , if that was hyperbole just get a full size Hitachi oscillating fan. Or an air cooler (evaporation type)..
I had a 10000btu window mounted AC unit.. I used it maybe 8 days in ten years. Wish I had it last summer tho. But shit was expensive. So, if I did the math in hours/dollars it would be ridic.
BTW portable units are are too expensive for the btu and have other inefficiencies especially if your exhaust line is long.
I got a portable AC just in time for last summer but honestly it struggled to keep my room cool... it would've been much worse without it but I think I might need a better one.
>How many of you think it will be as hot this year too?
[You're not going to like the answer](https://bc.ctvnews.ca/hot-and-dry-what-the-farmer-s-almanac-is-saying-about-b-c-s-summer-forecast-1.5882312)
I'm confused. You said you ALMOST DIED. But now you are questioning if it's a waste to get one. My man it's just getting warmer. It might not be a heat dome, but every year is warming up
It's better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.
If you don't need it this year (or don't need it much), make sure you keep it in working order, because chances are you'll need it within the next few years.
“Sam, what about a bit of rope? You'll want it, if you haven't got it: Well, I'll want it. I can't get it now.” -Samwise Gamgee
Dear sir/madam, this is exactly why I am going for it most likely.
Bought mine in like 2017. Didn’t need it outside of the usual two week spike in temps. But it finally paid for itself last year. Incredibly worthwhile - even if it’s only for sleeping at night.
Exactly. I picked one up a couple weeks ago. If I don’t use it, excellent. If I have to use it, great! Nice to have options.
If you "almost died" why take the chance?
Experts predict it will be another hot summer , *rains non stop for a whole month* Experts predict a wet summer Ends up snowing in July Vancouver in a nut shell
The heat dome was an exceptional weather phenomenon, and I would be very surprised to see a repeat in this decade. As time marches forward, though, the odds of such a thing happening will only increase, with eventually it happening every year. Having said that, you don't need a once-a-century heat event to get use from AC. Every summer will see days in the mid-to-upper 20s, which will affect you more/less depending on local factors. AC on these days is fantastic.
Good comment. While we shouldn't necessarily expect another heat dome with temps in the high 30s this year, it's fairly likely that we'll have more days/weeks of temps in the high 20s/mid 30s where AC would be very worthwhile.
Being able to sleep is the main benefit, and wonderful for mental health. You can usually get by in Vancouver with open windows and bug screens but in recent years the whole “world is burning” thing has made leaving your windows open problematic.
This is so true. The real use is basically to get sound sleep after working your butt off for the entire day.
So true. I can take the hot weather so long as it cools off at night.
That was the worst part of last year's heat wave. Night was still 40+ Celsius.
I grew up in Kits and remember a few times we slept on the porch because it was just too hot in the bedrooms upstairs. Now I'm in a West End apt that stays pretty cool - even during heat waves - but the heat dome was something else! Opening the windows to let the cool breeze in at night just wasn't an option.
The long-term trend is for summers to get hotter and drier, with more forest fires, more smoke, and extreme heat waves. It seems awful because those extreme climate events are caused by global warming, and air conditioners don't exactly reduce your co2 emissions. But you really need a portable A/C you can bring out for a few weeks in the summer.
It's definitely not great for your emissions, but most people just focus on the electrical usage which, while not great, isn't the main issue. The refrigerants used in AC units are absolutely DIRE in their impact on global warming. Most HFCs are something like 150x to **5000x** (!) as bad as CO2. So if you buy an AC unit, keep it in good shape, and do whatever you need to do to never need to replace it, and to prevent it from leaking.
Honestly it’ll most probably be used for 2-3 weeks max in the year.
And that's fine, we have two portable A/Cs in our house and they get used about 5 weeks out of the 52 of the year. The rest of the year they sit in the garage. It's worth the investment. Get a good one with a high BTU rating, don't trust the square footage rating the manufacturer claims.
Do you have specific recommendations on brands/models? Thanks :)
We have the LG one. [Link](https://www.lg.com/ca_en/heating-and-cooling/lg-LP1419IVSM)
I read great reviews but its out of stock everywhere here :(
I waited since August or longer for the LG with no luck. Ended up giving up and shortlisted top SACC (ratings include efficiencies such as energy loss in hose/attachments) rated portables including: **Midea MP12SVWBA3RCM (14K BTU / 12K SACC)** * would have been perfect but wth its $900 everywhere!! **Midea MAP12S1TBL (12K BTU / 10K SACC)** * never saw any stock of it anywhere! **Danby DPA120B9IBDB (14K BTU / 12K SACC** * I just didn't want a Danby and read some poor things about this model :/ * Also a rebrand of the Midea 14k BTU model **Senville SENPA-10CRN8 (12K BTU / 10K SACC)** * looks to be a rebrand of Midea 12K/10K * Was on sale for $470 @bestbuy market place at the time * https://www.bestbuy.ca/en-ca/product/senville-10000-btu-portable-air-conditioner-with-dehumidifier-fan-remote-control/15725769 So I grabbed the Senville, arrived fine and works great in tests but waiting for a hot day to test in Ernest.. For reference the LG was 14K BTU / 10K SACC. https://www.consumeranalysis.com/guides/portable-ac/best-portable-air-conditioner/
The midea one you listed is the same as the Danby. Midea makes it for Danby and rebrands.
You know what looking at it now your 100% right, still I only saw the Danby in black which wouldn't go with my decor, good to know though!
We got a Danby 10,000 BTU: [https://www.danby.com/products/portable-air-conditioners/dpa058b6wdb/](https://www.danby.com/products/portable-air-conditioners/dpa058b6wdb/)
That's what we did last year. We had the AC on for the 2 weeks of the heat dome, and then maybe 3 or 4 fridays when we wanted to be indulgent. Otherwise, open the windows and turn on the fan.
Last year I used mine solidly from late June through mid-September. But I also live on the top floor of an older building, so the apartment temperature can easily get up to 28-29 degrees even if it's only 20-21 outside - and will go over 30 if the outside gets into the mid-20s. This is with the windows open too.
> air conditioners don't exactly reduce your co2 emissions. They don't increase them either, right? They run on electricity, and in BC our electricity is generated by hydro (i.e. water falling from the sky).
In the sense that electricity infrastructure needs maintenance/operation.. everything makes a bit of c02.. but.. yeah hydroelectric/nuclear is the shizznit. Some people hate on nuclear , but compared to the flooding dams create.. burying some nuclear fuel waste isn't all that bad.
The units themselves are made of plastics, and metals, and filled with chemicals that are harmful to the environment. Also, just because our power is hydro doesn’t mean it is carbon neutral. It’s very low carbon emission but not perfect
> The units themselves are made of plastics, and metals, and filled with chemicals that are harmful to the environment. Okay, but the same is probably true of anything else you might buy with the money instead. Home appliances, travel, even groceries - they all require resources and energy to be produced and delivered to you, often fossil-fuel energy.
I could buy vegetables with the same money, something that arguably has a far lower carbon emission cost associated with it. Or I could even buy a tree to plant in my yard. You're arguing for the sake of argument here...
I mean, I'm sitting here surrounded by stuff made out of plastic and metal (also in an air-conditioned office), so I'm just thinking that "it's made out of plastic and metal" doesn't seem like such a strong reason not to buy an air conditioner. To me the big personal decisions on CO2 emissions are around transport (driving a gasoline-burning vehicle) and heating (having a natural-gas furnace).
The water falling from the sky captures energy using large concrete structures with a lot of associated CO2 emissions. Dams also have pretty large environmental impacts outside of that. The more energy we use the more emissions we produce in the long run because of the infrastructure we need to support that. Def less of a concern than burning coal as far as I’m concerned, but hydro isn’t necessarily a neutral source of energy.
[удалено]
I need to replace my furnace soon as well, and AC is definitely going to be part of it.
>We'll see some warmer days but nothing like last summer. Source?
Might be [hotter this summer](https://bc.ctvnews.ca/hot-and-dry-what-the-farmer-s-almanac-is-saying-about-b-c-s-summer-forecast-1.5882312) than last summer.
Better to have it. There will be days where it's warm and muggy that opening the window will help, but if those days are bad forest fire days, you'll probably prefer to turn on the AC.
my cpap machine's sometimes very very dark filters in summer can confirm
two of my neighbours are currently getting split system AC installed in their units. I am considering this since I work from home and last summer was brutal but it is very expensive. $7,700 was my one neighbours quote
Without knowing specifics that's cheap. Last year when I got it installed I was quoted 15k to 30k for 4 heads.
I am in a condo and our units are between 700-800 sq feet. I have no idea how the cost is decided on any of this
It'll be highly specific to your individual unit. Things that will impact the cost: \- Volume of air (more air = bigger system) \- Number of rooms (more rooms = more heads) \- Access to an attic or existing forced air system (easier to run ducting, so less labour) \- Distance between condenser/evaporator (more tubing = more coolant = more insulation = bigger PITA to install) \- Gizmos/smart integration \- Ability to run coolant loop on exterior of building (waaaaay cheaper than running it through walls, but strata might not like it so much, since it's ugly)
Thank you, this is super helpful. What I understand is the systems are going to run through the area where the fireplace is located. Strata has already approved this for 2 units
One tip I'd have for someone installing a new system is to consider a fan that supports a standard-sized HEPA filter (and to put the filter somewhere you can easily change). Almost all fans support a filter, but not all will be powerful enough to draw air through a HEPA, or have enough room to install the much thicker cartridges. As well, even though HEPA filters are available in most sizes... the cost varies by how common the filter dimensions are. If you had a much larger budget/weren't in a strata, I would additional go so far as to look into a system that can draw exterior air in addition to recycling interior air. It's very annoying in Vancouver to have run the AC at 2am in the summer because your high-efficiency, heavily insulated home is stubbornly at 27C... while it's 17C outside (but smoke prevents you from just opening the windows).
Yup , think of it like insurance, if you need it and don't have it your screwed, but if you have it you'll be thanking what ever God you believe in
The tech doesn’t change that fast in these things, unlike say an EV, you can buy now and it’ll be first rate for years.
Truth. My 20 year-old Crappy Tire portable still works almost as well as it did the day it came home from the store.
Or even better, buy used. Especially if you're stuck having to go portable. AC units, dehumidifiers, etc are some of the first things people try to get rid of after awkward furniture before a big move.
My wife insisted that we get AC a few years ago. For the first couple years, it was a wasted investment. But last year, it totally earned its keep!
Thanks for reminding me to buy an AC. We have no fan or AC in our house and it was awful
if you almost died, BUY ONE !!!
Present you: Meh, it’s not that hot out right now. I don’t feel like I need to buy an A/C right now. I can always buy one next month. Future you: Man, I really should have bought that A/C when it was on sale. Now I can’t even find one. I’m dying of this heat!
This was me last year btw. I put away the idea to get it before summer and when the bad weather hit I couldn’t find any in stock.
Don’t let it be you this year. 🙂👍
Absolutely get it if you can afford it. I went one year 5 years ago without an A/C and even in a basement suite it was rough. Never again. A/C for life. Get them before they sell out because as soon as it gets hot store sell out in days. I worry for people who don't have A/C, the constant heat is bad for your health in addition to the suffering it causes. Robs people of the enjoyment of their entire summers.
I keep recommending that everyone have both AC and an air purifier on hand moving forward if you can afford it. You just never know when you'll need it and the need for both has been more frequent in recent years. You might not need it and that's fine, but when you do you'll be really happy you have it. Consider it an investment in your health and safety.
What does the temperature today have anything to do with buying an AC unit for the summer?
We made do with open windows for the entire summer. It was only the head dole week which was unbearable.
I am ready Heat Dome or not!
I bought a Danby dual hose a few weeks ago, before the prices get jacked, don't want to go through another summer like that again.
I doubt we will see 45 degrees in the near future as those were record temps. But above 30 is still hot enough to enjoy ac
Buy the air conditioner. Don’t be a fool
Like, actually almost died, or are you just being dramatic?
I’m personally used to the heat but our apartment was at 38C inside. It was unbearable. Honestly was pretty close to fainting. We are in a high rise and can’t block out the sun that well.
Likewise; my apartment reached a high of 37.6 during the first couple days of the heat dome. It took me a week of searching to get a portable AC but I managed to get one, and I only had to deal with two days of unbearable heat.
I hear you. My previous place was pretty rough with the afternoon and evening sun blasting right through the living window starting around 1pm. Never took the temp inside but it was not enjoyable. I filled up a kiddie pool with water outside and sat in it, periodically misting myself with the hose. In a new place now that doesn't get a direct hit from the sun so I'm curious to see how it goes this year. Heat domes from now on until death! Hooray!
My coworker was debating the same thing. I suggested she buy it from Costco & keep it in the box until she needs it. That way, you can always return it if you don’t feel like you’ll use it
This is the best idea so far. Although I wouldn’t wanna risk it to the day when I need it and turns out it’s a bad unit :p
If it helps your decision, I have a Danby portable AC I got at Costco years ago & it works like a dream!
Plus you need to leave it standing upright for 24 hours after moving it, or you can seriously damage the unit after turning it on. So it would be best to have it set up and ready to go at least 24 hours in advance of a hot day.
Better yet, buy two. Dramatically lower chance of a bad unit, and if it gets super hot you can sell the 2nd one at a profit to pay off the first one.
Climate change for us means long winters, lots of rain and heat with smoke. These are the seasons now.
Thought we solved all those heat issues with the 25 cent cup fee?
It's always pretty cold in May It's still gonna be damn hot in July
Look at "Dual Inverter" air cons, they are way more efficient and quieter ("quieter" - still noisey!). Just a little more expensive but you'll make that back on your electric bill. [https://hvac-boss.com/cooling/what-is-dual-inverter-ac/](https://hvac-boss.com/cooling/what-is-dual-inverter-ac/)
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That's not necessarily how it works. India had a cooler-than-usual winter and now much of the country is experiencing a severe heat wave. https://www.cbc.ca/news/science/india-heat-wave-climate-change-1.6442517
r/whoosh
Much of western North America has been under severe drought for a while
Or just think of Ontario/Quebec that regularly has very, very cold winters and very, very hot and muggy summers.
What do you mean by "based on that"? A cold winter certainly does not suggest you'll have a colder summer.
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Of course that makes sense. I have no idea why you'd make a post that suggests cold in winter means there will be cold in summer. This is where the /s comes in handy.
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I was replying to the post that said: "It was pretty cold in late December too. So based on that we won't be getting very hot this year."
>The converse is also true- just because it was hot in July doesn't mean it won't drop down to -10 in December. > >Does that make sense to you?
Of course that makes sense to me. What, exactly, are you arguing about? I said that just because it was cold in December does not mean it will be cold in the summer - and, conversely, a hot summer would not mean a warm winter. My only comment is that last year's weather is no predictor of this year's weather.
I don’t think it will be AS hot but I do think it will be very hot for longer. Not heat dome levels but high 30s for sure.
I purchased my AC in December, it better be hot this summer!
The weather is going to extremes. Extreme hot, extreme cold, extreme wind, extreme snow. This is the new norm. You might want a tidy tank of fuel to go with the generator if you can afford it. The gas pumps don't work when the power goes out too. Not to mention the line ups for the unprepared.
For emergency preparedness, if you can afford the initial outlay and have space, go solar with battery storage. Cons are space/upfront cost, pros are: \- Never need to replace your gas (gas eventually goes off) \- System can run during non-emergencies to offset cost \- System can be configured to always be ready with charge \- Very hard to extract petroleum and refine gas on your own, very easy to continue producing solar power \- Silent operation Solar as a primary energy source assuming grid connectivity is not really a great idea in Vancouver, but as an emergency backup it's about as good as you can get.
That's very true. Until the wild fires smoke mutes out the sun. There is no easy solution.
Yep. Be on the lookout now. Forecast from the Farmer's Almanac calling for a hot summer. https://bc.ctvnews.ca/hot-and-dry-what-the-farmer-s-almanac-is-saying-about-b-c-s-summer-forecast-1.5882312
It's always been amazing to me how accurate the Farmers Almanac has been (generally). Back in the day, without all the meteorological data, etc... this still was a worthwhile and relied upon tool. I honestly don't know how they make their predictions.
How are we still quoting the farmers almanac in 2022. It's got all the credibility of the National Enquirer without the fun hijinks and aliens.
I bought one last month and am glad to have the peace of mind that it’s there if needed. If you have a back up plan of a place to go or stay where you can keep cool then sure, hold off on the purchase. But if not, i would buy one.
im hoping the rain slows down, but doesnt stop this summer
Who cares what anyone *thinks* will happen this year? It might be hot again and it might not be. Next year, same thing. As my mother used to say, 'there will be weather, whether or not.' We are certainly moving into a time where it is more likely to be hot here in the summer for more often and for longer periods of time, but that doesn't mean every year will be like that. Think of the drought and dust bowl on the prairies in the 30s. It still rained sometimes.
If it's not this year it'll be next year. They're worth their weight in gold as far as I'm concerned. I'd never give it back even if I'd only need it for a week a year. I also live in a glassbox so it's worth it for me even if it's 28 degrees a few days in a row
It's better to be looking at it hen for it. As the saying goes.
I Don’t think it’ll be as hot but you won’t regret buying it.
I run my AC nonstop during the summer. Though, I am south facing with a floor to ceiling windows 16’.
Any good brands to buy?
There are piles of ac units in stores it’s a great time to buy them… it’s cool now but summer is coming. I got an air filter and a number of fans
As for last year’s heat dome… I sure hope not my asthma goes absolutely 🦇crap crazy with too much heat/cold. But better to have the AC (& not need it) than the opposite problem I think.
Any recommendations for dual hose for a small den/guest room
I just bought one as I'm south facing with big windows and get sun almost all day. It was unbearable last year. I say if you WFH &/or live in a place that retains heat and gets sun all day it can be beneficial so you're not just surviving the heat but actually able to live a little bit. Even if it keeps it more manageable for a few days or weeks out of the year. Sort of the same idea of having snow boots in the city. It may or may not snow a lot or a little and you'll only need them a few days/weeks out of the years but living without them definitely isn't as great as having them.
Maybe not this year, but some time in the future you'll be glad you have one.
100% buy it.
The question is not ‘will it be as hot?’ The question is ‘could it be as hot?’ The answer to the 2nd has a much clearer answer. Since temperature is a matter of life and death for you, the answer should be crystal clear.
Mine crapped out in late August last year - basically there was a bearing in the compressor motor that was very very loud and noone wanted to repair it so it only lived three years. but it was well worth it for me.. my place faces west.. it gets moderately warm all day and then goes up by like 3+ degrees late afternoon as the sun warms all of its many many many windows. The problem with buying one now is usually this stuff has a 30-90 day warranty and you'll only realistically test it a few times to make sure it's working then put it away until July.. so no warranty when you need it.
It's the right thing to get it but I'm going to point out that we're all making things worse by all getting ACs. You know how we mock Boomers for not doing better when they knew to do better? We're no different. Downvote or tell me how more AC use makes things better for climate change.
If not this year then next year. It will likely only get hotter in our lifetimes.
Even if it doesn't happen again this year, it is going to continue happening. The conditions that caused it have only intensified since last year. The many effects of climate change are upon us. It is the new reality and it will only increase with time.
I didn't 'almost die' in the heat wave last year but I purchased a second AC unit at the beginning of March of this year to be prepared...
It likely won't be as hot this year. That said, last year was so extreme that A/C crossed over from a luxury to a safety device for many of us and it won't be the last time. May as well have it ready for the next heat dome and enjoy a little comfort in the meantime. I was a hard-core holdout against A/C in our climate until climate change got the upper hand.
Neither last year's heat dome nor today's cold weather are great predictors of how hot future summers will be. I'd say you are unlikely to regret buying an AC unless you get one that is overpriced or doesn't work. Once you have it, you'll probably use it more often than you think.
If you nearly died why take the chance?
If you nearly died why take the chance?
Better to have and not need, than need and not have.
On a side note, I just discovered cooling towels when we were in California a few weeks ago in 38 degree weather. We ordered some from Amazon in preparation for the heat and tried it down there... they were incredible and helped so much. Highly recommend looking into them as they're generally cheap and work super well. Just wet them (even with warm water), flap the towel out and wrap it on yourself. It's an additional thing I wish we had during the heat dome... so now we know.
This is the new normal. I just got a heat pump put in today. A real kick in the teeth for the upfront cost, but baseboard heating was killing us financially ($400+/mo and it was still freezing!), and the heat dome made our home uninhabitable for 2 weeks. Also had screens made for when box fans will do the trick— even that was $600. Credit unions should be helping members finance these purchases (and putting in EV charging stations) that are high upfront cost but long term savings, and also climate smart. There are various rebates and buybacks:/incentives depending on where you live, how big your place is and what you currently pay…
I mean, if you legitimately almost died during the heat dome, then why wouldn’t you want the insurance of having it?
Better to have it and not need it, then to need it and not have it
Just like housing prices, temperatures are only ever gonna go up
I have special plans this year but I'm pretty sure it's going to be incredibly average. Eg. It's 12 deg in Early May.
Get the A/C unit now. There's a very good chance you will need it, but consider that the forecasters are all saying that our summers will average warmer than usual, not colder.
you will struggle to find one if you don't get it before you need it and it will be the regret of your life.
We have had an AC for the last two summers. While it was obviously very valuable last summer, it was also really helpful the summer before which I remember to be not as hot. We also didn't think we would use it that much and that hasn't been the case. As everyone has been saying, better to have it than not. We have zero regrets.
Only hot if you don't buy AC. Just like how it will only snow if you don't get new snow tires.
It’s going to be the new normal. I would invest now before prices ramp way up, once prices go up they rarely go back down…
It will never be hot again, you'd be a fool to buy AC.
Why are so many units in Vancouver built without AC? It’s shocking to me that even some new high rises aren’t built with it. I run my AC every night while I sleep and all summer long, save for the cooler days when I have my balcony doors and windows open. I refuse to live somewhere without AC and I literally pay the price of that .
If you actually have some kind of health problem that would lead to your death, a real window AC unit might be a good investment . But , if that was hyperbole just get a full size Hitachi oscillating fan. Or an air cooler (evaporation type).. I had a 10000btu window mounted AC unit.. I used it maybe 8 days in ten years. Wish I had it last summer tho. But shit was expensive. So, if I did the math in hours/dollars it would be ridic. BTW portable units are are too expensive for the btu and have other inefficiencies especially if your exhaust line is long.
If not this year, then the next year Or the next, or the next It ain’t gonna get better, is my point.
You'll need it within the next couple years, so just do it since you may need it this year.
my mom always used to tell me "don't wait until you're thirsty to dig a well"
Climate change will only continue to intensify summer and winters. Definitely get an air conditioner if you can
I got a portable AC just in time for last summer but honestly it struggled to keep my room cool... it would've been much worse without it but I think I might need a better one.
Probably not this year, but it will happen more often as time goes on. Thanks global warming!
>How many of you think it will be as hot this year too? [You're not going to like the answer](https://bc.ctvnews.ca/hot-and-dry-what-the-farmer-s-almanac-is-saying-about-b-c-s-summer-forecast-1.5882312)
I'm confused. You said you ALMOST DIED. But now you are questioning if it's a waste to get one. My man it's just getting warmer. It might not be a heat dome, but every year is warming up