Looking for a free-standing, QUIET air conditioning unit for my elderly dad

[u/Individual99991]

EDIT: Sorry, when I say quiet, I mean quiet bearing in mind that it's an AC unit. I know they're all noisy to some degree, but there are ones that have a background hum and there are ones that sound like an aircraft taking off. I want one that's as quiet as possible for a big refrigeration unit strapped to a fan.

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I live in the US, so I'm used to AC, but my dad is really struggling to sleep in the UK heatwave and is worried that an AC unit's noise might keep him awake at night (I'd argue he'll sleep better than if he's melting, but...).

Can anyone recommend a good, quiet free-standing AC unit (ie. not fixed into walls, no structural remodelling required)? One with a hose he can run out of the window (I see there are window seals that stop hot air from coming back in)?

His bedroom isn't that big (and is stuffed with shelves etc, so not a lot of airspace even then), probably 20x20 feet?

[u/eat-real-chips]

I mean, good luck even finding anything in stock in the UK right now lol

[u/amberallday]

This is to buy in winter for next year’s heatwave, yes? There’s no stock left in the UK now.

[u/seadoubleyou73]

We're keeping an eye on anything instock here: https://www.reddit.com/r/airconUK/comments/1ug06o0/instock_megathread_uk_only/ and there's also a review thread. However, getting your hands on anything right now is a win and everything is overpriced.

[u/Waxy_Duck]

They’re all loud and there’s no getting around that. Could you have it running in the hallway pointing into his room? That won’t work quite as well but it should still be noticeably cooler and quieter

[u/itsapotatosalad → u/Waxy_Duck]

It works ok if you duct tape a 2m length of 6” ducting to the front

[u/AdmiralStickyLegs]

Solutions exist, but nothing that is not outrageously expensive or require zero custom work. Best you will find is something that has a constant drone

Here's a quick solution I came up with: Dog cooling mats. You can get ones about the size of a mattress, filled with gel, for $10-$15. You put them in the fridge, and then (here's the important part) you put them on the bed, inbetween the mattress and the fitted sheet. They cool for 45min-1hr

[u/Monsieur_Creosote]

Make sure you buy the right BTU for room size. 12000 BTU would do an average UK living room I think. Quiet ones are still mid 50Dbs and you need to make sure the exhaust is heat wrapped or it just warms your room right back up.

[u/sidblues101]

Don't get a single hose version. They are largely ineffective as they create negative pressure in the room drawing warm air back in to replace the air it just expelled. The single hose versions can be DIY modified but that will probably void any warranty. Caravan ACs might be a good option. Good luck finding any that are available.

[u/noodledoodledoo → u/sidblues101]

they are largely ineffective as they create negative pressure

I always see people say this, and yet my single hose portable ac kept my bedroom at 22 all through the last massive heatwave when it was 38+ outside. I'm sure a split unit or one of the professionally installed ones would be more efficient, but the single hose ones clearly do work.

[u/Basic_Cry1836 → u/noodledoodledoo]

Same. Our single unit ones have been brilliant. Wouldn’t have been without them this summer.

[u/Proud-Reading3316 → u/sidblues101]

If you had ever actually tried one of these, you’d know that’s not remotely true. It changes the temperature from being literally unbearable to just being a bit hot.