window AC

[100PoundHarvest]

Hey everyone. I am about to start my third grow. I want to up grade my AC from a 10k btu portable to a 15k btu window AC. The 10k one was fine in the beginning but towards the end when my plants became really smelly it was pretty bad. I am going to have 3 1000 watt lights over a 4 by 10 area with 16 ebb and grow buckets. I am getting the 15k btu so that I don't have to air cool the lights. From what ive read the formula is 4000 btu per 1000 watt light uncolled so I am giving myself a bit of room. I have been reading a lot about the window AC's and I am reading some people say that they have light leaks and some smell problems. I know about putting some black caulk or heavy duty tape over the Styrofoam when you take off the AC cover for the light leaks. My main concern is about the smell. I am going to have a sealed room with a 60 pint dehumidifier and a 24/7 running carbon filter. I also read that there are some AC's that have a recirculating switch somewhere on the AC? If some of you guys could give me a link to this particular AC or any other 15k btu window AC and tell me how to smell proof it so there is no lingering smell.

 

[BlindDate]

Just don't buy an AC that vents out.

A 10000 BTU will do just fine for 3000 watts. In fact it is even better than a 15K unit as it will run constantly therby providing more dehumidification. You probably won't even need the dehumidifier.

 

[Seed Buyer]

Drop the coin on a mini split. Stank odors will not escape and is much safer from a security standpoint (window units are easy to compromise if someone wanted to break in). They also have a better SEER rating and will be more energy efficient.

 

[100PoundHarvest]

If I had the money to buy the mini split I def would. I am just going to do one more run at this location and then I will have the money to move. I plan to get a 24k btu mini split with 6kw at my next place. Ive been struggling to cool 2kw that are already air cooled with my 10kw portable AC. I find it hard to believe that a 10kw will cool 3kw uncooled. regardless, thanks everyone for the responses and keep em coming.

 

[ogatec]

go with the 15k, i really dont see how a 10k would work, esp with the dehumidifier,esp if you live in a hot area..thats just redickerous! smell-well its just somthing you will have to deal with until you get that split. carbon filters help.

 

[100PoundHarvest]

yea i know the carbon filters help. I have the 8 inch inline fan carbon filter combo from htgsupply. I am hoping that with the window AC instead of the portable along with a big carbon filter I will have no smell.

 

[ogatec]

as long as you seal the room good the smell escape from the ac will be minimal, just use lots of caulk & that foam stuff from home depot. most all units have a vent option that is closable. just make sure its closed. im sure it will work better than a portable a/c that has the exhaust hose pumping smell out.

in my experience there will be some smell even with a carbon filter, it will be greatly reduced, but some smell always escapes.

the best way to set up for smell prevention would be a negative air pressure setup where the exhaust air is pulled thru the carbon filter.(along with your cooled air & co2)

my filter sits in a sealed room, prob takes care of 90-95% of the smell.

window units are a seasonal item, so you might have to wait until spring to get one locally...i noticed sears had some out of season when i as looking.

 

[sparkjumper]

I get by with a 12,500 window unit and 3 1K uncooled vertizontals but with co2 I run around 85 at the canopy.I know I could cool the room sufficiently even without the co2.Just run your dehumidifier during dark hours for the most part your RH is OK with lights on I've found out.