Differences between Coolzy and old-style portable air-conditioners
Coolzy: 22 inches high x 11 inches wide x 15 inches long (55 cm high x 29 cm x 39 cm), 34 lbs (17.5 kg), easy to carry.
Old Style
Portable: typically 32 inches high x 16 inches wide x 18 inches long (80 cm high x 40 cm x 45 cm), 70 lbs, (32 kg), one or two 5 inch diameter pipes 6 feet long, Hard to move.
In moderately hot weather, a Coolzy can be used on its own (as shown) or with a normal mosquito net. We recommend the optional Igloo bed tent in really hot conditions with indoor temperatures consistently over 80 °F (27 °C) at night. The tent amplifies cooling over the bed and can also reduce energy consumption by about 30-40% which is ideal for battery and off-grid applications.
Old style portables are unsuitable for bedrooms. They are much noisier and have relatively low cooling performance compared with a split AC using the same power. Also humidity builds up in room with time.
Coolzy: use it anywhere because there is no pipe
Old-style Portable: has to be close to a window to attach the large exhaust pipe with the window kit
Electricity is the largest part of the cost for any room air conditioner.
Coolzy: Total cost over 5 years is about $750 of which electricity cost is about $300
Old-style Portable: Total cost over 5 years is about $1,400 of which $1100 is the electricity cost.
Calculations are based on average USA electricity cost 15 cents/kWh, 8 hours a day running, 5 months. Electricity cost in some cities can be 30 cents/kWh. While solar panels can provide free daytime electricity, the cost of battery storage for night time air conditioner use is currently about 25 cents/kWh.
Coolzy: 800-1,100 Watts cooling, 340 Watts electricity (same as a handful of lights), 0.3 tonnes CO2 over three years, equivalent to 30 gallons (120 litres) of petrol
Old-style Portable: 3,000-7,500 Watts cooling, 1,000-2,400 Watts electricity, 1-2 tonnes CO2 over three years, equivalent to 110 – 220 gallons (450-900) litres of petrol.
Coolzy: all cooling directed around people using it, does not cool room
Old-style Portable (single pipe): mixes air in room, sucks out more air than it cools and sucks in hot air from the roof space outside. Very little room cooling.
Old-style Portable (dual pipe): mixes air in room, about twice room cooling for same power consumption as single pipe, significantly less cooling than a mini-split with same power consumption.
Coolzy: 47-54 dB – quiet, like an electric fan
Old-style Portable: 55-63 dB – noisy, can be hard to hear people speak
Coolzy: Open windows and doors allow fresh air to circulate, indoor air quality similar to fresh air outside.
Old-style Portable (single pipe): Windows closed, however outside air is sucked in because of single exhaust pipe so indoor air quality is similar to fresh air outside.
Old-style Portable (dual pipe): Normally there is no provision to provide fresh air to the room, so indoor air is not refreshed. CO2 and other pollutants accumulate over time.
A Coolzy eliminates the need for an exhaust hose: such a wonderful improvement. It is on caster wheels and can easily be moved where you want to use it. At only 34 lbs (15.6 kg) it is easily carried too. Take it anywhere you need cooling, even outside in sheltered places.
The old-style portable comes with a hose and window kit which is fiddly to install, and only works with some windows. The machine typically weighs around 70 lbs (32 kg). That means you cannot easily move it once you have installed it. Plus the exhaust hose is ugly, helps to heat the room, and makes lots of noise.