Blaux Portable AC or similar device

[avebury]

Has anyone tried this device? Or a similar product but different brand?

I am thinking about getting one for my home office but would really like to hear some first hand accounts to hear how well it works.

[soothsayer]

1. The thing with water and a fan?

Maybe in a tiny space. I got one for my sister whose car ac is on the blink. Never really got it to work well.

[avebury]

2. Yes. My friend's husband receive one for his birthday

but I don't think that they have tried it out yet.

[soothsayer]

3. I guess it's better than nothing, and it's cheap

But it’s not super duper effective

[Turbineguy]

4. On the face of it...

One pint of water would absorb about 1,000 btu's to evaporate. In magic math, that's like making 7 lbs of ice.

Only its not that simple. It's the same mechanism that causes you to sweat, or if you are a snooty aristo... transpire.

In the end, the effectiveness of the device depends on the relative humidity of its environment. The dryer the space, the more the cooling effect. Strangely enough, in a room that is 72 degree's F, but humid, you will sweat, while if the room at the same temperature is dry, you will feel cold.

Measuring the temperature of the air comping out of the device helps. If it's 56 degrees F, you should be pretty comfortable, because that translates to the perfect humidity at 72 degrees.

[SheltieLover]

5. Get a ductless mini split instead

Most come with refrigerant-filled line set.

[Binkie The Clown]

6. Works a little in a dry climate. If it's very humid, forget it.

[KY_EnviroGuy]

7. From an engineering viewpoint that looks like a huge scam.

There's dozens of similar gadgets on Amazon for half the money and they are nothing more than a water evaporator. The mist makes you feel a little cooler but you are also raising the humidity in any enclosed space which is the exact opposite of what you need. Feels good for a little while then you would sweat like crazy. They're also called "swamp coolers" and actually are handy outdoors for big work sites on hot days.

That Blaux company is a typical internet rip-off setup where they create several web sites that appear to be review sites but they all say that Blaux's product is the greatest thing since sliced bread. Their sales web page tripped a security alert in my security software!

Those web site are filled with statements that defy the laws of physics and thermodynamics so that in itself makes it a scam.

Just remember: If you produce cooler, lower humidity air, you must have a means to get rid of heated exhaust air and condensed water.

You can buy portable AC units that exhaust the hot air out through an adapter plate you put in a window, then just plug the unit into a wall outlet. However, you must empty the condensed water container from time to time. Those are quite expensive ($300 to $500) compared to regular window air conditioners.

Typical units: https://www.lowes.com/search?searchTerm=portable+air+conditioners&catalog=4294749561


KY......

PS/Edit: You can produce the same effect as the $80 Blaux unit with a wet wash cloth to wipe your face and a small desk fan.