Whynter 12 000 Btu Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner Frost White Arc 12sd - Review

Whynter 12,000 BTU Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner, Frost White (ARC-12SD) - My Personal Recommendation

The energy-efficient Whynter ARC-12SD Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner draws warm, humid air in and transforms it into cool and fresh air. The sleek, frost-white portable air conditioner features auto-drain technology for controlling condensation, an easy-to-install dual hose venting system, and three operational modes; cooling, fan only and dehumidifying.

Eco-friendly ARC-12SD portable air conditioner can be easily set up in any indoor location. View larger.

Includes easy-install kit. View larger.

The control panel features an LED display and simple controls. View larger.

Dual hose system facilitates greater space utilization. View larger.

Air Conditioning in a Compact, Eco-Friendly Design

The environmentally friendly ARC-12SD is CFC free and designed for minimal energy consumption. This efficient air conditioner uses ozone-safe R-410A refrigerant and lead-free, RoHS-compliant components.

Cools Rooms with Clean, Fresh Air

With 12,000 Btus, this robust unit cools spaces up to 400 square feet with average ambient room conditions. Use it in computer or server rooms, bedrooms, classrooms, living rooms, workshops, and more.

Easy Transport from Room to Room

Outfitted with four multidirectional casters, the unit can be easily wheeled between rooms without being lifted or carried. The unit measures 34 by 20 by 16.5 inches (H x W x D).

Auto Drain Function Removes Condensation

Auto drain technology draws moisture from the air and recycles it to product cool, clean air. The system prevents excess condensation from accumulating, making the unit suitable for continuous, everyday use.

Dual Hose Exhaust for Optimal Airflow and Efficiency

To cool your space efficiently, the ARC-12SD draws warm air from both the inside and outside environment and converts it into cool, clean air. Warm, humid air is then expelled from the room through exhaust hose. Similar to traditional window air conditioners, this system creates improved airflow and efficient cooling.

Three Operational Modes Include Fan and Dehumidifier

The unit offers three modes: cooling, dehumidifying, and fan. Cooling mode cools and dehumidifies the room. To dehumidify without cooling, choose the dehumidifying option. Fan mode circulates air in the room and offers four fan speeds to choose from.

The unit has a dehumidifying capacity of 96 pints per day and an adjustable digital thermostat range of 61 degrees F to 89 degrees F.

Non-Permanent, Easy-to-Install Venting Kit

The easy-install kit includes a window slide bar that fits in standard windows up to 36 inches wide. The slide bar adjusts vertically or horizontally. The kit also includes two extendable exhaust hoses (up to 49 inches) with components for securing the hoses to the unit and the window slide bar.

The ARC-12SD is designed for non-permanent venting through a window, though it can be custom modified to fit into wall openings or dropped ceilings.

Simple Control Panel and Convenient Remote

The control panel features simple selections, including a mode selection button, up/down temperature adjustments, and fan speed selection. Program the unit to activate or shut off at preset times with the 24-hour timer. An included remote control puts the full set of functions at your fingertips.

Washable Pre-Filter and Activated Carbon Filter

The included pre-filter and odor-neutralizing carbon filter help keep cooled air fresh and clean. To clean the pre-filter, simply remove it from the unit and rinse, tap off, or vacuum the accumulated dust. The carbon filter should be replaced every two to three months.

Outfitted with Auto-Restart and Safety Features

During power outages, the auto-restart function will automatically restart the unit at its previous setting. This unit is also supplied with a Leakage Current Detection and Interruption (LCDI) plug, which reduces the risk of fire due to arcing faults in the power supply cord.

What's in the Box

Whynter ARC-12SD 12,000 Btu Portable Air Conditioner (Frost White), two exhaust hoses, window venting kit, remote control, washable pre-filter, activated carbon filter, and user manual.

ARC-12SD Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner

At a Glance:

• 12,000 Btus cooling capacity
• Eco-friendly air conditioner, fan, and dehumidifier in one
• Dual-hose operation
• Mobile unit with casters for easy transport
• R-410A refrigerant is safer for ozone
• Patented auto- drain function fully exhausts all condensation

Whynter Portable Air Conditioners

Model	ARC-10WB	ARC-110WD	ARC-12S	ARC-12SD	ARC-12SDH	ARC-131GD	ARC-14S	ARC-14SH	ARC-143MX
BTU's	10,000 BTU	11,000 BTU	12,000 BTU	12,000 BTU	Cooling: 12,000 BTU Heating: 11,000 BTU	13,000 BTU	14,000 BTU	Cooling: 14,000 BTU Heating: 13,000 BTU	14,000
Approx. Sq. Ft.	500 sq. ft.	350 sq. ft.	400 sq. ft.	400 sq. ft.	400 sq. ft.	420 sq. ft.	500 sq. ft.	500 sq. ft.	500 sq. ft.
Single hose /Dual hose	Single hose	Dual hose	Single hose	Dual hose	Dual hose	Dual hose	Dual hose	Dual hose	Dual hose
Color	White	White	Platinum	Frost White	Frost White	Gray	Platinum and Black	Platinum and Black	Platinum and Black
Adjustable Temperature	62 to 88 degrees F	61 to 89 degrees F	61 to 89 degrees F	61 to 89 degrees F	61 to 89 degrees F	61 to 89 degrees F	61 to 89 degrees F	61 to 89 degrees F	61 to 89 degrees F
Refrigerant	R-410A	R-410A	R-410A	R-410A	R-410A	R-410A	R-410A	R-410A	R-410A
Remote control	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Dehumidifying Capacity	55 pints / day	81 pints / day	91 pints / day	96 pints / day	96 pints / day	91 pints / day	101 pints / day	101 pints / day	91 pints / day
Condensation Removal	Self-evaporative	Self-evaporative	Auto drain	Auto drain	Auto drain	Self-evaporative	Auto drain	Auto drain	Auto drain
Heater mode	No	No	No	No	Yes	No	No	Yes	No
Fan speeds	4 speed	4 speed	3 speed	3 speed	3 speed	4 speed	3 speed	3 speed	3 speed
Timer	24 hour	24 hour	24 hour	24 hour	24 hour	24 hour	24 hour	24 hour	24 hour
Max Power Consumption	1170W / 10.1A	1040W / 9.5A	1080W / 9.5A	1100W / 10.5A	Cooling: 1100W / 10.5A Heating: 1020W / 9.5A	1180W / 10.8A	1250W / 10.8A	1250W / 10.8A	1250W / 10.8A
Unit Dimensions (H x W x D)	28 x 17 x 13.6 inches	35 x 18.7 x 19.5 inches	31 x 17 x 15.5 inches	34 x 20 x 16 inches	34 x 20 x 16 inches	35 x 18.7 x 19.5 inches	35.5 x 19 x 16 inches	35.5 x 19 x 16 inches	35.5 x 19 x 16 inches

Reviews of Whynter 12 000 Btu Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner Frost White Arc 12sd

This is the simply the best portable AC there is.
Rating by : Blackout "Michael Biggins aka Blackout",

I'm in NYC in a basement apartment and my old junky LG 10,000 unit was doing nada.. I don't know if it was broken or just junky it never got anything that cold.

Now really, 12,000 btu units are supposed to be for a small space.. 400 to 500 square feet.

As I said I am in a basement apartment and I was SWELTERING... dying!!!!!
I researched every portable air conditioner under the sun and was ready to go out and buy one but the ones in the local stores either blew out ho hum air or were not set up to try at all, and online with all of them I read a lot of people saying they didn't do much... or ho hum reviews... this was the only unit where people wrote really enthusiastic 4 or 5 star reviews. I also learned that you don't even want to MESS with unit that has no exhaust / or just a single exhaust vent. If you are going to get a portable A/C - you WANT a dual vented one. One takes air in, the other sends hot air out. This is MUCH more efficient, cooler, and FASTER than no vent / single vent unit and you don't have to be emptying buckets of water either.

I'm an actor/director/editor so I have hot computers running too and there's nothing worse than going to an audition sweaty or having to edit a movie or video in 90 degree+ heat.

I decided this was the one to try but I couldn't find ANY in NYC! Can you believe that? At $490.00 - amazon's price is slightly inflated but all other places that had it a little cheaper were out of stock or had ridiculous long shipping waits or high shipping charges.

When I saw this puppy in stock, I grabbed it, and with the free trial of amazon prime shipping I ordered it 2nd day, (which would have cost like $180 on this heavy beast! but I got it free) and low and behold it came the next day!! HALLELUJAH!!! Law of attraction works I tell you!

First off - this is NOT a 12,000 btu uit it is 14,000 btu. 2nd - it is HUGE, and fairly HEAVY, but it looks nice, like a droid from star wars and luckily it's on wheels, but when the ups guy came it looked like he was delivering a refrigerator.

Second - and most importantly - this thing blows REALLY cold air. Within a few minutes of turning it on I could feel the blast of air was very cold. I knew that my space is really more like 700 to 1000 sf - so I set it on full blast and on 61 degrees. Within an hour it dropped from over 90 and disgustingly humid in here to a cool comfortable 69 degrees - even with all my computers running. If I turn off all the computers it gets even colder faster.

CONS:
The only con is that the venting hoses (like a dryer exhaust hose) should have been a little longer. They are about. This won't be a problem for most people but if your window is high, or you have a weird tiny basement window that only opens sideways you will have to mount the dual vents vertically, and it didn't quite make it, so I had to put the unit a little higher on top a little foot stool, and I had to do some duct taping on the window to make sure it was air tight sealed. That;s not their fault though I have really weird tiny nyc basement windows.

Other than that I have no complaints and still give it 5 stars I'm very happy to be writing this in comfort rather than torture. NYC summer this year has been insane with temps hitting 105. This is an old house too and the power usage on this unit is only 10.5 amps so no blowing out the circuit breaker.

The build seems quality - hopefully all is well and it will hold up performing as great as it is doing.

Also - this unit is MUCH better/cooler than the newer Whynter arc-14s. Whatever they did with that unit - they messed up... I was going to buy it in a store and it didn't feel so cool and the guy kept saying that that's because it was in a big space but I mean the breeze coming right out of the machine with my hand right next to it or standing right in front of it was NO where as cool as the arctic blast that shoots out of this arc-12sd machine.

I hope this review helps you out. If you have are looking for a portable AC unit I can't imagine one being better than this.

Works Very Well - Highly Recommended
Rating by : C. Hill "CFH",

We did a lot of research before choosing this Whynter "Eco-Friendly 12,000 BTU Dual hose Portable Air Conditioner". We have an older Victorian house that does not have central air that we had been cooling with standard in window units but, with the rough winters we get, we were getting tired of moving them in and out twice a year. This portable unit does a great job and more than meets my needs. Here are my observations:

Pros -
+ Cooling Ability; this unit easily chills my 15' x 20' (300 square feet) family room
+ Compressor Noise; this is surprisingly quite, even at the highest setting
+ Size; not too intrusively large, about the size of the old upright radio we have it setting next to
+ Portable; unit is fairly heavy but it is on wheels (note that the window vent needs to move with the unit)
+ Remote Control; a handy addition with a digital display that lets you change the temperature, fan speed, and timer from across the room
+ Easy Setup; my son and I had this unboxed and running within 15 minutes of opening the box, only one Philips Head screwdriver required to attache the screws to the window vent mount

Cons -
- Ugly Vent Hoses; while it can't be helped as they are needed, the white vent hoses (look like dryer vent hoses) are an eyesore when extended out and totally incongruous with any decor (we keep ours retracted as much as possible except when needing to aim the Air Conditioning output to a different room)

Misc -
*Fan Noise; this can move a lot of air and makes the expected amount of fan noise when on the highest settings

This portable unit was a good solution for my needs and we will likely be getting at least one additional unit in the near future for use our the second floor.

Highly Recommended!

CFH

Worth the price - very effective
Rating by : Emlefty11,

I did a lot of research, and called a bunch of local A/C shops before I bought this. They all recommended the dual hose feature - they said I'd be "wasting my money" getting anything else - pretty impressive, considering they sold both types and could have made money on me either way.

It's amazing. Within 20 minutes our whole bedroom (20 x 16, or 320 sq ft) is crisp and cool, and if we leave the door open it cools the hallway and the bedroom across the hallway, too.

I recommend this completely, but a few cons you may want to know just in case they're deal-breakers (in no particular order):
1) It's not quiet. However, it's not ridiculously loud, either. I can sleep through it, and I'm usually not able to sleep with much white noise. If being cool is your #1 priority (as it was for us), you can deal with the noise.
2) It's not small. We call it our R2D2 (Star Wars), as it's about the same size. We have a tall California King, and it still stands a few inches taller than the bed. Again, worth it for the cooling capacity.
3) The window install kit is small. Isn't tall enough to fit our 4' window - I had our handyman rig it up using other materials he had to get at a hardware store. Without this, you really can't install it in a window much bigger than 2 or 2.5'. And no, it cannot be used unless it's installed in a window (in case you were hoping to get around that).

Honestly, you won't regret this purchase if your main concern is beating the summer heat - this is a lifesaver.

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