LESLIE: We’ve got Rhoda who wants to talk air conditioning. How can we help?
RHODA: I live near the ocean and a couple of air conditioners that we had – regular window air conditioners – rusted after about four years. They could not be fixed even though the five-year guarantee I had purchased, you know, was not over yet and I was wondering about portable air conditioners.
TOM: Versus what; a window unit?
RHODA: The two that rusted were window air conditioners.
TOM: OK, and you’re – so your question is what’s the difference between a window air conditioner and a portable air conditioner.
RHODA: Yes, whether a portable air conditioner would be a …
TOM: No, I think that your first choice would be central air conditioners, the second choice would be a window air conditioner and the third choice would be a portable. Because a portable has to be ducted and it’s a little unwieldy.
LESLIE: Yeah, but a portable is going to put the compressor inside the house …
TOM: Exactly.
LESLIE: … so that it’s not going to rust out. Because she lives right near the water and all that salty air and salt water is just going to rust anything that’s outside.
TOM: Yeah, I realize that but I think it’s going to be more efficient if you use a window unit; even though you have to pay the price of living near the water.
RHODA: Right, every few years.
TOM: Every few years.
RHODA: Right.
TOM: Yeah, it’s one of those small taxes for living …
RHODA: Right.
TOM: … with the good view that you enjoy. (chuckles)
RHODA: For the benefit.
LESLIE: And you know what? Rhoda, the benefit of replacing them so often – number one – don’t get that extended warranty because you know it’s not going to last the full time – but the benefit is that every time you upgrade or enhance your air conditioning you’re probably getting a more energy-efficient model and check with the state and check with the city because a lot offer refunds to upgrade your systems.
TOM: And Rhoda, do you take those out of the window in the off season?
RHODA: No, no.
TOM: Well, if you could manage to do that, that will actually save a heck of a lot of wear and tear because now …
LESLIE: Or put a cover on it.
TOM: Yeah, put a cover on it.
RHODA: Who would do that kind of work? Because I wouldn’t be able to do that.
LESLIE: But you can get a soft cover that just slips on; almost like a toaster cozy.
RHODA: From the outside?
LESLIE: Mm-hmm.
TOM: Exactly.
RHODA: I see. Where would you purchase something like that?
TOM: Oh, they’re available at home centers all over the place. I see them very frequently.
RHODA: And then you get – and then a handyman could put them on.
TOM: Exactly. It’d just take a moment or two to slip it on.
RHODA: OK, well thank you very much. I appreciate it.
Leave a Reply