When comparing Whynter ARC-14SH vs Whynter ARC-122DHP, the Slant community recommends Whynter ARC-14SH for most people. In the question“What are the best portable air conditioner and heater combos?” Whynter ARC-14SH is ranked 1st while Whynter ARC-122DHP is ranked 2nd. The most important reason people chose Whynter ARC-14SH is:
The unit has a heat mode where the thermostat can be adjusted to temperatures between 61 and 77 °F. It operates as a heat pump that basically does reverse air conditioning.
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Pros
Pro Ideal for both warm and cold weather
The unit has a heat mode where the thermostat can be adjusted to temperatures between 61 and 77 °F. It operates as a heat pump that basically does reverse air conditioning.
Pro Can handle even large spaces, and quickly
The AC's cooling capacity is a whopping 14 000 BTU, meaning that it can efficiently cool large spaces up to 500 sq. ft. And it can do it rather quickly, if the initial conditions aren’t too drastic.
Pro Can work autonomously
This air conditioner can be pre-programmed to operate without supervision. You can simply set the desired working intervals, during which it will adjust the ambient temperature to match the pre-set one.
Pro Comes with a remote control
This air conditioner comes with a remote control that allows you to configure the unit from a distance.
Pro Efficiently cools or heats the room
The Whynter ARC-122DHP is efficient in spaces of up to 400 square feet - it offers 12 000 BTU cooling and 10 000 BTU heating output. The angle of the deflector on this unit is adjusted so that the air shoots forward, going up at about 40 degree angle - this way the cool/warm air gets spread evenly around the room.
Pro Relatively quiet
The ARC-122DHP is one of the quietest portable AC units available - it does not exceed 52 dB, approximately the level of a calm conversation at home. The loudest part is when the compressor cycles on and off, but it is mostly not audible over the fan. However, if installed in the bedroom, it can still wake you up if you're a light sleeper.
Pro No manual water draining required
This unit self-evaporates most condensate under average conditions, but if it's really humid, an automatic internal condenser pump for continuous drainage kicks in. You can connect the drain tube to the exhaust tube and direct the water outside, or just put a bucket beside the unit and let the water drain there. This way the water tank never gets full, which means that the compressor won't shut off on its own.
Cons
Con Not very portable
Weighing 100 pounds, this unit isn’t easy to transport around when needed.
Con Can't handle low temperatures
When the outside temperature drops below 41 °F, the heat pump will stop working.
Con No Auto mode for turning the fan off
When in AC mode, the fan is on continuously, there is no way to set it to turn off automatically after a while. The condenser cycles on and off, but the fan doesn't, and it can emit a high-frequency sound when set on medium or high speed.
Con Awkward window kit installation
The window kit comes in two lengths - 26''-28'' and 36''-38''. It rarely fits the window perfectly, most people need to cut the plank and add air conditioner foam weather stripping, used for window units. The instruction manual doesn't help much, because it's poorly written (lacks some information on how to connect the hose and how to detach connector from the window kit).