Dear Montana: it's gonna get hot soon 🔥

Credit: weather.com
Credit: weather.com
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Summer hasn't really heated up in Western Montana, and you might have got used to the chilly-breezy weather that has stuck around throughout spring.

For those of us that don't have central AC (like me) you'll need a portable or window AC unit to keep your living space comfortably cool.

Before we list the units that are commercially available in Missoula, there's a term we need to get familiar with: BTUs.

BTU stands for "British Thermal Unit" and it's a measurement of how much energy the AC unit uses to raise or lower the water in the unit by one degree Fahrenheit.

AC units that use higher BTUs shouldn't necessarily be thought of as "better" than ones that use less BTUs

 

Remember that portable (or standing models that have wheels on them) tend to use more BTUs than window units, and therefore are more suitable for larger spaces. We'll cover other tips on how to keep your home cool in a future article coming soon.

Now, onto the deals.


ACE HARDWARE (Trempers Shopping Center)

Credit: Benny Edwin
Credit: Benny Edwin
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This Coast Air portable unit uses 12,000 BTUs and is recommended for spaces 550 square feet and below. The prices are clearly labeled on each unit; $684.99


COSTCO

Credit: Benny Edwin
Credit: Benny Edwin
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If you have a Costco membership, these Perfect Aire units are in stock and use 12,000 BTUs. They're priced at $599.99

Credit: Benny Edwin
Credit: Benny Edwin
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Also at Costco, these Midea window inverter units are capable of using 12,000 BTUs and cooling no more than 550 sq feet. The price is $339.99


 

LOWE'S

Credit: Benny Edwin
Credit: Benny Edwin
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This is also a window unit, and with 8,000 BTUs it would be best used to cool a single room of a house, apartment, or dorm room. They cost $279.00 each

Credit: Benny Edwin
Credit: Benny Edwin
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Lowe's also has these Hisense portable units on the floor and in stock. They can be used with an app for your smartphone to control them when you're away from home and cost $399 each.

TARGET

Credit: Benny Edwin
Credit: Benny Edwin
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Haier makes lots of electronics, from AC units to TVs to refrigerators. These window units use less energy to cool a single room at 5,050 BTUs

Credit: Benny Edwin
Credit: Benny Edwin
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This is a Haier window unit at Target too. It uses 10,000 BTUs. The yellow sticker isn't the price of the unit, it's the estimated annual cost to run the unit versus similar models. For the cost, it runs $419.99


 

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