How the Meaco air conditioner can transform your summer
How the Meaco air conditioner can transform your summer
Some may question whether air conditioners are worth the energy usage, the cost and the noise that comes with it. But so far during this heat and last year's hot, albeit short, heatwave this could be a lifesaver
The Meaco air conditioners have been saving my sleep
(Image: MEACO )
The weather's been really something. Scorching hot some days, and even when the sun's not shining, the air remains thick and balmy. In the last few weeks, Brits have seen temperatures soar to a sizzling 33°C in some areas.
With that in mind, people have been scrambling to find the best way to cool down, with many reaching for fans and any form of lightweight clothing. However, respite from the heat might be best solved with a portable air conditioner, which has been credited for "transforming" experiences with the hot weather - and it could do the same for others.
While some may be initially dubious about the energy consumption, cost, and potential noise associated with such a unit; during this current heatwave and last year's brief but intense hot spell, this could be proven invaluable.
Technology Affiliates writer, Christopher Harper said that he invested in the MeacoCool MC Series Pro 10000 CH BTU Portable Air Conditioner, which set him back around £400 at Costco. Despite the hefty price tag, it has more than justified its cost by keeping both Chris and his partner comfortably cool, particularly while working from home, reports the Mirror.
When it comes to selecting the right air conditioner, most households would be well-served by this 7000BTU model priced at £329.99. However, for those needing to cool a larger space, Chris recommended opting for the same 10000 BTU unit, available for £429.
Air conditioning units are sized by "BTU" which is an acronym for British Thermal Units. BTU measures the heat quantity needed to increase the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. Love dreamy Welsh homes? Sign up to our newsletter here
In choosing an air conditioner, it's vital that the BTU rating matches the size of the space you wish to cool. For Chris, a 10000 BTU unit was effective in lowering the temperature upstairs, particularly in the bedroom, ensuring comfortable sleep.
It's essential first to calculate the square footage of the space you're cooling using a BTU calculator online, and then select an air conditioner with the corresponding BTU rating.
Selecting a slightly higher BTU than necessary, would allow for the option of cooling bigger areas like the living room, which is something potential buyers should consider as well.
The Dry Mode on the air conditioner, also acts both as a cooler and dehumidifier by extracting moisture from the air, significantly reducing mugginess before bedtime. Note that using this feature requires attaching a hose and container to dispose of the collected moisture.
Additionally, there's the Cool Mode that promptly blasts cold air, substantially diminishing indoor warmth in about half an hour.
For those scouting for alternatives, AppliancesDirect offers a 12000 BTU unit from electriQ for £349, or there's a Costway 12000BTU variant listed at £299.95.
However, it's not all plain sailing with air conditioners of this sort. Despite their energy efficiency, they do consume a significant amount of electricity.
Article continues below
Portable air conditioners are also quite loud. While you may acclimatise to the noise - it may take some time because it is very loud. There's also the task of handling a large hose outside the window - which can be tricky and irritating.
But considering the relief it provides during scorching periods like these, it may be the right price to pay to tolerate the additional cost and noise - just to avoid feeling like you're dissolving like an ice lolly.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
North Wales Live
21 minutes ago
- North Wales Live
£48m border control post may be obsolete as 'yet another Brexit bonus' slammed
North Wales Live readers are unhappy to hear that a facility designed to handle the additional red tape resulting from Brexit could become obsolete before it even opens its doors. The UK's departure from the EU in 2020 introduced extra bureaucracy at the border between the UK and the European Union, including sanitary and phytosanitary checks on fresh produce from the EU. The previous UK Government postponed implementing these checks due to fears of price increases for businesses and consumers. However, they did not abandon these checks and continued to develop the necessary building. In North Wales, the UK Government allocated £47.8m for the construction of a border control post at Holyhead, which would be managed by the Welsh Government. Kier Group was awarded a £41m construction contract last summer, and work began on the development at Parc Cybi, just outside Holyhead, with completion expected by autumn. However, the site could potentially become an expensive folly before it even becomes operational. In May, the UK and EU reached a new SPS agreement aimed at reducing trade barriers for food, plants, and animal products, thereby making trade between the UK and EU more affordable and straightforward. The Welsh Government has stated: "We are considering the implications of a potential SPS agreement with the EU on the future implementation of the Border Target Operating Model in Wales. The Deputy First Minister will make a statement to the Senedd in the coming weeks." On Tuesday, they confirmed they will not push on with final commissioning and staffing of the site. Huw Irranca-Davies MS, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, said he would keep that decision under review until the final details of the agreement with the EU are known. Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth, MS for Ynys Mon, commented on the situation saying: "The chaotic situation regarding the need – or not – for border control posts is symptomatic of the chaos and costs surrounding Brexit as a whole. Large sums of public money have been spent, Anglesey Council has faced significant pressures, and we even lost the very important truck stop that went to make way for post-Brexit border infrastructure. We need assurances now that the taxpayer won't be left further out of pocket, but the sad thing is that much of the damage caused will remain with us for many years to come." Commenter Driver123456 says: 'Why did they have to take the truck stop? It was an absolute joke, but they insisted they wanted that site instead of the clear land across the way. They could have built on that, but paid way over the odds for the land!' ThePickledLiver replies: 'There will still be 100 HGV parking spaces, and while the inspection shed might not be useful, there's the admin block which would make an excellent drivers' R&R. "Small layout changes and it'll be perfectly usable/re-useable as something other than a border post. Not quite 'white elephant' stuff. We could perhaps copy what they do (and I've used) on the continent and provide 1 and 2-bed rooms for drivers. 10/15 euro a night, nothing fancy but better than bunking in the cab. Must pay for itself 'cos there's plenty of them. And that's before factoring-in the times that the ferries are delayed by weather. That would cover at least, erm, 2 million, ish.' Captcheese thinks: 'Quite eye watering at 47 million for a shower block and bogs for HGV drivers.' LlainPeris thinks: 'We are all paying for the Brexit Mess - 'taking back control' was always very misleading at best: what needs controlling is the way multi-national companies pay so little tax, and for that you need multi-national action by governments not Little Britain acting on its own.' Northwalessaint agrees: 'Yet another 'Brexit Bonus'!' Marti1 adds: 'It seems leaving the EU cost more than staying.' PaulLuckock writes: 'The Welsh electorate voted for Brexit and so we collectively have to take responsibility for the settled will of the people in 2016.' Steamnut points out: 'And that wonderful Holyhead truck-stop would still be open. Amazing how we keep doing this at all levels both national and local. And yes, Conwy we are talking about you. We need more accountability; people who sign-off on expensive schemes ought to pay the price for their mistakes.' Jnrm replies: 'Well the Welsh people voted for, and therefore 'signed off' on Brexit, a really expensive scheme, so I guess they should be footing the bill then. It was the UK Government that paid £47.8 million to fund this facility, not the Welsh Government. Plaid states there was a large sum of public money spent which has been wasted and that taxpayers shouldn't be left out of pocket. Well it's the English taxpayer who should be complaining as they funded it!'
Wales Online
an hour ago
- Wales Online
Eight in 10 Brits turn to money-saving strategies like 'no spend days' and savings pots
Eight in 10 Brits turn to money-saving strategies like 'no spend days' and savings pots A new study of 2,000 adults has revealed the most common ways we are actively looking to save extra cash. Brits are saving extra money where they can (Image: Getty Images ) A recent poll of 2,000 UK adults has found eight in ten are adopting various money-saving tactics to boost their finances. These strategies include creating separate savings 'pots', reviewing and cancelling unused subscriptions, and implementing 'no spend days'. Some people are also taking advantage of introductory offers by opening new bank accounts, reverting to using cash, and timing direct debit payments to coincide with payday. Additionally, many people are tracking their expenditure using methods such as spreadsheets, mobile banking apps, or traditional pen and paper. Merve Ferrero, chief strategy officer at Zopa Bank, said: "As the study shows, consumers want their finances to work harder – more dough with less effort, alongside digital ease and convenience. Instead of ease, they're stuck juggling clunky apps and loyalty to banks that give back next to nothing. "While money is tight for most of us, today there are smart moves that can make money go further." In response to these findings, Zopa Bank has introduced its new flagship Biscuit account, designed to provide a seamless customer experience and attractive rates. To promote the launch, the company presented food critic Grace Dent with a unique edible credit card. Article continues below Grace Dent was presented with Zopa Bank's new 'Biscuit' current account (Image: PinPep ) Research showed that using these money-saving hacks left people feeling enthusiastic, happy and at ease. Yet, despite the majority adopting approaches to make their money do more for them, many are reluctant to change their ways. Four in ten respondents reported staying loyal to their bank for more than 20 years. However, only one in five believed they were receiving a good enough deal. Article continues below Grace Dent takes a bite out of Zopa Bank's new 'Biscuit' (Image: PinPep ) One fifth admitted to never having contemplated switching bank accounts, but suggested they could be tempted if they were offered a better savings rate or received a reward for joining. Merve said: "Cashback on monthly bills and competitive interest on our hard-earned savings can add value at every bite – making life just a little easier. As consumers, we want to get the value that we deserve, with less effort."
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
'Ordinary' £1 coin could have mistake making it worth £500
You will have to look closely to spot this tiny error, an expert said. Brits have been urged to double check their £1 coins for a tiny error that could make them worth 500 times their face value. This coin will seem 'ordinary' at 'first glance', but could sell for up to £500 to collectors. In a video uploaded to social media platform TikTok, an expert known as the Coin Collecting Wizard explained what to look for. He displayed an image of the modern 12-sided £1 coins now used in the UK. 'So we all know these are the pound coins we can find in our everyday change, but did you know there is a rare error version worth £500,' he said. The 12-sided £1 coins came into circulation in the UK in April 2017. However a number of coins had also been minted in 2016 in preparation. And some of these were struck with a tiny error along its rim, making them highly sought after. The expert continued: 'At first glance it looks like an ordinary pound coin, right? Well this is why you need to look even closer for that special pound coin.' The error means that the main date of the coin, by the Queen's head will say '2016' while a tiny inscription on its outer rim will say '2017'. 'One of the most fascinating modern £1 coin errors to look out for, the 2016 coin with a micro engraving that actually says '2017',' he said. 'At first glance everything looks perfectly normal. The main date on the coin clearly reads '2016' like many others from the initial batch of the new 12-sided £1 coins. 'But if you look really closely, and we mean really closely, there's a hidden detail around the edge of the whole coin. You'll need a microscope or a very strong magnifying glass to see it but if the micro-engraving shows '2017' instead of '2016' then you've potentially got a rare minting error on your hands.' He added: 'A few of these have popped up and collectors have paid around £500 for them. It's a great example of how even the smallest detail can turn an everyday coin into something quite special, so it's worth checking your change carefully.' Experts at Change Checker backed up his advice. They said: 'Firstly, although both 2016 and 2017 obverse-dated £1 coins entered circulation in April 2017, the die-error mix-up appears to have only occurred on a limited number of coins with a 2016 date on the Queen's head side. So it's worth checking any 2016 coins. 'You'll need to look just inside the rim of the design side of the coin, where you will see some tiny writing. You'll almost certainly need a microscope to properly see the writing, which should reveal the date.' According to them, an example of this coin was sold for £2,500 to a buyer in Spain in 2017. However, they estimated that the value of this coin, in excellent condition, is between £300 and £500.
