Notifications
Clear all
Topic starter
We are looking at purchasing a condo in St Croix but it only has fans. Coming from the states, we are accustomed to a/c at night. Are portable a/c units a thing in St Croix? I’m not sure that the HOA will allow us to install a mini-split. Looking for options.
Posted : July 26, 2020 5:39 pm
I've seen the portable AC units for sale from time to time so I know people must buy them.
Posted : July 27, 2020 6:25 pm
Ask your Realtor to check with the HOA regarding mini splits or window AC units if you cannot do so yourself.
You should also get copy of HOA rules and regulations and finances prior to a purchase.
Posted : July 27, 2020 7:33 pm
CruzanIron reacted
Mini-splits are about twice as efficient as window units or portable units. We had a Mitsubishi unit installed in our condo in December that had a seasonal energy efficiency rating (SEER) of 23. About the best you'll see on a window unit is 12 and most portable units are lower than that.
You should be able to contact the complex manager (or have your real estate agent do it if you have one - remember that you are paying them a lot of money) to find out if mini-splits are allowed. At approximately 40 cents per kilowatt hour, the extra cost upfront will balance out very quickly compared to the less efficient units.
Home Depot on St Croix has portables, window units and mini-splits in stock at the moment. The mini-splits they sell seem to be a bit less efficient (I think I saw a SEER of 17 on one just walking by it). The mini-splits they sell are designed for home owner installation if you're handy or you can pay someone to install it. We used Caribbean Cooling to install a total of 3 mini-splits over the years in our condo and they were there when they said they'd be. If you get one, be sure to use stainless bolts wherever you can on the installation. 'Regular' bolts will start to rust quickly outside if you're anywhere near the water.
The house we bought doesn't have air, but it does have plenty of good breezes. We really don't miss the A/C, but we're considering getting a small one to use up the credit we generate with WAPA on our solar system (they zero it out and get free electricity from us at the end of the year if we make more than we use).
Best of luck!
Posted : July 29, 2020 11:51 am
We really don't miss the A/C, but we're considering getting a small one to use up the credit we generate with WAPA on our solar system (they zero it out and get free electricity from us at the end of the year if we make more than we use).
That's what we did too. Even with the AC, we still generate a credit every month. I guess we need to use the AC more!
Posted : July 30, 2020 7:57 am
