Chose the window unit AC over central air fix, now I regret it daily

My AC compressor died last Tuesday and the repair quote was $1,850. I picked a $220 window unit from Home Depot to hold me over until fall. The bedroom cools fine but the living room stays at 78 and the noise keeps me up. Should I have just bitten the bullet on the repair or is there a decent cheap alternative people swear by?

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grant.jason18d ago

Harbor Freight sells a 5000 BTU unit for like $150 and honestly it works fine for a bedroom if you mount it right. But the real trick is getting a cheap box fan and putting it on the floor blowing toward the window unit so the cold air actually circulates instead of pooling near the ceiling. That 78 in your living room is because the AC is just dumping cold air in one spot and the rest of the house stays warm. Also check if your window unit has a "dry" mode cause that pulls humidity out and makes it feel way cooler even if the temp doesnt drop much. I've run a $180 unit for three summers straight in a rental and it kept the whole place bearable if you set it up smart, so you might not be totally stuck yet.