by Elumia » Fri Nov 21, 2008 4:28 pm
When you say you can't justify the price difference between a pet cool and modifying a window shaker I think you might want to have a closer look at the options:
Pet cool, tried and true - many have done successfully, lots of examples. Makes a neat clean install.
Pet cool More $, labor less to install
Window shaker, way less expensive, must modify to meet you requirements. More costly installation, more to possibly go wrong, much more time consuming. More "permanent". May not work as well.
When you compare all the costs, you may find they are closer in price than you think.
Other things that might weight your decision:
do you always need to have A/C with you? Which is easier to leave behind?
Do you need the extra BTU's a window shaker provides?
what are the power requirements for either option? Will you have to run the A/C from a generator, what size generator would each require?
Do you need heat? Pet cool also can heat.
Sometimes the lowest cost part isn't most economical way to build.
Price both ways out completely and then make your final decision.
Mark