Thanks Doug. I appreciate your input. There's a way to try a portable unit just for the bedroom for under $300. If we don't like it, we can sell it and go with the rooftop unit for next season.
Pros:
* Cools the room very fast even when scorching hot. Rooftop takes forever if you don't start it early in the day.
* Better dehumidifier that can be used year round. When AC is running, almost no water collects. They cool the coils with the water and most of it is expelled with exhaust.
* Super easy installation.
* Extended warranty is cheap. If it breaks after 4 years, you just buy another.
* With another small one in the living area, there's always a backup if one needs service.
* Pretty soon they will be $199. That will be the living room unit.
* I don't have to climb up on the roof to do maintenance/repair.
Cons:
* This one is big: the exhaust hose is 6" diameter and made to run out a window with the unit sitting away from the wall. The installation I want has it next to the wall and that may be tricky since the exhaust comes straight out of the back. It will be awkward until I know it works like we think and get it installed properly for our situation.
* We lose a little floor space in both rooms.
* It will probably reduce resale value if it's not a spectacular upgrade to standard rooftop.
* Doing one in each room does not provide much cost savings.
