The SoHo resident hides his "shockingly unattractive" AC unit behind a shade.

WSJ: Ugliness for All

Some cars get hotter than 150 degrees inside when parked in the sun, so reducing the temperature could mean Toyota could use a smaller AC unit, he added.

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Running an AC unit without a low-pressure cutoff switch when it's colder than about 60 degrees might damage it, says Troy Gregory, president of Standard Heating and Air Conditioning.

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Moreover, the unit can be powered by either USB or your average AC plug, and even includes digital audio out for a (somewhat) "true" high definition experience.

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There's a second alternative: A growing number of New Yorkers are going for duct-free AC systems that involve a small, wall-mounted indoor fan powered by a separate outdoor unit the size of suitcase.

WSJ: Ugliness for All