Model comparison
Compare Whynter ARC-122DS and ARC-122DHP
The Whynter ARC-122DS and ARC-122DHP share a silver 17-by-16-by-29.5-inch dual-hose cabinet and a published 7,000-BTU SACC cooling rating. The DHP is not simply a newer trim: it adds a heat pump and a condensate pump, which changes when you can use it and how you must set up drainage.
Shared cooling: compare the same rating method
Both models carry a 12,000-BTU ASHRAE headline and a 7,000-BTU seasonal-adjusted cooling rating. Use the latter when comparing portable AC cooling claims; do not treat a 12,000-BTU headline from another test method as an equivalent rating. Whynter's 400-square-foot area statement for both is a starting estimate, not a room-temperature guarantee. Sun, insulation, ceiling height and connected spaces still affect the load.
The dual-hose layout uses one outside-air intake and one hot-air exhaust. It differs from a single-hose appliance that exhausts room air, though the two ducts make the window setup more involved. Both manuals call for clearance around the body and warn against obstructing or sharply bending the hoses. Measure the opening and the path for both ducts before assuming that a 17-inch-wide cabinet will fit beside furniture.
The choice turns on heat and water handling
The ARC-122DS review is the cooling-only configuration. It has cooling, dehumidifying and fan modes, but no heat. Whynter describes self-evaporation in most conditions and provides upper and lower drain ports; its manual describes a gravity drain option rather than a lift pump. This version is more suitable when you want the shared cooling layout and do not need heat or pump-assisted drainage.
The ARC-122DHP review adds a heat-pump mode and built-in condensate pump. Its manual lists 10,000 BTU of ASHRAE heating capacity and 9,500 BTU DOE, and it restricts heat operation to ambient conditions above 45°F. Treat it as supplemental heat for suitable conditions, not an all-weather replacement for a furnace. More importantly, the manual requires a drain tube during heating; the included pump can lift condensate to a drain through its 7.5-foot hose. An elevated destination may make the pump valuable, but you still need to plan the water route.
Do not guess the window panel or carrying weight
The exact linked manuals specify a 20–46-inch window-kit range, while the current product pages list 20–56 inches. The ARC-122DS accessory listing again identifies a 46-inch optional kit. The available documentation does not tell us which version is supplied with every current retail carton, so neither model is treated as a confirmed fit for a measured opening in the finder. Ask the seller for the actual panel dimensions and compare them with your clear track measurement.
Weight has a similar conflict. Whynter's product page lists the DS at 68 pounds and the DHP at 70; their manuals list 61 and 63 pounds respectively. Both are substantial room appliances, but no exact hard weight ceiling should be based on one of these conflicting values. If stairs or a raised threshold are involved, confirm the version's rating-plate or carton information and arrange help moving it upright.
Energy and sound claims are not test results
The manuals give CEER/EER pairs of 6.88/9.15 for DS and 6.88/9.55 for DHP; the current pages advertise a low-speed sound figure under 47 dBA and high under 52 dBA. These are manufacturer figures, not independent measurements. The exact EnergyGuides list estimated annual use of 3,030 kWh and an annual-cost estimate of $364 based on a printed electricity-rate assumption. That estimate is not your household bill. The finder does not transfer a manual CEER figure into an exact-label efficiency requirement.
Which version fits your operating plan?
Choose DS when cooling is the essential function, a two-hose layout works for your window and a gravity-drain option is acceptable. Choose DHP when heat is useful above the documented temperature boundary and a pump-assisted drain route is practical. Neither is the right answer when you need a verified window slider wider than 46 inches without retailer confirmation, an independently measured sound level, or a firm weight ceiling from the conflicting documents. Read the exact product page and linked manual for the suffix you are considering, and compare your measured window, body clearance, receptacle and drain location before ordering.