Joseph,

Good suggestions, but I have one concern. As busy as they
are, plus considering the fact that the OP doesn't want to
purchase a permanent system, how many HVAC techs are
going to want to come out and evaluate the OP's requirements?

Plus, if he is going to spend a few hundreds dollars on window
AC units, does it really make sense to spend a few hundred
additional dollars to have a pro "do the numbers"? He should
spend his money on actually hardware, in my opinion. Especially
since he has indicated that he really doesn't need AC very often.
All he needs is a few window units to get him past a few horrible
days each summer.

Gideon

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Joseph Meehan wrote

Frankly now would not be the best time for you to get one. Those
selling them are going to have their prices up and selection down in your
area.

Start by asking yourself if you are going to try and cool the whole home
or just a few rooms.

If you are going to cool just rooms, consider buying just one unit at
first and size it on the small size for the largest area. Then you can move
it to a different area if it is too small. You DON'T want to get something
too large as it will not de-humidify properly. From that first test you
can then make better guesses about the other smaller rooms or maybe a larger
one for the large room.

Don't buy for today's weather, but for a little less warm weather.

Personally I would suggest considering hiring a HVAC professional to
look at your home, do the numbers and add his experience of your areas
construction and weather to make some suggestions.