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Have a question.
Our air conditioning unit is sitting outside, in full sunshine for most of the day. Would it make a difference if I built a small shed type cover for it, so it would at least be out of direct sunshine?
Build the top several feet above the actual unit, not very close to the top.
Our air conditioning unit is sitting outside, in full sunshine for most of the day. Would it make a difference if I built a small shed type cover for it, so it would at least be out of direct sunshine?
Build the top several feet above the actual unit, not very close to the top.
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Not an expert by any means, but can say I hope it's not a York. I've
nothing but yearly problems with the one I had installed about 15yrs.
ago!!!
BTW, it sits shaded for more the day.0 -
Yes, it helps to keep direct sun off of the unit, but if you build it within 10 feet of the top of it, it will force hot air to recirculate through the coils and do more harm than good. The best thing is to have the shade of a tree so the hot air can continue to rise and not be pulled back through the coils. 0 -
maybe build a thing around it, so its not ALL THE WAY covered up, but still kinda shady. That might help 0 -
there is a company here that makes a blanket that wraps around the unit and "dribbles water on the coils.They claim it reduses the time the unit runs,elec. bill,etc. tomorrow Ill pull the name off my desk top for you if you want[|)] 0 -
One thing will help is to flush the coils with a water hose every so often to keep them clear of dirt and debris. 0 -
Okay, I flush it with the water hose about once every two weeks.
There was a tree that shaded it most of the day, but I had to cut it. It was on top of the drain end of the septic tank.
Not a York, it's a Heil (sp?).
quote:there is a company here that makes a blanket that wraps around the unit and "dribbles water on the coils.They claim it reduses the time the unit runs,elec. bill,etc. tomorrow Ill pull the name off my desk top for you if you want
Why not use something like a soaker hose, cut to fit on top or around the outside top, with the water turned down real low?0 -
No...you would just be wasting your time 0 -
Danny, How about building it like an arbor, with spaced boards? That way it will keep most of the sunshine off, and the hot air can continue to rise. 0 -
The best design would be a 3 sided w/ "roof" using a louvered side walls on the E,W,S (open to the north) and a trelis type roof.
next best design would be a simple 3 sides and top made with lattice material.
The idea is to provide shade while allowing free air circulation.
As far as the water assist ideas go, if you can keep the top of the coils damp while the bottom of the coils stay dry than any application methiod will work. You don't want to have water dripping off the bottom, as that is simply wasted water. The higher the humidity level, the less effective the water assist will be.0 -
We asked an a/c man the same thing. He said don't plant anything around it, or build anything ever it either. Won't let air circulate around it. Better off leaving it the way it is. Hope this helps. 0 -
there is a limit of "do not put anything around it", of course if this where to be taken literally your ac unit would be in the middle of a field, and not next to your house
yes you can provide shade, best way depending on the location is to build a small wall within 3-4 feet of the unit, but elevate the bottom off the ground by 10 inches, this way air can flow, i have seen them with a small wall angled above the unit
allot of people have no ideal how a ac unit works, it does not make cold air, rather the a-coil removes heat from the air flowing over it, and blows it back into the house, it does not make the a coil cold, the heat it removes must be cooled down by the outside unit, if it cannot cool down efficiently it can lead to many failures, knowing this can help you visualize the needs of the unit a bit better, btw i am replacing mine in the next few days, as soon as i can find some acetylene0 -
I guess much would depend on how the unit is situate. For instance:
mine would be shaded throughout the day with nothing more than an
angled roof, that wouldn't even have to be all that close.0 -
quote:Originally posted by bama55
Danny, How about building it like an arbor, with spaced boards? That way it will keep most of the sunshine off, and the hot air can continue to rise.
It would need to be very tall with louvers or lattice on top and nothing on the sides to allow full circulation. Cool water misters on the side of the unit will increase the ability to remove the heat from the coolant and greatly reduce head pressure on the compressor, but it will rust any carbon steel components such as screws, so be careful with that.
Basically, anything you can do to cool the coil without restricting air flow through them will increase the efficiency of the unit. Water is the best cooler as you know, and it explains why water cooling towers are used in large commercial units.0 -
Shade tree.
Solar panel hooked to a battery with a fan on the side of the unit...free power moving air thru coils= more heat removed.
Paint the metal pure white. Off white absorbs radiant energy. Keep coils clean.
They build concrete walls around air con heat pumps here...the cinder blocks are turned sideways to allow air to travel thru...blocks the sun and the pesky supertyphoon winds (200mph+)enough it won't blow away.0 -
Don't use the water misters, they will shorten the efficient life of your condenser coil, especially if you have chlorine in your water supply.
Heil is made by ICP,......same as Comfortmaker, and Tempstar, by and large. They are now owned by Carrier Corp.
Does your condenser coil show any signs of "whitening" of the aluminum fins, that were originally coated in a black finish on that particular brand?0 -
quote:Does your condenser coil show any signs of "whitening" of the aluminum fins, that were originally coated in a black finish on that particular brand?
Just a little.
Took the top off today, cleaned the fan blades. I don't know if that does any good or not, just something I starting doing about once a year. Rinsed the fins inside and out. I did notice some of the fins are bent. Guess I need to spend a day straightening them.[V]0 -
"sunshine" has no effect on a air conditioner. Keep all components clean and the ability of good air flow are vital to proper operation 0 -
Reloader44mag has it right. Don't build anything around it just keep it clean and don't restrict the airflow in or out. 0 -
I agree with the last 2 posts.
I see it all the time, trees, trellis's and covers.
They restrict the airflow.
Yes, I'm an a/c contractor.0 -
Glad that your coil is not bad.
Heil had an issue with what they were calling "snowy coil",......it was from some "bad" aluminum, and it would deteriorate way before it should.
Just maintain it like you are, and don't worry about misters, or building something that will restrict airflow.
You should probably get a set of fin combs, if your fins are badly bent up, or dented.
Try a wholesaler in your area, they will usually sell stuff like that to an end user.
I've been in the trade for 25 years,.......own business for 15.0 -
Okay, thanks everybody for your input. I may or may not try to shade it. What ever I do it will not restrict the air flow.
Thanks again.0
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