possible improvement for outdoor AC unit

1005 Views 14 Replies 10 Participants Last post by Dianne123, Dec 19, 2012

Dianne123

Discussion Starter · Dec 18, 2012 (Edited)

I've heard that shading an outdoor AC unit can help its efficiency, provided room is left for good air flow. Could one also build an enclosure around the sides of the unit leaving a hole for the exhaust fan on top and running internal house air into the enclosure thereby keeping the side grills cooler? I understand it couldn't be totally enclosed becuase of the air pressure that would build, but maybe just some indoor air to supplement..???

1 - 15 of 15 Posts

jagans

· #2 · Dec 18, 2012

You mean you are going to vent cooled interior air into an enclosure for your Condenser? That does not make any sense at all to me, you are robbing Peter to pay Paul. I would put it on the side where its in shade for most of the day and give it plenty of room to breathe. More importantly, keep the fins clean of grass leaves and atmospheric dirt and clean the evaporator coil and change filters often.

Reactions: 1

beenthere

· #3 · Dec 18, 2012

Doing what you suggest would then cause a large amount of fresh unconditioned air to be drawn into your house which would then have to be cooled.

As above, just keep it clean.

Reactions: 1

Doc Holliday

· #4 · Dec 18, 2012

Wouldn't subcooling also be affected?

Reactions: 1

beenthere

· #5 · Dec 18, 2012

Doc Holliday said:
Wouldn't subcooling also be affected?

High indoor load, low outdoor load. SC would be at its normal for the unit for the 70 to 80° air temp it was drawing into it.

NitrNate

· #6 · Dec 18, 2012

plant a giant tree...i kid. but seriously, that's about the only way to provide shade that is going to help and give plenty of room for proper airflow.

Dianne123

Discussion Starter · #7 · Dec 19, 2012

thanks for the comments

the unit is already in a partly shaded side of the house and functions well. i was just thinking of ways to save energy. i also use reflective window films and have a schedule for the filter changes and checking for leaves and twigs. it was just a thought..

Dianne123

Discussion Starter · #8 · Dec 19, 2012 (Edited)

another possibly dumb thought

how about building a cover facing downwind for the fan exhaust and another wrap around facing 90degrees opposite..to keep the two flows more separated??? am i driving you guys crazy yet?? only my second post on here, LOL.. ps..with some mesh fencing material to keep the critters out..

carmon

· #9 · Dec 19, 2012

no idea what you are talking about.....

Missouri Bound

· #10 · Dec 19, 2012

Dianne123 said:
i was just thinking of ways to save energy.

Raise the indoor temperature and don't use it below 80 deg. THAT'S how you save energy.

sammy37

· #11 · Dec 19, 2012

Missouri Bound said:
Raise the indoor temperature and don't use it below 80 deg. THAT'S how you save energy.

beenthere

· #12 · Dec 19, 2012

Dianne123 said:
how about building a cover facing downwind for the fan exhaust and another wrap around facing 90degrees opposite..to keep the two flows more separated??? am i driving you guys crazy yet?? only my second post on here, LOL.. ps..with some mesh fencing material to keep the critters out..

Unless its sitting in a parking lot, not being shaded has very little effect on its efficiency.

Keep both of you coils clean, close the blinds of the windows the sun is shining on. Minimize cooking during the heat of the day. Repair or replace all worn door seals, caulk around all your windows to reseal them, and seal all of your receptacles and wall switches. This will do far more to save you money on you heating and cooling bill then any type of shading you would do to your condenser.

ben's plumbing

· #13 · Dec 19, 2012

if you want to save more money on a system thats working well as you say....replace it with a higher eff system????..cause your only wasting money trying to do what your thinking..sorry ben sr

hvac5646

· #14 · Dec 19, 2012 (Edited)

To the OP....read up on water cooled home ACs...you can put them any place and build enclosures around them. All you need is a water supply and a place to drain the water.

Used to be very common back in the day....not so much now. Uncle told me that his mentor would design them from scratch and they used R12.

Reactions: 1

Dianne123

Discussion Starter · #15 · Dec 19, 2012 (Edited)

Thanks hvac5646..?? interesting..I'm really thinking for down the road, if the summers get bad with the global warming...thanks to everyone else too. just thinking out loud!!!

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