On Thu, 1 Feb 2007 21:47:46 -0500, "Stormin Mormon"
wrote:

Common sense says shading is a big help.


Common sense is often wrong.

Once it was common sense that the Earth couldn't be moving. You don't
feel motion. Now we know the Earth is moving, and very fast. Also that
we never feel movement. Just acceleration.

Someone on alt.hvac posted a study awhile back. Someone set up
two identical houses, and found the shade versus sun made no
difference.

I'd plant some trees, or rig a shade if possible. Remember, AC
units can produce a LOT of air flow.

Having the outdoor unit professionally cleaned every couple years
will do more good than shade. The tech should take the outer
housing off, use spray on liquid chemicals, and rinse the fins
thoroughly with a water hose.

One I did a couple years ago, the unit was drawing about 9.5
amps,a nd hardly cooling. I cleaned it, and the current draw went
down to about 8.5. The fellow said it was the first time in years
the unit shut off cause the house reached temp. I'm sure I saved
him a lot of money.

I needed mine cleaned a couple of years ago. It had quit cooling at
all.
--
Mark Lloyd
http://notstupid.laughingsquid.com

"Unlike biological evolution. 'intelligent design' is
not a genuine scientific theory and, therefore, has
no place in the curriculum of our nation's public
school classes." -- Ted Kennedy