On Jul 8, 11:39 pm, Wayne Boatwright
wrote:
We live in the Phoenix area where the sun and temperatures are intense. From
11:00 a.m. until sundown our condensing unit and compressor have no natural
shade from the sun. The unit sits less than 1 foot from an exterior wall.
Plantings for shade would be impractical for various reasons.

The system is only 3 years old. The compressor and capacitors have already
had to be replaced once (under warranty). We feel the extreme heat was a
contributing factor to its failure.

Can anyone suggest a reasonably economical solution to providing some shade
for this unit? We briefly considered a specialized misting system that would
run anytime the unit is running; however, our water is so hard that I'm sure
it would eventually clog or damage the condenser fins.

TIA



Andy comments:

You are wise in wanting to shade the outdoor unit.

Direct sunlight puts roughly 1000 watts of "heat" into the unit
for ever square meter of direct exposure. That's why the
surface of a piece of metal gets much hotter than the
surrounding air.

I live in North Texas, where the problem is not quite as
bad, but still noteworthy. The air condx genius who put
in our central unit put it on the unshaded side of the house.

I have planted a trellis and raise cucumbers on the sunny
side of the air condx. In the winter, the sun helps me , since
it is a heat pump, and the cucumber vines have been harvested.

I also got a piece of corrugated iron roofing material and use it
to help shade the unit.

You may have a problem getting your wife to accept these
solutions, but shading the air condx will help you .

I would suggest a longer term solution by planting a tree on
the sunny side ---- one that loses it's leaves in winter and is
fast growing. Maybe a pear tree or some such...... But keep
it at least 3 feet away so it won't restrict air flow......

Good luck,

Andy in Eureka, Texas