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Cover for AC Condensing Unit
Cover for AC Condensing Unit
Hi, I have new HVAC in my home. It includes a new outside (Condensing) Unit. The old one rusted to hell-and-gone due to exposure to sun, etc. I'd like to build/make a cover to protect it from the elements in the off-season (winter). Unit is about 25 x 27 " (rectangular top), about 24 " hi. Would be nice if covered to bottom, but I'd settle for a cover over the top 12 " of the unit. I am drawing a blank on what materials to use. Anybody invented/tested this wheel? Thanks, Puddin' |
Cover for AC Condensing Unit
how old was the one you replaced? newer ones dont appear to rust.
covering it might make it worse creating a mini moisture cycle with no airflow under your cover:( |
Cover for AC Condensing Unit
I've been using one from this company for several years with no problems.
http://www.sugarhouseawning.com/cool...tioner_co ver |
Cover for AC Condensing Unit
On 22 Mar 2006 15:22:59 -0800, "
wrote: how old was the one you replaced? 21 years. newer ones dont appear to rust. They look about the same to me. Painted steel. covering it might make it worse creating a mini moisture cycle with no airflow under your cover:( Yes, 100% coverage could defeat the purpose. I definitely want to keep crud out of the top of the unit. With 60-80% coverage, there would be sufficient ventilation. Puddin' |
Cover for AC Condensing Unit
Puddin' Man wrote: Cover for AC Condensing Unit Hi, I have new HVAC in my home. It includes a new outside (Condensing) Unit. The old one rusted to hell-and-gone due to exposure to sun, etc. I'd like to build/make a cover to protect it from the elements in the off-season (winter). Unit is about 25 x 27 " (rectangular top), about 24 " hi. Would be nice if covered to bottom, but I'd settle for a cover over the top 12 " of the unit. I am drawing a blank on what materials to use. Anybody invented/tested this wheel? Thanks, Puddin' I use a piece of plywood cut 1" larger all around than the unit and hold it in place with something heavy.....like a rock or a concrete block. |
Cover for AC Condensing Unit
On Wed, 22 Mar 2006 22:40:31 GMT, Puddin' Man
wrote: Cover for AC Condensing Unit Hi, I have new HVAC in my home. It includes a new outside (Condensing) Unit. The old one rusted to hell-and-gone due to exposure to sun, etc. I'd like to build/make a cover to protect it from the elements in the off-season (winter). Unit is about 25 x 27 " (rectangular top), about 24 " hi. Would be nice if covered to bottom, but I'd settle for a cover over the top 12 " of the unit. 12 inches vertically out of 24. You don't think that will cut down the efficiency of the AC? And waste electricity? I am drawing a blank on what materials to use. Anybody invented/tested this wheel? Thanks, Puddin' |
Cover for AC Condensing Unit
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Cover for AC Condensing Unit
Bubba wrote: Yeah but we dont all live in a trailer. That's true, but from what I've seen of what you post in other groups, I suspect you might.... |
Cover for AC Condensing Unit
I use a piece of plywood cut 1" larger all around than the unit and hold it in place with something heavy.....like a rock or a concrete block. Yeah but we dont all live in a trailer. =========================== Well I sure as the devil do not either... BUT that is how I protect my outside unit.... Only attempting to keep out leaves and allow air to circulate.. Both my sons are in the heating and a/c business they both told me that 99 percent of the units they see with rust problems are the ones whixch are covered ... I use a pretty "rock" to hold the plywiid down ...lol Bob G. |
Cover for AC Condensing Unit
just as cars in many parts of the country used to rust bad and rot away
by being only 6 or 7 years old, and today seemingly go forever if not scratched or dented the same thing has occured to other exposed steeel devices. The steel is better quality, and galavanized and protected better. all this euuals little rust. I would leave it uncovered, just placing anyting on top of the unit then weighted down may lead to small scratches, turning into rust later. wind can cause vibration leading to scratching the finish. baked on enamel paints are so much better today too. but hey if covering makes you happy go for it! |
Cover for AC Condensing Unit
Puddin,
If you remove the condenser's cover every few years,clean and paint it then it won't rust. This is routine maintenance. Putting a structure over the condenser just creates another structure that requires routine maintenance. Dave M. |
Cover for AC Condensing Unit
In article ,
"PrecisionMechanical" wrote: Put a f*cking tarp over it then, and secure it with bungees.... F*cking idiot, apparently doesnt realize 1/2 the country operates their condensor in reverse mode as heat pump much of the season with no ill effect. I have a brand new Rheem 13 SEER condensing unit. Would you please explain how to run it in "reverse mode"? That must be an undocumented feature. (Speaking of f*ucking idiots...) pbbbbbfffffttttttt! -- :\ JR |
Cover for AC Condensing Unit
In article ,
Bob G. wrote: I use a piece of plywood cut 1" larger all around than the unit and hold it in place with something heavy.....like a rock or a concrete block. Only attempting to keep out leaves and allow air to circulate.. Both my sons are in the heating and a/c business they both told me that 99 percent of the units they see with rust problems are the ones whixch are covered ... That cinches it: I'm not going to cover my new unit, either. I am replacing a 1991 WattGobblertm condensing unit that has NEVER been covered - and it has never missed a beat OR rusted. Convince me that there exists a viable and CONVENIENT way to keep out cottonwood tree "cotton" and I'll consider it. -- :) JR |
Cover for AC Condensing Unit
On Thu, 23 Mar 2006 13:56:00 GMT, "David Martel"
wrote: Puddin, If you remove the condenser's cover every few years,clean and paint it then it won't rust. This is pert near what I tried with the old one. It didn't work. Rusted a bunch. Surface prep was a severe PITA. Rust would bleed back thru after painting. This is routine maintenance. Putting a structure over the condenser just creates another structure that requires routine maintenance. It can, yes. but it can also preserve the unit. You wouldn't think it in MO, but the sun out there deteriorates most anything muy pronto. What I'd like is to find good cheap material, make one. If it's trashed in, say, 5 years, pitch it and make another. Etc, etc. So far the only candidates are awning grade canvas and plywood. I might consider maybe something like phenolic if it wasn't so expensive. Puddin' |
Cover for AC Condensing Unit
This is Turtle
If the Sun caused your condenser to rust out, Covering it will rust it out twice as fast. TURTLE |
Cover for AC Condensing Unit
"Jim Redelfs" wrote in message ... In article , Bob G. wrote: I use a piece of plywood cut 1" larger all around than the unit and hold it in place with something heavy.....like a rock or a concrete block. Only attempting to keep out leaves and allow air to circulate.. Both my sons are in the heating and a/c business they both told me that 99 percent of the units they see with rust problems are the ones whixch are covered ... That cinches it: I'm not going to cover my new unit, either. I am replacing a 1991 WattGobblertm condensing unit that has NEVER been covered - and it has never missed a beat OR rusted. Convince me that there exists a viable and CONVENIENT way to keep out cottonwood tree "cotton" and I'll consider it. Chainsaw...... -- SVL |
Cover for AC Condensing Unit
In article ,
"PrecisionMechanical" wrote: Convince me that there exists a viable and CONVENIENT way to keep out cottonwood tree "cotton" and I'll consider it. Chainsaw...... Hehehe! Nice try but NO cigar, Slick. :) I specified (and emphasized) "convenient". An army of chain-saw-wielding maniacs, given a few months, might make a minor DENT in the cottonwood tree population nearby, but not enough to help free my A.C. fins from clogging. Cottonwood is indigenous to this area. Those that live to be 150-years old grow HUGE enough that professionals use a CRANE to fell them. It is the unfortunate property owner indeed that must pay THOUSANDS of $$ to have a big one removed. Most are on public property, along creek beds and floodways. Every few years, when there is a particularly big "cotton" release, it can appear as though it has SNOWED - in July. -- :) JR |
Cover for AC Condensing Unit
"Jim Redelfs" wrote in message ... In article , "PrecisionMechanical" wrote: Convince me that there exists a viable and CONVENIENT way to keep out cottonwood tree "cotton" and I'll consider it. Chainsaw...... Hehehe! Nice try but NO cigar, Slick. :) I specified (and emphasized) "convenient". An army of chain-saw-wielding maniacs, given a few months, might make a minor DENT in the cottonwood tree population nearby, but not enough to help free my A.C. fins from clogging. Cottonwood is indigenous to this area. Those that live to be 150-years old grow HUGE enough that professionals use a CRANE to fell them. It is the unfortunate property owner indeed that must pay THOUSANDS of $$ to have a big one removed. Most are on public property, along creek beds and floodways. Every few years, when there is a particularly big "cotton" release, it can appear as though it has SNOWED - in July. Actually, I'm located in the columbia river basin, and so there's quite a few em here too..but for some reason, they really don't present much of a problem with our heat pumps. Maybe its the high humidity causes them to deteriorate rapidly or something. shrug -- SVL |
Cover for AC Condensing Unit
"Jim Redelfs" wrote in message ... In article , "PrecisionMechanical" wrote: Put a f*cking tarp over it then, and secure it with bungees.... F*cking idiot, apparently doesnt realize 1/2 the country operates their condensor in reverse mode as heat pump much of the season with no ill effect. I have a brand new Rheem 13 SEER condensing unit. Would you please explain how to run it in "reverse mode"? That must be an undocumented feature. (Speaking of f*ucking idiots...) pbbbbbfffffttttttt! Suggest buy one that has the "optional reversing valve" preinstalled--then you can just operate it year round...... -- SVL |
Cover for AC Condensing Unit
Puddin' Man wrote: On Thu, 23 Mar 2006 13:56:00 GMT, "David Martel" wrote: Puddin, If you remove the condenser's cover every few years,clean and paint it then it won't rust. This is pert near what I tried with the old one. It didn't work. Rusted a bunch. Surface prep was a severe PITA. Rust would bleed back thru after painting. This is routine maintenance. Putting a structure over the condenser just creates another structure that requires routine maintenance. It can, yes. but it can also preserve the unit. You wouldn't think it in MO, but the sun out there deteriorates most anything muy pronto. What I'd like is to find good cheap material, make one. If it's trashed in, say, 5 years, pitch it and make another. Etc, etc. So far the only candidates are awning grade canvas and plywood. I might consider maybe something like phenolic if it wasn't so expensive. Puddin' For mine, I built a small gable roof out of scrap 3/8 ply then covered it with left over shingles. It only covers the top and lips down an inch on two sides to hold position. My concern was keeping the leaves, etc out of the housing. Matches the house roof style/color, light and easily removed/stored in the spring. It will last longer than the house roof as it isn't as exposed to the weather. Harry K Harry K |
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