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#1
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window AC electric usage increasing a days wears on...
I plugged my window AC into a "killawatt". It was running 900 watts,
then the past few days it's been climbing to 1000, then 1100, even 1200 as the day wears on -- and the sun beats down on the unit to the west side. Suppose shading this could make a big (300 w) difference? |
#2
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window AC electric usage increasing a days wears on...
On Jul 12, 1:09*pm, kansascats wrote:
I plugged my window AC into a "killawatt". *It was running 900 watts, then the past few days it's been climbing to 1000, then 1100, even 1200 as the day wears on -- and the sun beats down on the unit to the west side. Suppose shading this could make a big (300 w) difference? Somewhat, but don't forget even if shaded, the air temperature around the unit is rising even if the unit is not in direct sunlight. |
#3
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window AC electric usage increasing a days wears on...
On 7/12/2011 1:09 PM, kansascats wrote:
I plugged my window AC into a "killawatt". It was running 900 watts, then the past few days it's been climbing to 1000, then 1100, even 1200 as the day wears on -- and the sun beats down on the unit to the west side. Suppose shading this could make a big (300 w) difference? There are a lot of factors that can contribute to increased power consumption with a dirty coil being one of them but what first came to me as I read your post was the fact that the voltage in the grid may be dropping as more and more people run their AC units. When the voltage drops, the current goes up and the wattage your AC uses may also go up. Look at the voltage readings when the watts are low and compare it to the voltage when when the wattage use is higher. One thing you can do the help your AC unit is the (gently) use your water hose on a spray setting to wash the outside coil. A power stream will bend the fins on the condenser so be careful. You can do it while it's running without a problem as long as you don't direct a direct stream at the electrical covers through the side vents where you can rinse out the inside of your window unit. TDD |
#4
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window AC electric usage increasing a days wears on...
On Jul 12, 1:09*pm, kansascats wrote:
I plugged my window AC into a "killawatt". *It was running 900 watts, then the past few days it's been climbing to 1000, then 1100, even 1200 as the day wears on -- and the sun beats down on the unit to the west side. Suppose shading this could make a big (300 w) difference? I would think voltagw is dropping or the compressor is failing, how old is it |
#5
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window AC electric usage increasing a days wears on...
On Jul 13, 8:57*am, ransley wrote:
On Jul 12, 1:09*pm, kansascats wrote: I plugged my window AC into a "killawatt". *It was running 900 watts, then the past few days it's been climbing to 1000, then 1100, even 1200 as the day wears on -- and the sun beats down on the unit to the west side. Suppose shading this could make a big (300 w) difference? I would think voltagw is dropping or the compressor is failing, how old is it Clearly all of you know nothing about air conditioning. Go ask any hvac tech about the refrigerant pressures and compressor current draw as the outside air temp goes from 70 to 100. Shading the house to reduce the heating effect on the house can make a difference. Shading the unit will make no appreciable difference. If you don't believe me go get one of those killawatt meters and try it yourself. |
#6
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window AC electric usage increasing a days wears on...
Watts is a unit of work. If the voltage drops, it should be
same watts, over all. And the OP is testing at different times of the same day, so compressor wear is negligible. I suspect the difference is the outdoor air temp. -- Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus www.lds.org .. "ransley" wrote in message ... On Jul 12, 1:09 pm, kansascats wrote: I plugged my window AC into a "killawatt". It was running 900 watts, then the past few days it's been climbing to 1000, then 1100, even 1200 as the day wears on -- and the sun beats down on the unit to the west side. Suppose shading this could make a big (300 w) difference? I would think voltagw is dropping or the compressor is failing, how old is it |
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