Shading the condenser unit keeps it cooler and increases it’s efficiency and helps keeps my electricity costs down. The sail is high enough and mesh like so that it doesn’t trap the hot air. In fact it creates a slight wind tunnel effect. The shade it provides lasts during the hottest part of the day and a tree helpfully blocks the sun for the remainder. The unit is never in full sun this way. Keeping the weeds and other debris away from the unit so that it gets good airflow and cleaning the condenser every year also help with the units efficiency.

  • dohpaz42@lemmy.worldEnglish
    67·
    11 months ago

    Have you been able to quantify how much more efficient your unit is because of the shade?

    • Assistant Manager@dullsters.netOPMEnglish
      10·
      11 months ago

      Sadly there are just too many variables in play. Many other changes have been made to help keep costs down such as different thermostat settings, extra insulation, and duct sealing. It does all add up to quite a bit of savings.

    • Itsamelemmy@lemmy.zipEnglish
      10·
      11 months ago

      I have an emporia energy meter. While I can’t answer your question exactly, I have sprayed mine with a hose during the hottest part of the day and watched the power usage drop a decent amount. So I imagine as long as the shade wasn’t too expensive it’ll pay for itself.

      Sprayed it down with the hose again. Pic added showing energy usage drop. Doesn’t last long from water, but does show it not working as hard when cooler.