Why You Should Never Tent Your AC Unit
With the occurrence of heat waves across the United States, individuals are employing innovative techniques to cut costs and enhance the efficiency of their air conditioning units. However, it's important to note that covering your AC with a tent or placing an umbrella over it will not yield any real benefits. On the contrary, such measures can lead to significant issues.
Hotter With A Tent: The Rising Temperature
Any obstruction that obstructs the airflow surrounding your air conditioner can result in the fan functioning with increased effort. Typically, an air conditioner consumes air from its sides and expels hot air from the top. Placing a tent or umbrella over the unit's top would cause hot air to get trapped near the intakes, leading to prolonged fan operation and overall machine overheating. To ensure unimpeded air circulation, any covering placed above your AC unit should be situated at a minimum height of six feet above the fan.
AC Not Built For Heat Wave
Many air conditioners are designed to work effectively when the temperature is around 95 degrees, but intense heat waves are pushing temperatures to extreme levels for extended periods in certain parts of the country. This is causing household cooling systems to face immense pressure. While there are maintenance techniques that can assist in alleviating strain on an overburdened AC unit during the peak of a heat wave, using umbrellas and tents doesn't come into play.
Heat Makes Compressors Work Harder
Air conditioners rely on condensed refrigerant to extract heat from a room and expel it through the heat exchanger. Therefore, the compressor plays a crucial role in the overall system. As the temperature and humidity rise, the compressor's efficiency declines, resulting in increased power consumption to cool the same area. This extra energy usage can significantly impact your electricity expenses. Unfortunately, utilizing the tenting method doesn't enhance efficiency. Nevertheless, there are alternative measures you can take to mitigate this issue.
Shady Strategies: A Helpful Approach
If you desire to enhance your air conditioning system's effectiveness, providing shade is beneficial. However, it is crucial to ensure that the shade comes from a source that is located a good distance away from the unit itself. It is ideal to have at least six vertical feet of clearance, as well as two to three feet of space on the sides to ensure proper functioning of the air intakes and exhaust. Options such as trellised plants, a tree, or even an awning can provide suitable shade and help cool the surrounding area of your air conditioner. This can contribute to slightly improved efficiency and also protect the components from sun exposure, ultimately extending their lifespan.
Boost Productivity With Maintenance
In order to ensure proper air circulation around your air conditioning (AC) unit, ensure that there is no vegetation within a three-foot radius and remove any debris such as grass clippings. Additionally, improving the efficiency of your AC can be achieved by regularly changing filters and ensuring that indoor vents are not blocked. It is also important to check the drainage system of the unit to ensure proper functioning. Engaging in these routine maintenance practices is much more effective than trying to makeshift a beach umbrella for your AC.
Energy-saving Tips
You might want to think about other options to conserve energy, such as reducing the use of heat-emitting appliances like dryers and ovens. It's also beneficial to ensure that your windows are shaded and insulated properly, and utilizing a smart thermostat to regulate the temperature in your house can significantly enhance your AC's efficiency by reducing energy consumption. Additionally, ceiling fans can aid in air circulation and provide some cooling effect, reducing the workload on your AC system.
