Saving Money On HVAC Work

Posted on: 24 May 2019

The AC condenser unit, which sits outside the house, cools and condenses the refrigerant from a gaseous to a liquid state so that the refrigerant can circulate back into the cause to continue cooling. The condenser will only do its job properly if you place it in the right location. Here are some factors that can help determine what the right location is.

Direct Sunlight

A little sunlight over the condenser is not a disaster. However, prolonged sunlight exposure year after year is not good for the AC. For one, the sunlight may accelerate the deterioration or wear of tear of the condenser's materials. Secondly, the sunlight might overheat the AC and interfere with heat exchange. Therefore, choose a side of the building that is fairly shaded.

Flooding

A serious flood can affect your AC's operations and can even cause serious damage to the condenser unit. For example, floodwater can clog the condenser fins with debris and prevent efficient heat exchange. Big debris can damage the delicate condenser fins. Serious flooding can even displace or topple the unit, leading to disconnections. Thus, ensure the ground slopes away from the unit and ensure the area isn't prone to flooding.

Curb Appeal and View

A typical AC condenser unit isn't exactly a work of art; the manufacturer's main concern is functionality and efficiency. Thus, you might not want to place the unit where it can affect your house's curb appeal, like the front yard. Similarly, you might not want to place the unit right outside your window, where it might affect your view every time you look out of the window.

Noise

AC units make some noise; even the quiet models are not a hundred percent silent during operation. Thus, don't place the unit somewhere you want absolute quietness at all times. For example, if you work from home, don't place the unit right next to your office since the noise might distract you (depending on your noise tolerance).

Air Circulation

Lastly, you should also avoid any location where the condenser unit would not experience sufficient air circulation. The condenser needs good air circulation so that it can dump the heat it absorbs outdoors and pull in fresh air to keep cooling the house. Thus, the unit should not be covered in snow or blocked by vegetation. If you want to hide the unit with garden plants, as many people do, make sure you leave adequate space between the condenser and the plants so the air can continue circulating around the unit.

Your air conditioning services can help you figure out the best location for your AC unit.