Does an AC Condenser Need Shade During the Summer?

When you stand under shade, your body cools down. This is basically the same reason why some homeowners and air conditioning repair experts agree that placing AC condensers under shade makes them more efficient. 

Does It Really Help to Shade an AC Condenser?

According to a study by the Department of Energy, outdoor AC units that are shaded by trees or artificial structures are 10% more efficient, which can save you hundreds of dollars in yearly cooling costs. This is possible because the trees cool down the air surrounding a condenser unit and prevent rising concrete ground temperatures.

Other specialists, however, argue that the benefits of shading an AC are insignificant. According to data from Florida Solar Energy Center’s two-year research on shading air conditioners, there was only a 3% increase in the energy efficiency of the air conditioners. The Kuwait Center for Scientific Research also found that trees, foliage and other shading devices can introduce debris into air conditioners, restricting their airflow and causing hot exhaust air to be recycled back through the system. This makes air conditioners less efficient at cooling indoor spaces.

What’s the General Consensus?

Our air conditioning maintenance professionals believe that regular maintenance, long-lasting repairs and thorough inspections have a greater impact on improving AC performance than shading. For instance, duct leaks will cause your AC system to use more energy to cool your spaces. Dirty filters and restricted airflow will cause your AC to work harder to reach your desired temperature, consuming more electricity in the process. So unless you address such cooling problems through maintenance and repair, shading won’t really make a difference to your utility bills.

You can always count on Superior Air for the best air conditioning installation, repair and maintenance services. Call us at (559) 734-2002 or fill out our contact form to schedule a service appointment. We serve customers in Visalia, CA, and other nearby areas.