No, Your AC Unit Doesn’t Need an Umbrella
As many parts of the country (and the world) experience record heatwaves, people are getting creative when it comes to keeping cool. And with scorching temperatures putting air conditioners to the test, those who rely on them to keep their homes comfortable are finding ways to keep them running.
There has been a post about one of these strategies on social media lately, but HVAC experts say it could do more harm than good. Here’s what you need to know.
Do not shade the AC unit with an umbrella
The Facebook post in question shows a large blue umbrella providing shade for an air conditioner, noting that some Texans have been doing this for years “to help their HVAC unit during Texas’ hot summer temperatures.”
But air conditioning experts say this strategy is a bad idea. For example, Blair Bodensteiner, owner of Bodensteiner Service Inc., an air conditioner repair company in Houston , told a local news channel that air conditioners are designed to work in the heat and don’t need our help. And, in fact, putting them under an umbrella can do more harm than good.
“Never cover the AC unit, as this can cause the unit to work harder and cool less efficiently,” Matt Lopez of Abacus Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electrical told Houston KPRC 2 in an interview. “Hot exhaust air hits the lid and is recirculated back into the unit’s coil, thereby increasing the temperature of the air passing through that coil, which is used to remove heat from the system.”
If anything, placing the umbrella in the wrong place can cause your AC unit to run more than it should. According to Lopez, you should leave at least 18 inches around the coil of the AC unit to allow for proper airflow.