AC compressor in a confined space

[Bassosa]

Hi guys,

 

Instead of having our AC compressor on the balcony in full view we intend to put it in it's own enclosure so it's tucked away and we don't hear it all the time.

 

This basically places the compressor in a room of 1 x 1.5 x 2.7 meters. One side of this room is more or less completely open to the elements and this is where the hot air the compressor puts out may escape.

We're worried about insufficient ventilation and the compressor frying itself. One technician recommended using a duct that directs the air emanating from the compressor to the outside. Apparently this method is supported by the manufacturer's and you won't lose your warranty. At the same time Mitsu, Daikin etc do not make these ducts.

Does anyone have experience with the matter? I couldn't help notice that a lot of condo's have the AC units in specially made cabinets at the sides of the balconies. The access doors to these "AC rooms" often have louvers.

[eyecatcher]

Enclosing them actually stops them doing the job they are designedfor, which is to condense hot air and allow it to escape.

Thats why boxed in ones are louvred.

If heat doesnt escape quickly then your inside box isnt going to do thejob you expect.

 

Interestingly, my next door neighbour had his daikin condensor box facing my knackered old fence. The heat from it was substantial.

Then I built my wall 1.6m high only 600mm from his box. Nightmare building in 40degrees plus his condensor blowing at me.

Two month later, he had this condensor moved 12m around the house now facing the road.

On asking him why he moved it, he said the inside unit wasnt working and the daikin engineer said the condensor needs better ventilation

[tjo o tjim]

Best to not do that, but if you do, it is a good idea to have the condensing unit oversized. At 1m depth with a fully open exterior side it will work, but will likely be about 3-5 degrees warmer, and stay warmer longer at night. This will drive up your utility bills. 

 

Way back I was involved in a computational fluid dynamics analysis of a light well/areaway for a high rise to determine the effect of every floor having six condensing units in this 3x3m shaft (essentially). Surprisingly, the stack effect actually made the solution more efficient than spreading the condensing units out more.