Tinting windows or changing AC units ?

[yaronf]

So i been unhappy with the cooling in my house for quite some time now

been living in this house for a year , where i stay is extremely hot and humid all year round.

the space is quite large

7M X 15M and 3.5M height ceiling

i have 2 ceiling Hitachi units , model RAS-B36TNTBNH1

these are 34k BTU inverter 1phase units

they are both being turned on at the same time, never alone, the cooling just not enough unfortunately, had them cleaned, no difference

electricity bill are quite high because of it (500$ a month) , my smart home system shows about 7-8kWh when they are running,

from what i noticed the outdoor units are cosntantly running, they should reach a temp and then start/stop right ?

should i change them to bigger units ?

one last parameter to consider is that this space has giant glass sliding doors instead of walls on one side(south east), so sun is probably making things worse, i was thinking of maybe getting those windows tinted with UV blockers ? although i wouldnt want to get them too tinted as its facing our garden and pool.

please advice, whats the best way to go about it ?

[OneMoreFarang]

Obviously it would make sense that you talk to a specialist who should visit you and look at the details.

 

Two ideas from me: Double glazed windows should help - but are maybe expensive and difficult to install.

How are the ACs installed. I.e. both on one wall facing in the same direction? Or are they installed on opposite sides of the room facing each other? I read that it is important to position them correctly, especially if you have multiple units in the same space.

You can find lots of details on the internet. This is just an example:

 

[Crossy]

Inverter outdoor units don't cycle, they change speed so you wouldn't necessarily notice.

 

Two x 34k units would be ok by the standard Thai guesstimate of 600BTU/m² but that massive glass area isn't going to help.

 

Tinting should help but those windows point in exactly the wrong direction ???? 

 

Any way to add shade outside (planting) to keep the sun off the south and western walls?

[OneMoreFarang]

45 minutes ago, yaronf said:

from what i noticed the outdoor units are cosntantly running, they should reach a temp and then start/stop right ?

Inverter units should run constantly. They regulate if the run with full power or a little.

 

Non-inverter units only run all the time if they need to run all the time to cool down the place.

Non-inverter units use more energy mostly because they switch on and off all the time. That constant on/off is inefficient and expensive.

 

[KhunLA]

Definitely something wrong there:

"the space is quite large 

7M X 15M" = 105m²  ....  two 34k BTU

 

We're using (presently) one 24k BTU for 80m² and it will freeze us out

Mitsubishi Inverter

 

Something definitely wrong with the AC's, or your construction/insulation is terrible.

 

Window tinting is inexpensive, and will handle 90+ % of heat & UV, if rating accurate.  Won't be too dark, as our tinted window at one house, was the whole wall (half full, and half half wall), and no problem looking out at the garden.

This house had one 18k & 24k for a 96m² living area.  Both houses, those areas included the kitchen.

 

Edited August 25, 2022 by KhunLA

[4MyEgo]

1 hour ago, yaronf said:

So i been unhappy with the cooling in my house for quite some time now

been living in this house for a year , where i stay is extremely hot and humid all year round.

the space is quite large

7M X 15M and 3.5M height ceiling

i have 2 ceiling Hitachi units , model RAS-B36TNTBNH1

these are 34k BTU inverter 1phase units

they are both being turned on at the same time, never alone, the cooling just not enough unfortunately, had them cleaned, no difference

electricity bill are quite high because of it (500$ a month) , my smart home system shows about 7-8kWh when they are running,

from what i noticed the outdoor units are cosntantly running, they should reach a temp and then start/stop right ?

should i change them to bigger units ?

one last parameter to consider is that this space has giant glass sliding doors instead of walls on one side(south east), so sun is probably making things worse, i was thinking of maybe getting those windows tinted with UV blockers ? although i wouldnt want to get them too tinted as its facing our garden and pool.

please advice, whats the best way to go about it ?

In my opinion, whatever you do:

 

1) Do not tint the windows.

 

Do you have any roof space above you, e.g. gable roof or flat etc ?

 

The best thing you can do to stop the air leaving the room through the closed glass window panels, yes, air escapes from the window panels is to put up curtains, not thick where they will trap the suns heat in between the curtain and the window panels which will heat up the rooms, you want a curtains that are flimsy that won't trap the heat in, yet allow the cool air to circulate into the room and the heat coming in to cool at the same time. Add to that, think about putting an awning over the area outside where the sun hits the windows as you want to deflect the sun from the windows.

 

We have a room where the sun hits in the afternoon, I have tried and tested many things as it used to heat up like an oven, and the awning which has clear tinted panels and the flimsy curtains do the job 100%.

 

Also if you don't have any batts in your ceiling or sisalation under your roof tiles (assuming it's not a flat roof) your going to get hot real quick, sisalation is used to slow the heat entering through the tiles and the ceiling batts to stop the hot air entering the rooms below the ceilings and any cool air escaping through the ceiling into the roof space.

 

There are many ways to keep your house cool, but you have to be prepared to pay $'s for it as there is no band aid solution and many farangs here don't want to spend the $'s so they suffer all day, year around, not suggesting your one of them.

 

Whirlybirds also help pull the hot air out of your roof space although some may argue they don't, however I have been up there and witnessed it with many tests carried out by me and they are cheap, e.g. 24" for about 2,300 baht each.

 

Somethings to note below:

 

About Sisalation

Energy-efficient Sisalation® is a high quality reflective foil insulation product that cost-effectively insulates and protects residential, commercial and industrial buildings against heat, cold, dust and moisture, as well as reducing air movement in the roof space.

https://insulation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Brochure-Sisalation-Wrap-Selection-Guide-Consumer-web-res.pdf

 

The thicker the ceiling batts the better: 

 

https://www.onestockhome.com/en/products/57010696/stay-cool-scg-thermal-insulation_thermal-insulation_scg

 

Whirlybirds:

 

 

I have a dual gable roof, with 900mm vented eaves on the sides, I also have vents under each gable and the house is cool all year around, no need for air conditioners albeit I have one in each room, at the hottest of nights, I will turn one on in our room for 15-20 minutes then off it goes while a floor fan on 1 circulates the cool air all night. As for my kids who share a room, they have theirs on all night on 26, no need, but hey, I spoil them, it's better than giving them candy.

 

Any questions, fire away as my investment has paid off and most people that walk in on a hot day straight away say, oh nice and cool, air con, but fact is, air con is not on.

 

[yaronf]

2 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Obviously it would make sense that you talk to a specialist who should visit you and look at the details.

 

Two ideas from me: Double glazed windows should help - but are maybe expensive and difficult to install.

How are the ACs installed. I.e. both on one wall facing in the same direction? Or are they installed on opposite sides of the room facing each other? I read that it is important to position them correctly, especially if you have multiple units in the same space.

You can find lots of details on the internet. This is just an example:

 

They are both on the ceiling, the room is a rectangular shaped, i guess they are both in the middle of each side of the rec

[yaronf]

2 hours ago, 4MyEgo said:

In my opinion, whatever you do:

 

1) Do not tint the windows.

 

Do you have any roof space above you, e.g. gable roof or flat etc ?

 

The best thing you can do to stop the air leaving the room through the closed glass window panels, yes, air escapes from the window panels is to put up curtains, not thick where they will trap the suns heat in between the curtain and the window panels which will heat up the rooms, you want a curtains that are flimsy that won't trap the heat in, yet allow the cool air to circulate into the room and the heat coming in to cool at the same time. Add to that, think about putting an awning over the area outside where the sun hits the windows as you want to deflect the sun from the windows.

 

We have a room where the sun hits in the afternoon, I have tried and tested many things as it used to heat up like an oven, and the awning which has clear tinted panels and the flimsy curtains do the job 100%.

 

Also if you don't have any batts in your ceiling or sisalation under your roof tiles (assuming it's not a flat roof) your going to get hot real quick, sisalation is used to slow the heat entering through the tiles and the ceiling batts to stop the hot air entering the rooms below the ceilings and any cool air escaping through the ceiling into the roof space.

 

There are many ways to keep your house cool, but you have to be prepared to pay $'s for it as there is no band aid solution and many farangs here don't want to spend the $'s so they suffer all day, year around, not suggesting your one of them.

 

Whirlybirds also help pull the hot air out of your roof space although some may argue they don't, however I have been up there and witnessed it with many tests carried out by me and they are cheap, e.g. 24" for about 2,300 baht each.

 

Somethings to note below:

 

About Sisalation

Energy-efficient Sisalation® is a high quality reflective foil insulation product that cost-effectively insulates and protects residential, commercial and industrial buildings against heat, cold, dust and moisture, as well as reducing air movement in the roof space.

https://insulation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Brochure-Sisalation-Wrap-Selection-Guide-Consumer-web-res.pdf

 

The thicker the ceiling batts the better: 

 

https://www.onestockhome.com/en/products/57010696/stay-cool-scg-thermal-insulation_thermal-insulation_scg

 

Whirlybirds:

 

 

I have a dual gable roof, with 900mm vented eaves on the sides, I also have vents under each gable and the house is cool all year around, no need for air conditioners albeit I have one in each room, at the hottest of nights, I will turn one on in our room for 15-20 minutes then off it goes while a floor fan on 1 circulates the cool air all night. As for my kids who share a room, they have theirs on all night on 26, no need, but hey, I spoil them, it's better than giving them candy.

 

Any questions, fire away as my investment has paid off and most people that walk in on a hot day straight away say, oh nice and cool, air con, but fact is, air con is not on.

 

May i ask where do you stay in thailand ? 

Where i am, in Phuket, i dont know anyone that doesnt keep the AC on constantly when in the house...

as for the roof , cant say im sure how its constructed but i know there are 4 electric fans that constantly blow air out of the roof, if im not mistaken.

[4MyEgo]

2 minutes ago, yaronf said:

May i ask where do you stay in thailand ? 

Where i am, in Phuket, i dont know anyone that doesnt keep the AC on constantly when in the house...

as for the roof , cant say im sure how its constructed but i know there are 4 electric fans that constantly blow air out of the roof, if im not mistaken.

Phuket at the moment is 29 degree Celsius, and where I am in Udon Thani it is pretty much the same at 28

[KhunLA]

2 minutes ago, 4MyEgo said:

Phuket at the moment is 29 degree Celsius, and where I am in Udon Thani it is pretty much the same at 28

32 down from 33C ... feels like ... HELL 

I just adjusted the AC, freakin' cold @ 27C low (auto) fan ... ????

 

Yea, it's on all day, If I'm not in, the dog is.  Though sitting in the shade with the breeze isn't bad at all, as long as the mozzies aren't out.

[OneMoreFarang]

1 hour ago, yaronf said:

They are both on the ceiling, the room is a rectangular shaped, i guess they are both in the middle of each side of the rec

If it's like this (on the right) then it's not the way it's supposed to be.

 

[gamb00ler]

5 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

How are the ACs installed. I.e. both on one wall facing in the same direction?

OP stated that he has two ceiling units and the model number confirms they are ceiling cassette style.  Those units are sometimes called 4-way as they exhaust the cooled air in 4 different directions.

[yaronf]

4 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

If it's like this (on the right) then it's not the way it's supposed to be.

 

Both on ceiling mate

[Thailand J]

On 8/25/2022 at 11:23 AM, yaronf said:

one last parameter to consider is that this space has giant glass sliding doors instead of walls on one side(south east), so sun is probably making things worse, i was thinking of maybe getting those windows tinted with UV blockers ? although i wouldnt want to get them too tinted as its facing our garden and pool.

please advice, whats the best way to go about it ?

I am not a fan of tinting. It will make the room dark and depressing.

A 3m porch will keep the house cool.