Big fat ugly A/C compressor unit on balcony

[JoeyMac]

Guys we found the perfect condo in regards to size, location, and amenities.  Agent opens up the balcony, breathe in some beautiful Bangkok pollution. Look to my rite and i see the most ugliest largest air conditioning compressor i had ever seen in my life sitting rite there. 

 

Owner / agent had hid it in all photos before viewing. It's put us rite off ! All our dreams of sitting on a balcony, sipping on some quaint British tea, relaxing were blown out of the water as we realised there would be a waft of 'heat hitting us' from this ugly looking creature. 

 

Now chemically speaking can anyone tell me how safe these compressor units are in terms of pollution, the air that is released etc ? I mean if it is pumping in clean air into your room, then is it emitting dirty air out ? 

 

I can't fathom how a condo owner would spend millions to build a state of the art of condo, then skimp on the air conditioning units and just throw them on the balcony. 

 

Can someone also tell me how some condos don't have a compressor unit on the balcony? Is it just cleverly hidden ?

 

 

[Dan O]

Seems you don't know much about AC units. They don't blow chemicals or anything extra when they run. They pump refrigerant in a closed loop from the inside unit to the outside unit. The outside unit just blows outside air across the coils to remove the heat coming off the coil produced by creating cool inside air.  Unless you have a really higher end unit they typically don't exhaust the inside air.  The outside unit has to sit somewhere and since its a condo they have to sit on property that's part of the condo unit itself. The exterior walls, windows and roof are not owned by the condo owner but the master entity of the building so you can't mount them there. As for the ones you don't see they are hidden or the whole building is using a different type of cooling system. 

[bbko]

How hard is it to say "I don't like this place, I'll check another"?

If you don't like the place....MOVE ON! It's not rocket science.

[JoeyMac]

3 minutes ago, bbko said:

How hard is it to say "I don't like this place, I'll check another"?

If you don't like the place....MOVE ON! It's not rocket science.

Location. Location. Location. New condo. 2 bedrooms. Hence not so easy. 

[JoeyMac]

10 minutes ago, Dan O said:

Seems you don't know much about AC units. They don't blow chemicals or anything extra when they run. They pump refrigerant in a closed loop from the inside unit to the outside unit. The outside unit just blows outside air across the coils to remove the heat coming off the coil produced by creating cool inside air.  Unless you have a really higher end unit they typically don't exhaust the inside air.  The outside unit has to sit somewhere and since its a condo they have to sit on property that's part of the condo unit itself. The exterior walls, windows and roof are not owned by the condo owner but the master entity of the building so you can't mount them there. As for the ones you don't see they are hidden or the whole building is using a different type of cooling system. 

 

Unfortunately when it comes to physics i am quite thick. Can you please explain what you just said to me as if i was 5 years old. Cheers 

[JoeyMac]

14 minutes ago, Dan O said:

As for the ones you don't see they are hidden or the whole building is using a different type of cooling system. 

 

What other types of cooling systems do condos use ?

[bbko]

5 minutes ago, JoeyMac said:

Location. Location. Location. New condo. 2 bedrooms. Hence not so easy. 

Again; "How hard is it to say "I don't like this place, I'll check another"? Are you expecting a different outcome from the owner because you whined on a social website?

[JoeyMac]

25 minutes ago, bbko said:

Again; "How hard is it to say "I don't like this place, I'll check another"? Are you expecting a different outcome from the owner because you whined on a social website?

We've been searching for months. You either get extreme crap. Extreme close to a highway or polluted area. Or you get extreme luxury that is over priced. Then you get condos that are on sale but aren't on sale because the owners don't really want to rent it out (usually Chinese) so you go round and round. 

 

The compressor unit ruined it for us all. 

[RayWright]

Comes down a lot to design. Installing A/C units within a Condo normally means condensers and therefore pipework, are located within the footprint of the Condo, so traditional location would be the balcony. 

Have had Condos where the condensers are installed on an external bracket outside the kitchen window, totally impractical when cooking and opening window to vent the cooking steam/heat, as you've get more heat blowing back in.

Best design I've seen in a long time is a communal condenser area at the back of the Condo block which accommodates all the condensers for that floor. Balconys are front and side of the Condo block. Costs a bit more to install due to the extra pipework, but keeps your Condo balcony free, plus all the noise / heat dissipation is located away from your balcony.

 

 

 

[scorecard]

29 minutes ago, JoeyMac said:

 

What other types of cooling systems do condos use ?

Block of ice in a big plastic bpwl and a table fan. Cheap 

[GammaGlobulin]

You should really NOT care how ugly it is.

You do not need to care how big it is, in most cases.

 

There are TWO things you need to care about:

 

a. Noise

Please check the noise lever in dB (decibel), and no need to worry about dB(A or C).

You can do this by checking the model number, and then searching the internet.

 

b. Efficiency (This is probably most important to you.)

 

Efficiency is often rated as EER, and sometimes SEER.

 

You should choose a model that is rated above 22, ie an EER rating of above 22.

 

You can calculate the EER yourself if you just divide the BTU by Watts.

The more heat exhausted from your condo..per watt...the higher the efficiency of the unit.

 

You can also calculate efficiency in calories per watt, if you want..but the efficiency is the same.

 

If you want a graphic how to do this...

SEER is baloney, for me, because I run the ACs 24/7/365.

So, just calculate your EER, and then you know.

Energy costs are rising...

Efficiency is also good for the planet.

 

 

 

[david555]

If really your dream condo why not just replace the AC. with another more at your taste ..? Some are smaller ...but never very small .

 

There are now in Europe smaller ones direct on wall placed inside with a hole to outside ,but not knowing the specifics of them.Seems a new develloped type ....

[JoeyMac]

1 hour ago, GammaGlobulin said:

You should really NOT care how ugly it is.

You do not need to care how big it is, in most cases.

 

There are TWO things you need to care about:

 

a. Noise

Please check the noise lever in dB (decibel), and no need to worry about dB(A or C).

You can do this by checking the model number, and then searching the internet.

 

b. Efficiency (This is probably most important to you.)

 

Efficiency is often rated as EER, and sometimes SEER.

 

You should choose a model that is rated above 22, ie an EER rating of above 22.

 

You can calculate the EER yourself if you just divide the BTU by Watts.

The more heat exhausted from your condo..per watt...the higher the efficiency of the unit.

 

You can also calculate efficiency in calories per watt, if you want..but the efficiency is the same.

 

If you want a graphic how to do this...

SEER is baloney, for me, because I run the ACs 24/7/365.

So, just calculate your EER, and then you know.

Energy costs are rising...

Efficiency is also good for the planet.

 

 

 

 

[JoeyMac]

Back to the science - can anyone clarify what is in that heat that is coming out?

 

I'm hearing talk of 'agents', 'cooling agents', etc etc 

 

Let's be honest the 'air heat' that it is releasing into the atmosphere can't be vitamin C healthy. But what harm does it do? 

[GammaGlobulin]

7 minutes ago, JoeyMac said:

 

I take it all back, in this case. 

 

[JayClay]

4 hours ago, JoeyMac said:

realised there would be a waft of 'heat hitting us' from this ugly looking creature

Turn the a/c off before you go out on the balcony...?

[Dan O]

1 hour ago, JoeyMac said:

Back to the science - can anyone clarify what is in that heat that is coming out?

 

I'm hearing talk of 'agents', 'cooling agents', etc etc 

 

Let's be honest the 'air heat' that it is releasing into the atmosphere can't be vitamin C healthy. But what harm does it do? 

The heat is coming of the coils which are like a huge radiator. There is a fan inside the circulates the outside and blows it thru the coils to remove the heat. No chemicals involved outside.

 

There is fluid\gas inside the tubing in the coils that circulate into the inside unit when a fan there blow air across the cooled coils 

 

Some bldg have a huge mechanical room and they use whats called  chiller units.  It cools water or fluid and they pump that around the bldg to provide cooling from the units inside the condo and\or in the common areas. Its like a huge ac for the whole bldg

[TimeMachine]

My balcony is enclosed with an opening on the bottom wall section and windows above.  The outdoor unit or coil rawn as thais say is facing outwards of that opening then there is cabinetry surrounding it with noise insulation. So its as if its not there. Mine would be considered a usual 90000btu size unit. 

[Shop mak]

5 hours ago, JoeyMac said:

we realised there would be a waft of 'heat hitting us' from this ugly looking creature. 

1. Turn the compressor 90-180 degrees, maybe possible.

 

2. Buy a add-on to the compressor that will direct the hot air 90 degrees left, right, or up. I seen much nicer versions than this stock photo available in Thailand, but you get the idea. 

 

3. Move the compressor to high up on the wall, but ask Juristic office first, if this is allowed.

 

4. My own choice: Have a carpenter build a wooden cover, painted in a color of your liking. Will hide the ugly compressor, and can double as a flower stand or whatever you like. Not too ugly now is it

 

5. Search the market for a smaller size compressor unit with enough BTU. When you can afford a 2BR condo, replace aircon shouldn't be a concern for you.

[Hummin]

5 hours ago, JoeyMac said:

Guys we found the perfect condo in regards to size, location, and amenities.  Agent opens up the balcony, breathe in some beautiful Bangkok pollution. Look to my rite and i see the most ugliest largest air conditioning compressor i had ever seen in my life sitting rite there. 

 

Owner / agent had hid it in all photos before viewing. It's put us rite off ! All our dreams of sitting on a balcony, sipping on some quaint British tea, relaxing were blown out of the water as we realised there would be a waft of 'heat hitting us' from this ugly looking creature. 

 

Now chemically speaking can anyone tell me how safe these compressor units are in terms of pollution, the air that is released etc ? I mean if it is pumping in clean air into your room, then is it emitting dirty air out ? 

 

I can't fathom how a condo owner would spend millions to build a state of the art of condo, then skimp on the air conditioning units and just throw them on the balcony. 

 

Can someone also tell me how some condos don't have a compressor unit on the balcony? Is it just cleverly hidden ?

 

 

Buy one older appartments in Hua Hin area 120-140m with 30-50m2 balconies. Corner appartments recommended. 

 

Cant get better appartments than that. Solution 2, buy two appointments next to each other, and use one balcony for the aircon units ????

[scubascuba3]

6 hours ago, JoeyMac said:

ugliest largest air conditioning compressor

Photo?

[JoeyMac]

2 hours ago, Dan O said:

 

 

There is fluid\gas inside the tubing in the coils that circulate into the inside unit when a fan there blow air across the cooled coils 

 

 

Gas you say ?

 

[JoeyMac]

 

So am i to conclude that these condos that put a compressor on the balcony are actually a major negative, and this is an actual 'skid mark' on the condo ?

[Dan O]

19 minutes ago, JoeyMac said:

 

Gas you say ?

 

The gas is freon not explosive.  Google is your friend 

[Olmate]

16 minutes ago, JoeyMac said:

 

So am i to conclude that these condos that put a compressor on the balcony are actually a major negative, and this is an actual 'skid mark' on the condo ?

No shortage of fan rooms to select from if your can,t handle compressor noise, put the savings towards some furniture!! 

[JoeyMac]

6 minutes ago, Dan O said:

The gas is freon not explosive.  

 

FREON GAS ?!

 

[JoeyMac]

So if Freon is toxic. It is released in small quantities from fridges. I wonder then how much is released from a full blasting compressor unit ?

 

To say it is harmless i think is a tad incorrect from my 20 minute google course i just done. 

 

[Shop mak]

There are some condos with central aircon same as hotel rooms. No ugly compressor unit. That is until your own condo units a/c stop working, often in less than 10 years from personal experience. Replace it cost far more than a stand alone split compressor unit. So most will then buy a split type a/c with a big ugly compressor outdoors.

 

If you really found the perfect condo as you say, you are nitpicking about the compressor unit, and have many options given by members here.

Can't stop thinking .... do you really want to invest 6-?? Million baht on a 2br condo, or is something else holding you back?

 

Every problem has a solution. If the solution isn't good enough, maybe something else is the actual problem.

 

Hot air flow can be redirected, and the ugly unit can be totally hidden. Problem solved. No?

 

You can probably conclude that majority accept how it's done here, or find a solution like larger size balcony or move/build in (hide) the compressor unit.

[scubascuba3]

25 minutes ago, JoeyMac said:

So if Freon is toxic. It is released in small quantities from fridges. I wonder then how much is released from a full blasting compressor unit ?

 

To say it is harmless i think is a tad incorrect from my 20 minute google course i just done. 

 

Gas shouldn't be leaking, if it is, get it fixed

[Thailand J]

 

Find a condo with two balconies, put the compressors on one.