Ceiling Fan In Carport, Will It Improve A/c Efficiency?

[Lopburi99]

Impossible for me to communicate this concept with my wife, but I think it would be a good idea to turn on the overhead fan (on low) in our attached carport/garage. It is enclosed on three sides and there is often no incoming wind flow. It gets hot in there. Seems to me using the ceiling fan to recirculatie the air about, forcing some of the hot air out makes sense to improve efficiency of the cooling unit by hopefully lowering the temperature of the incoming air into the unit.

What is your theory?

The wife just says running the fan will cost more. Maybe she is right, but I think the current draw of a ceiling fan is next to nothing.

Thanks

[hawthorne]

Well the compressor is basically a heat exchanger. The coolant temperature is affected by the ambient temperature. I am not very efficient with Thermodynamics so I can not tell you how how much 1 degree cooler of ambient temperature affects the efficiency of the heat exchanger. Also systems are rated to operate in various climates and are of various tonnage. To get the most efficiency out of a unit you install a system to meet the required tonnage of cooling. Therefore IMO considerably lowering the ambient temp will then give you a cooler blowing temperature.

do an experiment. Record the temperature in you garage then set up portable fans and record the temperature.

When a more knowledgable person comes on the thread you will know your delta for improvement to the ambient temperature.

Go to the website of your manufacturer and look to see what the max your until will cool compared to the ambient temperature. This is off left field but I think it is around 20-30 degrees if sized properly.

[Lopburi99]

I agree with you, that lowering the ambient temperature will result in cooler air being blown out. But I neglected to say the room actually being cooled is our TV room which is located on the other side of the garage wall, with it's associated compressor being located in the garage so I'm not sure your suggested experiment will work.

I am interested in reduced energy consumption (of course) due to more efficient operation of the unit and cooler air being blown into the TV room, thus allowing the compressor to shut down more often while keeping our room at the desired temperature.

Thanks hawthorne

Edit: I understand your experiment now. Yes, it makes sense to try it and record temperatures before and after the fan being in operation.

[Tywais]

It's temperature differential you need to look up. Example > Outside air vs inside temperature a minimum of 15 degrees difference seems to be the rule.

[PoorSucker]

When I bought my AC at hompro the installed the compressor between my shop and the neighbour shop.

Aprox. half a meter between the shop units, the neighbour had also 2 units there.

No air circulation and damp.

During service the professionals suggested to move the compressor to the back side.

Cut 15% of my electric bill.

[londonthai]

to safe energy youy can lower the compressor to the ground (where temperatures are lower than up under the roof). Also you can install an extractor on the roof - the one, which turns itself under the pressure from the hot air below.

both options will cost less in the long run, than using fan

[dumball]

Instal a turbo extractor in the roof of the garage , this will extract the very hot air from the garage at no cost to you , it operates partialy from pressure inside the roof but mainly from the wind catching in the fan like slots cut in the sides of the globe looking extractor . Instaling one of these in the roof of the house would also be of advantage , removing hot air which always rises to the highest point .

Incidentally , the normal ambient temperature inside of the house should be at a 10 degree lower temperature than outside for best efficiency and health reasons , no breath taking transition when exiting the house , keep the aircon unit filter cleaned for higher efficiency also .

[moe666]

You talk about the compressor but were is the condenser located. Yes you want to keep the compressor cool because it will last longer but all it does is compress the gas coming from the evaporater. The key is the condenser by lowering the temp. of your condensing medium you will have a more efficent unit.

I will assume you have a split unit and the compressor and condensing unit are together if so follow the advice given earlier about extractor fan. By putting the unit at ground level the condenser will require more cleaning since it will accumalate more dirt and debre.

Always remember keep the condenser and the evaporater clean this will ensure a better and more efficent operation.

[londonthai]

By putting the unit at ground level the condenser will require more cleaning since it will accumalate more dirt and debre.

I did write "lower to the ground" and not "at ground level".

[moe666]

Sorry Londonthai just commiting in general not specific to your post.