Should I Shade my AC?

Started by Sebulba, July 09, 2026, 02:35:26 PM

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Sebulba

July 09, 2026, 02:35:26 PM
Hello all,

Spending our summer in South Dakota.  Overall not killer hot like some places we have been. 

Was wondering your opinions on shading my split unit's outside half.  The way we are situated it gets pretty direct sun in the afternoon and when I shot it with the temp gun just now it's 101 degrees.

What do you think, could it be worth the effort?  If so any creative ideas on making some kind of shade for it?

Thanks
Seb
Back to the U.S. after 8 years in Europe.  
Bought a 1997 MCI 102D3 with Allison B500 on November 17, 2021 in Syracuse, NY.  Commenced living it that day and  drove it to Florida and New Mexico.  Converting as we go. All most done now.

Jim Blackwood

#1
July 10, 2026, 08:05:36 AM
Usually a good idea. Getting out of the direct sun and into shade can make a big temperature difference and that can only help.Parking under an awning or roof in the summer is another thing that can be really helpful if it's possible. That extra roof takes the heat from the direct sun and allows the air to take it away.

Jim
I saw it on the Internet. It MUST be true...

Iceni John

#2
July 10, 2026, 08:11:25 AM
Maybe relocate it?   I mounted my minisplit's condenser unit over the front axle between the frame rails where it's completely shaded and in cool air.   This is otherwise-unusable space, so I didn't need to use valuable space in my underfloor storage bays.

John
1990 Crown 2R-40N-552 (the Super II):  6V92TAC / DDEC II / Jake,  HT740.     Hecho en Chino.
2kW of tiltable solar.
Behind the Orange Curtain, SoCal.

rancher

#3
July 10, 2026, 12:52:43 PM
I would shade it if you can. A buddy of mine had his condenser on the west side of his house and he lost the tree that shaded his and after the tree lose it wouldn't cycle off in the afternoon. We built a mini pole shed to shade it and then it would cycle off in the afternoon.

luvrbus

#4
July 10, 2026, 02:36:05 PM
Condensers expel heat from the cooling system I don't see where shading would help they generate a lot of heat just touch the high side.I heled a friend change his 3 Penguin roof top over to the new Pioneer mini split roof mounted RV units how would shade those ?   
Life is short drink the good wine first

Sebulba

#5
July 10, 2026, 02:44:09 PM
Quote from: Jim Blackwood on July 10, 2026, 08:05:36 AMUsually a good idea. Getting out of the direct sun and into shade can make a big temperature difference and that can only help.Parking under an awning or roof in the summer is another thing that can be really helpful if it's possible. That extra roof takes the heat from the direct sun and allows the air to take it away.

Jim

Hi Jim,  I understand about parking under a roof or even shade trees.  The catch for us is the 4000 watts of solar on our roof, so we try to find pretty open spots to take advantage of the solar power.  It's kind of a catch 22, cuz then we need more power for the AC I suppose. 🤪

Seb

Back to the U.S. after 8 years in Europe.  
Bought a 1997 MCI 102D3 with Allison B500 on November 17, 2021 in Syracuse, NY.  Commenced living it that day and  drove it to Florida and New Mexico.  Converting as we go. All most done now.

Sebulba

#6
July 10, 2026, 02:45:18 PM
Quote from: Iceni John on July 10, 2026, 08:11:25 AMMaybe relocate it?   I mounted my minisplit's condenser unit over the front axle between the frame rails where it's completely shaded and in cool air.   This is otherwise-unusable space, so I didn't need to use valuable space in my underfloor storage bays.

John

Sure, that does solve that problem.

Seb
Back to the U.S. after 8 years in Europe.  
Bought a 1997 MCI 102D3 with Allison B500 on November 17, 2021 in Syracuse, NY.  Commenced living it that day and  drove it to Florida and New Mexico.  Converting as we go. All most done now.

Sebulba

#7
July 10, 2026, 02:46:00 PM
Quote from: rancher on July 10, 2026, 12:52:43 PMI would shade it if you can. A buddy of mine had his condenser on the west side of his house and he lost the tree that shaded his and after the tree lose it wouldn't cycle off in the afternoon. We built a mini pole shed to shade it and then it would cycle off in the afternoon.

Good case study.

Seb
Back to the U.S. after 8 years in Europe.  
Bought a 1997 MCI 102D3 with Allison B500 on November 17, 2021 in Syracuse, NY.  Commenced living it that day and  drove it to Florida and New Mexico.  Converting as we go. All most done now.

Sebulba

#8
July 10, 2026, 02:50:04 PM
Quote from: luvrbus on July 10, 2026, 02:36:05 PMCondensers expel heat from the cooling system I don't see where shading would help they generate a lot of heat just touch the high side.I heled a friend change his 3 Penguin roof top over to the new Pioneer mini split roof mounted RV units how would shade those ?   

Hello luvr,

It seems if I can get even a few degrees in temp drop here by blocking the hot sun it could help.  I found some shade cloth at Amazon, one is even white.  It's 3 x 3.  I think if I put that there it may relieve a little AC pressure.  I'm going to try it.

Seb

Back to the U.S. after 8 years in Europe.  
Bought a 1997 MCI 102D3 with Allison B500 on November 17, 2021 in Syracuse, NY.  Commenced living it that day and  drove it to Florida and New Mexico.  Converting as we go. All most done now.

luvrbus

#9
July 10, 2026, 06:07:46 PM
Quote from: Sebulba on July 10, 2026, 02:50:04 PMHello luvr,

It seems if I can get even a few degrees in temp drop here by blocking the hot sun it could help.  I found some shade cloth at Amazon, one is even white.  It's 3 x 3.  I think if I put that there it may relieve a little AC pressure.  I'm going to try it.

Seb

Owners have problems with mini-Splits here in the AZ heat the cooling starts to decline when the temps get over a 110F ,with the open bay door you are getting extra heat shoot the temperatures of the floor over that bay and a bay that is closed   


Life is short drink the good wine first

Jim Blackwood

#10
July 14, 2026, 06:21:58 AM
Seb, with your roof collectors You're halfway there already since the air space between those and the roof will take off some of the heat load from the direct sun.

Jim
I saw it on the Internet. It MUST be true...

Sebulba

#11
Today at 05:29:28 AM
Quote from: Jim Blackwood on July 14, 2026, 06:21:58 AMSeb, with your roof collectors You're halfway there already since the air space between those and the roof will take off some of the heat load from the direct sun.

Jim

Yes, I hope that offers some shade benefit.  I wonder though, since the panels are black.  I guess I should shoot some spots with them gun on some of these hot days and see.

Seb
Back to the U.S. after 8 years in Europe.  
Bought a 1997 MCI 102D3 with Allison B500 on November 17, 2021 in Syracuse, NY.  Commenced living it that day and  drove it to Florida and New Mexico.  Converting as we go. All most done now.

Sebulba

#12
Today at 01:56:35 PM
Quote from: Jim Blackwood on July 14, 2026, 06:21:58 AMSeb, with your roof collectors You're halfway there already since the air space between those and the roof will take off some of the heat load from the direct sun.

Jim

Just for giggles I just shot the temp if my roof under the panel and in direct sun.  9 degrees cooler under the panels  😁

Seb
Back to the U.S. after 8 years in Europe.  
Bought a 1997 MCI 102D3 with Allison B500 on November 17, 2021 in Syracuse, NY.  Commenced living it that day and  drove it to Florida and New Mexico.  Converting as we go. All most done now.
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