will shading outside HVAc compressors help at all?

[BB.]

Untreated condensate water is a good place to breed diseases such as Legionnaires' disease (warm, moist, lots of dust/debris/microbes moving through)...

However, if a window A/C system is operating correctly, it is moving several gallons of water through it every day, it is probably OK.

The water that drips from air conditioners is probably even safe for drinking. (It's certainly more potable than the drinking water in many countries.) Still, for the reasons mentioned above, it's best not to tilt your head back for a draft. If you're looking for a better use for your air conditioner's condensate, the Explainer recommends using it to water your plants.

However, since nobody takes apart their A/C unit to look for stagnant water and/or cleaning and sterilizing, would not recommend drinking if other, known good, sources are available.

-Bill

[rollandelliott]

"It(vertical stacks) can be beneficial by reducing recirculation, particularly in installations using multiple condensing units. "

I have 2 outside compressors One for lower floor and other one for upper floor of a big house. They are about six feet apart. I could make a duct work out of some sheet metal, wonder if it woudl be beneficial?

[inetdog]

"It(vertical stacks) can be beneficial by reducing recirculation, particularly in installations using multiple condensing units. "

I have 2 outside compressors One for lower floor and other one for upper floor of a big house. They are about six feet apart. I could make a duct work out of some sheet metal, wonder if it woudl be beneficial?

You can get a quick idea of whether this even needs further investigation by measuring the air temperature around the upper condensor to see if it is being heated by the lower condensor. A difference of a degree or two probably will not justify the extra work, but at least you will have something to go on. The other thing to look at, of course, is whether the temp of the air being pulled into the lower unit is higher than the air temp 6 or more feet away from it. (Be sure not to be confused by reading with the thermometer in direct sunlight.)

[rollandelliott]

I got the cool n save device and I've been running it for about a month just using my well water (which is around 12 grains hardness) I already have white calcium film on everything. I'll deffintely need to switch to rain water next year. It will probably be fine for another 6 weeks and then the weather will be cool enough not to need it. I have not run any power usage tests, but it seems to work fine.