Saving on A/C Costs

[RH77]

Originally Posted by ihatejoefitz

Let me know how the cool-n-save does. I'm a little weary because of the high humidity here.

We haven't really had to use the air yet -- too rainy and colder than average. I'll compare bills from last year and see if there's any savings once things get going. We may set the temp higher this year, which may skew the results a bit.

I know that once it gets up to 90+ it would run continuously in the afternoon/evening. That may be the true test...

RH77

[RH77]

The Cool-N-Save system came today, so I hooked it up. (I probably won't need it for a while -- temps have been cooler than average).



I used zip ties to keep the lines in place.

A few concerns:

• It's often windy on that side of the house
• I could use a 4th nozzle (parts are there except for the line and head -- the kit included a "T" and spare nozzle)
• The filter's washer/grommet didn't seal:

...so I omitted it. If the nozzles get clogged, I can soak them in a solution. I may write the company and perhaps get another line/head for the back side and mention the filter. It just wouldn't seal.

Since it's under high pressure, it just leaked with the poor seal. The intake line was trimmed, so I have spare length to split it up.

Otherwise, it's misting and hopefully cooling things down. We'll see...

RH77

[cfg83]

RH77 -

Originally Posted by RH77

The Cool-N-Save system came today, so I hooked it up. (I probably won't need it for a while -- temps have been cooler than average).

...

Otherwise, it's misting and hopefully cooling things down. We'll see...

RH77

Thanks for the update. What the heck is the "paddle thingy" in the middle? I couldn't figure it out from the website. Is it a sensor for turning the misters on and off?

CarloSW2

[RH77]

Originally Posted by cfg83

What the heck is the "paddle thingy" in the middle? I couldn't figure it out from the website. Is it a sensor for turning the misters on and off?

CarloSW2

Yup, that's what it does. The photo shows it in "On" mode -- where the fan blows upward and engages the mist. As it shuts down, the paddle lays flat and closes the valves.

I need a Y-splitter if I use the hose -- easy fix. Maybe the splitter will have a higher quality thread and gasket seal surface for the filter.

We get lime scale, etc -- which probably shouldn't be going into the A/C unit, as I think about. The filter probably should go on there somehow...

RH77

[LostCause]

It's cool to see some of you guys were willing to be the guinea pigs of the forum...

I wonder what kind of deposits the misters will leave on the condensor coils. Like RH77 says, hard water will probably leave behind mineral deposits that could clog the fins. I've read that even with a polyphosphate filter, a white residue can form. In any case, if it gets to bad it will probably be easy to periodically clean it off with CLR.

Being a cheapass, I've been looking over the internet trying to piece a similar device together. Even generic misters are pretty expensive...

Can't wait to hear some results.

- LostCause

[Arminius]

Remember that vinegar is a natural descaler (5% acidic), and it's cheap.

[RH77]

Originally Posted by Arminius

Remember that vinegar is a natural descaler (5% acidic), and it's cheap.

Works for the coffee maker -- why not the A/C

At any rate, I'll monitor any build-up and take photos as needed.

I have a question for anyone familiar with heating and air...

The A/C engages the blower fan at a slower speed than the heat. I found this out through the thermostat, which has an "Auto" setting for heat or air. I turned the blower into the "On" position and noted that the speed slowed for the A/C compressor. After 5-minutes of compressor shutdown, the blower speed went back up to full revs.

The system constantly runs in the hot Summer months. Would it be better to resolve the speed issue and run it on full -- or is it like a car, where cooler air can be felt without the use of excess fan speed???

RH77

[Lazarus]

Originally Posted by Lazarus

Installed. I'll see how it goes when it warms up a bit here.

Originally Posted by LostCause

I wonder what kind of deposits the misters will leave on the condensor coils. Like RH77 says, hard water will probably leave behind mineral deposits that could clog the fins. I've read that even with a polyphosphate filter, a white residue can form. In any case, if it gets to bad it will probably be easy to periodically clean it off with CLR.

Any thoughts on filling the filter( shown at the faucet) with vinegar to keep the hard water at bay? I imagine if you filled it once a month with as little as the mister put out it work work well with the timing change of the inside filter.

[RH77]

Originally Posted by Lazarus

Any thoughts on filling the filter( shown at the faucet) with vinegar to keep the hard water at bay? I imagine if you filled it once a month with as little as the mister put out it work work well with the timing change of the inside filter.

That's a thought. Since it's a 5-micron filter, I wonder if the acidic properties of vinegar would break-down the filter medium?

Maybe at every other mowing, stop at the unit and spray a vinegar solution onto the fins?

RH77

[Arminius]

I would spray the vinegar on the unit when it is not running. I've noticed that it works great on widows that have been exposed to the sprinkler. Put a little on and it's clear as glass when you wipe it off.