Increasing AC Efficiency Using
Evaporative Cooling of Condenser Coil
This page gives the details on Chad's DIY scheme for significantly
improving the performance of a conventional AC system by providing
evaporative cooling of the airflow over the condenser coil.
Chad's method has the advantage over directly
spraying the condenser coil with water that it avoids mineral deposits
on the condenser coil that would eventually cut its efficiency.
Overview
Chad's system wraps evaporative cooling pads around the AC condenser coil.
Water is dripped down the cooling pads, and evaporation of the water cools the
air on its way to the condenser coil by about 15F. This increases
the capacity of the AC unit and significantly improves the efficiency of the AC.
See the pdf file and other supporting data below.
Evaporative cooling pads surround the
AC condenser coil.
Inside view of screens that
enclose evaporative pads.
Closeup of cellulose evaporative pads.
Pump and reservoir for the evaporative
cooling water.
