Arizona: is it better for the A/C unit outside the house to be IN SHADE or doesnt matter?

Question

it seems like it would cool better if it was not in the scorching sun throughout the day, no?

Answer 1

In the shade is better. The higher the temperature, the higher the condensing temperature will be. Higher temperature equals higher pressure. Higher pressure means the compressor has to work harder and use more electricity to compress the gas.
Additionally, once the refrigerant has condensed into a liquid and flows to the indoor evaporator, the first thing that happens to the liquid refrigerant after it passes through the expansion valve or capillary tube is, a small portion of the liquid flashes into a gas . That sudden evaporation cools the refrigerant liquid to the temperature needed to cool your home.
The higher the temperature of the liquid prior to the pressure drop that cools it, the more wasted energy is involved in dropping that temperature.
All these factors work to increase the cost of cooling so YES, being in the shade IS better.

Answer 2

It has an internal fan that blows when it is running to cool the motor. Shade may be little better than sun but make sure if it is near bushes that they don't actually touch the unit or drop leaves in it. Clean out any debris that may get inside the vents or lay on top of the housing for better efficiency. That's more important than the shade/sun issue.

Answer 3

It does matter especially in sunny areas like yours. Shading the unit will make a noticeable difference in your utility bill but I have forgotten the exact numbers.

Answer 4

A proper running system makes no difference. The real cooling is the evaporator above the furnace(inside).

Answer 5

it doesn't really matter, have your aircon's freon checked, if it's running low on freon it doesn't get that cold or spends more energy/electricity to get cold..........

Answer 6

really don't think your unit cares, nor would it affect it's operation