The reason the balcony is too hot was the air conditioner outdoor unit's exhaust
When the season for using air conditioning arrives, there is one thing that is quietly stressful.
That is the wind from the outdoor unit.
Hot or cold air spreads out across the balcony, making it tough even just to step outside for a moment.
Especially in homes where the outdoor unit is at the edge of the balcony, this impact is quite significant.
So this time, I tried DIYing a mechanism to redirect the airflow upward.
The materials were almost entirely from a 100-yen shop. The cost was about 1,000 yen.
It was easier than I thought, so I think it's a great fit for people with the same problem.
What is a louver?
A louver is a mechanism that uses a series of thin, long slats to control the direction of wind or light.
It's something often used in windows of older houses, serving a role like letting wind pass through while blocking direct exposure.
This time, I'm arranging it for an outdoor unit, using it as a board to redirect the wind upward.
Ready-made products are a bit expensive
There are commercially available louvers for outdoor units. However, proper ones can cost around 7,000 to 9,000 yen, and honestly, I hesitate to spend that much. It's the kind of thing where you just think, 'I just want to change the direction of the wind...' So, I decided to do it DIY this time.
Materials can be gathered almost entirely at 100-yen shops
Basically, Daiso is fine. I'll just supplement a few parts from a home improvement store. It looks roughly like this👇
Wire net (40x40)
Wire net (40x62)
Wire net stand
Cable ties
Magnetic hooks
Plastic cardboard (from a home improvement store)
Even if you buy everything from scratch, it costs about 1,200 yen.
Since I used leftovers this time, it only cost about 600 yen.
How to make it (roughly 3 steps)
It's closer to "just putting things together" than detailed craftwork.
1. Make the blades to catch the wind
Cut the plastic cardboard into long strips to make "blades."
The size is roughly 40cm x 15cm, and you'll need a few of them.
Punch holes in them so they can be secured with zip ties.
This is the part that feels most like "actual craftwork."
2. Secure the base to the outdoor unit
Attach magnetic hooks to the top of the outdoor unit and hang a wire mesh. This mesh will serve as the "frame."
If this isn't sturdy, everything will wobble, so it's a surprisingly important step.
3. Attach the blades and set the angle
Secure the plastic cardboard blades you made earlier to the wire mesh using zip ties.
The key is the angle. If you set it to about 45 degrees, the wind will naturally escape upward.
All that's left is to line them up at equal intervals.
4. Adjust the front wire mesh and you're done
Place another wire mesh on the front and adjust the overall balance. If you want to improve the look, you can add some greenery.
(However, if function is your priority, it's better not to attach anything.)
What I felt after using it
This was the most obvious change.
"Even when I'm on the balcony, the wind no longer hits me directly."
Even just this makes a big difference in how it feels.
The stuffy feeling in summer and the direct blast of cold air in winter are significantly reduced.
However, there are weaknesses
I noticed this after using it for a while: plastic cardboard is weak against UV rays.
If you leave it outside, it deteriorates faster than you'd think. So, if you want to use it for a long time, this option is more reliable👇
Polycarbonate sheet (quite durable)
Acrylic sheet (fairly lightweight and easy to handle)
Using proper materials from the start reduces the hassle of having to redo the work.
Summary
Air conditioner exhaust is a subtle but real source of daily stress. However, as shown this time, it can be significantly improved with just a little ingenuity.
Moreover, the material cost is almost just a single coin to around 1,000 yen.
I think this is a perfect DIY project to try out before buying expensive commercial products.
Since the comfort of your balcony is surprisingly directly linked to your quality of life, it is worth a try if you are concerned about it.