About air conditioner outdoor units on roofs exposed to direct sunlight

Me: (To recap: My air conditioner outdoor unit is on the south side, in the sun, and gets hit directly by sunlight, so despite it being the newest and most efficient unit, I'm having trouble where it suddenly stops blowing cold air during the day.) The outdoor unit is on the roof, so it's completely exposed.

ChatGPT:

I see...! So the outdoor unit is on the roof.
That certainly meets all the conditions for it to be 'the hardest to cool'.

• The roof heats up to over 60°C during the day

• Direct sunlight from both above and the sides

• Intense reflected heat

• Even if ventilation seems good, the air it's sucking in is just too hot

👉 In other words, the air conditioner ends up in a state where it's 'desperately trying to cool down boiling water'.

💡 Countermeasures for roof-mounted outdoor units

1. Block direct sunlight

   • Create shade by lifting a bamboo blind, aluminum sunshade, or corrugated sheet away from the roof

   • Placing it directly on the outdoor unit is a no-go (it blocks airflow), so the trick is to float it above like a parasol

2. Countermeasures for reflected heat from the ground (roof)

   • Place a wooden slatted mat or artificial turf under the outdoor unit

   • Prevent it from absorbing the roof's heat directly

3. Emergency cooling using water (short-term only)

   • Sprinkle water around the outdoor unit or on the roof area

   • The cooling effect is temporary, but you can check if the performance returns

   • *Do not pour water directly onto the outdoor unit (it can cause rust or short circuits)

4. Fundamental solutions that require consulting a professional

   • Relocate the outdoor unit (to the north side or the ground)

   • Lay insulation sheets on the roof

   • Install an outdoor unit cover (a dedicated one that does not obstruct heat dissipation)

💭 Honestly, it is not uncommon for an outdoor unit on a roof to "not work even though it is brand new."
As an emergency measure, just "creating shade" can make a huge difference in how well it cools.

In conclusion

The best advice is to create shade. It seems better to have something like a shade installed, provided it is properly secured so it doesn't cause problems during typhoons. By creating shade in front of the window, the heat might change a little, right?

I haven't done it because I'm worried it might blow away.