Kit for prolonging life of an air conditioning system

Abstract

A method and apparatus for prolonging the life of an air conditioner unit by directing water onto the condenser coils of the air conditioner. The apparatus is mounted onto a conventional air conditioner and includes a water valve that is connected on one end to a water source and on an opposing end to a means for spraying water directly on the condenser coils of the air conditioning unit. The water valve is operated by a controller that acts as a dual sensor for sensing whether a certain ambient temperature has been reached and whether the compressor is activated. The apparatus may be purchased as a backfit or retrofit kit and easily assembled by the average homeowner without the use of special tools.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A kit of components adapted for assembly together as a cooling apparatus for providing cooling to an air conditioner including a housing that encloses a compressor and condenser coils, comprising: 
 a controller for sensing both ambient temperature and compressor activation;    a means for spraying water onto said condenser coils; and    a water valve for directing water to said spraying means and that is operated by said controller.    
     
     
         2 . The kit as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a water bib connector for connecting a water source to said water valve.  
     
     
         3 . The kit as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a means for attaching said spraying means to said housing of said air conditioner.  
     
     
         4 . The kit as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a means for attaching said controller to said housing of said air conditioner.  
     
     
         5 . The kit as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a temperature sensor having a temperature setting control.  
     
     
         6 . The kit as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising plural wires for assembling said controller.  
     
     
         7 . An air conditioner including an apparatus for providing additional cooling to said air conditioner, comprising: 
 a housing that encloses a compressor and condenser coils;    a means for spraying water on said condenser coils;    a water valve for directing water to said spraying means; and    a controller that activates said water valve only when a preset ambient temperature is reached and when said compressor is activated.    
     
     
         8 . The air conditioner as recited in  claim 7 , wherein said water valve is connected to a water source through a water bib connector.  
     
     
         9 . The air conditioner as recited in  claim 7 , wherein said spraying means is attached to said housing of said air conditioners by a means for attaching.  
     
     
         10 . The air conditioner as recited in  claim 7 , wherein said spraying means is located in spaced relation to said air conditioner so that the water delivered by said spraying means covers the area of said air conditioner that includes said condenser coils.  
     
     
         11 . The air conditioner as recited in  claim 7 , wherein said controller includes a temperature sensor having temperature setting control.  
     
     
         12 . The air conditioner as recited in  claim 7 , further comprising a terminal that indicates whether compressor is activated, said controller being operably connected to said terminal.  
     
     
         13 . A method for prolonging the life of an air conditioner having a housing that encloses a compressor and condenser coils, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a controller for sensing both ambient temperature and the activation of said compressor;    mounting said controller onto said housing of said air conditioner;    providing a water valve that is connected on one end to a water source and on an opposing end to a means for spraying;    connecting said controller to said water valve so that said water valve is activated and directs water to said spraying means only when said controller senses a particular ambient temperature and the activation of said compressor.    
     
     
         14 . The method as recited in  claim 13 , further comprising the step of mounting said spraying means to said housing of said air conditioner.  
     
     
         15 . The method as recited in  claim 13 , further comprising the step of placing said spraying means in spaced relation to said air conditioner so that the water that is delivered by said spraying means reaches the area of said air conditioner including said condenser coils.