I have obtained a US Patent for an air deflector for outdoor condensers which discharge air upward (will be issued 3/30/21, # 10962268). The diagram of it is attached. The benefit of this invention is to increase condenser efficiency when a deck is over it. Using my home deck as an example, its beams are 6-1/2 feet above the top of the condenser. In spite of this hefty clearance, the deck warms air going into the condenser by 4.5 degrees F, which decreases cooling efficiency by 5%. The 5% comes from several university research papers which investigated the effect of ambient temperature upon condenser efficiency.
Before I try to go to the next step of prototyping and manufacturing this invention, dear HVAC Pros, I need your knowledge of your customer bases to know how big a market this is. My preliminary market research is attached. It shows the US market to be about 16,000 homes.
What I was thinking is deck installers could install my patented device on the condenser as part of the deck contract. Or HVAC installers could recommend it to their clients and install it during their semiannual maintenance visits. I've worked on the design, and have simplified it down to five sets of parts, plus fasteners. It would be made of 10-ga. and 16-ga. painted steel. It would ship in a relatively small box. It has no moving parts, needs no utilities, and with a hand drill it just screws onto the condenser cover. There would be several size models to accommodate different diameter fans. The price to a client would be far cheaper than moving the condenser out into the open, which would cost $500-$800 assuming covenants would allow relocation.
Like savings would be had with heat pumps in heating season.
So, would you let me know how big a market for this invention would be? A percentage of your customer base, or your judgment, would be very helpful. I am a entrepreneur, operating on my own. I spent $850 for the patent, and would like to make it work. Those interested in participating in this business are welcome to suggest ways. Thank you, Mark Ramsay, P.E.
Before I try to go to the next step of prototyping and manufacturing this invention, dear HVAC Pros, I need your knowledge of your customer bases to know how big a market this is. My preliminary market research is attached. It shows the US market to be about 16,000 homes.
What I was thinking is deck installers could install my patented device on the condenser as part of the deck contract. Or HVAC installers could recommend it to their clients and install it during their semiannual maintenance visits. I've worked on the design, and have simplified it down to five sets of parts, plus fasteners. It would be made of 10-ga. and 16-ga. painted steel. It would ship in a relatively small box. It has no moving parts, needs no utilities, and with a hand drill it just screws onto the condenser cover. There would be several size models to accommodate different diameter fans. The price to a client would be far cheaper than moving the condenser out into the open, which would cost $500-$800 assuming covenants would allow relocation.
Like savings would be had with heat pumps in heating season.
So, would you let me know how big a market for this invention would be? A percentage of your customer base, or your judgment, would be very helpful. I am a entrepreneur, operating on my own. I spent $850 for the patent, and would like to make it work. Those interested in participating in this business are welcome to suggest ways. Thank you, Mark Ramsay, P.E.
source https://hvac-talk.com/vbb/threads/2227540-Upflow-Condenser-Deflector-Market-Size-Estimate-Request?goto=newpost
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