Hi...

JB>hmm, a air coinditioner with a water cooled condenser...  interwsting
  >idea...  it could result in a large water bill. the hotter the water gets
  >the less efficient the heat pump becomes.. after the difference hits about
  >20C it stops working.

We have something like that used around here...  large decorative
ponds or pools...  water is sprayed high into the air, falls down
over a series of 'breakers'? or waterfall kinda things that slows
its descent, thus cooling it.  Of course the huge condensers are
in turn cooled by the water.


JB>they run quietly, and may be more efficient than mechanical heat pumps but
  >they are expensive.

I have one, used it this past weekend.  An 'ice-less' picnic
cooler, made by Koolatron.  Just turned it over to look at
the specs.  It moves 125 btu, draws 4 amps at 12 volts.
Shopping wisely you could have one for about 49 Canadian
dollars.

A very few of the wealthiest of us have heat pumps to
heat/cool our homes, too.

Take care.

Ken
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