035-15713-003 REV. A (0500)
Unitary Products Group
3
Locate the outdoor unit near enough to the indoor coil vicinity
to eliminate lengthy refrigerant line runs. Do not locate the
outdoor unit so it discharges air under eaves or gutters. Rain
or snow melt-off should not be able to run off a roof and down
upon the unit. Be sure vents are not located upwind from the
outdoor unit.
A minimum clearance of 18 inches is required for service at
the control panel and compressor compartments access. A
10 inch clearance is required for the air inlet to the outdoor
coil around the perimeter of the unit. The air discharge of the
unit requires a 60 inch clearance between the top of the unit
and any obstruction. See Figure 1.
The length of the refrigerant tubing, between the outdoor unit
and indoor coil, should be as short as possible to avoid
capacity and efficiency loss. Excessive spacing of the out-
door unit from the home can lead to the refrigerant lines
being restricted by trampling or by being punctured by lawn
mowers. Locate the outdoor unit away from bedroom win-
dows or other rooms where sound might be objectionable.
Adverse effects of prevailing winds, blowing snow or sleet
onto the outdoor coil can be eliminated by placing the outdoor
unit where the wind does not blow across the unit. Trees,
shrubs, corners of buildings and fences standing off from the
coil can reduce capacity loss due to wind chill effect.
Provide ample clearance from shrubs to allow adequate air to
pass across the outdoor coil without leaves or branches
being pulled into the coil. The outdoor unit may never go into
the defrost cycle, even with minor frost build up, during the
daytime in some areas of the United States if it is placed on
the south side of the residence with no shade. However, the
heat pump may lose some efficiency at the south side loca-
tion with no shade during the summer while trying to cool the
residence.
Consideration should be given to the distance and routing of
electrical service that would have to be run to connect the
outdoor unit.
It is recommended the outdoor unit be mounted upon a solid
base that will not shift or settle. Top of base should be two
inches above grade. This allows enough height for normal
defrost ice build up below the unit in freezing weather.
Thought should be given to water drainage away from the
outdoor unit in summer and when the defrost ice melts on
warmer winter days. Drain holes in the base pan must be
kept clear.
In areas where snowfall is significant, the height of the unit
base above grade should be two to three inches higher than
the anticipated snowfall. This clearance is required to provide
ample drainage during the defrosting of the outdoor coil. Soil
grading around the heat pump should provide drainage away
from the unit to prevent slippery conditions that may cause
personal injury. See Figure 2.
FIGURE 1 :
TYPICAL RESIDENTIAL OUTDOOR UNIT LOCATION
