Condenser location

[Vicko]

So I had my AC unit moved around the corner of my house, to make room for a new deck. The recently installed unit is in the picture... looks backwards to me! The contractor says that it was the only way to do it, because of the angle at which the valves had originally been installed. Does that make sense? I am concerned that the air circulation is being limited by the unit's proximity to the wall, not to mention that the "ugly" part of the unit is facing out (it used to be against the wall, in the old location). I don't want to have a battle with the installer if he is right, so would appreciate any input!

[udarrell]

It looks so close to the wall that it could be restricting airflow into the condenser coils on that side.
I also don't see any reason why he couldn't have placed the rotation of the unit facing differently...

[glennac]

He is not within the manufactures minimum distance requirement from an obstruction like a wall. They normally require a minimum of 12". I like 3' myself to allow for free air movement all around and for easy access to the unit for repair. The bush is to close also.

That compressor will have a short life for sure. All he had to do was to rotate the unit 90 degrees counter clockwise and he would have been about 2 1/2' away from the wall. Any code offical would flag that in a heart beat. Thank you very much

[udarrell]

I too, should have mentioned he was in violation of the code.
I'd request that he come back & do it to code.
Anyway, that will have to be done...

Moving a condenser, he should have pulled a permit so it would be inspected.
If he didn't know he was violating the code he shouldn't be doing that work.

I always pulled permits when I moved or changed out a condenser.

[jbryan7766]

Did he put the disconnect there too? If so it looks really low to the ground.

[jbryan7766]

I would have put it on a pad too. Looks like its just sitting on the ground.

[beshvac]

The manufacturer instructions say 6in minimum.

Like others,I would have rotated it 90 degrees CCW and put it much like 18 to 24 in away from the house and on a pad with snow legs.

And for a service tech.....the pretty side is out....

[toocoolforschool]

That is very poor.

[garychance]

That's close!! forget the other side i guess

[R Mannino]

What's the code for distance to the gas meter/regulator? Couldn't help it they're in the same photo.

[Vicko]

What's the code for distance to the gas meter/regulator? Couldn't help it they're in the same photo.

Thank you all for the comments! Very helpful. I did not want to raise a stink without a reason... I think that I can go ahead now ;-)

[glennac]

The manufacturer instructions say 6in minimum.

Like others,I would have rotated it 90 degrees CCW and put it much like 18 to 24 in away from the house and on a pad with snow legs.

And for a service tech.....the pretty side is out....

Funny bes never seen a manufacture's minimum as close as 6". Most I've seen say 12" and I remember in the past some Goodman condensers required 10".

Not saying there is no manufacture requiring only 6" but I've never seen that before.

Now the IMC requires that you go as a minimum by the manufacture's recommendations.

So if they say 12" minimum and you have only 11" then you are in violation of the International Mechanical Code (IMC). Thank you very much

[beshvac]

Funny bes never seen a manufacture's minimum as close as 6". Most I've seen say 12" and I remember in the past some Goodman condensers required 10".

Not saying there is no manufacture requiring only 6" but I've never seen that before.

Now the IMC requires that you go as a minimum by the manufacture's recommendations.

So if they say 12" minimum and you have only 11" then you are in violation of the International Mechanical Code (IMC). Thank you very much

I install Carrier/Bryant- in the installation instructions 1 side can be 6 in from a wall.

[udarrell]

I install Carrier/Bryant- in the installation instructions 1 side can be 6 in from a wall.

I always went by the 12" rule; I would never install one side of a condenser 6" from a wall unless there was no way to install it a foot from the wall; seems too close for me to accept it & feel comfortable.

[glennac]

Vicko, if the "installer" (being kind now) left the installation manual with you then it should give you the minimum distance.

If it's not a Bryant or a Carrier then I guarantee you it will be at least a 10 but much more likely a 12" clearance requirement Thank you very much

[dan sw fl]

Mr Hack blew it. But only the condenser fan should be blowing it ... and from about 20" from EVERYTHING.

I wouldn't have been able to find my check book after I saw that.

[glennac]

Mr Hack blew it. But only the condenser fan should be blowing it ... and from about 20" from EVERYTHING.

I wouldn't have been able to find my check book after I saw that.

Yeah agreed. Those "minimums" are a joke. They are based on the minimum distance you can have the coil away from an obstruction and still get the guaranteed efficiency and performance from the unit based on a "clean" coil.

I discussed this with York on an air cooled chiller after a 200 ton chiller's compressor serving the side of the inverted coil facing the screen wall with their minimum distance of 4 feet failed every 2 to 3 years while the one facing the open area never failed and had lower head pressure.

The coil next to the wall was always clogged up. they should give a recommended distance in addition to a minimum distance IMHO. A Carrier engineer told be the same. They base it on a clean coil. No one wants to say they have to have a lot more clearance than the next guy.

The problem is the coil won't stay clean long only 12" away from a wall. Dirt, lint, debris, etc. will clog the coil up in no time and you will start going down hill with higher coil pressures and have a short life with your compressor. I like to stay at least 2' away and prefer 3'. The 6" by Carrier and Bryant is a total joke IMHO.