Mini Split Compressor Location Question

[reb162]

Other than having min clearance per the manufacturers specs all around the compressor, what are the rules regarding the compressor placement out side by a wall. Specifically, the place where I want to put mine would be within 2 feet of the PVC intake and exhaust vents for my house high efficiency furnace. Any code rules I need to worry about.

 

[rickairmedic]

Nope your fine in that location . By the way its a " condensor " the compressor is a component of the " condensor " . The outside unit condenses the refrigerant from a gas to a liquid thus " condensor " the inside unit evaporates the refrigerant from a liquid to a gas thus " evaporator " . This ends todays HVAC lesson .


Rick

 

[Teken]

Nope your fine in that location . By the way its a " condensor " the compressor is a component of the " condensor " . The outside unit condenses the refrigerant from a gas to a liquid thus " condensor " the inside unit evaporates the refrigerant from a liquid to a gas thus " evaporator " . This ends todays HVAC lesson .


Rick

Rick you and that cat always crack me up . . .

 

[rlitman]

Code, no. Other possible issues, maybe.
The exhaust from a high efficiency furnace is highly corrosive. If it directly blows on the condenser coils, I'd be concerned. 2' is a lot of space though, and if the exhaust is higher than the condenser, then I wouldn't be concerned at all.

 

[reb162]

Thanks for ther advice, I will ensure the furnace exhaust stays away from the Condensor (not compressor ).

I'm going to pull the trigger tonight on one of the following two units:

Ramsond 24000 BTU - COOL + HEAT (Heat Pump) + ELECTRIC HEAT
http://ramsond.com/proddetail.php?prod=R74GW&cat=Ductless Mini Split AC Systems

or
Ramsond 18000 BTU - COOL + HEAT (Heat Pump) + ELECTRIC HEAT
http://ramsond.com/proddetail.php?prod=R55GW&cat=Ductless Mini Split AC Systems

I keep going back and forth between the two...they are identical except for the size. Depending on the sizing calculator I use, either fits the bill for my 690 sq ft garage. I want the 24K BTU which may be on the high side due to extra losses in a garage (doors are the primary), but then I over think it and think I only need the 18K and that it will save me 400 bucks. I think I'll wind up flipping a coin.

If anyone has any last minute advice/experience on sizing for a three car 690 sq ft garage in the Ohio climate, I'd appreciate it.

Don't bother with the comments about not going name brand, etc. I've been through it and I can't afford it and name brands with back up heat strips are rare. I need the back up heat option for Ohio winters (running water in the garage).

 

[brewchief]

Code, no. Other possible issues, maybe.
The exhaust from a high efficiency furnace is highly corrosive. If it directly blows on the condenser coils, I'd be concerned. 2' is a lot of space though, and if the exhaust is higher than the condenser, then I wouldn't be concerned at all.

Code might come in to play if the manufacturers instructions give a clearance requirement, code often will defer to what the manufacturers want even if it's more then what's written in the codebook.

I've seen a lot of A/Cs that have a 6' min in there instructions.
I've also seen a lot of A/Cs installed where exhaust blows directly on them and they show no signs of damage.

If the mini is a heat pump I would want more clearance then 2', I don't see much good coming from blowing warm, moist air onto a cold coil, the unit will be going into defrost more often then normal.