Mini split condenser distance from wall

[Mikes61]

My Mr. Cool 36K, non DIY just got delivered. A HVAC buddy and I are going to install it next week. He said the condenser needs to be at least 12” away from the wall. I agree with that, but I’m seeing lots of installs that are mounted on the wall on brackets that are way less than 12” away from the wall. Mine will be mounted on the ground on the 3” plastic base, in gravel.

Anyone have any ideas what the best distance is? I’m thinking the more airflow through the condenser, the better it will work. How are the wall mounts doing with just 1”-2” of clearance?

 

[bluedog225]

People do stupid stuff all the time.

More is generally better. I would use the manufacturers recommendation as a minimum but might push it to 14 to 16 inches if I had the room. It’s all about air circulation in the ability to cool. You can drop the efficiency of your unit by giving it less cooling ability.

But why would you do that unless you were space constrained? Or don’t care about energy use (e.g. some solar installs).

 

[pcmeiners]

Less air flow restriction the better. Consider the predominant wind direction you want the least amount of air pressure from the wind hitting the mini-split exhaust, but the predominant wind hitting the split intake would be good if the mini-split is well supported in case of hurricane winds. Also if you are in a snow state or you have a lot of leaf in the fall having the unit approx 12"-16" off the ground is a good idea unless you enjoy shoveling snow away from your unit in a blizzard.

 

[whateg01]

People do stupid stuff all the time.

Unfortunately, all of the wall mount brackets are pretty short. Iirc, my buddy's is about 6" from the wall. He didn't want it on the ground, and I'll guessing lots of people don't.

I poured a small pad for mine to sit on. There's about 24" of clearance so I can get behind it to weed whack or do maintenance. I hate having to squeeze into the small space between the house AC unit and the house when I change the caps.

 

[mike93lx]

Follow the manufacturer's requirements

 

[SD929]

When elevated on a bracket the Mr Cool unit to wall distance requirement is 6". Normally manufacturers allow airflow to come up from the bottom as well, something that doesn't work on the ground.

 

[Codyboy]

When elevated on a bracket the Mr Cool unit to wall distance requirement is 6". Normally manufacturers allow airflow to come up from the bottom as well, something that doesn't work on the ground.

I have an alpine unit set on a concrete pad 2ft from the wall that I poured.
I have read before what you wrote about airflow coming from under when wall mounted.
Being curious, I looked underneath and it is solid metal on the bottom.

 

[PCustoms]

Follow the manufacturer's requirements

When in doubt, RTFM

 

[SD929]

I have an alpine unit set on a concrete pad 2ft from the wall that I poured.
I have read before what you wrote about airflow coming from under when wall mounted.
Being curious, I looked underneath and it is solid metal on the bottom.

Did the Alpine installation manual say that it was supported? I've had units both that did and did not allow for a decrease in required spacing between the rear of the unit when installed on brackets.

 

[fitter30]

That info is in the install manual. Can get that info early Just Google brand and model number of the condenser. Also the inside unit will have also have minimum clearances.

 

[Codyboy]

Did the Alpine installation manual say that it was supported? I've had units both that did and did not allow for a decrease in required spacing between the rear of the unit when installed on brackets.

No idea really as I never wanted it mounted to the wall.

 

[whateg01]

I have an alpine unit set on a concrete pad 2ft from the wall that I poured.
I have read before what you wrote about airflow coming from under when wall mounted.
Being curious, I looked underneath and it is solid metal on the bottom.

I don't think it's about the bottom being solid or not. If air can flow both up and down, it doubles the account of air that can be forced through the unit

 

[dscheidt]

I have an alpine unit set on a concrete pad 2ft from the wall that I poured.
I have read before what you wrote about airflow coming from under when wall mounted.
Being curious, I looked underneath and it is solid metal on the bottom.

my splits are mounted on the wall. One of them has about 3” of clearance. It’s mounted as far out on the bracket as possible, and a larger bracket would encroach on my neighbor’s sidewalk. There's substantial air movement up along the wall when the unit is working hard —and importantly, down the wall as well. I looked a couple times this summer with a thermal camera, and the wall behind it wasn’t really a detectable hot spot around it.

 

[jsd245]

I used wall brackets because i wanted them up off the ground to keep mice out. I think the clearance is a bit less than 6
Seems to wrk fine with no issues.

my splits are mounted on the wall. One of them has about 3” of clearance. It’s mounted as far out on the bracket as possible, and a larger bracket would encroach on my neighbor’s sidewalk. There's substantial air movement up along the wall when the unit is working hard —and importantly, down the wall as well. I looked a couple times this summer with a thermal camera, and the wall behind it wasn’t really a detectable hot spot around it.

 

[Gerald O]

I think 12in is fine for a ground mounted unit. That’s what I’ve used before and am going with again on a current intallation in progress. The fans on these don’t spin that fast so not high velocity. The wall facing side should be the suction side so any wind pressure will probably reflect off the wall and actually help flow.

 

[Gerald O]

An older install.


A new install in progress.
Just placed this new concrete pad, 24” x 40”, 6in away from the wall and a Mr Cool 24K condenser will go right in the middle of that for a 12in wall spacing.
About 2 cubic feet of sacrete.