Outdoor AC Condenser Installation Mistakes To Avoid

If you need a new cooling system with an outdoor AC condenser unit, then you need to think about the outdoor unit and its placement. Individuals will commonly make mistakes in relation to placement during and after the installation process. Keep reading to learn about a few of these mistakes and how they can be avoided. 

Mistake—Making Attempts to Hide the Condenser

One of the biggest AC installation mistakes you can make is trying to hide your AC condenser. The AC condenser should be placed on the coolest side of the house to ensure energy efficiency. Due to the way the sun rises in the east, this is typically the north side of the house. Unfortunately, this may mean a condenser is installed in the front of the home. When this happens, homeowners will often try to hide the unit.

Hiding a unit with a bush, plant, flower, tree, or even a solid fence can cause some issues. It can reduce the airflow around and through the unit. This keeps the condenser from eliminating built-up heat and functioning properly. The result may be an overheating unit or poor cooling inside the home.

Also, a condenser that is surrounded by plants can become clogged up with debris. This can make it difficult to keep the vents or fins open. 

If you feel that a condenser is unsightly, then think about buying a privacy fence with a large gap at the bottom. The slats of the fence also should be about one inch apart or more. This will ensure that air can flow underneath and through the fence. 

Mistake—Installation Near Fire Hazards

Air conditioning condensers are electric devices and therefore pose a fire risk. The risk comes from the outdoor outlet, the wiring to and from the condenser, and even electronic components in the condenser itself. Internal components include the fan motor and the run capacitor. And, these parts and pieces can malfunction and have the potential to start a fire.

While fire risks are small and uncommon, you want to make sure that your condenser is not installed near a flammable item. Your grill with its propane tank is one of these hazards. Other hazards include leaf piles, full trash cans, dead leaf and grass piles, firewood piles, and fuel containers. 

It may be easy to move some fire hazards, but if there are quite a few in your installation area, then it may be safer to choose another location. Your air conditioning installation professional can let you know the best place to have a new outdoor outlet placed for this purpose. 

Contact a local HVAC service for more information

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