During the installation of a split air conditioner, we mostly put our focus on the inner unit in our room. But it is worth noting that the position of the outer unit is also important.
Especially when you are living in an apartment since you have only two options of installing an outer unit in a balcony or rooftop.
The outdoor unit must be placed on a flat surface to avoid vibrations that could damage the device or generate annoying noises. Just like this, we have discussed many aspects of installing ac in a balcony or rooftop to help you make a better decision for your apartment.
There are two basic technical issues with outer split of AC: there must be a power outlet nearby and also the possibility of enabling a drain to evacuate the water from the condensation.
This last aspect is very important, because if the indoor unit does not have good drainage it can leak, unpleasant odors can appear, efficiency will be lost and, in addition, the appliance will suffer.
Apart from these technical aspects, it is also necessary to calmly analyze the place where the indoor air conditioning units are going to be installed. They can be placed in high areas of the walls or ceiling, but avoiding that the air flow directly hits people because it can be annoying. Pay attention to where the bed, the sofa, the desk or that armchair where you spend hours reading are and avoid placing the indoor unit right in front of it.
In addition, it is better to choose a central place in the room to install inner unit , in this way the cold air will be distributed more evenly and the equipment will be more efficient. Energy efficiency is also gained if the indoor units are placed above the windows or doors that lead to the outside, thus minimizing cold losses.
Now let get back to the outer unit as its name suggests, it must be installed outside the home so that there is free air circulation. It is necessary to prevent water from accumulating around it, so it must be placed in a place sheltered from the rain.
Air conditioner outdoor unit location
Knowing where to place the outdoor unit of the air conditioner is very simple. This part of the system must be installed on the outside of the house, so that it can extract the heat and cool the interior.
It is best to place it on a horizontal surface or on an internal wall of the balcony. In some municipalities its installation on the facade is prohibited; Therefore, it is necessary that you know the current regulations and have the necessary permission before starting the work. Here are some of the basic things you need to conciuder before installing outer unit.
Municipal ordinances : the place chosen for the outdoor unit must comply with the regulations of each city council, which may limit or even prohibit its installation on facades. You also have to have the permission of the community if it is a residential building.
Avoid direct sunlight and choose a place with good ventilation : these are two basic conditions for the devices to work properly. If the circuits heat up excessively, the equipment will suffer more and may stop.
Accessible place : it is not always possible, but reaching the equipment with relative ease helps to carry out correct maintenance. If possible, it is better to place the outdoor unit at the base of a terrace or balcony or on a roof terrace. If this is not possible and it has to be anchored to a wall, the compressor must be firmly attached for safety reasons.
Support and Noise
The place chosen for installation must be firm, resistant and correctly leveled, capable of withstanding the weight of the outdoor unit and its vibration.
During operation it is normal to generate unwanted noises due to vibration, which must be attenuated with rubber pads. In high places, such as on top of buildings, a reinforcement in fixing the support should be considered, due to the incidence of strong winds and risk of falling.
The support may lose its resistance in conditions of humidity and sun exposure, depending on the manufacturing material.
Where to install the outdoor air conditioning unit – Condenser
When choosing the place to install the outdoor unit, pay attention to the following points:
- Avoid keeping the condenser in a closed environment,giving preference to places with adequate ventilation for the proper functioning of the device.
- Try to choose a location that does not exceed the distance between the pipes of the indoor unit.
- The chosen location should be dry and open. If there is direct sunlight, protect the unit with an awning or other type of protection.
- The structure must support the weight and vibrations of the device .
- Make sure there is space to service the unit .
- Check that the acoustic operating noise and air discharge will not disturb the neighbors. If necessary, provide a sound attenuation scheme for the device.
- The maximum inclination must be 5º in relation to the horizontal plane.
- The chosen location must allow for the intake of external air and that does not cause the return of the supply air.
- Try not to keep the condenser exposed to strong winds . If this happens, the ideal is to install protective plates around it, so that the fan works without problems.
- Check locations for water drainage , taking into account rain points.
- Choose a location where the device does not block any passages.
Outdoor unit installation steps
Here are the steps you must follow to install the outdoor air conditioning unit:
- Move the outdoor unit to the area where you want to install it: you must be careful because it is very heavy: in other words, it will take about 3 people to move it.
- Raise the outdoor unit to the location : If you want to install it on the wall-mounted angles, the first thing to do is to ensure the correct installation of the angles. For the lifting, it is best to have the help of up to 4 people.
- Place the rubber sleeve with anchor screws : in this way, you will avoid possible vibrations and you will be able to finish the installation correctly.
- If the installation will be done on the wall , the unit can be mounted directly on the angles of nuts and bolts.
General restrictions when setting the installation location
As with any electronic device, if the air conditioner is exposed to certain substances, its functioning can be impaired. Pay attention to the following items that pose a risk to the device:
Never install the unit in a location where flammable gases may be present. Fire or alarm devices that use sensors with a thermovelocimetric or infrared principle can be triggered improperly by the flow of hot air.
Now that you know the best place to install the air conditioner, follow these tips and enjoy the comfort provided by the device.
