
3.0 LOCATING UNIT
3.1 CORROSIVE ENVIRONMENT
The metal parts of this unit may be subject to rust or deterioration if exposed to a
corrosive environment. This oxidation could shorten the equipment’s useful life.
Corrosive elements include, but are not limited to, salt spray, fog or mist in seacoast
areas, sulphur or chlorine from lawn watering systems, and various chemical conta-
minants from industries such as paper mills and petroleum refineries.
If the unit is to be installed in an area where contaminants are likely to be a prob-
lem, special attention should be given to the equipment location and exposure.
• Avoid having lawn sprinkler heads spray directly on the unit cabinet.
• In coastal areas, locate the unit on the side of the building away from the water-
front.
• Shielding provided by a fence or shrubs may give some protection, but cannot
violate minimum airflow and service access clearances.
• levating the unit off its slab or base enough to allow air circulation will help
avoid holding water against the basepan.
Regular maintenance will reduce the build-up of contaminants and help to protect
the unit’s finish.
• Frequent washing of the cabinet, fan blade and coil with fresh water will remove
most of the salt or other contaminants that build up on the unit.
• Regular cleaning and waxing of the cabinet with an automobile polish will pro-
vide some protection.
• A liquid cleaner may be used several times a year to remove matter that will not
wash off with water.
Several different types of protective coil coatings are offered in some areas. These
coatings may provide some benefit, but the effectiveness of such coating materials
cannot be verified by the equipment manufacturer.
3.2 HEAT PUMP LOCATION
Consult local and national building codes and ordinances for special installation
requirements. Following location information will provide longer life and simplified
servicing of the outdoor heat pump.
NOTE: These units must be installed outdoors. No ductwork can be attached, or
other modifications made, to the discharge grille. Modifications will affect perfor-
mance or operation.
3.3 OPERATIONAL ISSUES
•IMPORTANT: Locate the unit in a manner that will not prevent, impair or com-
promise the performance of other equipment horizontally installed in proximity
to the unit. Maintain all required minimum distances to gas and electric meters,
dryer vents, exhaust and inlet openings. In the absence of National Codes, or
manaufacturers’ recommendations, local code recommendations and require-
ments will take presidence.
• Refrigerant piping and wiring should be properly sized and kept as short as
possible to avoid capacity losses and increased operating costs.
• Locate the unit where water run off will not create a problem with the equip-
ment. Position the unit away from the drip edge of the roof whenever possible.
Units are weatherized, but can be affected by the following:
o Water from the junction of rooflines, without protective guttering, entering the
heat pump while in operation, can impact fan blade or motor life. Coil dam-
age may occur to a heat pump if moisture cannot drain from the unit under
freezing conditions.
o Freezing moisture, or sleeting conditions, can cause the cabinet to ice-over
prematurely and prevent heat pump operation, requiring backup heat, which
generally results in less economical operation.
• Closely follow clearance recommendations (see Figure 1).
o 24” to the service panel access
o 60” above heat pump fan discharge (unit top) to prevent recirculation
o 6” to heat pump coil grille air inlets (per heat pump).
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!WARNING
Disconnect all power to unit before starting maintenance. Failure to do so
can cause electrical shock resulting in severe personal injury or death.