[smwalker]

Hi All! First post so excuse any funky terminology used!

I currently have a home A/C Condensor/Compressor unit on the roof of a patio. Due to termite damage the patio is coming down and I am left with the question of where to relocate the Condensor unit to.

So what are the general guidlines for this?
The home is in Los Angeles, CA

Does the length of the Gas tubes effect effeciency? Better to put in the shade or is direct sunlight better if it means a shorter Gas tubing run.

I think my options are to put it on a pitched roof (they make kits for mouting that?) with a short tube run or at the side of the house with a longer tube run. But I am also concearned about having the condenser at the side of the house and maybe only having a 2 foot walkway through there after the condenser takes up most of the room.

Thanks for any input. Want to have my plan in place when I call out the A/C Tech to disconnct and move the unit.

 

[precision hvac]

I'm not in LA but I'm close enough.

I'll give my 2 cents.
Get the condenser off the roof & on the ground where it belongs. There are pre-cast pads for this.
Most cities don't allow equipment on residential roofs anymore. Plus- if you leave it on roof- you will be doing this dance again if you need to replace the roof down the road.
As for location- that will vary city to city. Most homes have a minimum 5 ft setback on side property line on one side & a 10 ft on other. Some are 5 ft on both sides. Rear is usually a 20 ft setback from property line. What that means is your condenser can't be located within that setback area. If you have a 5 ft setback & your home is 9 ft from side property line- you can install it on that side of house. Most older homes only have enough room to install them on the rear of the house.
You'll need to contact the city to determine minimum setbacks for your area. Some cities will even require a permit, plot plan showing measurements & proposed condenser location & must be approved by plan check. San Dimas requires this.

 

[Shophound]

Shorter refrigerant lineset lengths are better for efficiency. As a service tech I'd rather have a unit on the ground than on a roof, any day. Not only because I gotta climb up there to service it, but it's damn hot up there in summer. Especially asphalt shingles or roofing.

As for your concern over two foot clearance for the ground location, is this a high traffic area?

 

[second opinion]

Shorter refrigerant lineset lengths are better for efficiency. As a service tech I'd rather have a unit on the ground than on a roof, any day. Not only because I gotta climb up there to service it, but it's damn hot up there in summer. Especially asphalt shingles or roofing.

As for your concern over two foot clearance for the ground location, is this a high traffic area?

X2

 

[Sleuth]

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I consider it difficult access if it's on the roof in most residential applications. .02
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