Outdoor Heat Pumps Units - Concrete Pad vs Steel Brackets

Forums › Home Workshop DIY › Outdoor Heat Pumps Units - Concrete Pad vs Steel Brackets

Paul1977

5052 posts

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#272274 17-Jun-2020 14:24

In my ongoing quest to sort out the best method of draining condensate, my installer has suggested putting it on steel brackets mounted to the side of our foundation, and then leave an unconcreted area below it filled with stones.

Other than drainage, are there advantages or disadvantages to having the outdoor unit on brackets vs on a concrete pad.

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208 posts

Master Geek

#2506680 17-Jun-2020 14:28

Starts new thread, ignores my comment in previous thread. Won't bother next time.

Paul1977

5052 posts

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#2506682 17-Jun-2020 14:31

Froglotion: Starts new thread, ignores my comment in previous thread. Won't bother next time.

Sorry @Froglotion, I should have replied to your comment in the other thread. Will do so now.

Started a new thread since I think my other one was just way too specific.

Jase2985

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#2506700 17-Jun-2020 14:54

how many threads do you need on essentially the same topic?

Paul1977

5052 posts

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#2506765 17-Jun-2020 15:43

Jase2985:

how many threads do you need on essentially the same topic?

My last thread was too specific and I didn't think I'd get an answer to the more general question of brackets vs concrete pad if I asked in the previous thread.

Kickinbac

427 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2508369 19-Jun-2020 20:21

What would you be attaching wall brackets to? If its concrete tilt slab or a concrete block wall, should be fine. If its brick or a timber framed wall, put it on a concrete pad. Think about the weight of the unit and what will be supporting it. Stay away from cheap powdercoatedwall brackets.

Why are you so concerned about condensate?

timmmay

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#2508372 19-Jun-2020 20:30

I was in a friends house years ago that had the heat pump exterior unit mounted on the outside wall. The whole house shook. Don't do that. Suspect it was a wooden house.

Mehrts

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#2508376 19-Jun-2020 20:42

Don't mount it to the house/foundation. The humming will drive you nuts. Keep it on a separate mount, but higher up if needed.

Are there any open plumbing drains nearby, from a kitchen/bathroom sink or something you could run the drain hose into? That's what I did at my place.

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larknz

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#2508488 19-Jun-2020 21:41

If you are going for a concrete pad make sure the ground is well compacted underneath. Otherwise it will start tilting

Kickinbac

427 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2508490 19-Jun-2020 21:42

My last house I mounted my heat pump from the brick foundation wall, no vibration or noise into the house. A good quality modern heat pump is super quiet. I walk past mine outside and you wouldn’t even know it was going apart from the breeze of cold air.
My current house the outdoor unit is on a concrete slab.

Paul1977

5052 posts

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#2508936 20-Jun-2020 20:36

Thanks for the responses. If mounted to brackets they would be attached to the concrete foundation, not the bricks or timber framing.

My gut tells me concrete base. It will but a full 1.7m wide path, not just a pad so hopefully less chance of tilting from ground settlement.

Paul1977

5052 posts

Uber Geek

#2508937 20-Jun-2020 20:40

Kickinbac:
Why are you so concerned about condensate?

Just don’t want it running over concrete path if it can be avoided. Probably over thinking it.

mdooher

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#2508947 20-Jun-2020 20:52

I have my 15kW outdoor unit attached to my foundation via brackets. I used rubber vibration dampeners between the bracket and the unit. (available from any good installer, or Para rubber) I get no vibration at all.

I also sound proofed that wall with sound absorbent bats and double Gib of different densities and thicknesses among other things, so I wouldn't get any fan noise either...and I don't.

Matthew

Jase2985

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#2509060 21-Jun-2020 10:20

timmmay:

I was in a friends house years ago that had the heat pump exterior unit mounted on the outside wall. The whole house shook. Don't do that. Suspect it was a wooden house.

obviously not mounted correctly or shock isolated

timmmay

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#2509154 21-Jun-2020 12:52

Jase2985:

obviously not mounted correctly or shock isolated

Could be. The guy who owned the house was a builder, apparently a decent one.

Insanekiwi

592 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2510075 22-Jun-2020 21:42

We have 2 heat pump external units mounted to the concrete foundation (using L brackets). No issues with vibration.

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