What’s the most suitable place to install a condensing unit?

Condensing units ensure practicality, especially for commercial and industrial facilities. Besides being versatile, they provide safety and excellent performance

What is a condensing unit?

A condensing unit is a set of components responsible for compressing and cooling down the refrigerant fluid, performing heat exchange and promoting the cooling of the indoor unit.

The condenser unit is mounted on the high pressure side of the system and is composed of a compressor, condenser and fan, which are interconnected. A unit may contain extra items such as a liquid tank, filter drier, service valve, protective grill and evaporation tray.

Ready for easy application, the condensing unit reduces installation time and maintenance costs of refrigeration systems. It provides flexibility and high performance, features needed in refrigeration projects.

Condensing unit applications

There are different condensing unit models, with various sizes. Indicated for high, medium and low evaporation temperatures, they range from small applications that can be used in a residence for example, up to large scale applications suitable for industrial and manufacturing plants.

The most common applications include: cold rooms, display counters, drinking fountains, commercial refrigerators, hospitals and restaurants.

Where and how to install the condensing unit?

The condensing unit is separated from the refrigerated cabinet in refrigeration systems. For air conditioning, it can be located on the outside of the room where external ventilation assists in cooling down the refrigerant fluid passing through the inside of the system. Besides this, in the external environment the unit’s noise is isolated, being minimally perceived by the occupants of the internal environment.

When installing the contractor must take some precautions:

• The condensing unit must be installed in a ventilated environment allowing fresh air flow to the condenser. Therefore, avoid enclosed places, close to walls, heat sources or other systems.
• If installed in a closed environment, ensure that the condensing unit will receive fresh air in the condenser inlet and will have an unobstructed hot air outlet.
• Also avoid places with high incidence of sunlight, dust, rain and strong air currents, which can influence the equipment’s proper functioning.
• Choose a firm, durable surface to install the unit, avoiding irregular, uneven places or soft surfaces.
• The condensing unit should not be far away from the cold part of the cycle (evaporator), so that there is no pressure loss in the tubing and hence loss of efficiency. Moreover, tubing that is far from the system, may accumulate and retain oil, which can damage the compressor. Therefore, the simplest and shortest tubing possible is recommended.
• Avoid placing the condenser unit well above or well below the level of the evaporator.