Mini Split Compressor Placement in Cold Climates (Think about Snow and Other Conditions)

Posted by: Allison Friedman // Rate It Green Admin

It’s important to think about mini split condenser location in cold climates where it’s likely to snow, or really where anything will affect the proper functioning and longevity/durability of the unit.  I hope by sharing, someone else can learn from what I do see as a mistake I plan to fix.  I’d rather you make a change in your plans than spend money and time later, as I will, to move your condensers.  

We added a mini split a couple of years ago for a new space above a garage, and I was super excited.  We also redid our backyard and the same time.  So we were working with an architect, a landscape designer, a landscape construction company, our builder, and the HVAC company, among others of course.  (I still have great relationships with some of these folks, so this is not a complaint as much as a lesson we should all learn from!)  I recall asking the HVAC folks when the mini split compressor was located on the ground, maybe 4 inches up, “Hey, is that going to be a problem when it snows?”  I got some pushback then and honestly ever since (which is why this isn’t a complaint - MANY people seem to agree).  The key argument for the existing location is that there isn’t really a choice given that this is an existing building without a lot of ideal spots, and that “it will look ugly” if we put the compressor on the building.  

I appreciate people looking out for us regarding design, but I also suggest we redefine ugly, or at least think about it.  I don’t want to dig out our mini split every storm, and I think there’s risk to the equipment if we’re running around with shovels swinging.  I actually think I’d be proud to show of my current technology on the wall.  I realize we might locate the equipment differently if we were siting a new building on this property, but we aren’t.  Note that for us, this is equipment for an added space.  What if we had added several mini splits?  We might face digging them out constantly or losing heating during a major storm?  That sounds like a super ugly option to me!  

A couple of lessons from this project, in my opinion:

• I’d locate all New England or snowy weather mini split compressors on a wall or in a covered location to some extent, if at all possible.  Or, prepare to dig them out! The units must have sufficient space for air intake and exhaust. 
• Retrofits are a good example of when you might just need to compromise and get the best result you can - but think about what that means from the perspective of the people who will live or work in a building 
• Getting everyone talking as early as possible in a project makes sense. Years ago, it seems that charrettes to bring stakeholders and all vendors together were going to become the norm.  They should be.  In this case, I was asking an important question as a client, but maybe I didn’t bring it to the person I should have, or in time.  I will say that the builder on this project was a super person open and eager to talk to and work with everyone.  Not every other stakeholder may have felt the same way, so this is something to ask before hiring someone.  
• Ask practical questions about how your renovations will work in your normal everyday reality.  I was not able to start a conversation about snow management, or again I asked too late.  My builder and landscape builder helped us figure out some things that I do think we should have addressed earlier in design phases.   I appreciate that, but they shouldn’t have been in that position.  

Also, one more lesson:

• We successfully covered our compressor with a tarp this last storm.  That made it easier to dig out.  That may sound obvious, but one note:  As the occupant, you need to make sure your mini split is OFF before covering it with a tarp of course.  That may sound obvious and easy, but at first we only kept getting the mini split to go into stands mode, with a fan still running.  That of course won’t work under a tarp - the lack of air could be destructive to a motor trying to run! 

It’s ok if this all seems obvious to you.  These are principles I easily agree with, and yet in the heat of a project, things do seem to be able to get by us, or got by me on this one, despite thinking we had it all worked out.  We all make mistakes, or just live and learn.  What would you do differently? Do you still prefer a better looking side of the house to mounting the compressor on the wall?  I’d love to hear your thoughts!