Heat Pump Location - Basic Tips

Hello,

we are planning an air-to-water heat pump to replace the very old oil heating system (mainly due to political pressure). What should be considered when choosing the location and creating the foundation, here are some questions. Due to the boundary and building situation, we are very limited in the choice of location. Thank you for your answers.

1. Does the cardinal direction matter regarding the location, for example due to efficiency or risk of freezing?

2. Is it possible to go below the 3 meters minimum distance to the neighbor if there is a lack of space?

3. Is it a problem if the fresh water pipe (about 80 cm deep) runs under the heat pump into the house because of the foundation?

4. Is it sufficient to provide a gravel bed under the heat pump for the condensate (so far everything is paved)?

5. Should the outdoor unit be ideally protected from the weather?

Very important: Place it somewhere where you cannot walk past it without noticing. The thing blows out a lot of cold air when it is running. We buried a KG pipe for the condensate and filled it with some coarse gravel. Around the pipe, coarse fieldstones, but those would not necessarily be needed, the pipe would be enough. The outdoor unit is on the north side for us, but any other side would probably also work.

Good ventilation would be important. So not in the corner behind the garage next to the tall hedge. If in doubt, you can also mount such a unit on the garage roof. I would avoid placing it directly on the fresh water pipe if possible; the foundation should reach frost-free depth. That quickly means about 80 cm and conflicts with the water pipe. You might also have to replace the pipe at some point, and then you definitely wouldn't want to dismantle the heat pump for that (unless it is in a conduit).

Hello,

you have probably spoken with your HB about whether an exchange is even possible/sensible (oil heating is high temperature, heat pump is low temperature). Right?

Regarding the questions: 1.) no 2.) it depends on the state building code and your neighbor 3.) yes, because the foundation must be frost-free 4.) yes. Condensate must be able to drain downward during defrosting, otherwise an ice layer will form under the heat pump, which keeps getting bigger. 5.) yes and no. It is not necessary, but it could have a positive effect on the lifespan.