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The round part of the air conditioning system in the back yard is usually covered with a tarp this time of the year. This year my two dogs tore it
up and I would like to construct a permanent outside structure to protect
the unit. I don’t know how much clearance the allow when framing the
roof and walls. Would like to keep it up year round, with a solid roof
and lattice walls. The walls could be covered with plywood during the colder months, which would be removed in the Spring. The unit is a Carrier.
Don’t know how much clearance to allow especially on top as the fan blows
the air in an upward direction. Any additional information on building
this small structure appreciated.
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The compressor (the round thing) doesn't need any extra protection, so you're just as well off putting nothing on it. You don't want to do anything to impede the air flow during operation, so I couldn't support your cover concept, particularly the solid roof.
*I'm half with Barry on this. Don't mess with the design.However, it probably helps to keep ice out of the mechanicals. I plan to build a small wooden structure to cover my unit (this is way down in the to do jar, though). I intend it to be removable during the summer months so it can do it's job unimpeded. I think its a good idea. I'm really just doing it so I don't need to look at that plastic bag on my doorstep. Maybe the idea will work for you too.
*Like Rein says, ice is probably the only problem you need to be concerned with. Keep the water out, and you've probably got it licked.Just build a pygmy pavillion. Give it a foot of clearance over the top of the unit, and forget the sides.
*Replace it with a heat pump and run it year round.
*A piece of scrap plywood over the top held down with a cement block. The unit's shut down for the winter so air flow is not an item and the dogs won't be able to pull it off and chew it up.
*I have seen dogs urinate on compressors. This is a VERY bad thing. Corrosion can cause the fins to fall off the tubing and even can lead to a pinhole, so covering it in the winter is a good idea. Maybe a very large size trash can inverted over it would work.
*Thanks to everyone who replied to my post.I reallyappreciate it. And Mark you are correct in saying that dogs urinate on compressors. I've seen one of my dogs do that several times. Today I put a 4 foot high fence around the compressor about threefeet away from the unit all the way around and covered it with a blue plastic tarp wrapped around and tied with rope.It should stay put until I haveto remove it in warmer weather.
*FWIW, I've heard several HVAC types recommend against totally encasing it over the winter. (Maybe that was when there weren't dogs around)
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The round part of the air conditioning system in the back yard is usually covered with a tarp this time of the year. This year my two dogs tore it
up and I would like to construct a permanent outside structure to protect
the unit. I don't know how much clearance the allow when framing the
roof and walls. Would like to keep it up year round, with a solid roof
and lattice walls. The walls could be covered with plywood during the colder months, which would be removed in the Spring. The unit is a Carrier.
Don't know how much clearance to allow especially on top as the fan blows
the air in an upward direction. Any additional information on building
this small structure appreciated.