(925) 502-1342 Schedule an estimate
  1. Home
  2. Unit placement

Where the outdoor unit goes — and why it matters.

An air conditioner or heat pump makes some noise and takes some space. Put it in the right place and nobody thinks about it again. Put it in the wrong one and it's the first thing the neighbours, the HOA and your bedroom hear about.

Site plan of a house on its lot with three possible outdoor unit positions A house in the middle of its lot, with a garage and driveway at the front left, a patio in the back yard and bedroom windows on the right-hand side. The neighbour's house is just past the right-hand fence, with its bedroom window facing ours. Position A is in the narrow right side yard between the two bedroom windows. Position B is in the left side yard beside the garage wall, marked as the best choice. Position C is in the back yard beside the patio. Patio House Garage Driveway Bedroom Neighbour (bedroom faces ours) Street A B C
Three options

A, B or C?

  1. AvoidRight side yardBetween two bedroom windows — ours and the neighbour's. The narrow yard bounces sound, and the HOA is likely to object.
  2. BestLeft side yard, by the garageAgainst a garage wall with no bedrooms nearby, a short run to the indoor unit, easy to screen from the street and easy to service.
  3. PossibleBack yard, by the patioClear of the neighbours, but right where you sit on summer evenings — when the unit runs hardest.

An illustrative plan. Every lot is different, and your city's setback and noise rules and your HOA's guidelines decide what's allowed — we check both before we recommend a spot.

The HOA application

What most associations ask for.

Many San Ramon neighbourhoods have an HOA with an architectural review. The details vary; these are the usual requests, and we help you prepare them.

A site sketch

Where the unit goes, with distances to property lines and windows.

The equipment sheet

The manufacturer's specification, including the published sound rating.

Screening plan

Fence, lattice or planting that hides it from the street and neighbours.

An outdoor unit on a pad beside a garage wall, screened by a painted lattice panel and low shrubs
Position B in practice: garage wall, screened, easy to reach.
A technician measuring the width of a side yard with a tape measure beside a house wall
Measured before the quote, not on install day.
Homes

Replacing an old unit?

The old spot isn't always the best one. It's the cheapest moment to move it.

Businesses

Rooftops and yards

Commercial sites have their own rules — screens, roof loads, noise at the property line. We check them.

A compact modern heat pump on wall brackets beside a garage, a neat covered line set running into the wall
Tight on space?

Quieter and smaller options exist.

Variable-speed heat pumps and air conditioners run slower and quieter most of the time. Compact units fit narrow side yards, and some can be wall-mounted. We'll show you what fits the space and the budget.

Planning a replacement?

Let's sketch it first.

Placement, HOA paperwork and permit, in one estimate.

Schedule an estimate (925) 502-1342
Call Schedule