Optimum placement of top discharge outdoor unit installed near a wall

We numerically analyzed the effect of the placement of a top discharge outdoor unit installed near a wall on the heat pump performance. The design parameters considered in this study were the height of the wall close to the outdoor unit and the distance between the wall and the unit. We then investigated the performance of the outdoor unit for various placements. Based on the results of the numerical experiments, the optimum placement of the outdoor unit near the wall was established. The optimum placement of the outdoor unit showed the ratio (COP/COPref) of 1.01, whereas the worst case resulted in 0.91.

► The effect of the placement of an outdoor unit installed near a wall on the heat pump performance.
► The wall height is similar to that of the outdoor unit, maximum performance is obtained.
► The wall height exceeds that of the outdoor unit, air re-entry occurs.
► The wall distance has less effect on the performance.
► Optimum placement for the top discharge outdoor unit is suggested.