Enclosing Heat Pump?

[psciotti]

I'm running an Aqua Heat Pump and it is noisy. Between the the heat pump, the filter, and my house AC condensers I'm driving myself nuts (and probaby the neighbors). Is it ok to enclose the heat pump in some kind of small shed type structure? The back of the unit is approx. 1.5' from the wooden yard fence so I'm thinking of building a 3-sided structure and leaving that 1.5' space for air flow. Any recommendations for the clearance on the top?

Thanks

[cleancloths]

I would not do that without consulting the mfg. You need huge quantities of air to absorb heat from. If you restrict the airflow you will significantly raise your operating costs not to mention possibly damaging the unit.

[Poolsean]

I'm running an Aqua Heat Pump and it is noisy. Between the the heat pump, the filter, and my house AC condensers I'm driving myself nuts (and probaby the neighbors). Is it ok to enclose the heat pump in some kind of small shed type structure? The back of the unit is approx. 1.5' from the wooden yard fence so I'm thinking of building a 3-sided structure and leaving that 1.5' space for air flow. Any recommendations for the clearance on the top?

Thanks

You will want to make sure you consult with the manufacturer's instruction manual. Aqua Cal recommends about 2' around the evaporator coil free from walls or shrubbery that can block air flow. This is important as any blockage will reduce efficiency and may cause the unit to fail.
Also, the space above is important that you do not block or divert flow back down that may recycle to the evaporator coil. This will be colder air, so cycling cold air down will again reduce efficiency and may cause it to freeze up.

Which "Aqua" heat pump do you have as there are several companies with Aqua in the name? Most scroll compressor heat pumps are about as loud as an air conditioner outside unit. Reciprocol compressors are like a piston engine. Much louder and less efficient.