Q for HVAC Techs

Gary

Gary

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Is there a code / building code regarding the placement of central air condenser units and how close they can be placed to property lines?
This would be a residential install in Hamilton.
Through google searches, I've found info for a couple ON cities, but nothing for Hamilton.
Seems I had an issue years ago when having one installed.
My memory is terrible, but I think I had to install the outdoor unit at least 5 feet from the property line.
Thanks in advance.

(btw - I've called a couple places. They want to come have a look. Having a look is not what I'm after - just a code, if there is one)
 
In Hamilton, it's 8ft from the prop line. But they don't enforce it because it's in counsel right now to abolish this bylaw.

Everywhere else (st crk, burl, etc). It's 0.6m from prop line. It's only matter of time before Hamilton follows this as they are the only municipality with outdated code.

** my HVAC guy with over 1000 years of experience and a crew of 15+ employees provided this info.

You're welcome. :)

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Not sure how many places in the newer GTA suburbs can have an exterior AC unit at the side of the house 8' from the property line. Some place just stretching your arms out, you can touch both houses.
 
Don't even know if there's a by-law up here for it. Doesn't matter, most are at the side of the house in my neighbourhood.
 
If you want to strictly comply with Hamilton, last I checked they required compliance with NPC-216 which requires a quieter (and more expensive a/c) unless it is at least 6.5 m from neighbouring receptors (good luck complying with that one unless you are a corner lot).

It is rarely (never?) enforced, it's just something they occasionally impose on new developments. In any case, make sure your units sound level rating is 7.6 bels or less to avoid most problems (quietest units are ~6.8, loudest ~8.2).
 
GateKeeper said:
Found this....

http://www.hamilton.ca/NR/rdonlyres/F4640954-30C9-43B3-AAEE-A9473F296EE1/0/DUNZBLSection6.pdf

6-5

6.6.10
Click to expand...

Thank you for this. It's exactly what I went through about 10 yrs ago with my own install.
My problem now is: I just came back from vacation to find my next dr neighbours have re-located their new unit from the back of their house to the side. I haven't heard it running yet, and not looking forward to it. It's only inches from our property line.
Hoping I don't have to waste another crowbar fixing this problem.
 
Trust me it's better that it's on the side then in the back, you will not hear it unless you have a window right there, and your backyard will be quieter as well, I wish everyone's AC was at the side of the house and not in the backyards, makes way too much noise, now I would only have an issue if it blocks passage to the back if your trying to gain entry from the side of the house, say you need to get your lawnmower from the front to the back, but now you can't......that would be my only concern...

just my 2 cents worth....

and maybe they have one of those high efficiency and quiet models......

.
 
GateKeeper said:
Trust me it's better that it's on the side then in the back, you will not hear it unless you have a window right there, and your backyard will be quieter as well, I wish everyone's AC was at the side of the house and not in the backyards, makes way too much noise, now I would only have an issue if it blocks passage to the back if your trying to gain entry from the side of the house, say you need to get your lawnmower from the front to the back, but now you can't......that would be my only concern...

just my 2 cents worth....

and maybe they have one of those high efficiency and quiet models......

.
Click to expand...

I have plenty of space to move anything in or out. That's not a problem, and they're backyard access is on the other side of their house, so they don't have to worry about the location.
I have a hi - eff / extremely quiet unit out back. We can sit beside it, and clearly hear (although I'm 60% deaf) each other talking. The noise from my unit is non-existant from 3' away.
The neighbour had one in the back since I moved here. I never heard it.
What I am plagued with is their water pump and water heater for the pool, which are both located just as close to my house as the new a/c unit. This is all outside my bedroom wall, and now the a/c is almost directly outside my kitchen window.
I don't think any of it is right.
The annoying humming that comes from the pump all summer is 2nd to the ringing in my ears. I have a potential cure for that. Just started taking lipo-flavonoid a week ago. Nothing helps the noise their equipment makes.
 
My first house, the A/C unit impinged on the neighbours side by an inch. I always ensured to stay on his good side ..

A few houses down, neighbours were squabbling and his was near the property line. He called the town out, and they made him relocate it to the back of the house.
 
Had a chat earlier with them. First thing I asked was "did you know there's a code for that"? "No".
We were standing about 5' away from the unit. Little did I know it was running. She said they'd move it. I said "not to worry, it's barely noticeable". I can't hear it in the house - windows open.
All's good.
 
Riceburner said:
What about pool pumps?
Click to expand...

I don't know if there is a code for those but I do know they can be annoying. My next door neighbor had a hottub and his neighbor constantly complained about the noise of the pump. He tried everything to try to quiet it, insulation etc. He finally gave up because of the complaints and got rid of it. Turns out the noise was coming from my pool pump. His neighbor immediately began complaining to me. As a compromise I ended up putting in a timer to shut it off at midnight and back on at 6AM. He seemed ok with that.
 
Riceburner said:
What about pool pumps?
Click to expand...

thanks for reminding me of a summer nightmare.

my last house, my neighbours back yard backed onto mine, and they had a pond with a pool pump running 24hrs a day. Let me tell you, we weren't happy campers.

Many a summers night we tried sleeping with the windows open, and I swear if I had a rifle, I would have shot at the motor.
 
My neighbours have all been great towards me.. I'm on of those azzholes you're all describing not including my yappy dog first thing in the morning. Oh well, maybe I should trade my ride for a Harley with the straight pipes and fire it up early every morning....PS Gary, glad everything worked out for you buddy.
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