Most homeowners and even many installers think that placing the outdoor AC unit “near the house” is enough.
Jake knows this is wrong.
Clearance is the foundation of:
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system efficiency
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compressor reliability
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airflow performance
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noise control
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long-term durability
And here’s the part people miss:
R-32 condensers are more sensitive to airflow, recirculation, and obstruction than older refrigerant systems.
So clearance isn’t optional — it’s science.
This guide breaks down Jake’s precise clearance distances and why each one matters, using the Goodman 2.5 Ton 13.4 SEER2 R-32 condenser as the baseline model.
🧊 1. Why R-32 Systems Have Stricter Clearance Requirements
R-32 refrigerant operates at:
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higher energy density
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higher discharge temperature
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higher vapor pressure
This means:
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Better efficiency (when installed correctly)
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More sensitive airflow needs (when installed incorrectly)
Jake says:
“R-32 gives you better efficiency… but only if you give it the space to breathe.”
Even a 6-inch mistake can cost you 10–20% efficiency or shorten compressor life.
📏 2. Jake’s Clearance Formula (The Quick Version)
Jake uses a simple rule homeowners can memorize:
24 – 36 – 60 – 96
(Front – Sides – Top – Obstruction Radius)
Here’s what it means:
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24 inches (front) = minimum service + intake airflow
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36 inches (sides) = re-circulation prevention
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60 inches (top) = vertical discharge clearance
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96 inches (radius) = no large walls, fences, or objects directly blocking airflow
We’ll break this down in detail below.
🟥 3. Front Clearance: 24 Inches Minimum (Service + Air Intake)
Jake gives the condenser 24 inches in front — no excuses, no compromise.
Why 24 Inches?
Because the front:
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pulls 80% of intake airflow
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houses access panels
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holds the service valves
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contains the coil wrap
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contains the fan intake perimeter
If the front is blocked:
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static pressure rises
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compressor runs hotter
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coil efficiency drops
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system becomes louder
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SEER2 rating falls
Jake’s exact rule:
“If I can’t fully kneel in front of the condenser to service it, it’s too close.”
Verified Reference Link:
Goodman Installation Instructions (General Clearances)
https://www.goodmanmfg.com/
🟦 4. Side Clearance: 36 Inches Minimum (The ‘Quiet Side’)
Jake calls the side clearance the quiet side, because airflow restrictions cause:
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turbulent fan noise
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high static pressure
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motor strain
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rattling panels
He gives 36 inches minimum on each side of the condenser.
Why 36 Inches?
Because R-32 systems reject more BTUs per cubic foot of refrigerant. They need more lateral space to dissipate heat.
Side Obstructions Include:
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walls
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fences
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gas meters
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bushes
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grill stations
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garbage bins
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hydrangea plants (yes, really)
Jake has removed more plants than condensers for airflow problems.
Jake’s rule:
“If you can’t comfortably walk around both sides of the unit, it’s too tight.”
⬆️ 5. Top Clearance: 60 Inches Minimum (Vertical Discharge Zone)
Vertical clearance is the most misunderstood measurement.
Jake refuses to install a condenser with:
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decks overhead
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overhangs
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enclosed porches
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balcony structures
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low roof eaves
Minimum Requirement:
60 inches above the top fan grille
Why 60 Inches?
The R-32 condenser ejects hot air straight upward. If that hot air hits an obstruction, it recirculates back into the coil intake.
This is the #1 cause of:
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short cycling
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compressor overheating
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poor EER/SEER2 performance
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higher utility bills
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early compressor death
Jake uses a laser line to measure vertical clearance before he approves the install spot.
Verified Reference Link (Fan Performance Standards):
AMCA (Air Movement and Control Association) – Overhead Clearance Impact
https://www.amca.org/
🧱 6. Obstruction Radius: 96 Inches (8 Feet) — The Wall Rule
The obstruction radius is a concept Jake teaches every homeowner.
It means:
No major obstruction within 8 feet of the condenser in any direction.
Obstructions include:
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tall retaining walls
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large hedges
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fences
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vehicle parking
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sheds
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privacy walls
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stairs
Anything that traps or blocks airflow counts.
Why 8 Feet?
During operation, a condenser creates a high-volume air plume.
Obstructions cause:
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hot-air recirculation
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turbulent pressure zones
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inefficient coil heat transfer
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hotter compressor dome temperatures
Jake will not install a condenser inside a “pocket” of obstructions.
The worst-case scenario:
A 4-sided enclosure around the condenser.
This is instant SEER2 failure.
🌿 7. Landscaping Clearance (The Plant + Leaf Rule)
Plants breathe. So do condensers.
Most homeowners think putting bushes around the unit “hides” it.
Jake has spent years un-hiding failed units for this exact reason.
Landscaping Requirements:
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No shrubs within 36 inches
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No vines or ivy (ever)
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No leaf piles
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No bark dust (gets sucked into coils)
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No tall grass
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No decorative fencing closer than 30 inches
Jake also requires 12 inches of rock perimeter around every condenser to prevent weed overgrowth.
Verified Reference Link
EPA EnergyStar AC Landscaping Guidelines
https://www.energystar.gov/
🧯 8. Fire & Safety Clearance (Gas Meters, Electrical Boxes, Vents)
Jake always checks compliance with spacing from:
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gas meter
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exhaust vents
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electrical service panels
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dryer vents
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generator intakes
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oil fill pipes
Minimum Distances:
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36 inches from gas meter
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36 inches from electrical panels
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60 inches from dryer vents
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10 feet from generator air intake
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Avoid downward-facing vents entirely
Dryer lint is the #1 condenser killer Jake sees in older homes.
Verified Reference Link
National Fuel Gas Code (NFPA 54)
https://www.nfpa.org/
📡 9. Line Set Clearance (Pipe Routing Matters, Too)
Jake gives line set clearance equal priority to condenser clearance.
Minimum Line Set Requirements:
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No crushing or bending radius below 10× diameter
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12 inches above ground
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6-inch wall standoff
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Insulation with UV jacket in sunny regions
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Avoiding tight 90° turns
A poor line set layout can ruin the best condenser install.
Verified Reference Link
AccuTools / BluVac – Line Set Best Practices
https://accutools.com/
🔊 10. Noise Control Clearances (How Jake Makes Condensers Whisper)
Icon: 🔊
Noise is airflow + vibration.
Jake ensures silence by:
1. Avoiding wall “echo chambers”
No hard reflective surfaces closer than 30 inches.
2. Using anti-vibration pads
Especially in elevated installations.
3. Positioning the condenser on the “quiet side”
Away from bedroom windows or neighbor boundaries.
4. Maintaining line set spacing
Line sets touching a wall will transmit vibration into the home.
Jake says:
“The quieter the unit, the better the install.”
🧰 11. Jake’s Installation Scenarios (Exactly Where He Places the Unit)
Here’s how Jake applies the formula in real-world situations.
Scenario A: Between Two Houses
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36 inches from house #1
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36 inches from house #2
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8 feet of clear air in front
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Rock perimeter under and around pad
Scenario B: Against a Fence Line
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36 inches from fence
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60 inches vertical clearance
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24 inches service access
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No bushes
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No fence height above condenser top
Scenario C: Under a Deck (Jake Will Not Do This)
Jake refuses deck installs unless:
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deck is 8+ feet high
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ventilation is fully open on all sides
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no plenum effect is created
Anything less traps hot air.
Scenario D: Corner of a House
Jake angles the condenser so the discharge stream doesn’t hit the walls.
This lowers:
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noise
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recirculation
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coil temperature
🔚 12. Final Word from Jake
Jake’s clearance formula is simple, but most installers skip it.
He says:
“If your condenser can’t breathe, it can’t cool. Good clearance is free efficiency.”
Giving an R-32 unit proper space ensures:
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lower noise
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lower head pressure
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longer compressor life
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higher SEER2 performance
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fewer service calls
Good clearance isn’t decoration — it’s engineering.
Buy this on Amazon at: https://amzn.to/47dm4yJ
In the next topic we will know more about: The 7 Mistakes Jake Sees in DIY Installs—and How He Fixes Them in Under an Hour
