Placement of A/C compressor next to house

My son is considering installation of a new A/C system; the house has never had A/C before. He has met with 1 or 2 A/C contractors to discuss installation of a new system. The most likely location seems to be what you see in the attached photo. It would probably be placed just to the left of the basement window. As you see in the photo, the main power line enters the house there. The outside power box is higher up on the wall.

We are wondering how close the A/C unit can be to the house. My son would like to keep it close, perhaps only 18" away. I wonder if that is too close, that it would be too cramped if work needs to be done behind the compressor.

 

Lots of systems can be less than a foot away from a wall. The bigger issue is that it can not be in front of an electric meter.

 

Astuff hit the nail right on the head.

 

Needs to be out away from the drip line of the roof.
How's he going to feel about hearing water dripping on it and ice forming on top of it?

 

Not sure I've ever painted a house where the condenser was more than a foot or so from the wall. Another thing to consider is it's relationship to the window as that would be a conduit to bring in noise while it operates .... might not be an issue with a basement window.

 

That's what gutters are for.

 

In the installation manual, EVERY manufacturer specifies minimum clearances. These distances are exactly that, minimums. I like to have the equipment 2' or more from the house for service or repairs.

 

That's my view on this.

I attached another photo that shows the electric meter. It's about 41" from the basement window, so I think that allows enough space to put an A/C unit there without blocking either the window or the meter.

 

Is that just a gutter or a disconnect to the right of the meter? If anything other than a gutter you can't block that either.

 

It looks like it may need to go to the left of the phone box. I see a dryer vent at the basement window. You wouldn't want the A/C condensor sucking in the lint from that.

 

To the left of the phone/cable box would be my suggestion. As mentioned the meter and disconnect are required to be kept clear 30" wide and 36" deep. My second vote would be to the right of the dryer vent.

If it can be squeezed between the window and the panel, as you mentioned, I think that would be OK.