Heat pump covers for the outdoor unit
We help you pick and place a cover or screen for your outdoor unit in Christchurch when we fit or service your heat pump. Outdoor units are built to live outside, rain and frost included, so a cover is mostly about looks.
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What heat pump covers are for
People put covers on outdoor units for a few reasons.
- Looks. A slatted screen hides a grey box on a deck, patio or front path.
- Sun. A roof over a unit on a hot north or west wall keeps summer sun off the casing.
- Things from above. A roof over the unit keeps off run-off where there’s no spouting, falling branches and snow sliding off a roof.
- Pets and kids. It keeps them away from the fan guard.
What a cover doesn’t do
You don’t need a cover to protect the unit from normal weather. Outdoor units are built to be outside. A cover won’t make it run better in winter. It won’t fix noise from a worn fan, or a unit rattling on loose feet. And it won’t stop frost. Frost forms on the coil from the damp in the air the unit pulls through.
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Outdoor heat pump covers in Christchurch
Christchurch weather tests a cover in a few ways.
- Nor’west wind. Out on the western side in Avonhead, spring brings nor’west wind. Keep the unit out of the full force of the wind, and fix any screen down firmly. A solid box facing the wind isn’t the answer, because the unit still needs steady airflow.
- Frosty mornings. In Hornby, the outdoor unit ices up on cold mornings and runs a defrost cycle. Any cover needs an open base, so the meltwater drains away and doesn’t refreeze round the feet.
- Leaves and shrubs. Many Ilam homes have mature gardens. A roof shelter keeps falling leaves off the top. Keep shrubs back from the sides so air can move through the coil.
- Salt on an easterly. Parklands is close enough to the coast for some salt to blow in. Choose a cover you can open or lift off, so you can give the coil a gentle rinse now and then.
Why airflow matters under an outdoor heat pump cover
Most home outdoor units pull air in through the coil at the back and sides. They push it out the front. In heating mode the unit takes heat out of that air. Anything that slows the air makes it work harder for the same heat.
A cover that blocks the air can cause:
- Recirculation. Cold air blown out the front bounces off the cover. It gets pulled straight back through the coil. Now the unit is heating with colder air than it should. It loses output.
- More icing. Colder air over the coil means more frost. More frost means more defrosting. That’s less time heating your house.
- Trapped defrost water. A solid base or tight frame can stop meltwater draining. It can freeze again round the base.
- More noise. Sound bounces off solid panels close to the unit.
So a safe cover:
- Leaves the front fan open. No panel or slats right in front of the fan.
- Leaves room at the back and sides. On most units that’s where the air comes in. Your unit’s install manual sets the minimum gaps for that model.
- Has an open base. Water has to drain and fall away.
- Comes off for servicing. A technician needs to get at the panels, the service valves and the electrical cover.
- Is fixed down properly. A loose screen flapping in a nor’wester is noisy. It can damage the unit too.
Full wraps don’t belong on a running heat pump. Nor do plastic storage covers or tarps.
Planning a cover at install
Think about a cover before the unit goes in. When we plan an installation, we pick the outdoor spot with care. We look at airflow and drainage, noise at the boundary, and how it’ll look. Sometimes a better spot means you don’t need a cover at all. Still want one? We’ll tell you how much space to leave and which designs suit that spot.
Near a neighbour? Then the spot matters for noise as much as looks. Our boundary rules guide sets out the limits.
Air con covers on an existing unit
Already got a cover? We can check it at your next service. We’ll see if the unit has the room it needs. We’ll check whether air is coming back round, and whether defrost water drains freely. If the cover is holding the unit back, we’ll tell you what to change.
Choosing a heat pump cover
You can get timber screens, aluminium louvred covers and simple roof shelters. Each has its trade-offs. Our heat pump covers guide compares the types and what to look for.
Call 03 242 1023 for help with a cover for your outdoor unit. Or ask for a quote on an install or service.
Heat pump cover questions
Does a heat pump outdoor unit need a cover?
No. Outdoor units are built to live outside, rain and frost included. A cover is mostly about looks. Sometimes it's shelter from the sun, or from things falling on it.
Can I cover my heat pump when it's not in use?
Yes, a fitted cover on a switched-off unit for a long stretch is fine. Just take it off before the heat pump runs. Never run it with a full cover or tarp on.
Do heat pump covers reduce noise?
A screen can soften the sound a little. It hides the unit from view too. It won't fix a noisy unit, though. A box that bounces sound back can make it worse. See heat pump noise problems.
Which cover should I buy?
It depends on the unit and where it sits. Our heat pump covers guide compares the main types. Getting a unit fitted or serviced? Ask us. We'll look at the spot with you.
Get a free heat pump quote
Free quotes, no obligation. We call or email you back the same working day. Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm.
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