Mark two or three possible locations
When planning an installation, it is tempting to give the outdoor unit the least visible corner. That preference can conflict with other requirements. A practical way to prepare for a visit is to mark several possible locations on a plan and photograph them from far enough away to show windows, doors, walls and walkways.
Add how each space is used. A terrace for dining, a courtyard for drying washing and a service entrance have different priorities. Providing alternatives allows the advantages and drawbacks to be assessed before an aesthetic decision becomes difficult to change.
The unit needs to exchange air with its surroundings
An air source heat pump uses outdoor air and needs suitable airflow conditions. Obstructions, enclosures and the distance from walls must be assessed against the model's manual. There is no single clearance that suits every unit and every layout.
Show any proposed screens, planters or decorative barriers from the outset. A drawing showing an unobstructed unit does not represent the finished arrangement if furniture is later placed around it. Ask for the visual screening to be compatible with operation and service access.
Think about servicing from day one
Access means more than being able to walk up to the unit. Space is needed to inspect components and, if necessary, move or replace the equipment. A roof with difficult access may require arrangements that were not obvious when considering only the view from the garden.
Ask how a routine technical visit will be carried out: where staff will enter, which areas they will need and what must remain clear. Record these conditions alongside the approved location so they are not forgotten when landscaping is designed or an enclosure is added later.
Review the complete route to the indoor components
The outdoor position must be coordinated with indoor units or components, pipework, the power supply and planned drainage. The type of connection and its limits depend on the chosen system. The professional must check these requirements, including supports and the model's safety conditions.
As a homeowner, you can ask for a clear route drawing: what will be visible, what will pass through the home and where access points will be provided. In a shared building, identify common elements and any checks or permissions required before committing to a location. Technical feasibility does not, on its own, resolve all these matters.
Consider quiet spaces in your home and nearby
Bedroom windows, narrow courtyards and surfaces that can reflect sound deserve attention during the assessment. The aim is not to guess the noise by looking at the unit, but to relate its data to the place where it will be installed.
Also review where water discharged by the unit will go, so it does not end up on walkways or regularly used areas. Before approving the location, prepare a short record of the position, access, routes, visual treatment and any unresolved constraints. It makes options easier to compare and avoids different trades interpreting the location differently during the work.
More common questions
Can I hide the unit behind a decorative screen?
Only if the arrangement meets the manufacturer's requirements and retains the necessary access. It should be checked before construction; a decorative screen is not automatically suitable.
Does a small terrace rule out a heat pump?
That alone is not enough to decide. The model, required clearances, indoor connection and building constraints need to be assessed.
Sources and technical reading
Some source documents are available in Spanish.