In short: use the model-specific clearance; 500 mm is not a universal requirement.

Keep stock, walls and waste away from inlet and discharge paths. Prevent hot outlet air returning directly to the inlet and ventilate indoor plant spaces.

A fresh oily mark near pipework may indicate refrigerant leakage. Do not tighten fittings or top up refrigerant. Record alarms, photograph the area and contact service. For R290, avoid ignition sources and follow the emergency procedure.

Airflow and clearance

A clean coil still fails if it cannot draw cool ambient air across it and exhaust the warm air away without recirculating it.

Keep a minimum 500 mm of clear space around the air intake and discharge of the condensing unit.
Do not stack stock, packaging, or pallets against an outdoor unit.
Ensure warm discharge air is not drawn straight back into the intake (short-cycling), which raises condensing temperature even with clean coils.
For roof- or wall-mounted units, check that prevailing wind, walls, or fencing are not trapping hot air around the unit.

Oil stains: stop and call a technician

Oily residue on or below the coil is not a cleaning job — it usually signals a refrigerant leak.

Under Regulation (EU) 2024/573 (the F-gas Regulation), leaks of fluorinated refrigerant must be repaired by a certified technician, and equipment above defined charge thresholds is subject to mandatory leak checks. Do not attempt to clean or seal it yourself:

Isolate the unit.
Do not run the system or attempt a refrigerant top-up.
Call a qualified refrigeration engineer to locate and repair the leak.

Refrigerant work, leak repair, and electrical checks are for certified technicians only.

For service scheduling or to confirm the condensing unit on your system, contact [email protected].

Airflow and clearance

Oil stains: stop and call a technician

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