Joining the Renewable Heating Hub forums is completely free and only takes a minute. By registering you’ll be able to ask questions, join discussions, follow topics you’re interested in, bookmark useful threads and receive notifications when someone replies. Non-registered members also do not have access to our AI features. When choosing your username, please note that it cannot be changed later, so we recommend avoiding brand or product names. Before registering, please take a moment to read the Forum Rules & Terms of Use so we can keep the community helpful, respectful and informative for everyone. Thanks for joining!
Best base for 6kW Ecodan heat pump external unit
What is everyone's thoughts on installation of a unit on earth/ground - seems to be a few schools of thought, around:
Base materials:
- level poured concrete - either of:
- one base
- two separate bases/'plinths'
- paving slab
- gravel
Beneath unit's feet:
- nothing - feet sit on concrete/slab
- 'flexi foot' (e.g. 600mm longh) with struts
- anti-vibration mounts under each foot
Securing:
- feet bolted directly to concrete/slab
- feet bolted to flexi foot and either of:
- flexi feet sat unsecured on top of concrete/slab/gravel
- flexi feet bolted / strapped to / otherwise secured to concrete/slab
- feet bolted to mounts, mounts bolted to concrete/slab
Mitsubishi installation manual says two concrete plinths with feet bolted directly to them.
It feels to me that two concrete plinths with unit feet secured to rubber and then rubber secured to concrete is best - the thinking with the last part: to avoid any small unit movements which may impact balance / create internal vibrations or cause small pipework vibrations downstream (unless flexi hoses always cancel this out?).
Do people think securing the rubber to the plinths would bring any benefits (even if small), and if so, which way would you go if you were doing a fresh install?
I would say always always always mount on thick rubber anti-vibration grommets in any domestic setting. You do not want to go through it all to find bzzzzzzzzz through your home. I think the new MIS3005 might give some advice on this when released after the consultation as, presently, anti-vibration mounting is required on installations by MCS but a worrying loop hole is the there is zero guidance on what is appropriate. You could literally put something for the weekend 'twixt the unit and concrete base/wall bracket and could pretend that is the anti-vibration mounting.
Ahh I might be wrong about there being a requirement for AV grommets if the manual says bolt directly to a concrete base. The requirement in MIS3005 is "4.4.4 Anti-vibration pads/mats/mounts and flexible hose connections should be installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions to reduce the effects of vibration on the building structure." This mixes the expectation there should be AV grommets with the requirements in the installers manual, and if no requirement specified then I supposed they are not strictly required under MCS.
Posted by: @eltonI would say always always always mount on thick rubber anti-vibration grommets in any domestic setting. You do not want to go through it all to find bzzzzzzzzz through your home. I think the new MIS3005 might give some advice on this when released after the consultation as, presently, anti-vibration mounting is required on installations by MCS but a worrying loop hole is the there is zero guidance on what is appropriate. You could literally put something for the weekend 'twixt the unit and concrete base/wall bracket and could pretend that is the anti-vibration mounting.
I have found that 'something for the weekend' doesn't actually normally stop 'vibration'. 😋
@rhh2348 here's what we did with our heat pump. We secured our heat pump (weighing around 180kg) by placing four levelled concrete slabs side-by-side for a stable base.
Get a copy of The Ultimate Guide to Heat Pumps
Subscribe and follow our YouTube channel!
Posted by: @eltonI would say always always always mount on thick rubber anti-vibration grommets in any domestic setting.
Can you give an example or two of such items, and explain why those?
You do not want to go through it all to find bzzzzzzzzz through your home.
Indeed - hence the thread question 🙂
Posted by: @eltonAhh I might be wrong about there being a requirement for AV grommets if the manual says bolt directly to a concrete base.
I did think it odd, particularly as my install came with flexi feet! Also, Mitsubishi do list those feet in their accessories.
The requirement in MIS3005 is "4.4.4 Anti-vibration pads/mats/mounts and flexible hose connections should be installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions to reduce the effects of vibration on the building structure." This mixes the expectation there should be AV grommets with the requirements in the installers manual, and if no requirement specified then I supposed they are not strictly required under MCS.
Understood, however I am looking for the optimal approach. What have you done / what would you do again if you did afresh?
Posted by: @editor@rhh2348 here's what we did with our heat pump. We secured our heat pump (weighing around 180kg) by placing four levelled concrete slabs side-by-side for a stable base.
-- Attachment is not available --
-- Attachment is not available --
Wow!
Are they on earth below?
What's the layers between your ASHP and the slab? (e.g. I think I can see rubber feet under the cabinet / enclosure)
@rhh2348, yeah on earth below, but the area was very heavily compacted so even trying to burrow them in was quite hard.
Not a huge gap bewteen the ASHP and the slab. It's running now and I'm out tomorrow but I can measure on Wednesday. It is standing in rubber feet. There is zero vibration noise from this unit. It's rock solid.
Base drawing from our manufacturer.
Get a copy of The Ultimate Guide to Heat Pumps
Subscribe and follow our YouTube channel!
Posted by: @editorIt is standing in rubber feet. There is zero vibration noise from this unit. It's rock solid.
Niiice. Which feet did you go for and (how) are they secured to the slabs and enclosure / unit?
@rhh2348 it's the way the heat pump arrived. It was literally taken off a truck, wheeled to the slabs and placed there. It's designed to stand (it's taller than me, and I'm over 6-foot), so no option of wall mounting. Because of it's tall design it's very well balanced, and even when running full tilt, it never reverberates or shakes. Prior to hearing form other homeowners we never even knew that reverberations were a "thing" when it came to heat pumps.
Get a copy of The Ultimate Guide to Heat Pumps
Subscribe and follow our YouTube channel!
Posted by: @editoryeah on earth below, but the area was very heavily compacted so even trying to burrow them in was quite hard.
This comment has me thinking whether adding concrete/slabs may introduce the possibility of vibrations, when some flexi feet (to raise off ground) on level compacted earth (maybe even sat within a 10mm recess with small drain channel out) may do the job as well if not better...
- 26 Forums
- 2,644 Topics
- 61.7 K Posts
- 192 Online
- 7,043 Members
Join Us!
Latest Posts
-
RE: Help me keep the faith with my air source heat pump installation
Anyone managed to lever Vaillant to fix this issue? Sur...
By AdamK , 1 hour ago
-
-
RE: Octopus Cosy 12 Heat Pump Regret: Incredibly Loud, Poor Heating & Constant Hum - Help!
@l2jad I was just thinking all things being equal. Our ...
By AndrewJ , 5 hours ago
-
RE: Heat Pump Manufacturers Recommending Buffer Tanks
Hopefully the ambient temperature sensor drives a weath...
By JamesPa , 20 hours ago
-
RE: How many people are happy with their ASHP and do you believe them?
Im looking into these and my figures. The think that I...
By JamesPa , 21 hours ago
-
Hi, Does anybody have experience with Heat Geek insta...
By sttpd1917 , 22 hours ago
-
RE: Heat Pump Operation in Summer - Valliant 7kW
Yes - we use our Mitsi 14kW unit for cooling. I have j...
By downfield , 1 day ago
-
I will soon be struggling. Admittedly it is the summer,...
By Batpred , 1 day ago
-
RE: Indevolt Batteries UK Support & Info Thread
Not known yet. I've asked a local Councillor to follo...
By Transparent , 2 days ago
-
Hard to tell but I think I have placed the arrow on wha...
By ASHP-BOBBA , 2 days ago
-
RE: Who do I complain to about a poor ECO4 installation, can anyone advise?
Great. My guess is that you will need to re-adjust yo...
By JamesPa , 2 days ago
-
RE: UK warm homes plan - how can it be delivered?
I know it is not as simple as going from a fossil fuel ...
By Batpred , 3 days ago
-
@editor this is great news.
By ASHP-BOBBA , 3 days ago
-
RE: Daikin Altherma 3 with Fan Coils in Puglia (Italy)… Sanity Check on System Operation
AH (Absolute humidity) is grams of moisture per volume ...
By bobflux , 3 days ago








